Willesden Green Library is set to receive a low-carbon heating system and other energy-efficient upgrades following approval from the Brent Council Cabinet. The project, backed by a successful grant application to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 4 (PSDS P4), aims to significantly reduce the library's carbon footprint and operational costs, while also addressing disruptions caused by the current heating system.
The Alternative Heating Source at Willesden Green Library report, discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, 17 November 2025, outlined the plans for the project, which will be funded by a £667,628 Salix grant and £250,000 from the Carbon Offset Fund, totaling £917,628. The Carbon Offset Fund is a levy recharged to developers who cannot achieve their full carbon credits on-site. Councillor Rubin described it as a really good use of resources in terms of not tapping into kind of public funds.
Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, highlighted the importance of the project, stating it's part of the council's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. He also noted the successful application for grants to fund these initiatives and the effective use of the Carbon Offset Fund.
Councillor Rolfe, a regular user of the Willesden Green Library, declared an interest and welcomed the news, emphasising the library's importance to residents and the need to equip it for the future.
Councillor Kirsten Knight, Cabinet Member for resident experience, echoed these sentiments, adding that the project is a flagship initiative that will address issues with the current heating system, which has disrupted library services. She also noted that the upgrades would deliver significant financial savings and cut carbon emissions.
The project is expected to utilise a low-carbon air source heat pump. The report noted that the grant has to be spent by 31 March 2026. A councillor asked how confident the council was that the money would be spent by that date. A council officer responded that the team was prepped to deliver the project and were confident that it would be delivered on time.
The approval marks a significant step towards modernising the library's infrastructure and supporting Brent's broader environmental goals. The council aims to ensure the project is completed by March 31, 2026, to meet the grant's spending deadline.
