Agenda item

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report seeking Members’ support for a new Fuel Poverty Strategy and what actions the Council could take at reducing fuel poverty within the District. 

The Chairman welcomed the Environmental Strategy and Development Manager who provided a summary of the report.  He referred to the general attributes of a fuel poor household stating that many of the households were in the private rented sector and those living in older, energy inefficient homes.  The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager commented that the District’s average level of fuel poverty was similar to that of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.  He referred to the new draft Fuel Poverty Strategy attached to the report, which was based on guiding principles outlined in the national Fuel Poverty Strategy, including Government data, and aimed at reducing fuel poverty within East Herts.

Councillor A Alder referred to the number of complaints she received about damp in Housing Association properties.  She also stated that some people were afraid to complain because of the fear of eviction.  The Environmental Health Manager – Residential said that the Council received a number of complaints about damp which was very often because of fuel poverty, with the worst problems occurring in the private rented sector.  She referred to new legislation which would protect tenants from retaliatory eviction when the Council took action after landlords had failed to address a problem. 

The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager referred to new legislation regarding the need for private rented properties to be “E” rated or above in terms of energy efficiency from 2018 to address the problems within the private rented sector.

Councillor M McMullen referred to the high number of energy inefficient properties in rural areas of the District.  The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager explained that in the north of the District, many homes were not on the gas network and so had to rely on oil and electricity which meant that these homes were more expensive to heat. 

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing stated that it was about making use of everything the Council could to address the problem.  He thanked the Officer for a thorough report. 

The Environmental Health Manager – Residential said that there was always more the Council could do and that it had a good record of giving help through means tested grants and in giving advice.  She explained that a lot of national schemes were closing and hoped that more referrals might come to the Council via the “Herts Help” referral process.

Councillor H Drake referred to Bishop’s Stortford Central Ward and lower average levels of the fuel poverty within it.  She stated that Central Ward had one of the highest levels of social housing and  queried how, if a resident owned a larger rural home, could the shortfall in grant be met.  The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager explained that social housing had traditionally been built to a higher energy efficiency standard than private homes.  He referred to the fact that cavity walls could be insulated for approximately £400-£600 but for older properties with solid walls this necessitated a change to the façade of the building and could cost in excess of £6000.  Changing the exterior of a building might also cause problems from a planning and building control viewpoint.   He explained how the Government’s (now ceased) “Green Deal” had worked in terms of financial assistance.

The Committee Chairman stated that some new affordable housing was built with solar panels.  She asked whether it was possible to make Housing Associations install solar panels on all new builds.  The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager stated that he was currently looking at mapping the installation of solar panels in the District.  He said that Housing Associations had been able to access to money to do this. He emphasised that the key to reducing fuel poverty was to insulate first.

The Chairman asked that the recommendation be amended to include a reference that information on oil buying clubs as detailed in Challenge 6 action (d) of the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy be disseminated to Parish Councils and local Members.  This was supported.

The Committee supported the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy, as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy for East Herts as now submitted, be supported;

(B)   information on oil buying clubs as detailed in Challenge 6 action (d) of the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy be disseminated to all Parish Councils and local Members; and

            (C)  further reports on specific measures       within the draft strategy be submitted as         they develop.