A presentation will be provided.
Minutes:
The Board received a presentation on the Fuel Poverty and Affordable Warmth Strategy.
An overview was provided of the causes of fuel poverty, how this was classified and the impact it had upon people’s health. It was noted that there was a significant there were approximately forty-thousand excess deaths in during the winter in the UK.
There were two key schemes in place to assist people on low incomes to heat their homes:
Warm Front Grants
This was a Government funded initiative that provided grants of up to £2700 for heating and insulation improvements for people receiving disability or means tested benefits.
Warmth and Comfort Scheme
This replaced the ‘Here to HELP’ scheme delivered by British Gas and was funded by the North London Sub-Region. The scheme provided £50K worth of heating and insulation improvements to the homes of those in receipt of means tested or disability related benefits.
It was noted that officers from the Council and Homes for Haringey worked with residents who were eligible for assistance from these schemes and that uptake had increased year on year.
Aerial Thermal Strategy Survey
It was noted that in 2007 Haringey had been the first Local Authority in England to undertake an aerial thermal survey of its housing stock. This had enabled the Council to target specific homes and buildings and was publicly available on the Council’s website.
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)
The Board was advised that the SAP rated properties between one and one-hundred in terms of energy efficiency. The average rating for English homes was forty-nine and Haringey was above average in respect of each tenure; Local Authority and Housing Association homes performed particularly well with ratings of fifty-seven and sixty-two being awarded respectively.
Sub-Regional Working
It was noted that a significant work was being carried within the North London sub-region to address Fuel Poverty and that Haringey was at the forefront of this, chairing the Private Sector Group and assisting with the administration of the Warmth and Comfort Scheme and Empty Property Scheme.
Development of the Affordable Warmth Strategy
A key stakeholders group was being established to assist in the development of the Strategy and consultation would be carried out with key partners and residents.
The Board would receive a further report in May updating it on the progress that had been made since the meeting and the final draft would be submitted for approval in September.
The Board discussed the strategy and the issues raised within the presentation.
In response to a query as to what action was being taken raise awareness amongst those eligible to received assistance with their fuel bills; the Board was advised that information in relation to special tariffs, payment by direct debit and alternative rates for people in receipt of Benefits, was supplied to residents who were recognised as being eligible.
There was agreement that it would be useful if officers working on the Affordable Warmth Strategy attended the Older People’s Partnership Board and the Haringey Forum for Older People to give an overview of the Strategy and obtain ‘buy in’ from partner organisations.
The Board was advised that there were measures included within the Strategy to improve energy and fuel efficiency in the private rental sector. A presentation had been made at a recent Private Landlords Forum setting out the benefits of improving properties and links had been drawn to community safety and improving security of homes. It was noted that there was a strong commitment to raising standards within the private sector.
In response to a query the Board was advised that all of the homes covered within the Decent Homes Programme would receive cavity wall insulation as part of improvement works.
RESOLVED:
That the presentation be noted.