Issue - meetings

The Board received a report seeking approval of the Affordable Warmth Strategy and Action Plan.

It was noted that the strategy contained four key priorities:

• Engage with people to improve awareness and understanding of fuel poverty
• Increase the energy efficiency of housing across Haringey
• Maximise resources and opportunities for tackling fuel poverty
• Make the links to other related strategies such as the Greenest Borough

The Board was advised that there had been extensive consultation over the summer period. Although concerns had been raised with respect to the timing of this it was considered important that the Strategy was in place by the Autumn so that it would have an impact prior to winter.

It was noted that the Strategy would be considered by the Council’s Cabinet in October.

The Board discussed the draft strategy and there was a general consensus that the quality of the consultation exercise, particularly with older people, had been good.

It was suggested that the references made to both Housing Associations and NHS Haringey should be increased to reflect the level of engagement and involvement they had had in forming the document.

Concern was expressed over the number of ‘gaps’ in the documents at present and whether this information would be obtained prior to consideration by the Council’s Cabinet in October. It was acknowledged that the timescale was tight; however; the Implementation Group tasked with developing the strategy would meet be meeting finalise the document.

It was noted that determining the evidence to measure outcomes and providing an outcome based approach would be key to the strategy’s success and the Board was assured that this aspect would be fleshed out when the Implementation Group next met.

In response to a query the Board was advised that Homes for Haringey intended to pilot the use of Smart Metres and that this would feed into the strategy once the details had been finalised. In terms of the assistance available to people on low incomes and in receipt of Benefits, the Board was advised that the Council’s Fuel Poverty Officer reviewed the list of people on Benefits regularly and contacted those were not taking up help they were entitled to.

Guidance with respect to the assistance available for people living in privately rented accommodation was being considered by the Implementation Group and work was being carried out with providers to identify ways of reaching this group.

There was agreement that the draft Action Plan should be emailed to members of the Board for comment.

RESOLVED:

1. That feedback from the consultation process be noted.

2. That the Affordable Warmth Strategy and Action Plan be approved, subject to the circulation of the Action Plan for comment, prior to submission to the Council’s Cabinet.

3. That the IHB would monitor the delivery of the Action Plan.