Agendas, Minutes and Reports

8.2

North Somerset Council

REPORT TO THE ADULT Services and housing Policy & Scrutiny Panel

Date of Meeting: 23 November 2005

Subject of Report: Home Energy Conservation Report - Update

Town or parish: whole district

Officer/Member presenting: Howard Evans

Key Decision: No

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Panel note progress to 31 March 2005 on the delivery of the Home Energy Conservation Act Strategy and forecast to achieve target.

2. Headline results contained in the presenta [J1] tion on the Private Sector Stock Condition survey will provide an accurate assessment of several key measures in respect of home energy efficiency. The Panel will find these of interest and helpful to inform debate on the Private Sector Housing Strategy.

1. Summary of Report

Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) required local authorities to [J2] publish an initial report setting out energy conservation measures for all residential properties which were considered practicable and cost effective; likely to result in significant (30%) improvement in energy efficiency.

An associated reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will result - target over 20%.

An annual report must be submitted to central government detailing progress towards the targets set out in the original report (October 1996).

Appendix 1 provides a background to the Home Energy Conservation Act.

2. Policy

The following strategies, policies and plans are relevant:

Housing Strategy, Home Energy Conservation Act Strategy, Fuel Poverty Strategy, Housing Renewals Assistance Policy, Corporate Plan.

3. Details

The Ninth Progress Report (2005) has been submitted which indicates overall improvement in energy efficiency from April 1996 to March 2005 is 15.66%.

The period covered by the report (1^st April 2004 – 31^st March 2005) reveals a 2.74% improvement in energy efficiency, which is comparable with the previous year where the impact of increased delivery of information, advice, education and promotional activities has positively influenced progress.

Appendix 2 is an extract (Table 1) from the original report showing estimated fuel consumption (GJ) in 1996 and the effects of implementing a range of improvements over the lifetime of the strategy (15 years). Table 2 shows annual progress since 1996.

The improving results are mainly due to the success of a number of local projects, developed by the Home Energy Efficiency Officer. Of particular success is Somerset Warm & Well involving a consortium of eight local authorities working to streamline and fast track vulnerable groups to financial help. This also tackles poverty by maximising low-income benefits and targeting cold & damp homes. The scheme extends across the whole private sector by offering competitive discounts for insulation measures.

External funding was secured by consortium from Scottish Power, through their Energy Efficiency Commitment to the value of £200,000.

A number of successful partnerships have developed joint initiatives in particular with North Somerset PCT. Flu jab clinics have been targeted for the last two years, joint events during Warm Homes Week and numerous promotional events across the district.

It is a fact that severe cold affects circulation and this can lead to falls and cost to the NHS. Promotion of the “Sloppy Slipper Scheme” and work with the Falls Group highlights the issues.

Alleviation of poverty is being targeted by working with the Pension Service to maximise the uptake of low-income benefits, which leads to eligibility for government grants to improved insulation and heating.

It is increasingly difficult to encourage owners to invest in energy efficiency but the following innovative schemes are being developed:

Health Forecasting – work with Health Sector to improve health and thermal comfort by using data from Met. Office on severe winter weather and hospital admissions to target vulnerable residents.

Eco-schools – in partnership with Sustainability Projects Officer, this European initiative a network to promote good practice to encourage schools, particularly pupils to reduce negative environmental impacts.

Home Energy Efficiency Database – Energy Saving Trust developed a Great Britain wide database to help track home energy efficiency improvements.

Decent Home Standard – thermal comfort criteria requires effective insulation and efficient heating. Public Service Agreement (PSA7) deliver decent homes to vulnerable groups by 2010.

Home Information Packs – a presentation to Panel will be arranged next year.

4. Consultation

Development of the Private Sector Housing Strategy will focus on aspects of home energy efficiency, fuel poverty and climate change. [J3]

5. Financial Implications

None – current programmes and initiatives are contained [J4] within existing budgets.

6. Equality Implications

No direct implications, although development of the Private Sector Housing [J5] Strategy will focus on the progress and delivery of the agreed targets.

7. Corporate Implications

Statutory duty to produce report, poor performance could influence funding through Regional Housing Body and delivery of HECA is an important element of Housing Strategy, which influences Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). [J6]

8. Options considered

It is a legal requirement to submit annual report.[J7]

Author

Howard Evans, Housing Renewals Manager (01934 634810)[J8]

Background Papers

Home Energy Conservation Act 1995

Ninth Progress Report (2005)[J9]