Agenda item

·        Fuel poverty and the work of SHINE (Seasonal Health Intervention Network)

·        Evidence from Cally Energy

·        Evidence on the resident experience of retrofitting

·        Update from the Chair on Council Tax Support Scheme

(i)               Fuel Poverty and the work of SHINE

The Committee received a presentation from Jobe Bryer, Energy Advice Manager, on the role of the Seasonal Health Interventions Network and the support available to residents experiencing hardship due to increased energy costs. The presentation also summarised the energy efficiency of the council’s housing stock.

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

·        It was noted that the caseload of the SHINE service had increased due to the energy crisis.

·        The Committee expressed concern about the impact of rising energy costs, not only for residents, but also for public services. The increased cost of energy was having an impact on schools and leisure centres, and their ability to offer services in a financially sustainable way. Some leisure centres had reduced operating hours as a result, and this would have an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.

·        It was asked if government cuts were hampering efforts to install energy efficiency measures in housing. In response, it was advised that the government had ceased the Green Homes Grant which primarily supported owner occupiers, and other schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) had also been significantly reduced over recent years. In 2014 the council fully insulated the Holly Park Estate and primarily financed this through ECO funding. The council had been unable to finance energy efficiency improvements through this scheme since as the scheme had been significantly reduced.

·        Concern was expressed about residents on pre-payment meters in the current energy crisis, particularly as those residents had to be proactive in claiming government energy support measures, in comparison to those who received credit on Direct Debit payments. In relation to concerns about energy companies using debt collectors, officers advised that they were encouraging as many people as possible to join the priority services register, as those on the register could not legally be switched to a pre-payment meter.

·        There were reports in the press about government vouchers for pre-payment meters going unclaimed, and it was thought that a proportion of these had been lost or delayed. Officers advised that they were aware of cases where residents had not received these vouchers, and in some instances they had liaised with energy companies on behalf of residents to resolve the issue. It was also noted that pre-payment meters only accepted a maximum credit of £250, which was being used significantly faster due to the high cost of energy.

·        A member asked if officers were aware of any hurdles to residents accessing the services that SHINE refer to. In response, it was advised that due to significant demand there were some delays from the point of referral to residents receiving support. For example, it was known that there had been some recent delays to payments made from the GLA Warmer Homes scheme.

·        A member asked if the Energy Advice service liaised with community and faith groups about the support available and suggested that further engagement may be helpful to promote the schemes available. In response, it was advised that there were regular communications with such organisations, although there was always scope to do more. The service was also promoted through social media and newsletters. Members considered that the most vulnerable residents may not engage with these channels and may not be aware of the advice and support available, and a possible recommendation may relate to how the availability of support is communicated. 

·        A member noted the work being carried out to improve the energy efficiency of the council’s housing stock included internal wall insultation, new window, loft and roof insulation and the installation of LED lights. It was queried why the specification did not also include improvements in ventilation. It was advised that this would be taken up with the relevant officers.

   The Committee thanked officers for their attendance.

(ii)              Evidence from Cally Energy

The Committee was joined remotely by Elaine Trimble of Cally Energy, who presented on the work of the organisation in crowdsourcing funding for solar energy panels in the local area. 

The organisation was currently engaging with GLL about the possibility of installing PV panels on Cally Pool.

The Committee asked how the council could help to support organisations like Cally Energy. In response, it was advised that there had been occasions where the council’s response had been slow and this had resulted in delays to the organisation’s work. It would also be helpful for the council to clearly detail what matters it would and would not accept in contracts in advance, as this would accelerate contractual negotiations. There was a suggestion that the council required the organisation to hold significant financial reserves for potential future maintenance and this affected the viability of small-scale community energy schemes. It was suggested that it would also be helpful if the council had an agreed position on ownership options for PV panels, as a variety of different models were possible. 

Councillors thanked Elaine for her presentation. Cllr Clarke invited the organisation to present to members of the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee at a later date.

(iii)            Evidence on the resident experience of retrofitting

The Committee was joined remotely by a local resident who shared their experience of seeking to retrofit their property with energy saving measures. The resident had sought to install external insulation on their home, however had been advised against this by the council’s planning department, who indicated that a planning application was unlikely to be successful. Overall, the installation of energy efficiency measures had been a costly and complex process.

In response, officers, advised that a new supplementary planning guidance document was currently being prepared that would provide a framework for residents, businesses and others to seek planning permission for such improvements.

(iv)            Question from a Member of the Public

Rev Steven Cooper, Minister at Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission in Bunhill Ward, asked a question about the council’s recent decision to reduce the hours that heating is operational in properties with communal heating systems, commenting that this had a detrimental impact on vulnerable people living in those properties. It was advised that his concerns would be raised with the Acting Corporate Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods and the Executive Member for Homes and Communities for a written response.

(v)             Update from the Chair on the Council Tax Support Scheme

As the report was not available, this was deferred to the next meeting.

ACTIONS:

·        Housing Officers to respond to the query on improved ventilation in council properties;

·        Officers and the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport to consider how the SHINE service can be best promoted to vulnerable residents. 

·        The Committee was keen for the council to consider the experiences of organisations like Cally Energy and for these to help shape the council’s response in future.