Agenda item - Fuel Poverty and Affordable Warmth Strategy

Report of Acting Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

(1)            That the content of the report be noted.

(2)            That the draft strategy attached at appendix 1, and the objectives as they relate to housing in the city, be approved.

(3)            That it is recommended that the strategy is adopted by the Health & Wellbeing Board at its meeting of the 20^th September 2016.

8.1     The Committee considered the report of the Acting Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture which informed members that a Fuel Poverty and Affordable Warmth Strategy for Brighton & Hove had been developed by the Housing and Public Health departments, in consultation with key partners in the city. The strategy had been developed in response to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance released in March 2015 entitled ‘Excess winter deaths and morbidity and the health risks associated with cold homes’ and the national fuel poverty strategy for England, ‘Cutting the cost of keeping warm’. 

8.2     The NICE guidelines proposed that year round planning and action by multiple sectors was needed to reduce these risks and that Health & Wellbeing Boards are best placed to develop a ‘strategy to address the health consequences of cold homes’.  The strategy (attached as Appendix 3) would also be presented to the Health & Wellbeing Board on the 20 September 2016 for approval.   The report was presented by the Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager.

8.3     Councillor Atkinson was pleased to see the report.  He was concerned to read on page 155 that Brighton & Hove had higher figures of fuel poverty than other authorities in the south east.  Councillor Atkinson referred to objective 1 on page 170 and stressed that he wanted to see residents encouraged and supported to access advice and support.  He highlighted 1.4 of objective 1 in relation to working with private landlords, letting agents and tenants.  He asked for more detail with regard to 2.2 and 2.5 – Objective 2 (supporting residents struggling with their energy bills) on page 171. 

8.4     The Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager explained that officers were working with landlords and a private landlords associations, and the report had been discussed with them.  Officers would continue to look at different models to enable tenants to see energy improvements to their homes, although it was acknowledged that this was a significant challenge.  The Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager referred to 2.2 on page 171 (support the provision of tailored solutions via the single point of contact.  Affordable Warmth Referral System for people living in cold homes.)  He explained that this was a phrase taken from NICE; there would be a single point where people could receive help.  This was seen as key to the success of the strategy.   

 8.5    Councillor Mears thought the report made interesting reading. She referred to paragraph 3.7 on page 122 of the agenda.  This highlighted the housing stock in the city and the difference with other parts of the country.  Councillor Mears asked if there was anything that could be done to provide information to people to ensure they knew what help was available.    

8.6     The Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager agreed that it was important to refer people for assistance.  People were often surprised that there was support for changing a new boiler.  The council was a partner of ‘Your Energy Sussex’ and could refer people to the scheme, which provided funds towards the cost of a new boiler. 

8.7     Councillor Gibson referred to objective 4.5 on page 172 (Explore through the Strategic Housing Partnership how the housing sector can work in partnership with health, social care and voluntary sector providers to tackle fuel poverty).   He stated that it would be helpful to see the minutes of those meetings.  The Chair stated that officers would look at ways of making the minutes available to Councillor Gibson.    

8.8     Councillor Gibson referred to the question of energy efficiency in the private sector. He asked if officers thought that the licensing scheme for HMOs was now a proven way of improving fuel efficiency.

8.9     The Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager replied that he was aware that licensing schemes set standards around thermal efficiency of the home.  They were not necessarily set at a level to meet all expectations, and they might not be able to specify the ability to heat the home affordably.      

8.10   The Housing Sustainability & Affordable Warmth Manager stated that he worked closely with the Private Sector Housing Team to ensure those standards in HMO’s are kept and aligned to the objectives in the report.  There was also some national legislation that came into effect in April 2016 which was significant for both HMO’s and non HMO private accommodation in terms of setting a minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC.  Following a soft launch, from 2018 onwards there would be a requirement on landlords to achieve EPC in properties they rent out. 

8.11   Councillor Gibson recommended that the suggestion that the licencing scheme could be expanded to areas of poor energy efficiency be added to objective one.  

8.12   Councillor Hill was pleased to see the support for the report.  She was surprised to see how many winter deaths there were.  More work was required with regard to landlords and the private rented sector.  Licensing helped HMOs but did not deal with the affordability issue.  The more important thing was to provide tools or incentives for landlords.

8.13   RESOLVED:-

(1)            That the content of the report be noted.

(2)            That the draft strategy attached at appendix 1, and the objectives as they relate to housing in the city, be approved.

(3)            That it is recommended that the strategy is adopted by the Health & Wellbeing Board at its meeting of the 20^th September 2016.