Agenda item

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The Housing Standards Officer (Energy Efficiency) gave a presentation to the Panel on Domestic Energy Efficiency, Project, and Cost of Living Support.

The Housing Standards Officer advised the Panel of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO 4) which was the fourth stage of the governments Energy Company Obligation scheme which had been extended for an extract four years meaning it would run until March 2026. He advised the ECO 4 scheme fully funds the implementation of wall insulation, loft insulation, lighting and clean heating and focused on low- income and vulnerable households.

He brought to the Panel’s attention the Borough Council’s Statement of Intent (SOI) which was published on the 27^{th of} February 2023 and this outline four qualification routes for applicants.

The Housing Standards Officer highlighted the significant increase from 8 to 252 declarations of eligibility to households issued within the Borough from the previous round of ECO. He added from the 252 declarations which were issued, 114 households had received a full retrofit.

He explained to the Panel the domestic carbon emission savings and signified King’s Lynn and West Norfolk was currently the highest emitter of domestic CO2 across Norfolk.

The Housing Standard Officer explained to the Panel another available scheme which the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and this scheme was provided singular retrofit improvements to households within Council Tax Bands A-D that have an EPC between D-G. He added the Statement of Intend for this Scheme was published on 25^th September 2023.

Included in the presentation given by the Housing Standards Officer was information about the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) 3 and the final reports highlighted the success of the scheme. The Housing Standards Officer explained the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) 2 scheme to the Panel and advised this scheme accommodates full retrofits and would run until March 2025.

The Housing Standards Officer advised the Panel of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 2.1 which was being implemented by Freebridge Community Housing.

He explained the working relationship with the Integrated Care Board (ICB)- Working Together to data share information on eligible residents. He advised of the project with the College of West Anglia on working together moving forward to address the green skills gap.

He highlighted upcoming projects such as Warm Homes: Local Fund, which was expected to be delivered between 2025-2028. He added another upcoming project was the Social Housing Fund (SHF) 3 which was expected to be delivered from 2025-2027 and would accommodate full house retrofits. He summarised the final upcoming project was ECO 5, which was expected to run until 2030 after ECO 4 concludes in March 2026.

The Housing Standards Officer provided and update to the Panel on the following projects; Beat Your Bills, Cost of Living Working Group, Food For Thought and Lily

The Chair thanked the Housing Standards Officer for the presentation and invited question and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Heneghan commented she was impressed with the work which had been carried out by the Council to help the communities. She asked if the difference in the property archetypes, such as older properties being different to new properties, were considered.

The Housing Standards Officer referred to the ECO and HUG schemes and explained the retrofit assessment determined the suitability and what the properties need. He provided an example, that an air source heat pump would not be installed in a solid brick property in the absence of internal wall insulation. He added the importance of changing the misconception after mistakes having been made with spray insulation and provided assurance.

Councillor Kunes thank the Housing Standards Officer for the report and advised the brilliant work which was being done. He asked if boiler replacement schemes where vouchers were being offered and if this had a impact on schemes being delivered by the Borough Council.

The Housing Standards Officer clarified at the moment in time, it was foreseen for this to not have an impact on the schemes the Borough Council was delivering. 

Councillor Colwell echoed the comments made by the other members of the Panel on the work being carried out. He referred to an article recently published about Officers from South Norfolk and Broadland who had been tasked to contact residents entitled to Pension Credit and commented the concern from people after the removal of the winter fuel payment. He asked if we had any plans like South Norfolk and Broadland to help residents in the Borough.

The Assistant Director, Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection confirmed a meeting was to be held surrounding Pension Credits and how we can do more as a Borough to ensure resident entitled are in receipt of Pension Credits.

Councillor Kemp endorsed the comments made and asked if the extent of the issue could be quantified and if we knew how many households needed to be reached. She added the importance of encouraging people to be trained as a green skilled person so work can be done locally.

The Housing Standards Officer advised data was being continuously monitored and were working on way to monitor the number of households that needed a retrofit improvement. He added the home analytical data provided by the energy saving trust was used to distinguish property types, EPC rating, solar suitability, and air source suitability. He referred to the project with the College of West Anglia in relation to trained green skilled persons and would continue to engage to identify the number of people going into this line of work.

Councillor Devulapalli sought clarification on how much households saved on bills and asked if this was highlighted it would capture the attention of residents on how much money could be saved.

The Housing Standards Officer commented he was liaising with Communications and advised the difficulty in residents disclosing the information however it was in encouraged and can then be included in the case studies.

Councillor Devulapalli sought further clarification on the target audience being reached and if this was being measured.

The Housing Standards Officer explained it was being measured on the declarations of eligibility and engaging with communities and households throughout the retrofit stage.

Councillor Rust, Portfolio Holder for People and Communities thanked the Housing Standards Officer for a comprehensive presentation. She added the hard work from Officers highlights the commitment from the Council to reduce carbon emissions and to improve the lives of the residents and support them from the cost-of-living crisis. She referred to the Food for Thought projects, Marmot, Freebridge, Beat your Bills and the engagement with the College of West Anglia. She explained the importance of the ICB data sharing with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to identify eligibility for these schemes available. She added the work being done linked to the Corporate Strategy and the publicly available information which was a response to a question received at the recent Council meeting.

Councillor Bullen thank the Housing Standards Officer for the presentation and asked if there was an issue with residents not believing or trusting that these schemes could help.

The Housing Standards Officer provided assurance to the Panel in response to Councillor Bullen question and stressed the importance of continuous engagement with residents.

Councillor de Whalley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity echoed the appreciation to the Housing Standards Officer and his knowledge and enthusiasm. He commented carbon reduction was energy and financial savings.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel noted the update.