Subject: Protect residents this winter

Notice of Motion from the Green Group

Date of meeting: 8 March 2022

Proposer: Councillor John

Seconder: Councillor Shanks

Ward(s) affected: All

Council notes:

- the crisis of rising energy bills; supply chain disruptions & the £20 Universal Credit cut

- that the poor quality of this country’s housing stock makes it expensive to heat

- the need for a scheme to replace the failed Green Homes Grant and for tighter Building Regulations for new homes

Council requests the Chief Executive write to the Minister for ‘Levelling Up’ to request government

- make provision in the anticipated ‘Levelling Up fund’ White Paper to redress the universal credit cut and support council crisis funds

- provide additional funding towards the Warm Home Discount Scheme and increase eligibility for Winter Fuel payments

- and communicate council’s support for the New Economics Foundation ‘Great Homes Upgrade’ campaign, that calls for government measures to end obstacles to retrofitting;

Further, that

o Councillors are requested to support the Great Homes Upgrade campaign and End Fuel Poverty Coalition Councillors pledge;

o The Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board be requested to call for an update on the Fuel Poverty Affordable Warmth strategy for its next meeting, giving information to councillors on services mobilised for residents e.g.

§ Warmth for Wellbeing Programme

§ Local Energy Advice Partnership free home energy insulation

§ Access to food and essential provisions

Crisis payments, debt advice & mental health support.

Supporting Information:

[1] Energy regulator Ofgem estimates soaring energy bill costs will create a 12% rise in energy bills for 15m households, combined with a cut to universal credit, will plunge many into poverty and hit the vulnerable hardest.

[2] New Economics Foundation: https://greathomesupgrade.org/tell-the-pm

[3] End Fuel Poverty Councillors’ Pledge http://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/end-fuel-poverty-councillor-pledge/