Agenda item - Fuel Poverty & Affordable Warmth Plan

Report of the Corporate Director, Health, Care & Wellbeing (copy attached).

53 FUEL POVERTY & AFFORDABLE WARMTH PLAN

53.1 This item was presented to the board by Sarah Podmore (Health Promotion Specialist) and Miles Davidson (Sustainability & Energy Manager). Sarah stated that this plan has been developed as a refresh to the previous local strategy agreed by the board in 2016. The previous local Fuel Poverty & Affordable Warmth Strategy was developed in response to the release of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) NG6 guideline (2015). The new plan responds to the National Fuel Poverty Strategy for England and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and high energy prices.

53.2 Sarah stated that reflecting a revised national strategy and changes to the national definition of fuel poverty, the intention is for this refreshed Fuel Poverty & Affordable Warmth Plan to both reflect and drive local action to tackle fuel poverty and cold homes. They added that estimates show that 13.2% of households in Brighton and Hove are experiencing fuel poverty and that this is having negative physical and mental health impacts.

53.3 Sarah stated that the provisions provided by the Fuel Poverty and Affordable Warmth Plan includes its own steering group which coordinates a collaborative approach to tackling fuel poverty and cold homes. They cited key resources through which residents can access support and stated that the plan is aligned with local and national strategy.

53.4 Councillor De Oliveira asked who sits on the Poverty Reduction Steering Group, which will be a new reporting line for the fuel poverty & affordable warmth steering group. Sarah responded that they haven’t attended that group yet as it is relatively new within the council. They stated it is being chaired by Councillor Mitchie Alexander with representatives from a number of council departments with it currently being internal, though this may change to incorporate external organisations.

53.5 Stephen Lightfoot (Chair of NHS Sussex) thanked the presenters and asked what else can be done, using this work, to identify where there is a need for more local NHS services. Miles Davidson responded stating that it is important that local authorities and the NHS are joined up on matters such as these and that they are always trying to do more to ensure that information, data, and recommendations are passed on as appropriate. Sarah Podmore added that they have previously linked with community teams and that it would be good to refresh that link.

53.6 Councillor Miller commented that a high proportion of those living in fuel poverty are in private accommodation. They asked if we could use a new licencing scheme to compel landlords to improve fuel efficiency for their tenants. Miles Davidson responded that the licencing of houses of multiple occupation (HMO’s) does allow for setting of certain standards, but that this doesn’t always mean the heating is necessarily affordable. The new government has indicated that the minimum EPC standard for private accommodation will likely be raised.

53.7 RESOLVED – That the board agree to note the report