Issue - meetings

Councillor Paul Dixon will move:

“This Council resolves:

(1)  To instruct the chief executive bring a report to Cabinet setting out a detailed strategy to alleviate fuel poverty in Swindon by 2030. This will be achieved by:

a.    improving energy efficiency of Council / housing association housing stock

b.    better enforcement of existing regulations on energy efficiency and property standards

c.    publishing a statement of intent to access Energy Company Obligation funding via LA Flex

d.    improving tenants’ rights

e.    providing information advice and guidance to those most in need

(2)  To become a Member of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.”

With the agreement of the Council, and with the agreement of the mover and seconder of the Motion, the Motion was amended to read:

Councillor Paul Dixon moved and Councillor Bazil Soloman seconded:

This Council Recognises:

·         The significant impact that fuel poverty can have on low income households.

·         That Swindon has the 5^th lowest rate of fuel poverty in the South West.

·         That Swindon Borough Council currently has the joint 2nd lowest level of fuel poverty when compared to our 10 statistical neighbouring Local Authorities.

“This Council Further notes that:

·         A Statement of Intent for the Energy Company Obligation Local Authority Flexible Eligibility scheme is in place for Swindon residents, enabling them to access this route into the funding.  This has been in place since the inception of this funding route, and will continue to be reviewed periodically to ensure the eligibility criteria is appropriate to reach those most in need.

·         Information and support is currently provided through the Warm and Safe Wiltshire advice service, funded by Swindon Borough Council’s Public Health Department.  This service is being recommissioned for two further years to the end of March 2022.  The service works with many partners to ensure the support reaches those that most need it

·         Extensive work has been done by the Council’s housing department to promote better energy efficiency including considerable work carried out on the council housing stock such as the majority of properties double glazed, cavity wall insulation applied where possible, loft insulation topped up on all housing. The External Wall insulation programme continues with recent work completed in Pinehurst and Stratton.

·         The Council has no control over the housing association sector unless the properties are unfit. Housing Association stock profile is much younger than the council, in the main developed from 1970’s onwards.

This Council requests that:

·      The Cabinet Members for Adults and Health, and Housing and Public Safety produce a report for Cabinet to set out the work that has been done in respect of fuel poverty and to make further recommendations in respect of ending fuel poverty by 2030.”

The amended Motion was put to the vote and declared carried becoming the Substantive Motion.

            The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.