Affordable Warmth Update Bolton Tina Gandhi, Housing Strategy Officer Strategic Housing Services

Bolton’s Affordable Warmth Strategy Fuel Poverty Excess Cold Excess Winter Deaths What Bolton Has Achieved Challenges Actions Q & A’s

Bolton’s Affordable Warmth Strategy Has an aim to overcome fuel poverty, covers all forms of tenure, and properties of all ages. Through improving energy efficiency, increasing people’s incomes, reducing energy consumption where appropriate and taking action to help reduce the cost of energy to the consumer. Priorities are vulnerable groups, in particular older people, people with disabilities or limiting long-term illnesses and families with young children. BLE_WARMTH_STRATEGY_2005.pdf

GM Fuel Poverty Comparison

Excess Cold Excess cold is the main reason for failure of ‘decency’ and biggest hazard under the Health and Housing Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Bolton’s Older People’s Housing Needs survey 2009, highlighted that the main types of repairs which could enable people to remain in their own homes, related to heating and/or insulation. These factors contribute to both health inequalities and reduced life expectancy which are major priorities for Bolton.

GM Comparison: Excess Winter Mortality Index 1997/98 – 2009/10

GM Comparison Excess Winter Mortality Index 2006/07 – 2009/10

National Picture

Fuel Prices

Causes of Death - Bolton

Ages Affected

What have we achieved ? 51,245 – measures in 11 years. Annual savings approx. £9M on fuel bills for householders in Bolton. Annual Carbon Dioxide Savings approx. 36M Kg (this is equivalent to the weight of 36,000 old fashioned minis). Energy Saving Trust

GM Comparison – basic measures

What have we achieved ? Energy Saving Trust

Bolton’s Affordable Warmth Strategy Fuel Poverty Excess Cold What Bolton Has Achieved Excess Winter Deaths Challenges Actions Q & A’s

Recent Acquisitions (at no cost to the Council) include 1,000 Energy Saving Devices (Standby Savers and Energy Monitors) at a total RRP value of: £21,470. These are being distributed to vulnerable customers in Bolton. Energy Saving Devices These devices can reduce household energy bills by 5-10%. For example statistics show that a standby saver can save a user on average approx. £43 a year. The energy monitor assist with behavioural change.

A new initiative launched this year, through the affordable warmth programme, in conjunction with Hoot, Wise With Money, Credit Union, where interest free green loans of up to £3,000 are available to all Bolton residents for energy efficiency improvements and ‘A’ rated appliances for their homes. At the end of the loan if the customer has made all their repayments in time, interest is paid back to them. Green Loans A Green Loan can be used to pay for: –Solid Wall Insulation –Draught proofing –New or upgraded central heating system and controls –Replacement central heating boiler –Double glazing –‘A’ rated appliances e.g. fridge freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, etc.

Aimed to assist vulnerable people who may need advice about keeping warm, heating/insulation grants, reducing fuel bills, home repairs, fire safety or money and benefits. The referral system was previously delivered externally, however at the start of this year it was brought internal, with Bolton Care and Repair. An example of how well it works: ‘We’ve had a customer in the office this morning enquiring about loft insulation. After discussing various things with her, we’ve identified a referral to care and repair for gutters; fire service for smoke alarms; Hoot for a green loan for broken appliances and a possible health boiler grant!’ Dawn Hulme, Building Surveyor. Bolton Care and Repair, Affordable Warmth (case management): Telephone: Fax: Affordable Warmth Case Referral System (Bolton Care and Repair)

Bolton’s Affordable Warmth Measures Delivered in Warm Front top ups: 10 Approximate annual savings on fuel bills in Bolton: £3k Approximate annual carbon dioxide savings: 12,200kg (Based on replacing a g-rated boiler, at £300 and 1,220kg annual savings per boiler) Better Behaving Boiler Scheme (including health grants): 70 Approximate annual savings on fuel bills in Bolton: £21k Approximate annual carbon dioxide savings: 85,400kg (Based on replacing a g-rated boiler, at £300 and 1,220kg annual savings per boiler) Insulation: 647 Approximate annual savings on fuel bills in Bolton: £113k Approximate annual carbon dioxide savings: 465,840kg (Based on loft insulation, at £175 and 720kg annual savings per installation)

What’s left to do? – Challenges GM Target - 75% of all remaining homes with under- insulated lofts or un-insulated cavities to be treated by 2013 The Estimated Cost over 3 years? £13m with no subsidy Warm Front working at a reduced level and ending soon. All major 6 utilities hiking up their prices, more people becoming fuel poor. End of social tariffs and introduction of warm homes discount. Launch of Green Deal.

Action 2011/2012 Toasty Insulation Campaign Affordable Warmth Case Referral System (Bolton Care and Repair) Better Behaving Boiler Scheme Healthy Heating Grant Warm Front Top Up Grants Temporary Heating Green Loans Energy Efficiency Workshops (Money Skills) Bolton Wise Energy Efficiency Project Possible CESP project

Winter 2011/12 29 th September Toasty Launch Event 42 people signed up for insulation on the day and many more took away free advice and leaflets, as well as details of the scheme. 3 rd to 7 th October – Mobile Advice Centre The advice centre toured parts of Bolton for a week, providing free energy advice. Toasty events throughout Bolton in October: 10 th Horwich, 14 th Harwood, 22 nd Town Centre. December Carer’s event, Mayors Annual Christmas Fair

Winter 2011/12 Jan – March 2012: -Distribution of Emergency Boxes (Hug in a Box) through joint partnership work, pilot scheme. -Bolton CVS and British Red Cross providing Keep Warm, Keep Well Presentations. -Energy Wise (Bolton Wise) providing bespoke energy advise to residents (homeowners and private tenants) in their own homes, pilot scheme.

Tina Gandhi Housing Strategy Officer Housing Strategy Development and Regeneration Bolton Council Tel: