LCB Fuel Poverty & Carbon Emission Reduction Project Presented by Steve Adelizzi & Jake Roos

EERA has changed the way funding is allocated to local authorities for private sector housing improvements. EERA has adopted a three tier approach Loans Bid Based Formulae based allocation This presented Local Authorities with an opportunity to bid for funding to develop their own projects. Introduction

Bid Based Funding Authorities across the Eastern Region were invited to bid for Regional Housing Pot funding to deliver improvements in the private sector housing stock.

The LCB Project Steve Adelizzi (East Herts Council) & Jake Roos (Uttlesford Council) have proposed and are leading a bid on behalf of the 15 Local Authorities in the London Commuter Belt Sub Region. The project will deliver a step change in the way local authorities tackle fuel poverty & reduce CO2 emissions within the private sector housing stock.

The Project This is a two year project using funding bid for from EERA (East of England Regional Assembly). The Project aims to tackle fuel poverty & reduce carbon dioxide emissions in private sector dwellings using a range of insulation measures and low carbon technologies.

Overview of the project A Managing partner will be appointed to deliver the project across the 15 LCB authorities The project will be the main vehicle for tackling fuel poverty and carbon emissions in private sector housing stock across the LCB Local Authorities. Delivery of 13,500 project funded interventions over two years. Assistance will cover a range of measures from advice to loans and grants depending on circumstances. Support will be available to priority groups & able to pay private sector households. Approximately 10% of the funding will be used to provide a Warm Front top up fund.

How much funding is available? If the bid is approved £6.6 million of funding will be available A managing Partner should be able to attract at least a further £6 million of external funding The total investment could be £12 - £20 million over two years

Objectives Primary Tackle fuel poverty Reduce CO 2 emissions Secondary Improve effectiveness of HECA-type work by coordinated marketing between local authorities Increase range of assistance available to householders Try out loans scheme as a model of working in future

Who will be eligible? Those already qualifying for WF & CERT priority group LCB defined priority group – this group has yet to be defined but will include those on means tested benefits & low income households ATP will also get more that they do at present

What is on offer? Advice Surveying to flag up Decent Homes/HHSRS failures Income maximisation – benefit checks Various grants and loans Insulation measures –Loft and cavity –Draught proofing –Solid wall insulation –Possibly other types (e.g. sloping ceilings) Heating measures –Gas heating –Controls upgrades –Cylinder insulation and thermostats –Solar hot water –Heat pumps –Wood heating Signposting to further assistance – LA & national schemes e.g. council grants for essential home repairs

Marketing Strategy A door to door approach to target priority groups will also capture able to pay households. One of the strengths of this project is that it offers funding for all private sector households. Negating the arguments of the “I never get anything”, I’d be better off on benefits” brigade. A wider marketing campaign will also be used to promote the project through participating councils and marketing activities carried out by the managing agents. Scheme will have extra grant support for ATP loft and cavity insulation – likely to be cheaper than your existing scheme

Project flexibility There will be a standard service level agreement that each local authority will be able to adapt to better meet their needs. Working closely with the managing agents will allow better allocation of funding If necessary funding will be redistributed from under performing authorities to authorities exceeding targets

How will local authorities benefit? A dedicated scheme to tackle fuel poverty & Carbon emissions to assist in meeting NI186 & NI187 Potential EERA funding of £440,000 per authority over 2 years Warm Front top up fund Increased range of grant supported measures available Full project management Free promotion & marketing of the scheme

How will local authorities benefit? A dedicated call centre to handle project enquiries A range of survey data (HHSRS, DH, SAP) Reduced demand on LA grant budgets Stimulated local economy Development of social enterprise schemes Leveraging in approx £6+ million of external funding Economies of scale mean improved value for money

Project dates EERA submitted the bid to DECC on 1 st December 08 The ministerial decision has been delayed until February 09 The Project is due to start on the 1 st April 09 In order to meet the start date of 1 st April 09 it has been necessary to assume funding will be available and the project has progressed accordingly.

Progress So Far Representatives from 5 of the LCB authorities are co-ordinating the various activities necessary to progress the project The tender process closed on 23 rd January 09. We have received 12 bids for managing partners and short listing will take place on the 29 th & 30 th January 09

Questions? If you have any questions about the project you can contact Steve Adelizzi (East Herts) or Jake Roos (Uttlesford)