Action areas

Our action areas have been developed with our stakeholders and seek to address five key themes around fuel poverty.

1. Reducing debt and maximising household income
2. Improving residents’ health and wellbeing by tackling cold-related illness
3. Improving the energy efficiency of homes
4. Increasing renewable and low carbon technology in domestic properties
5. Encouraging behaviour change to reduce energy use

To achieve the actions, we need to work with our communities and partners to create positive, measurable impact.

Reducing debt and maximising household income

We want to do what we can to make sure our residents, especially those most vulnerable, are able to meet the cost of energy bills. To support residents, we will develop ways to help people manage their budgets against increasing costs and will incorporate energy efficiency advice into the wider money and budgeting advice.

• Incorporate energy efficiency in the delivery of money/debt advice.
• Measures to try and minimise the impacts of welfare reforms. This might include planning for any available external funds available and how they should be used.
• Monitor the number of householders on prepayment meters and take measures to try and review the system for pre-payment meters, where possible.
• Explore and implement opportunities to support employees with the fuel poverty crisis. This could include employee benefits to enable savings on everyday purchases and support through Employee Assistance Helplines.
  
  

Improving residents’ health and wellbeing by tackling cold-related illness

We will strengthen our support and collaborate further with healthcare partners to reduce cold related illness, such as respiratory problems. This includes working with healthcare groups in Cheshire and Merseyside to reduce hospital admissions by working on pro-active measures to help reduce fuel poverty in the community. As part of this we will look at ways that people are referred and improve these, including within our communities.

• To review and implement the actions as recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Cold Weather Plan Guidance (NICE).
• Use available data from sources such as the NHS to drive improvements in how we tackle such things as respiratory conditions in cold weather.
• Explore and action opportunities to utilise social prescribing with front line health care staff. For example where GP’s may be able to issue fuel vouchers and/or sign posting communities to key information on reducing energy bills.
• Ensure front line health care staff receive training to help signpost residents to available help and support regarding fuel poverty.
  
  

Improve the energy efficiency of homes

We will actively seek funding opportunities and work with partners to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the borough.

• Target fuel poor households with a property rating of below Band C for energy efficiency measures.
• Develop a programme for hard-to-treat homes for park homes, solid walls and non-traditional constructions.
• Target private rented properties including student accommodation.
• Secure external funding for energy efficiency measures.
• Develop collaboration with Registered Providers, who are responsible for providing social housing.
• Raise awareness of how we can refer members of our communities in different ways with partners and all frontline staff.
• Explore where funding could be provided to support simple home improvements such as draught proofing, LED lighting, insulation, and foil backing for radiators for example.
  
  

Increasing renewable and low carbon technology in domestic properties

We will increase the amount of renewable energy used in domestic properties. This will include taking advantage of new technologies and innovations, where appropriate.

• Increase the amount of energy used in domestic properties produced from renewable sources.
• Explore District Heat Network opportunities in the borough.
• Explore opportunities to support local community energy networks.
  
  

Encourage behavioural change to reduce energy use

We will encourage our communities to change their behaviour around the use of energy. We will seek opportunities to collaborate and ensure our communities have access to information to make informed choices about how to reduce energy consumption.

• Provide a one-stop shop website which provides residents with information to reduce their energy use.
• Review the availability of face-to-face advice to residents across the borough to ensure a collaborative approach is taken.
• Deliver appropriate fuel poverty training to practitioners, housing, health and social care staff.
• Work with appropriate organisations to ensure all homes receive a smart meter by 2025.
• Develop a support package for schools and community energy champions.
• Promote benefits of fuel tariff switching by a variety of media, with particular focus on residents who do not have access to the internet.