Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED

That in the absence of Cllr Lee Anderson it was agreed that Cllr Amanda Brown should chair the meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 11 October 2016 were approved as a true record.

The Scrutiny Manager introduced the new topic of Fuel Poverty and Affordable Warmth to the Committee. The report set out information on the problem of residents being unable to afford to keep their homes warm. It also looked at the ways in which Fuel Poverty can be replaced by Affordable Warmth, energy saving improvements that can be introduced to reduce heating costs and maximise efficiency.

Members were reminded that this was added to the 2016/17 Scrutiny workplan following concerns about fuel poverty and the far reaching effects that this can have to all aspects of life including health, employment and education. Members were interested in considering the impact of Fuel Poverty on the District and whether existing policies and strategies had helped to alleviate it. They also wanted to find out if there were opportunities for the Council to work in partnership to tackle the problem?

The Committee were informed that Ashfield has higher than average levels of Fuel Poverty in some wards in the District and that it is especially prevalent in older private rented housing, which often lack insulation or efficient heating systems. Many of those who live in the least energy efficient properties also have low incomes and often have to buy energy at high costs. This was seen as a specific problem for those who have to use prepaid meter cards, which can prove to be very expensive for them.

It was explained that the Council’s own housing stock had been maintained to the ‘Decent Homes’ standard, which meant that nearly all of the properties were properly insulated and energy efficient. The Committee welcomed this.

Members were told about the action which the Council had taken to help reduce Fuel Poverty in the District. This consisted of measures to bring down the amount of energy used, through better insulation, installing more fuel efficient boilers etc. It also consisted of support to help people switch to cheaper gas and electricity tariffs. 

Members were anxious that vulnerable groups such as the elderly, should have access to Affordable Warmth, in line with the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives around Health & Wellbeing. The Committee heard that warm homes can help older people to remain healthier and more active. This in turn reduces the need to provide expensive social and health care support, such as longer stays in hospital or having to move into care homes.

The Committee discussed the report with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Health & Wellbeing, Cllr Jim Aspinall, and the Business Continuity and Sustainability Manager, Jenni French. What became apparent from this discussion was that although a lot had been done to help address Fuel Poverty a substantial number of improvements were still required to bring all homes in the District up to the appropriate levels of energy efficiency and to ensure that everyone had access to Affordable Warmth. 

The Committee recognised that the Council had very limited resources with which to tackle Fuel Poverty and was likely to have even fewer resources in the future. As a  ...  view the full minutes text for item OS15

The Committee next considered a report which set out the latest position on the remaining topics from the 2016/17 Workplan and the consultation arrangements with both Members and Officers to identify possible topics for the 2017-18 Scrutiny Workplan. As in previous years, all suggestions would be considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee so that it can determine the topics to be included in the Plan.  Members of the Committee welcomed this.

RESOLVED

a)    That the Committee notes the ongoing topics on the 2016-17 Workplan;

b)    That the Committee and other Members consider and identify future topics for the 2017/18 Workplan that may benefit from scrutiny involvement.

Reasons

Consulting, reviewing and agreeing items for the Scrutiny Workplan 2017/18 provides guidance and direction for the work undertaken by Scrutiny in the coming year.