Fuel Poverty Project

How do we engage and deliver energy efficiencyimprovements to rural communities?

Rugby BoroughBrinklow and Wolvey

The Warwickshire Perspective

Andy McDarmaidWarwickshire County Council

Fuel Poverty ProjectThe Warwickshire Perspective

Over 20% of Warwickshire’s households (46,000) are in fuel poverty and these are most prevalent in rural and semi-rural communities.

Previous funding opportunities have mostly been consumed by urban schemes.

Initially this bid was being prepared as from the LEP, but it was announced by DECC as a LA competition so WCC and Cov CC submitted separate bids.

Fuel Poverty ProjectObjectives

“To support the installation of improvements to the thermal efficiency of up to 50 rural dwellings in Warwickshire.“

“To develop a “one front door” web portal to enable individuals and support agencies to access local energy efficiency information and local installers online.”

Fuel Poverty ProjectWarwickshire Approach

Use Local Intelligence Sources

Pre-Assessment

• 15 Postcode areas identified across the communities of Brinklow and Wolvey

which covered 396 properties.

• Doorknocking exercise for all 396 properties to identify interest and also undertake short assessments.

This created an “intelligence-led” dataset through combining socio-economic and property information to effectively target those most in need.

Fuel Poverty ProjectShortlisting criteria

Dwelling characteristics: - Solid walls - Un-insulated cavity walls - Less than 150mm loft insulation - Off gas grid

Vulnerable households: - Elderly - Young Children - On means tested benefits - In Social Housing

From the physical surveys undertaken, or from the postal surveys returned, 83 properties met some of the criteria and were therefore shortlisted for a more detailed assessment.

Fuel Poverty ProjectWeb Portal

Fuel Poverty ProjectLessons Learned – so far

• Communication is critical

• On a project engaging so many partners the roles must be clear and adhered to by all

• There will always be someone who will complain!

Local co-ordinated delivery

Ken MantockHardyman Ltd

Time is of the essence......

• Tender returned - Submission included 24th January

six RETA service delivery partners• Appointed as project manager 31st

January • Advised RETA SDPs 1st Feb• Met with Andy and Rachel to learn 34 target 5th Feb homes identified by Act on Energy in Brinklow• Notified RETA members of scope of opportunity and arranged for meeting at The Bulls Head

• Expectation of: Survey/quote 18th FebStart 25th Feb Complete 22nd March

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

four weeks!

• Meeting 14 Feb – Andy , reps from Rugby Borough Council and all the service delivery partners:

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

- Complete Green Solutions – External Wall Insulation- Homeworks – External Wall Insulation- ITS – Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation- New World Solar – Boilers and Central Heating- Renewable Micro Solutions – External Wall Insulation and Boilers- Zest – External Wall Insulation

• Overview of project given, aims and objectives described, roles explored

AND ........address list received with: Brinklow 46 homesWolvey 37 homes

• So ready to proceed

• Bad news........... Weather then became Arctic

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

• Good news ........

Completion date of end of March extended to end of April

Yew Tree Hill, BrinklowExternal Wall Insulation by HomeworksBoilers by New World Solar

Initial Phase: Homes 8,9,10 11 & 12 13,14,15,16

Second Phase: Homes 17,18,19,20 21,22,23,24

Third Phase: Homes 3,4,5,6 7 25 & 26

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

Commenced 1st March and due to complete 3rd May

Heath Lane, BrinklowExternal Wall Insulation by Renewable Micro Solution and Loft Insulation by ITS

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

Commenced 21st March and completed 17th April

Homes 1a and 2a

Leicester Road, WolveyExternal Wall Insulation by Zest and Loft Insulation by ITS

Homes: 1 & 2 7 & 8 11 & 12

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

Commenced 2nd April and due to be completed 26th April

What achieved to tackle issues of affordable warmth and carbon reduction?

• 45 homes worked in, of which 14 are local authority or rented and 31 are owner occupiers

• 54 eco measures delivered:

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

What achieved overall to tackle issues of affordable warmth and carbon reduction?

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

EWIBoiler/ Central Heat-ing UpgradesLoft InsulationCavity Wall Insulation

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery

6

4

4

2

EWIBoiler/ Central Heat-ing UpgradesLoft InsulationsCavity Wall Insulation

Wolvey

26

7

41

EWI

Boiler / Central Heating Upgrades

Loft Insulations

Cavity Wall Insula-tion

Brinklow

What achieved to tackle issues of affordable warmth and carbon reduction?

Learning points (author’s personal view):

• More information at tender stage on homes likely to be worked in.

• Greater time for pre-visits, resident liaison, asbestos surveys/removal, power and services alterations, location of site compounds and getting to know the team.

• Better communication with residents throughout the process

• On-going involvement of Act of Energy to help advise residents on specific and general affordable warmth options

• Closer working between District and County Council staff and better appreciation of team roles/responsibilities

• Involve and advise local councillors and community interest groups before and during the process.

Fuel Poverty ProjectLocal co-ordinated delivery