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Communities and Local Government Committee - session 2006-07 26th July 2007 - New inquiry and call for evidence.

 

Existing Housing Stock and Climate Change

 

OLDHAM COUNCIL SUMBISSION 26th September 2007

 

Our submission is based on how Oldham Council is promoting benefits of energy efficiency to residents.

 

 

First Choice Homes Oldham (housing ALMO) Decent homes work

 

· New central heating systems (currently installing Ecotec 937 condensing/combi boiler)

· Double glazing

· Change from communal heating charge for homes on grouped heating schemes to individual metering system. This will enable individual residents to control useage/demand much more efficiently and reduce wasted energy

 

CLG Energy Performance Certificate Pilot project (July - Sept '07)

 

· Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a central plank of the Government's climate change strategy and are to be introduced on sale, rent and construction of all properties by the end of October 2008

· This EPC pilot was sponsored by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and invited Expressions of Interest from local authorities nationwide. The purpose was to provide some valuable experience of producing, receiving and using EPCs within the social housing sector and to feedback to CLG the lessons learnt. The feedback will help CLG produce guidance to all local authorities prior to implementation October 2008 so that the scheme is rolled out smoothly and effectively

· 100 physical EPC surveys were conducted & 1900 EPCs were produced by a cloning exercise

· This was a good opportunity for Council and First Choice Homes Oldham (ALMO) to act more strategically in terms of having more up to date energy information which will be used to form an overview on areas such as stock condition, improvement and modernisation. This will also be used to plan programmes that address climate change issues and fuel poverty

· Participating in the pilot enabled the Council to demonstrate leadership in tackling climate change at a local level

· Pilot was also an opportunity to promote awareness of Climate Change issues, Green Agenda and energy efficiency issues to Council tenants. The 'Thank You' packs and contents, which were distributed to residents whose homes were surveyed, enabled us to acknowledge and reward them for their co-operation as well as to communicate the energy efficiency/Climate Change messages. By using the contents of the packs, residents were able to benefit immediately from energy efficiency measures (eg. light bulbs, kettle) and many were keen to know what else they could do

 

 

Partnership with Greater Manchester North Energy Efficiency Advice Centre

 

· Council has been able to use partnership working to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures borough-wide (eg. loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, updates to heating systems)

· Example of ongoing initiative: Affordable Warmth Strategy

· Work with GMNEEAC has included all of the housing market (social rented, private rented and homeownership sectors)

· roadshows/events have taken place or are planned, that have been used to promote awareness of Climate Change, Green Agenda, Energy efficiency issues for both Council staff and the public.