Affordable Warm Strategy (AWS) &
Affordable Warmth Referral Network (AWRN) Steering Group Minutes
Thursday, 25 January 2007 at 2:00pm
Committee Room 1, Civic Centre
Attendees:
Name
Title
Initial
Steve Neild
Jennifer Roberts
Richard Bundy
Kath Lever
Les Laws
Russell Denis
Mick Hemingway
Tasha Rogerson
EAGA – Assessor Team Leader, External Agency Mgr
Partnership & Development Officer – North West
SCC (Principal Officer – Welfare Right & Debt Advice)
Patients Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)
Principal Officer (Affordable Warmth) SCC
Principal Officer (Strategy and Partnership Team) SCC
Principal Officer (Strategy and Partnership Team) SCC
Admin – SCC
SN
JR
RB
KL
LL
RD
MH
TR
Item
No.
Item
1.
Welcome & Introductions Apologies
Action
Apologies – Paul Matley, John Jordon, Sandra Mardell, Jacki Wild
Introductions – Russell Denis & Michael Hemingway from SCC & Kath Lever from
PCT.
2.
Minutes of Last Meeting
1. LL reported that he was working on the revision of the Affordable Warmth
Strategy and would consult with the steering group members later in 2007.
2. John Tanner of Salford Direct is to be contacted concerning the quality of the
electronic Warm Front referrals his team were making to the AW Team.
3. UNO Database is now installed and working.
4. PCT is in attendance at current meeting.
3.
Updating & Reviewing Salford’s Affordable Warmth Strategy
Stock Condition Survey
The Stock Condition Survey that started last year and surveying would be completed in
January. First draft of the report will be finished by 26th February. Fuel poverty is an
important part of this survey and the final report will provide useful information on the
levels of fuel poverty in the city and information to help target AW assistance.
It is planned to use the findings of the report to argue for greater resources to end fuel
poverty by 2010 for vulnerable households.
An aerial Thermal Imaging project was also being commissioned by SCC to tie in with
the stock condition survey. Images would be used for AW marketing and targeting
purposes.
LL would by contacting group members to obtain their opinion of the draft strategy and
would take their guidance on the content and format for the final document.
LL
SN is in charge of EAGA’s Warm Front’s visiting assessment team.
JR
KL District nurse suggests using the card in the Diary method as well as training staff on
how to make a referral. (Redraft) Have future training involvement with PCT to raise
awareness amongst patients and staff.
KL to have a word with Kim Whitener Concerning doing a test run in Walkden.
KL
4.
Warm Front Grants (Update)
The Council tax benefit Bulk mailing went out between November ‘06 and January ‘07.
There were no successful results. They will have to look at non-qualifying results.
Salford LA MK 547:
The results from Referrals Recovered from 14th November ’06 to 14th January ’07:
Non Qualifying – 199
Qualifying – 132
Total sent – 13,420
A £300 rebate (money off heating system) scheme from August is for anyone who didn’t
qualify got £300 if they are over 60 and not on benefits, there is no means testing. This
scheme is tied onto the Warm Front scheme, those eligible will receive £300. Even
though the scheme will end in March the vouchers are valid for 3 months after the end
date.
White & Green will individually audit the next tender for Installer prices in 2008. They will
work with installer concerning excesses.
The area focused scheme will subsidize cost and – benefits and pensions advice.
Government is to increase Warm Zone areas.
Eaga spent £1.3million in Salford area for sport during 2006 / 07.
LL received a letter from DEFRA concerning paying emergency heating grants. They will
pay for instalment after being assessed by the council using a subsidising warm front
scheme. Adrian spoke to DEFRA.
It takes 6 months to put in heating system.
Meeting with warm front installers in February.
They are looking for an agreement concerning quality control.
5.
Progress Salford’s Affordable Warmth Strategy
& Referral Network (Pilot)
LL went through the headline statistics from the Salford’s Affordable Warmth Referral
Network Statistics quarterly report. The AWRN (Pilot) in its first 8 months is making good
progress.
Headline Statistics April 2006 to Jan 2007
 Referrals into AWRN by partners =76
 Referrals out from AWRN = 157
 Number Aged 60 and over = 44
 Number of contacts registered disabled = 8
 Percentage from BME community = 7%
 Referrals for Warm Front Grant Via HIA = 30
 Households referred by Salford Direct = 145
 Total Investment by Salford City Council = £37,342
LL
RB LL



Total Investment by utility company partners =£175,933
Total Investment by EAGA Partnership Ltd = £1.349,256
All investment April 2006 to Jan 2007 = £1,562,541
LL would like to create a two-page newsletter on how to make referral.
Action Point: RB to get back to invite LL to attend one of his Team meetings to deliver
refresher training on how to make a referral via the AWRN.
Christina from PCT.
CASE STUDY
Referral from Energy Advice Centre, DLA and EAGA.
6.
Extending Membership Affordable Warmth
Referral Network (Pilot)
CK wants to think about starting a pilot scheme involving Walkden and Little Hulton for
an extension of the Affordable Warmth project, which will involve her contacting other
nurses to get involved in the pilot scheme.
7.
Dates for Future Meetings
When planning Future Meetings do not have them on either Mondays or Thursdays.
8.
AOB
For January 2008 LL would like to get items into the Salford Advertiser such as: “Beware
of the cold” and “DWP Fuel Grants. ” He would like to use a full page Advert. He is
looking for other people to write articles to put in the Advertiser. LL will pay for the
advertising expenses. The deadline for written contributions is Autumn time.
CK