EAST LOTHIAN FUEL POVERTY
STRATEGY
November 2008
CONTENTS
Summary……………………………………………………….….3
1.0
Introduction…………………………………………………….….7
2.0
Guidance on Tackling Fuel Poverty and Preparing Fuel
Poverty Strategies………………………………………………10
3.0
Local Strategic Context…………………………………………11
4.0
Strategy Development………………………………………….18
5.0
The Incidence of Fuel Poverty in East Lothian………………20
6.0
National Policies and Initiatives Impacting on Fuel Poverty and
Strategic Context……………………….……………………….22
7.0
Strategic Objectives…………………………………………….28
8.0
Action Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation………………….38
9.0
Resources Available …………………………………………..39
10.0 Risk…………………….……………… ………………………..41
11.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………44
Appendix
1. Consultation Summary
2. Fuel Poverty Maps
3. Action Plan
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
5. Risk Register
Glossary and Abbreviations
2
Summary
Fuel poverty is a situation where householders are unable to afford the
purchase of sufficient fuel to ensure that reasonable household comfort
requirements are attained it is caused by a combination of factors including:

low household income;

poor insulation standards;

inefficient heating systems;

lack of access to cheaper fuels; and

household behaviour and under-occupancy of properties.
The East Lothian Fuel Poverty Strategy outlines how East Lothian Council and
its partners intends to facilitate delivery of the Scottish Government’s target of
eliminating fuel poverty by 2016. This target was set out in the Scottish Fuel
Poverty Statement published in 2002 to meet the requirements of section 88(1)
of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. Local authorities have a responsibility to
prepare Local Housing Strategies that ensure as far as reasonably practicable
that persons do not live in fuel poverty. Due to increases in unemployment
and fuel prices since 2002, when the Scottish Government issued its fuel
poverty statement, the interim target of reducing fuel poverty by 30% by 2006
has been missed.
The Scottish Government have defined that a household is in fuel poverty
when:
”in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it has to spend
more than more than 10% of its income (including housing benefit or
Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use”
The Scottish Government have produced guidance for local authorities on
preparing a fuel poverty strategy covering:

measurement of fuel poverty;

maximisation of household income;
3

improvement in energy efficiency, including installation of insulation and
renewable energy systems;

provision of energy advice; and

promotion of mechanisms to reduce fuel costs.
The guidance also stresses the importance of corporate commitment to the
Strategy. In addition, the guidance advises the Strategy considers how the
objectives of eradicating fuel poverty would impact and be impacted on by cross
cutting issues addressed through Community Plans.
A steering group was set up by the Council to oversee development of the East
Lothian Fuel Poverty Strategy and consultation was facilitated via a session of
the East Lothian Housing Forum and invitation to comment on the strategy.
There was also discussion with other organisations involved in activities that
impact on fuel poverty in East Lothian.
In preparing the strategy account was taken of the context set by national and
local initiatives and other strategies that impact on fuel poverty, such as:

the Home Energy Conservation Act (1995);

the Scottish Housing Quality Standard; and

the Scottish Government Warm Deal and Central Heating Initiatives.
The strategy steering group set seven strategic objectives for the strategy,
which, following consultation, were reduced to six. These objectives will
address the principal causes of fuel poverty in East Lothian:

Strategic Objective 1: Identify level of fuel poverty in East Lothian and
measure progress towards its elimination;

Strategic Objective 2: Identify fuel poor households and direct them to
appropriate assistance;

Strategic Objective 3:
Provide fuel poverty advice and information
services;
4

Strategic Objective 4: Provide benefits and money/debt advice;

Strategic Objective 5: Reduce the cost of heating fuel; and

Strategic Objective 6: Increase energy and fuel efficiency in all tenures.
Achieving these objectives will involve delivery of 15 identified actions and
require consolidation of existing partnerships and development of new
partnerships and referral mechanisms between key groups whose activities
impact on fuel poverty, including:

East Lothian Energy Advice Centre (ELEAC);

Scottish Government;

Citizens Advice Bureaux;

fuel companies;

Energy Saving Trust;

East Lothian Council; and

East and Midlothian Community Health Partnerships.
There are various threats to the delivery of fuel poverty reductions, including:

future increases in fuel costs;

factors impacting on incomes levels;

Difficulties
in
resourcing
and
delivering
heating
and
insulation
improvements, particularly in areas remote from the supply of mains gas
and in poorly insulated older properties with non-cavity wall construction.

Ability of the Council and all involved partners to adequately resource
delivery of fuel poverty reduction measures.
The actions identified to deliver the Strategies objectives will build upon actions
already being delivered by the Council and partner organisations in East
Lothian and will help counteract ongoing trends that could result in increased
fuel poverty.
5
Due to increases in unemployment and fuel prices since 2002, when the
Scottish Government issued its fuel poverty statement, the national target of
reducing fuel poverty by 30% by 2006 has been missed. East Lothian Council
will monitor progress towards Strategy objectives and will revise approaches in
response to changing legislation and funding opportunities. The Council will
work closely with the Scottish Government and other relevant partners, to
maximise progress towards the aim of eliminating fuel poverty by 2016.
6
1. Introduction
1.1 What is Fuel Poverty
Fuel poverty is a term used to describe the inability of households to afford fuel
consumption sufficient for domestic purposes, including the maintenance of
comfortable heating standards and reasonable use of hot water, lighting and
appliances.
The causes of fuel poverty are complex, but generally result from a
combination of the following:

low household income;

high levels of essential household expenditure for reasons such as debt
and ill health;

poor insulation standards;

inefficient heating systems;

lack of access to cheaper fuels;

household behaviour; and

under-occupancy of properties.
Fuel Poverty can be considered as a sub-set of general income poverty but
can also affect households living in hard to heat properties, who would not be
considered as falling within standard definitions of income poverty.
Fuel Poverty can also be considered in terms of its consequences:

Condensation dampness
o Low household temperature levels encourage the condensing of
moisture onto surfaces within a property, encouraging mould growth.

Households making the choice to ‘heat or eat’
7
o The level of income available to meet fuel costs varies between
households and excessive expenditure on fuel can limit resources
available for other essential areas of expenditure.

Higher rates of cold related illness
o Cold conditions impact on certain illnesses, including circulatory and
respiratory conditions and there is evidence to indicate that cold
conditions hinder recovery from illness.

Excess winter mortality
o
A factor less prevalent in other European Countries with colder
climates (excess winter deaths in the UK average around 40,000 per
annum).
1.2 Scottish Government Fuel Poverty Statement
Legislation with the aim of eradicating fuel poverty came into force in the UK
through the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000.
Eradicating
fuel poverty was subsequently set as a priority in the Housing (Scotland) Act
2001, which provided local authorities with a central role in achieving this aim
by obligating them to produce Local Housing Strategies which ensure “as far
as reasonably practicable, that persons do not live in fuel poverty” (Scottish
Government 2001: 88(1)). The Act required Scottish Ministers to publish a
statement setting out measures, which they and local authorities are doing and
will do to eliminate fuel poverty (Scottish Government 2002). The subsequent
Scottish Government ‘Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement’, produced in 2002,
reflects the earlier UK Fuel Poverty Strategy and sets a target of eliminating
fuel poverty by 2016 and an interim milestone of 30% eradication by 2006.
1.3
Scottish Government Definition of Fuel Poverty
Fuel poverty is a fluid problem, with households regularly moving in and out of
the situation depending on circumstances and how the problem is defined.
Indicators used in the past to illustrate the prevalence of fuel poverty, include
levels of fuel debt and disconnection, condensation dampness, cold related
8
illness and excess winter mortality.
Various definitions of fuel poverty have
been suggested in the past to aid in measuring the extent of the problem.
In response to the requirement to eliminate fuel poverty set in the Housing
(Scotland) Act 2001, the Scottish Government prepared a definition of fuel
poverty for the purposes of its measurement:
“A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory
heating regime it has to spend more than 10% of its income (including
housing benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all
household fuel use.”
9
2.0
Guidance on Tackling Fuel Poverty and Preparing Fuel
Poverty Strategies
The Scottish Government have produced guidance for local authorities on
factors to be considered in the preparation of Fuel Poverty strategies via the
Scottish Government Fuel Poverty Statement1.
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement indicates how the Scottish Government
intends to work with public, private and voluntary organisations to tackle fuel
poverty, largely by monitoring and raising awareness of fuel poverty, and
promoting energy and heating efficiency improvement.
Advice is provided on factors to be addressed by fuel poverty strategies,
including:

energy efficiency improvement;

income maximisation;

influencing fuel costs ;

benefits advice;

energy advice ; and

arrangements for monitoring and mapping fuel poverty.
The guidance stresses the importance of corporate commitment to the delivery
poverty objectives, including the participation of Councillors and the Corporate
Management Team. Local authorities are also advised to co-ordinate with
relevant external agencies in pursuit of fuel poverty objectives
1
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/08/15258/9951
10
3.0 Local Strategic Context
The Fuel Poverty Strategy will be compliant with a range of local policies,
strategies and arrangements made in response to national directives.
3.1
East Lothian Community Plan 2007-2016
The East Lothian Community Plan 2007-2016 confirms East Lothian’s 2020
Vision sets out core priorities and areas to enable the Vision to be met.
Community planning is the over-arching framework for moving East Lothian
towards the following 2020 vision for the area:
“In 2020 East Lothian will have an established reputation as having the highest
quality of life in the United Kingdom and the quality of our environment will be
recognised as amongst the best in Europe”.
Our dynamic and flourishing economy will support strong, sustainable, safe and
inclusive communities where: the demand for affordable, high standard housing
will be met; our world class education service will encourage all our children
and young people to achieve their full potential; and, all our citizens will have
access to the highest quality public services and a modern integrated transport
infrastructure.
In 2020 our citizens will be proud of East Lothian” (2005)
The elimination of fuel poverty in East Lothian is a key part of the delivery of this
vision.
3.2
Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Single Outcome Agreement
Through the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA), the Scottish Government has
established 15 National Outcomes that each Council has been encouraged to
address. East Lothian Council has produced a response to the SOA which
identifies how the Council will address the 15 National Outcomes.
11
The purpose of the SOA is to provide a greater focus on delivering outcomes
(i.e. the results for / impacts upon the community). Delivery of those outcomes
will be the joint responsibility of the Council and the Scottish Government.
The Fuel Poverty Strategy, along with a grouping of other partners and
strategies has a significant role to play in addressing these national outcomes.
The action plan in Annex 3 identifies how the strategy will address fuel poverty
in relation to the SOA.
3.3
East Lothian Local Housing Strategy 2003-2013
The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) is the overarching strategic housing
document in East Lothian. It contains direct reference to the development of a
Fuel Poverty Strategy in Action 53 of its revised Action Plan 2006. In addition
the annual update undertaken for Communities Scotland in 2005 contained a
statement on activities in Scotland influencing fuel poverty reduction.
3.4
Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA)
The Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) came in to force on 1 April 1997
and placed a responsibility on local authorities to set and facilitate the delivery
of targets for domestic energy efficiency improvement in all tenures in their
areas between 1997 and 2007. HECA included arrangements for ensuring
that “personal circumstances” were taken in to account in energy efficiency
improvement plans, including the needs of vulnerable groups and those in fuel
poverty.
The Council has produced a HECA Plan in response to the Act, which included
the delivery of a number of initiatives, listed below:

The East Lothian Energy Advice Centre (ELEAC)
o An outreach energy advice service, managed by the Lothian and
Edinburgh
Energy
Efficiency
Advice
Centre,
which
advises
12
vulnerable households on fuel payment and energy efficiency
issues.

Warm and Well
o An initiative connected to ELEAC, where health professional refers
households whose health is at risk from cold related illness and
arranges appropriate assistance.

Gas Extension projects
o The Council has entered into partnerships with fuel supply
organisations, local communities and has facilitated the extension of
mains gas supplies to 1,600 households.
The most recent progress report of the East Lothian HECA Plan covered the
final HECA reporting period up to March 2007. The overall approach of the
Strategy has been to encourage energy efficiency improvement and the
attainment of affordable warmth. The impact of energy efficiency improvements
in East Lothian during the period of the HECA Strategy (April 1997 to March
2007) resulted in a 16.93% improvement by 2007 with the overall target to 2007
being 24.4% from a baseline set at 1 April 1997.
Whilst the HECA period drew to a close in March 2007 the installation of
measures and provision of advice will continue. However as many properties
become fully insulated the focus will shift away from loft and cavity insulation
towards alternative methods of providing energy efficiency improvements.
3.5
Scottish Housing Quality Standard Delivery Plan
In February 2004 the Minister for Communities announced the Scottish Housing
Quality Standard (SHQS) for the social rented sector. The standard defines
what constitutes acceptable good quality housing and is consistent with the
Scottish Government’s objective of “delivering good quality, warm, sustainable
and affordable housing for everyone” (Scottish Government 2004: p.41). Local
13
authorities and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have until 2015 to meet the
standard, with local authorities being encouraged to monitor progress in the
private sector. Local Authorities and RSLs are required to produce a Standard
Delivery Plan (SDP) indicating how they will achieve the SHQS.
The energy efficient criteria in the SHQS covers inclusion of efficient full house
central heating, NHER rating of 5 or SAP of 50 and effective insulation 100mm
loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and insulation of hot water pipes.
Since 2005 the Council have undertaken a rolling programme of surveys
comprising 25% per annum of East Lothian Council’s housing stock. The
properties have been assessed against the Scottish Government’s Scottish
Housing Quality Standard. At present, the total stock currently comprises 8,089
properties and to date to support the SHQS we have surveyed 75% of our
housing stock.
The average SAP for the housing stock based on SAP2001 is 68.2, which is
higher than the national average of 54.
East Lothian Housing Association submitted its Standard Delivery Plan to
Communities Scotland in 2006, following completion of a house conditions
survey. It is anticipated that the Scottish Housing Quality Standard will be met
by 2015. Communities Scotland has confirmed they have no further queries
regarding the SDP.
In terms of the other major housing associations within East Lothian, most
Castle Rock Edinvar and Homes for Life Housing Partnership and other RSL
stock, was constructed after the 1980s and is energy efficient. All anticipate that
the SHQS will be met by 2015.
Local authorities promote the attainment of energy efficiency standards in the
private sector through their HECA strategies.
Authorities can fund energy
efficiency measures, via home improvement grants and have received funding
from the Scottish Government for energy efficiency measures via Private Sector
14
Housing Grant. However local authority influence on the private sector is
limited, particularly in the private rented sector.
3.6
Debt and Money Advice in East Lothian
In January 2003 the East Lothian Money Advice Partnership, consisting of
representatives from the CAB, Bridges Project and East Lothian Council,
confirmed an overall approach to money advice in the paper “Debt and Money
Advice in East Lothian”. This consisted of retaining and enhancing the existing
money advice provision via the Haddington and Musselburgh CABx and
introducing specialist money advice provision within the Welfare Right Team.
The CABx and money advice team co-ordinate with ELC to ensure fuel debts
are handled in a holistic manner.
3.7
Healthy Communities and Healthy Citizens: A Joint
Health Improvement Plan for East Lothian 2007 - 10
The Plan has been developed by the Health Well Being and Lifelong Learning
Forum of the East Lothian Community Planning Partnership to ensure the
following:

joint working on health improvement across the community planning
partners;

outline key national and local agendas for health improvement;

provide a framework for local delivery of corporate policy across a range of
issues related to the wider determinants of health; and

Provide a profile of health improvement needs in East Lothian.
There is recognition throughout the document in that tackling poverty is key to
health improvement. In addition fuel poverty is referenced in the
recommendations to ensure that the elderly and the vulnerable elderly, in
particular, are targeted for measures to prevent fuel poverty.
15
3.8 Fairer Scotland Fund: Improving Lives, Regenerating
Communities 2008-2011
The Scottish Government has created a new fund aimed at tackling poverty and
deprivation across Scotland. Entitled the Fairer Scotland Fund (FSF), it brings
together seven existing funding streams, each with its own individual monitoring
regime and will replace the Regeneration Outcome Agreement 2006-2008. The
FSF will continue with its partnership work to contribute to regeneration within
Tranent and Prestonpans. The incidence of fuel poverty is one of the measures
of progress of the FSF.
Fuel poverty is considered to be a cross cutting issue. By tackling fuel poverty,
other issues addresses within the FSF, such as housing, health, inequalities
and energy can be addressed. Thereby contributing towards the three relevant
national outcomes that are detailed below:

National Outcome 6 - We live longer, healthier lives;

National Outcome 7 - We have tackled the significant inequalities in
Scottish society; and

National outcome 8 - We have improved the life chances for children,
young people and families at risk.
Targets for inclusion in the FSF are to reduce the number of households living
in fuel poverty in East Lothian by 30% by 2012 (phased annually over the
reporting period of the FSF) and implementing the East Lothian Fuel Poverty
Strategy alongside the National programmes by 2016.
3.9
East Lothian Homelessness Strategy 2003-2008
The Strategy is currently being reviewed and a new Strategy is being prepared
for consultation in 2008.
16
3.10 Older People’s Strategy
A joint Council/NHS Older Persons Strategy is in the process of being
developed in conjunction with relevant partners. The Strategy is due to be
published for consultation in early 2009. The links between fuel poverty and
vulnerable older people are highlighted.
3.11 East Lothian Economic Development Strategy
This is based on research carried out by the consultancy Yellow Book into the
area’s economy and ideas about developing and arranging it in the future.
Promoting sustainable development and quality of life is recognised within the
Strategy.
17
4.0 Strategy Development
4.1 Preparing the Strategy
A Strategy steering group was set up to oversee the development of the
Strategy comprising representatives from:

East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel;

East Lothian Council, Housing Strategy and Development Section;

East Lothian Council, Health Improvement Section;

East Lothian Council, Chief Executive Department;

East Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust; and

Changeworks.
This group met on six occasions and considered ongoing arrangements and
future actions that could reduce fuel poverty in order to inform the setting of
key objectives and actions for delivery of the Strategy.
The Strategy has
considered the resources required and available to deliver these objectives
and actions and has considered barriers to the reduction of fuel poverty.
4.2 Strategy Consultation
In June 2007 a consultative draft of the Fuel Poverty Strategy was produced
and released to a small group of stakeholders for initial consultation. Prior to the
Strategy being issued for wider public consultation and in accordance with
Section 9(3) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act, 2005, East
Lothian Council contacted the relevant consultation authorities for guidance on
the likely significance of effects of the Strategy on the environment. This was a
two month long process and based upon the advice provided by the Scottish
Government, East Lothian Council made a determination that there would be no
significant environmental effects as a result of the Strategy.
In April 2008 the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy was updated following feedback
from the initial consultation and changes in information since the document was
18
first produced. It was then published for wider consultation. The steering group
met in August 2008 to consider responses from the consultation exercise and
agree alterations to the draft document.
Appendix 1 contains a full report on the consultation for the Strategy
19
5.0 The Incidence of Fuel Poverty in East Lothian
In the period between the 1996 and 2002 Scottish House Condition Surveys,
fuel poverty levels in Scotland fell from around 35% to 13% (238,000
households) and in East Lothian the 2002 figure stood at around 11% of the
population, or 4,000 households. However, since 2002, the latest data
available from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2004/05 indicates that
nationally, fuel poverty has increased to 18.2% (419,000 households). The
reduction in fuel poverty levels between 1996 and 2002 had occurred as a
result of improvements in income and benefit levels, reductions in
unemployment, improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in fuel
prices.
However since 2002 gas prices have risen by around 90% and
electric prices by around 60%, far in excess of retail price inflation.
An analysis of the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) by Communities
Scotland indicated that every 5% increase in fuel costs would result in an
increase of 30,000 households experiencing fuel poverty. The fuel poverty
charity Energy Action Scotland, estimate that by the end of 2007 the numbers
of households in fuel poverty had reached 650,000. If this level of increase
applies to East Lothian, then up to 7,500 East Lothian households could have
been experiencing fuel poverty by the end of 2007. This is an increase from
11% of all households in East Lothian in 2002 to approximately 20% of all East
Lothian households in 2007.
The Energy Saving Trust has produced a sub-ward level analysis of fuel
poverty, which indicates variations in fuel poverty within the district and is
based upon the SHCS data (Appendix 2a).
Further mapping has been
undertaken by Changeworks in 2006 (Appendix 2b), this analysis was based
on 2001 census data on income and presence of central heating. It indicates
high levels of fuel poverty in rural areas, which are outside the distribution of
Mains Gas and have high proportions of older properties with low insulation
levels. The effects of fuel poverty in low-income areas of East Lothian’s main
20
towns are mitigated by the presence of gas central heating connected to social
rented properties that are also well insulated.
The SHCS 2002 indicated that the best predictors of fuel poverty were income
band, tenure and extent of central heating.
Households at greater risk
included:

Tenants of private rented properties;

Single adult households; and

Those with weekly incomes under £100.
The SHCS indicated that approximately 25% of households in receipt of state
benefits were fuel poor and 63% of fuel poor households in receipt of benefits
received state pension. Of those on incomes between £100 and £199, those
in private tenures were more likely to be in fuel poverty (Communities
Scotland, 2004).
Information on the consequences of fuel poverty in East Lothian such as levels
of condensation dampness and excess winter mortality is not regularly
available.
Numbers of households experiencing problems of condensation
dampness in East Lothian were measured in the SHCS as being 11%. The
level of excess winter mortality fluctuates from year to year and statistics are
not produced at a local authority level. However if Scottish rates are applied to
East Lothian then there could be between 50 and 100 excess winter deaths in
East Lothian every year.
21
6.0 National Policies and Initiatives
There are a range of government policies and initiatives that impact on energy
efficiency, income levels and fuel costs and therefore the incidence of fuel
poverty. These have been considered in setting the Council’s Strategy.
6.1
Draft Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, s 179 requires Scottish Ministers to publish
a strategy for improving energy efficiency in living accommodation.
This has
been undertaken in the form of the draft Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration
Strategy for Scotland, which was issued for consultation in March 2007. With
regard to housing, the draft strategy highlights that the Scottish Government
will:

set energy efficiency targets;

review the Home Energy Conservation Act targets;

consult on proposals to set targets for EcoHomes of ‘excellent’ for new build
housing by 2010;

consider
options for
financial
and
other
incentives
to
encourage
householders to improve the energy efficiency of their homes;

continue the commitment to end fuel poverty by 2016; and

test the impact microgeneration technologies have on tackling fuel poverty.
In 2007 Communities Scotland also published a Sustainable Housing Design
Guide, which advises on how to improve the energy efficiency of existing
buildings and attain affordable warmth.
6.2
Benefits Policies and Winter Fuel Allowance
Government measures designed to reduce general poverty by increasing
incomes including the introduction of tax and pension credits and the minimum
wage, impact on fuel poverty.
22
An initiative directly impacting on fuel poverty is the Winter Fuel Allowance. A
Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment for people of 60 or over. It is paid
every year over the winter months to help with fuel costs. For the winter of
2008/09, the Winter Fuel Payment is up to £400 per household, depending on
circumstances.
6.3
Warm Deal Initiative
The Warm Deal initiative was introduced by the Scottish Government in 1999,
and has two elements, one for Local Authorities and Registered Social
Landlords to carry out insulation works in their own stock and one
administered by Scottish Gas covering private rented and owner occupied
households over the age of 60 or in receipt of specified benefits.
The
measures introduced via this scheme include loft, cavity, hot and cold water
tank and pipe insulation.
The Scottish Gas administered grant is for up to £500 per household and is
available to householders on various state benefits. Householders or their
spouses over 60 not in receipt of any specified state benefits, qualify for a 25%
grant.
6.4
Central Heating Programme
The Central Heating Programme was introduced in 2001 and provides central
heating, insulation and advice. It is divided between a scheme administered by
Scottish Gas and one administered by local authorities and Registered Social
Landlords. On 18 October 2008, the Cabinet Secretary announced the
allocation of an additional £10 million to the Central Heating Programme. This
will allow the programmes to reach a greater number of fuel poor households
than were originally anticipated. From 27 October 2008, therefore, the priority
groups will be extended to cover the following pensioner households:

those who have never had central heating system;
23

those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are in
receipt of the Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit;

those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged
75 or over;

those who have a partial or inefficient system and are in receipt of the
Guarantee Element of Pension Credit; and

6.5
those who have a partial or inefficient system and are aged 80 or over.
Energy Assistance Package
In November 2008 a new Energy Assistance Package was announced by the
Health Secretary to help those affected by fuel poverty. The package will help
increase incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes,
offering an integrated package of:

energy, benefits, tax credit and tariff checks for a wide range of people;

standard insulation measures provided free for those most vulnerable to
fuel poverty; and

enhanced energy efficiency measures - including central heating
renewable heating systems and insulation for hard to treat homes - for
low income families living in homes with the lowest energy efficiency.
This initiative was the central recommendation of the Scottish Fuel Poverty
Forum and will replace the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes in a
drive to tackle all aspects of fuel poverty, not just energy efficiency.
It will be backed by £55.8 million a year - 20 per cent more than existing fuel
poverty budgets.
6.6
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and Fuel
Company Initiatives
Fuel companies have to abide by licence conditions, requiring them to identify
and assist vulnerable customers, particularly in relation to fuel payment
arrangements and to offer energy efficiency advice. Fuel companies also have
24
a major role in financing energy efficiency measures through the Carbon
Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) which has succeeded the Energy
Efficiency Commitment (EEC), an obligation on energy suppliers to deliver
carbon savings through action in homes. CERT will run from 2008 to 2011 and
is a licence condition on fuel suppliers to encourage and assist their customers
in improving energy efficiency.
CERT focuses on disadvantaged customers with 50% of carbon savings
arising from customers receiving pensions, benefits or tax credits. CERT is
used to fund a variety of measures approved by Ofgem, including loft and
cavity wall insulation, condensing boiler installation and installation of
renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and heat pumps. The
scheme also funds switching from electric and solid fuel heating to gas
heating, due to higher system efficiencies of gas heating systems.
Another funding source offered by fuel companies has been preferred supplier
agreements with social landlords, whereby landlords receive a fee for
switching energy supplies of void properties and allocating new property
supplies to the fuel company. These fees can be used to fund fuel poverty
related activities. Landlords will usually select a supplier based on criteria
relating to customer service, competitiveness of tariffs and the level of the fuelswitching fee.
6.7
Energy Saving Trust (EST) Initiatives
The Energy Saving Trust was set up by the UK Government, following the
1992 Rio Earth Summit, with the goal of achieving sustainable use of energy
and cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
A flagship initiative of the EST is The Energy Saving Scotland advice network
(ESSac), which is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the
EST. The ESSac provides telephone advice on energy efficiency. Some of the
25
advice centres have separately funded outreach energy advice projects aimed
at advising vulnerable households.
The EST’s HECAction and Innovation programmes have provided funding on a
competitive basis for a range of initiatives aimed at vulnerable households,
including private landlord and health initiatives.
Three EST initiatives, the Scottish Communities and Householder Renewables
Initiative (SCHRI), Innovations Fund and Community Energy Programme, have
funded sustainable energy and district heating schemes.
6.8
Building Regulations
Part J of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, covering energy efficiency
standards in new build properties, stated that by reducing energy consumption
in buildings “not only will carbon dioxide emissions be lowered but also fuel
poverty issues will be addressed to a certain degree” (Scottish Building
Standards Agency 2005: 6.01).
The regulations introduced in 2007 require all new gas and oil boiler
installations to be specified as high efficiency (usually condensing boilers) and
has set minimum energy efficiency standards that will reduce building carbon
emissions by around 20% compared to the 2004 regulations.
6.9
Energy Performance Certificates
As a result of the European Union Energy Performance in Buildings Directive
an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be required for all house sales
and lettings from January 2009.
26
6.10 The Planning System
In March 2007, the Scottish Government issued Planning Guidance SPP6,
which require reductions in carbon emissions of 15% below that required
through building regulations in new developments with over 500m2 floor area
by installing renewable energy or microgeneration systems. In terms of fuel
poverty, cheaper (free) sources of energy will result in lower annual fuel bills.
6.11 New Build Social Housing
New build in the social housing sector has generally been provided by
Registered Social Landlords with Housing Association Grant (HAG) funding
from the Scottish Government. Scottish Government set targets for new build
and conversions of SAP ratings of 85-90 and 65-75 retrospectively. There are
many examples of renewable energy systems and high-energy efficiency
design. However these have tended to serve as demonstration projects and
renewable energy systems have rarely been incorporated in new build housing.
Energy efficiency in new housing has also been promoted via the EcoHomes
initiative, which RSLs are using to set sustainability standards.
27
7.0 Strategic Objectives
7.1
Strategic Objective 1:
Identify Level of Fuel Poverty in East Lothian and Measure
Progress Towards its Elimination
Measurement of fuel poverty levels in East Lothian could serve to demonstrate
progress towards the elimination of fuel poverty in the district and possibly
impact on future development of the Strategy.
Independent measurement of fuel poverty at an East Lothian level would be a
complex and costly process. The Council and RSLs are collecting information
on the energy efficiency of their housing stock as a result of the requirements
of the SHQS and the European Union Energy Performance in Building
Directive. However no resources or clear methodology is available to crossreference this with income and fuel demand profile of tenants.
The Council will establish a monitoring framework, involving a collection of
local indicators of fuel poverty that will be updated annually and analysed by
the Fuel Poverty Steering Group. The basis of the monitoring framework will
be formed by updates to the Scottish House Condition Survey that measures
progress in tackling fuel poverty. Outputs from the various actions included in
the Strategy will be used to indicate levels of activity in tackling fuel poverty
and incidence of fuel poverty related problems.
28
7.2
Strategic Objective 2:
Identify Fuel Poor Households and Direct Them to Appropriate
Assistance
The Council’s HECA Plan indicated how account would be taken of personal
circumstances in tackling fuel poverty. A key aspect of this was the setting up
of referral mechanisms between organisations whose work impacts on fuel
poverty levels including ELEAC, insulation installers, money advice agencies
and other service providers.
The ELEAC has carried out mail outs to targeted wards for the purpose of
promoting energy efficiency. Respondents to these surveys identified as being
at risk of fuel poverty or otherwise vulnerable are directed towards more
detailed assistance from ELEAC outreach staff. The ELEAC have carried out
training and briefing sessions for partners able to make or receive referrals.
Referral mechanisms between agencies participating in the Strategy will be
further strengthened.
The sub-ward analysis of fuel poverty is useful in informing where and how
energy efficiency measures and fuel poverty services should be targeted. In
addition to this, existing maps of fuel poverty produced by Changeworks will be
updated. These maps are based on census and house condition data and can
be populated with information influencing fuel poverty, such as changes in fuel
prices, or the delivery of services and measures installed in an area. To
support this process, fuel poverty information will be included in ELC
information management systems, including GIS.
7.3 Strategic Objective 3:
Provide Fuel Poverty Advice and
Information Services
Provision of energy advice and information is an important component of any
Strategy designed to reduce fuel poverty. Energy advice can assist
households by providing:
29

information on energy efficiency measures and grant eligibility;

support in organising measures and claiming grants;

instruction on control and running costs of heating systems and appliances;
and

information on cost effective fuel payment and budgeting options, including
fuel debt repayments and switching suppliers.
These actions help ensure that households take steps to obtain value for
money on fuel expenditure.
Since 1997 the Council has funded Changeworks to deliver the ELEAC service
in East Lothian. The service provides a telephone line on energy efficiency
matters and has outreach advisors who can visit vulnerable households to
discuss fuel bill problems, heating system operation and grant funding for
energy efficiency measures.
The ELEAC carries out talks and presentations to community groups and
schools on energy efficiency and fuel poverty issues, with around 30
presentations being made annually to schools through the Housing Education
Partnership and about six to community groups. ELEAC staff also provide
training to other service providers on fuel poverty topics and maintain referral
networks. This also includes providing feedback to referral organisations on
the outcomes of advice work.
An offshoot to the energy advice service is the Warm and Well project, which
was originally set up with EST funding and assists householders referred by
health professionals as being at risk of cold related illness.
The project
advises these households and facilitates measures by directing clients towards
grant assistance and can fund measures from its own intervention fund. The
project uses an annual grant from ELC to sustain the intervention fund and has
utilised Private Sector Housing Grant, when available, to fund measures.
30
The ELEAC and Warm and Well services assist around 250 households
vulnerable to fuel poverty every year.
The fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland (EAS) has promoted an
initiative that recruits volunteers to provide energy advice. The Council and
ELEAC would engage with this initiative, if sufficient resources were made
available to manage volunteers without detracting from the current delivery of
the energy advice service.
7.4 Strategic Objective 4:
Provide Benefits and Money/Debt
Advice
Under claiming of benefits can result in households experiencing fuel poverty.
Government statistics indicate a deficit in take up of benefits in the UK. In
2002-2003, between £2,310 and £4,540 million went unclaimed representing a
figure of between 76% and 83% of eligible clients taking up benefits they were
entitled to. Figures for take up of minimum income guarantee for pensioners
(which has since been replaced by Pension Credit) were between 68% and
76%. Take up of Council Tax benefit is also low amongst pensioners (NEA
2005). In addition, spiralling debt problems impact on a household’s ability to
pay for fuel, and excess expenditure on fuel can also act as a trigger to
households falling into unsustainable debt.
In East Lothian the bulk of money and debt advice is provided by the
Musselburgh and Haddington Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) in conjunction
with East Lothian Council’s Welfare Rights section.
Arrangements for
provision of debt and money advice were described in the Council Plan “Debt
and Money Advice in East Lothian” produced in 2003. This document also
highlighted that the number of money advisors serving East Lothian was
proportionately lower than in other authorities covering similar population
profiles.
31
The CAB have a small staff and manage volunteer advisors. The CAB advises
on a range of benefit issues and complex debt cases and is licensed to provide
debt advice. This also includes advice on fuel debt repayment, which for some
households has to be considered alongside other debt payments. The CAB
have also commented on fuel payment and debt matters, via their
arrangements for commenting on social policy.
Money advice services in East Lothian are coping with an increasingly
complex financial environment and the Welfare Rights section of the Council
and the CABx are working to capacity.
There are insufficient resources
available to mount sustained initiatives to identify and assist households that
are under-claiming benefits or require debt advice. It will therefore be difficult
to ensure that rates of under-claiming of benefit are reduced. If changes in the
operations of the Department of Work and Pensions impact on the ability of
households to claim benefits or result in delays in claims and the appeals
process, this could result in failure to remove some households from fuel
poverty. Additional resources to deliver money advice services and identify
vulnerable households would help to reduce fuel poverty levels.
The Council’s Welfare Rights Section has two Welfare Rights advisers and
deals with a range of benefit income maximisation.
The Welfare Rights
section works closely with the CAB and both organisations represent
households at benefits tribunals and advise clients on benefit fraud cases.
Benefit Entitlement Checks have been incorporated in many fuel poverty
programmes, including Warm Deal and some EEC funded schemes. In East
Lothian basic benefit checks have been targeted via the Scottish Gas Here to
HELP, EEC funded initiative.
However income maximisation services
provided by Welfare Rights Groups and CABx are more thorough than the
checks offered alongside energy efficiency schemes and can assist clients
with appeals on benefit decisions.
Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, have a team, which provides advice
to its tenants on benefits issues. They and the CAB and Welfare Rights Team
32
make and receive referrals from the ELEAC, which provides a conduit to wider
fuel poverty initiatives.
7.5
Strategic Objective 5: Reduce the Cost of Fuel
Since 2002 there have been large increases in the price of fuel, resulting from
increased international demand at a time when fossil fuel reserves are
becoming more difficult to source and fuel prices in the UK are vulnerable to
spikes in demand and the working of the gas supply market in Europe.
East Lothian Council has limited input to international fuel price trends, but can
influence fuel costs by:

encouraging access to mains gas, which is cheaper than other fuel
sources;

encouraging households to switch to more cost effective payment methods
e.g. paying by direct debit rather than more expensive pre-payment meters;

encouraging householders to take advantage of competition by switching to
cheaper suppliers; and

facilitating the installation of renewable and other technologies or initiatives
such as bulk purchase of fuel, to reduce the cost of fuel.
East Lothian has been actively involved in facilitating the extension of gas to
settlements remote from the supply of mains gas. This has involved creating
partnerships with gas transportation companies, local communities and private
housing developers to demonstrate the financial viability of extending the
mains gas network.
The Council has made substantial investment in gas
connection and heating replacement in its properties located in target areas.
Mains gas supplies have been made available to around 1,600 households in
all tenures in all tenures since 2001 with further gas connections planned.
Rising gas prices may soon nullify the effectiveness of gas as a cheaper
source of fuel. However, extending the gas network remains a cornerstone of
the 2007 UK Fuel Poverty Strategy (Annual Report 5). This initiative will
33
continue to be a priority for East Lothian Council until reports on its
effectiveness to reduce the cost of fuel for households proves otherwise. In
line with this, close monitoring of the effectiveness of gas extensions will be
undertaken annually through a review of relevant information.
The Council’s energy advice service promotes the benefits of changing
supplier and arranging cost effective payment methods.
The outreach
advisors can also guide vulnerable households through the process of
switching supplier and changing payment method. This has been supported
by the work of the CAB financial education project which has helped
vulnerable households without bank accounts secure access to banking
services. ELHA and ELC have both entered into preferred fuel supplier
agreements, which require all void and new properties to be switched to the
participating supplier. Part of the decision on choice of supplier was based on
the tariff available from the supplier. Tenants can switch supplier within 28
days of starting tenancy.
A new ELHA development at Windygoul, Tranent was opened on December
2007 and was developed in close consultation with East Lothian Council and
local resident groups. This development incorporates renewable energy
technologies and environmentally sensitive design. A special feature of the
development is its use of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) to provide
heating and hot water and as far as we are able to establish this is the largest
installation of GSHPs in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has provided funding for the renewable energy
features on a pilot basis on condition that ELHA, working in partnership with
ELC, instruct a detailed independent monitoring exercise to fully evaluate the
effectiveness of the sustainable features in order to inform future investment
decisions and will be produced by February 2009.
There have been few examples of provision of district heating systems and
bulk purchasing of fuel in East Lothian. East Lothian Housing Association
developed social rented housing in the village of Ormiston, which was heated
34
by a gas-fired district heating system. It is unclear whether this has resulted in
significant fuel bill savings for tenants. The Council will examine possibilities of
incorporating district heating in large-scale development of new build
affordable housing and possibly new build owner occupied housing. This will
involve assessment of whether such systems are consistent with objectives
relating to reduction of carbon emissions and fuel costs.
The Planning advice note on renewable energy SPP6 issued in March 2007
may further stimulate the introduction of district heating.
7.6
Strategic Objective 6: Increase Energy and Fuel Efficiency
in all Tenures
Since 1997 the Council has been endeavouring to improve energy efficiency
levels via a plan prepared in response to its responsibilities under the Home
Energy Conservation Act 1995. A target was set to improve energy efficiency
in the district by 24.4% between 1997 and 2007. The outcome of the HECA
Plan resulted in a 16.93% improvement by 2007.
The SHCS indicates that in 2002 the NHER profile (where 0 is poor and 10 is
excellent) was:
Table 4.1 NHER profile of all East Lothian Housing Stock
NHER Rating
0-2
3-6
7-10
Proportion of Properties
13%
60%
35%
The Council has been actively improving the energy efficiency of its properties,
having completed a programme of double-glazing installation in 2001 and
progressing with insulation improvements in line with requirements to improve
insulation set under the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. The NHER rating
of ELC properties increased from 4.2 in 1997 to 6.2 in 2007. East Lothian
Housing Association is also progressing with insulation and glazing
replacements in line with its SHQS obligations.
There are some non-
35
traditionally constructed RSL properties in non-gas areas in which target SAP
ratings will be difficult to achieve. Most non-traditional Council properties have
been insulated.
Lack of access to mains gas in rural parts of East Lothian has resulted in the
presence of heating systems in these areas with lower system efficiencies than
gas central heating. There are also high proportions of older buildings in rural
areas with low levels of insulation. Improving the energy efficiency of solid
walled properties and properties in non-gas areas can be expensive and grant
funding for expensive measures is often either unavailable or proportionately
low compared to the cost of the measure.
Various promotions have been made to private sector households via the
HECA Plan. There has been significant uptake of Warm Deal and EEC grant
funding in owner occupied housing in East Lothian.
Insulation contractors
working in ELC properties have promoted uptake of grant funding to
neighbouring householders who had purchased their homes under the Right to
Buy.
Encouraging improvement in the private rented sector will be a challenge as
landlords often have little incentive to improve heating and insulation standards
in properties. Furthermore private rented properties are often constructed
before the 1930s and have solid wall rather than cavity wall construction and
are therefore expensive to insulate. The introduction of Energy Performance
Certificates in January 2009, which requires landlords to provide prospective
tenants with energy ratings for properties, may result in landlords improving
the energy efficiency of their properties in an effort to encourage letting and
maximisation of rental income. In addition to this, the ELEAC will target private
sector landlords with information on the availability of grants for their properties
for insulation purposes.
The Council has also considered energy efficiency and fuel requirements of
utility units used on Gypsy traveller sites and options to improve cost
effectiveness.
36
The Council will investigate options for increasing levels of insulation and
incorporation of renewable energy features via its new build standard for new
Council properties. The outcome of the evaluation of the ELHA Windygoul
development will influence the uptake of heat pumps on other housing
developments.
37
8.0 Action Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation
Responsibility for monitoring and evaluating delivery of the Strategy will rest
within the Housing Strategy and Development Unit of ELC Community
Housing and Property Management Division. The Strategy will be overseen by
the Council’s Development Officer (Sustainability), who also acts as the
Council’s HECA officer. Progress will be reported via LHS monitoring
arrangements overseen by the Housing Strategy Manager.
8.1
Action Plan
The action plan detailed in Appendix 3 was produced in conjunction with
partner organisations and is the working document upon which delivery of the
Strategy will be focused. The action plan will be updated annually, in
conjunction with the Fuel Poverty Strategy steering group.
8.2
Monitoring Framework
To monitor progress of the Strategy, the Fuel Poverty Strategy steering group
will evaluate progress against actions and review changes in national
conditions and policies that will require alteration to the Strategy. Appendix 4
contains the Monitoring and Evaluation task list and is the working document
that will inform evaluation of progress towards strategic objectives.
The monitoring framework will involve a collection of local indicators of fuel
poverty that will be updated annually and analysed by the Fuel Poverty
Steering Group. Updates to the Scottish House Condition Survey, that
measures progress in tackling fuel poverty, will form the basis of the
monitoring framework. Outputs from the various actions included in the
Strategy will be used to indicate levels of activity in tackling fuel poverty and
incidence of fuel poverty related problems.
38
9.0 Resources Available
9.1 Strategy Management Resources
An energy management budget of approximately £90,000 is managed by ELC
Housing Strategy and Development Section, which funds HECA and Fuel
Poverty Strategy activities.
9.2
Energy Advice and Information
Organisations funded via the Energy Management Budget include the ELEAC
and Warm and Well projects at £64,400 and £13,000 respectively in the
2008/09 financial year. Around £8,000 per annum will also be spent from the
budget on marketing and information activities relating to energy efficiency.
Additional resources would be required to meet demand for energy advice and
information services.
9.3
Money/Debt Advice
The Council proves grant funding to the Haddington and Musselburgh Citizens
Advice Bureaux totalling £186,800 in the 2008/09 financial year. This will
contribute to running costs of the Bureaux and staff costs. This sum also
includes additional money made available by the Scottish Government for the
provision of money advice. These funds were agreed for use for the funding of
the Welfare Rights Team.
9.4
RSL and East Lothian Council Stock, Heating and Energy
Efficiency Improvements
The Council and RSLs will deliver energy efficiency improvements to their
stock in line with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).
Capital
programme expenditure will result in continued improvement in insulation
39
standards, although decisions on the feasibility of improvement of stock
requiring expensive or technically difficult measures may have to be taken.
The Council and RSLs receive Warm Deal funding from the Scottish
Government. East Lothian Council use approximately £250,000 of this funding
in 2006-2008 to support insulation works in its properties. Energy Efficiency
Commitment funding estimated to be in the region of £600,000, will be spent in
Council properties during this period, with additional funding being available to
RSL and private sector households.
The Council may also access Fuel Company and EST funding to support
innovative energy efficiency and renewable heating schemes in existing and
new stock and will work with local RSLs to identify funding opportunities.
9.5
Private Sector Housing Energy Efficiency and Heating
Improvements
Resources for improvements in vulnerable private sector households will come
from a number of sources including government grant initiatives, such as the
Scottish Government Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal and Fuel
Company Carbon Energy Reduction Target (CERT) funding.
9.6
Training
Training will be delivered by ELEAC staff for the purposes of maintaining
referral arrangements and increasing awareness of fuel poverty amongst
service providers. Staff resources will be met from the existing ELEAC budget
with production of information materials being funded from the Council’s
energy management budget.
40
10.0 Risk
A number of factors could affect progress towards the objective of eliminating
fuel poverty. These are discussed below and focus on the main causes of fuel
poverty:

high fuel costs;

household income; and

energy efficiency.
These three factors are explored in more detail below and the accompanying
appendix 5 is the risk register to supplement this text.
10.1 Fuel costs
Recent fuel price and unemployment increases have countered other
measures and factors that encourage reductions in fuel poverty. By 2016 –
the target date in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 factors could come into play
that would result in higher fuel costs. These could include:

increasing international competition for fossil fuels;

the
costs
involved
in
updating
the
Country’s
energy
supply
infrastructure, including the building of new power stations with low
carbon emissions; and

Decommissioning costs for retired power stations and nuclear waste
disposal costs may also impact on household fuel costs.
10.2 Income
Factors affecting the health of the economy (including fuel supply) could
impact on household incomes and levels of unemployment and as a result
increase fuel poverty, some of these include:
41

recession, the current economic uncertainty;

National benefit policies are unlikely in isolation to result in the reduction
of fuel poverty risk for long-term unemployed single and two person
households, those most affected by fuel poverty.

Government initiatives to encourage incapacity benefit recipients in to
work and a higher standard of living are being achieved by cutting the
benefits of some recipients. If the affected claimants are not
encouraged successfully into employment, this measure could have the
affect of increase fuel poverty.

Changes to funding for pension schemes, may risk future increases in
fuel poverty.
10.3 Energy Efficiency
Criticisms have been made of the effectiveness of energy efficiency
programmes in reducing fuel poverty.
For example there is no prioritisation of households via the EEC and Warm
Deal and central heating initiatives based on measured risk of fuel poverty.
This could result in fuel poor households living in hard to treat properties being
left without support to carry out the expensive measures required to remove
them from fuel poverty, such as installation of renewable energy heating
systems, solid wall insulation and the extension of mains gas supply.
In addition to this there will be technical difficulties in improving the energy
efficiency of some older stone-built properties, which are unlikely to be
replaced as a result of their architectural merits.
This could impact on
continued fuel poverty risk for residents of these properties.
42
10.4 Strategy Management and Financing
The level of staff and financial resources dedicated by the Council and partner
organisations to the management and monitoring and evaluation of the
Strategy could affect its delivery and efforts to reduce fuel poverty.
The Council funded ELEAC energy advice service is working to capacity and
due to successful referral arrangements is supporting an increasingly
vulnerable client group, requiring in depth support. This prevents increased
effort to identify and support additional fuel poor households requiring support
to improve their energy efficiency and ensure that they are paying the
appropriate amount for fuel. The project would require additional financial and
staff resources to meet energy advice and information requirements in the
district.
The reliance on SHCS survey information to indicate fuel poverty levels in East
Lothian and possible difficulties in collecting appropriate indicators could affect
the responsiveness of the Strategy to changing circumstances.
43
11.0 Conclusion
East Lothian Council and partner organisations have been engaged for a
significant period of time in activities that impact on fuel poverty.
These
activities range from economic development to provision of fuel and money
advice services and energy efficiency improvement.
There are many factors affecting fuel poverty over which the Council has
limited influence, such as fuel prices and national incomes and benefits policy.
However the Strategy identifies clear action to address those areas over which
the Council does have influence.
The Council will monitor progress towards Strategy objectives and will revise
approaches in response to changing legislation and funding opportunities and
will liaise closely with the Scottish Government to maximise progress towards
the achievement of its aim of eliminating fuel poverty by 2016.
44
APPENDIX 1
REPORT ON CONSULTATION FOR THE DRAFT EAST
LOTHIAN FUEL POVERTY STRATEGY
45
CONSULTATION PERIOD: MAY 15TH - 1ST AUGUST
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
East Lothian Council would like to thank all those who took the time to
participate in the consultation.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss any aspects of the fuel poverty strategy please call
Alastair Ranyard on 01875824017, or write to him at Housing Strategy and
Development Services, East Lothian Council, Penston house, Macmerry
Industrial Estate, Macmerry, EH33 1EX or email [email protected]
If you need advice on cutting fuel costs and/or fuel payment problems, this is
available free from the East Lothian Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800
512 012.
1 CONSULTATION PROCESS
1.1 Background
1.2 Consultative Draft
1.3 Strategic Environmental Assessment
1.4 Fuel Poverty Strategy – Wider Public Consultation
1.5 East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel
2 CONSULTATION RESPONSES
2.1 Response Summary
2.2 Respondent List
3 THE WAY FORWARD – FINALISING THE STRATEGY
46
1
CONSULTATION PROCESS
1.1
Background
East Lothian Council submitted its Local Housing Strategy to Communities
Scotland in 2003. The Local Housing Strategy included an action to develop
and implement a Fuel Poverty Strategy. In January 2007 a steering group was
established to produce a Fuel Poverty Strategy consisting of representatives
from the following organisations:







East Lothian Council (Housing Strategy and Development);
East Lothian Council (Welfare Benefits);
East Lothian Council (Corporate Policy);
East Lothian Council (Health Improvement);
East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel
Changeworks; and
East Lothian Community Health Partnership.
In January 2007, the steering group conducted an options appraisal on
proposed actions for the Fuel Poverty Strategy. A wide range of people were
given the opportunity to give their views on the options at the East Lothian
Housing Forum, which is a regular event that allows stakeholders across East
Lothian to comment on housing related issues. The focus of this housing forum
was on the East Lothian Fuel Poverty Strategy and attendees were given the
opportunity to make comment on the objectives for the Strategy prior to the
issue of a consultative draft. Following this, the below options were established
as the seven set strategic objectives for the strategy:







1.2
Strategic Objective 1: Identify level of fuel poverty in East Lothian and
measure progress towards its elimination;
Strategic Objective 2: Identify fuel poor households and direct them to
appropriate assistance;
Strategic Objective 3: Provide fuel poverty advice and information
services;
Strategic Objective 4: Provide benefits and money/debt advice;
Strategic Objective 5: Reduce the cost of heating fuel;
Strategic Objective 6: Increase energy and fuel efficiency in all tenures;
and
Strategic Objective 7: Reduce under-occupancy of properties.
Consultative Draft
In June 2007, following the Housing Forum a consultative draft of the Fuel
Poverty Strategy was produced and released to a small group of stakeholders
for initial consultation.
47
1.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Prior to the Strategy being issued for wider public consultation and in
accordance with Section 9(3) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act,
2005, East Lothian Council contacted the relevant consultation authorities for
guidance on the likely significance of effects of the Strategy on the environment.
This was a two month long process and based upon the advice provided by the
Scottish Government, East Lothian Council made a determination that there
would be no significant environmental effects as a result of the Strategy.
Fuel Poverty Strategy – Wider Public Consultation
1.4
In April 2008 the draft Fuel Poverty Strategy was updated following feedback
from the initial consultation and changes in information since the document was
first produced.
A Fuel Poverty Strategy web page was set up on East Lothian Council’s
website for the consultation. The webpage contains a brief summary of some of
the issues surrounding fuel poverty and also housed the draft Strategy
document, accompanying letter and questionnaire.
Letters and emails were sent to around 200 people in East Lothian and
neighbouring districts to those with an interest in fuel poverty. The letter invited
people to visit the Fuel Poverty Strategy web page, to download copies of the
Strategy. Alternative provision was made for hard copies to be distributed if
necessary.
In addition, posters were distributed to libraries, housing offices and other public
buildings across East Lothian, inviting members of the public to participate in
the consultation for the Strategy. Articles were also included in the local press,
as well as Homefront – East Lothian Council’s magazine for housing staff and
tenants.
1.5
East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel - Information Evening
Alastair Ranyard, Development Officer, and Esther Wilson, Housing Strategy
and Development Manager, attended East Lothian Tenants and Residents
Panel’s (ELTRP) information evening to discuss the Strategy. This was a two
hour session, split into presentation and workshop. To begin with, a
presentation was made covering the following points:







requirement to prepare a fuel poverty strategy;
definition of fuel poverty;
causes, consequences and incidence of fuel poverty;
scottish Government Guidance on fuel poverty;
likely distribution of fuel poverty in East Lothian;
challenges to reducing fuel poverty;
initiatives impacting on fuel poverty in East Lothian; and
48

proposed strategic objectives for East Lothian’s Fuel Poverty Strategy
and the key issues related to them.
A workshop was then held for the whole group, focusing on the actions relating
to all seven specific strategic objectives (as detailed above). Feedback from the
evening will be used to prepare the finalised East Lothian Fuel Poverty
Strategy.
2
CONSULTATION RESPONSES
2.1
Response Summary
To summarise the consultation responses in brief, all respondents were
satisfied that the direction the Strategy is taking is the right one, as all replied
positively that the strategic objectives chosen were correct. However the results
showed that more respondents felt that more could be done to reduce the cost
of fuel and a higher provision of energy advice could also be provided, along
with more accurate measuring of the incidence of fuel poverty.
2.2
Respondent List
Excluding the 15 people at the ELTRP meeting a total of nine people responded
to the Consultation.
Respondent
Nicky Sanford
Organisation
ELC Housing Strategy
Rebecca Spillane
ELC Equalities Officer
Angela Kenney
ELC Policy Officer
Anne Hastie
Haddington Citizens
Advice Bureau
ELC Policy Officer
Jaqueline Leslie
Grace Jamieson
Les Brown
ELC Research Officer
(Economic Development
Division)
Housing Officer (Fuel
Poverty) Fife Council
Eileen Wilson
Member of Public
Shonah Cargill
Changeworks, Project
Officer
49
3
The Way Forward – Finalising the Strategy
The Fuel Poverty Strategy Steering Group was reconvened to discuss all
responses that were submitted to the consultation. In addition, the action plan
was revised to focus upon deliverable outcomes. Where the actions could not
currently be resourced they were not included in the action plan. They were
however be included in the text of the strategy as examples of additional work
that could be undertaken if resources were made available.
50
APPENDIX 2
Fuel Poverty Maps
51
2a Fuel Poverty Map – Energy Savings Trust
52
2b Fuel Poverty Map – Produced by Changeworks
Key - Incidence of
Fuel Poverty
Very High
High
Medium
Low
Very Low
53
Appendix 3
East Lothian Council Fuel Poverty
Strategy Action Plan
55
Appendix 3
East Lothian Council Fuel Poverty Strategy 2008 - 2016: Action Plan
The strategic links between the Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Single Outcome Agreement are identified in the Fuel Poverty Action
Plan, as discussed in section 3.2 above. The Outcomes are identified in the table below in blue and description of the Outcomes
are as follows:







No. 1 We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe
No. 2 We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people
No. 6 We live longer, healthier lives.
No. 7 We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society,
No. 8 We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk,
No. 10 We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need
No. 12 We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future
Generations
Action
Output
Timescale
Priority
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
Objective 1: Identify level of Fuel Poverty in East Lothian and Measure Progress Towards its Elimination
1. Establish monitoring
framework and report
annually on the
progress of the
Strategy
An annual appraisal of the
Fuel Poverty Strategy using
a range of recognised
measures. Leading to
improved understanding of
fuel poverty in East Lothian.
June 2009
High
East Lothian Council
East Lothian Council
Scottish Government (Produce
evidence / stats)
Collection of indicators
influenced by fuel poverty to
measure the success of Fuel
Poverty initiatives and the
Strategy as a whole. (6,7,8)
56
Action
Output
Timescale
Priority
Lead Partner(s)
Objective 2: Identify Fuel Poor Households and Direct Them to Appropriate Assistance
Resource
Establish a programme
2. of ward mailing,
identifying a
mechanism(s) for
targeting the worst
affected areas in terms
of fuel poverty.
Fuel poor households in target
areas identified and
information/advice offered
(6,8)
ELC
EST
ELEAC
3. Use Energy Saving
Trust fuel poverty map
and 2001 Census
information to indicate
levels of fuel poverty in
different geographical
areas.
Record of influence of fuel poverty
map on delivery of services and
measures
4. Establish a training
programme for staff
from a number of
different professions
who can identify and
advise upon fuel
poverty issues.
2008 and Annually
High
ELC
East Lothian
Energy Advice Centre
C £ 5,000 pa
2008 and Annually
High
Inclusion of information
on targeting of
measures and services
in strategy updates
ELC
ELEAC
June 2008ongoing
High
ELC/
Changeworks
ELC/ Changeworks
resources
Inclusion of fuel poverty
information in ELC management
systems, including GIS
Comparison of fuel poverty map
with SIMD (6,7,8)
A wide range of professions are
aware of fuel poverty issues and
the objectives of the fuel poverty
strategy and are able to inform and
make referrals for more
comprehensive advice.
(6,8)
57
Action
Completio Outcome
n Date
Objective 3: Provide Fuel Poverty Advice and Information Services
Priority
5. Include information and
contacts on fuel poverty and
energy advice in ELC Tenants
Handbook and other ELC
communications to tenants.
January 2009
Medium
6. Provide information and advice
on appliance running costs.
2009
7. Identify the requirements for
energy advice to be made
available in a range of formats,
in line with equal opportunities.
Problems of fuel poverty prevented
Lead Partner(s)
ELC/ ELEAC
Vulnerable households made aware
of assistance.
(6,8)
January
2008
Householders made aware of the
running costs of their appliances
(6,8)
Key information on fuel poverty and
relevant services
(6,7,8)
Resource
Staff time (ELC
ELEAC)
Printing and production
costs
Low
Medium
ELC
RSLs
Changeworks
ELEAC
ELC
ELEEAC
Other Partners ncluding:
 grant providers,
 fuel companies
 heating and insulation
installers
 money advice providers
Staff resources for
dissemination and
updating of information
Production costs of
handouts
Staff Time
Existing resources of
service providers
Information resource
production costs
Low
8. Produce web information
June 2009
Information on range of fuel poverty
strategy activities available to the
public and potential partners
(6,7,8)
ELC
ELEEAC
Staff time
Possible expenditure
related to production of
a website
58
Action
By
Outcome
Objective 4: Provide Benefits and Money/Debt Advice
Priority
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
9. Prepare and
implement a
programme of
energy advice
workshops in
conjunction with
money / debt
advice providers
High
ELC
ELEEAC
CAB
Staff time
Cost of any required
information materials
June
2008
Appropriate referral arrangements put in place,
which are responsive to changing requirements
and resources available.
(6,8)
Action
By
Output
Objective 5. Reduce the Cost of Heating Fuel
Priority
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
10. Identify a range
of measures and
technologies for
both new build
and existing
housing that will
help to reduce
the cost of
heating fuel.
Low
ELC
RSLs
Private Developers
Staff Resources
11. Extend the gas
mains network
and annually
monitor the
effectiveness of
June
2009
Information gathered on a range
of measures and technologies.
Assessment made of benefits
(including costs) of installing a
range of measures to include:
Possible Associated Planned Investment in
new units
ELC Staff Resources
 District heating schemes
 Bulk purchase of fuel
(1,7,8)
Cost effective fuel supplies made
available to more households
(7,8)
High
ELC
Fuel Companies
BG Transco
Home owners
RSLs
Staff Resources
Capital programme resources for gas
connection to individual properties and
heating replacement.
59
Action
By
Output
Objective 5. Reduce the Cost of Heating Fuel
this programme
to reduce fuel
bills
12. Promote the
benefits of
changing to
cheaper
suppliers.
Decem
ber
2007ongoing
Low income households advised
of process to switch suppliers and
advisory support to do this.
(6,8)
Priority
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
High
ELC
RSLs
ELEEAC
Staff Resources
Production of printed information
Action
By
Output
Priority
Objective 6: Increase Energy and Fuel Efficiency in All Tenures
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
13. Increase energy efficiency of
Council and Registered
Social Landlord Stock.
ELC
Staff Time
Capital Programme resources
External grant funding
2016
Energy ratings of properties
brought up to NHER 7,
suggested as a level that would
minimise risk of fuel poverty.
(1,10)
High
RSLs
Fuel companies
EST
Scottish Government
14. Consider opportunities for
promoting energy and fuel
efficiency to the private
sector
2010
Promotion Strategy for the
Private Sector
(10,12)
Medium
ELC
ELEAC
Private Landlords
Staff time
(ELEEAC and ELC)
60
Action
By
Output
Priority
Objective 6: Increase Energy and Fuel Efficiency in All Tenures
Lead Partner(s)
Resource
ELC funding for marketing
energy efficiency and support
of ELEEAC
15 Evaluate sustainable energy
features at Windygoul, Tranent,
development and investigate use
of renewables for new build
housing developments
June
2009
Practice established by RSLs
and Council for incorporating
renewable energy systems and
maximising energy efficiency in
new build properties
(10,12)
High
ELC
ELEEAC
RSLs
Approx £70K
Windygoul Research
ELC/ ELHA £7,000
Plus Staff Time
61
APPENDIX 4
MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
63
East Lothian Council Fuel Poverty Strategy 2008-2016: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
An annual appraisal of the Fuel Poverty Strategy will be undertaken using a range of recognised measures, leading to improved understanding of fuel poverty
in East Lothian. This document contains the plan to establish the monitoring and evaluation framework and provides further detail on the measurements and
indicators required.
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Outputs
Outcome
By
Objective 1: Identify level of Fuel Poverty in East Lothian and Measure Progress Towards its Elimination
SHQS used
as a measure
of Fuel
Poverty and
used
annually in
progress
updates.
Annually
Update Fuel
Poverty
Indicators
Data produced
on a biennial
basis, in line
with SHQS

Some data
collected,
however,
identification
and coordination of
data collection
required.





Baseline indicated in 2002
SHCS
Updated measurement of East
Lothian fuel poverty level in
SHCS
SHQS data
included in
annual reporting /
monitoring
document
Nationally recognised
measurement of fuel
poverty used to chart
progress towards
elimination of fuel poverty
and resulting in possible
amendments to strategy
October 2009 and annually
thereafter
Assessment of indicators
relating to objectives in initial
strategy
Establish indicators with
ELEEAC and Money advice
agencies
Systems of reporting indicators
put in place by June 2009
Use of indicators in first update
to the fuel poverty strategy
Relevant
indicators
identified and
included in
annual
monitoring /
reporting
document
Factors affecting fuel
poverty described and
used in strategy updates
October 2009 and annually
thereafter
64
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Evidence
Outputs
Objective 2: Identify Fuel Poor Households and Direct Them to Appropriate Assistance
Outcome
By
Monitor targeted
ward mailings
Mailings have
been undertaken,
but not on a ward
basis.
Annual mail outs to
target settlements or
post code areas
Record of areas targeted and
mail outs carried out
Numbers of returns and
profile of householders
contacted
Fuel poor households
in target areas
identified and
information/advice
offered
January
2009 and
annually
until
2016
Fuel Poverty maps produced
annually
Inclusion of information
on targeting of
measures and services
in strategy updates
Decisions made on how
services and energy
saving works will be
targeted
2008
Monitor response rates
in relation to demand
Use Energy
Saving Trust fuel
poverty map and
2001 Census
information to
indicate levels of
fuel poverty in
different
geographical
areas.
Maps established
from 2001
census data.
Required to be
updated in line
with more recent
data on income
and fuel prices
Record influence of fuel
poverty map on delivery
of services and
measures
Inclusion of fuel poverty
information in ELC
management systems,
including GIS
Comparison of fuel
poverty map with SIMD
65
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Evidence
Outputs
Objective 2: Identify Fuel Poor Households and Direct Them to Appropriate Assistance
Outcome
By
Monitor numbers
of referrals made
between
partners to the
ELEAC for
energy advice.
Referral
mechanisms
have been set up
Numbers of referral
agencies identified. A
programme established
Cross referral of clients
to agencies able to
reduce fuel poverty
problems established
Ongoing
More systematic
monitoring of
referrals is
required.
Complete a number of
identified presentations
made by ELEAC to
referral groups
Monitor the
training
programme for
Council and
other agencies
to make referrals
for fuel poverty
and energy
advice.
Training
programme is in
place – however
a more
systematic
programme and
monitoring
framework is
required.
Briefing sessions
carried out by ELEAC
to relevant departments
/ organisations
Council sections aware
of fuel poverty issues
and the objectives of
the fuel poverty
strategy.
June
2008ongoing
Identification of any
detailed training
requirements by June
2009-ongoing
Programme of updated
meetings with referral
agencies carried out by
ELEAC
ELEAC to monitor numbers of
referrals.
Record of training sessions
delivered
Number and type of referrals
made by staff in referral
agencies
Inclusion of referral
partners in ELEEAC
progress reports
Record of meetings
between ELEEAC and
strategy partners
Number of training
sessions on referral
mechanisms
Number of referrals
made by agencies
Prioritisation of which
staff to target
66
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Evidence
Outputs
Outcome
Objective 3: Provide Fuel Poverty Advice and Information Services
Monitor
effectiveness
of energy
advice service
in conjunction
with East
Lothian Energy
Advice Centre
Monitor
performance
of Warm and
Well service
Energy
advice
outreach
service
established
and
monitoring of
progress in
place.
Warm and
Well service
established
and
monitoring of
progress in
place.
200 vulnerable
households advised by
the service per annum
ELEEAC Progress
reports and case
records
Number of households
assisted
Households with serious fuel
poverty problems identified and
assisted
Already
in place
Record of enquiry types
Assist 40 households
referred by health
professionals per
annum
Include service as part
of hospital discharge
process
Assess resources
required to meet
demand from wide
range of health
professionals and day
care services
Indications of
workload and unmet
demand presented by
ELEAC
Record of promotional
activities by ELEAC
Warm and Well
progress reports
Numbers of households
assisted
Record of measures
delivered and other advice
outcomes
Resources identified to expand
service
Utilise annual funding to install
and facilitate installation of
heating and energy efficiency
measures
Ongoing
Assessment of demand and
resources required to meet
demand
67
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Evidence
Outputs
Outcome
Objective 3: Provide Fuel Poverty Advice and Information Services
Monitor
provision of
presentations
to community
groups on fuel
poverty issues.
Presentations
established
and
monitoring in
place
Assessment of which
community groups
should be targeted and
ELEEAC resources
required
Record of
presentations carried
out
Record of updates of
strategy materials
Outcomes of presentations
Numbers of households
referred for energy and
Information on fuel poverty
disseminated to vulnerable
households and households in
need of assistance identified
Ongoing
Prevention of fuel poverty
problems experienced by
school leavers.
Ongoing
money advice
Six presentations per
annum
Provide talks to
school groups
in conjunction
with Housing
Education
Partnership
Talks and
monitoring in
place.
Carry out 24
presentations to
secondary school
groups per annum
Students produce
leaflet on fuel poverty
as part of schools
project
Record of schools
presentations carried
out.
Schools fuel poverty
leaflet prepared.
Numbers of presentations
carried out.
Numbers of students
attending presentations
Increased awareness of fuel
poverty amongst emerging
households.
68
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Evidence
Objective 4: Provide Benefits and Money/Debt Advice
Outputs
Outcome
By
Link benefits
advice to all fuel
poverty and
energy efficiency
initiatives
Number of referrals
made by various
organisations
delivering fuel
poverty services for
money advice
Appropriate referral arrangements put
in place, which are responsive to
changing requirements and resources
available.
June
2008
Benefits
advice linked,
systematic
monitoring of
advice
required.
Regular contact
established via the
ELEAC to ensure referral
arrangements are
updated
Mechanisms in place to
refer recipients of
energy efficiency
measures and energy
advice for benefits
advice.
Record of which
agencies delivered
money advice
referred by these
organisations
69
Initiative
Baseline
Key Milestones
Objective 5. Reduce the Cost of Heating Fuel
Evidence
Outputs
Outcome
By
Monitor the
effectiveness of
extending the mains
gas network to off-gas
areas
Programme
in place – no
measurement
of its
effectiveness
in place.
Gas extension
programme
established.
Record of discussions
with partners on
arrangements to extend
the mains gas network
and extensions
delivered
Number of
households
connected to the
mains gas
network
Expenditure of
partners on
mains gas
extensions
Cost effective fuel supplies
made available to more
households
Ongoing
Monitor the
effectiveness of
preferred supplier
arrangements between
landlords and fuel
utilities, providing
cheaper tariffs.
Preferred
Supplier
arrangement
s in place –
monitoring
of
effectivenes
s required.
Establish benefits of
this practice for social
landlords in East
Lothian-
Preferred supplier
arrangement in place.
Income
generated from
preferred supplier
arrangements
Cheaper tariffs made
available to tenants in social
rented properties and
encouraged to take
advantage of fuel tariff
competition.
October 2009
Encourage landlords to
implement if necessary
Record of value for
money assessment for
tenants
Numbers of
preferred supplier
agreements in
place
70
Indicator
Baseline Key Milestones
Evidence
Objective 6: Increase Energy and Fuel Efficiency in All Tenures
Outputs
Outcome
Assess Council
and Registered
Social Landlord
stock condition
survey information
Standard Delivery Plan
information on energy efficiency
measures required and energy
rating standards achieved
Programmes in place for energy
efficiency improvement and
demolition
Properties
requiring
energy
efficiency and
heating
improvements
identified.
Ongoing
HECA reporting and funding
claims
Numbers of cavity wall and loft
insulations remaining to be
carried out.
Energy ratings of
properties
brought up to
NHER 7,
suggested as a
level that would
minimise risk of
fuel poverty.
2016
HECA
reporting
captures
this
information
and is
update biannually
Assess information
on energy and
heating efficiency of
stock in conjunction
with reporting
responsibilities under
the Home Energy
Conservation Act
By
G
g
Update in conjunction
with SHQS objectives
Monitor
programme to
increase energy
efficiency of
Council and
Registered Social
Landlord Stock
HECA
reporting
captures
this
information
and is
update biannually
Prioritise works
based on decision on
levels of need and
cost effectiveness
Insulate all cavity
walls and lofts to
current standards by
June 2009 in line with
SHQS purposes
Assess requirements
for insulating solid
walls June 2009
Investigate sources
of external fundingOngoing
Numbers of hard to treat
properties tackled with measures
such as external wall insulation
Installations of renewable energy
systems required to raise hard to
treat properties to a standard that
would prevent fuel poverty
Decisions to demolish properties
where improvement would not be
cost effective
71
Indicator
Baseline Key Milestones
Evidence
Objective 6: Increase Energy and Fuel Efficiency in All Tenures
Outputs
Outcome
Evaluate
sustainable energy
features for new
build housing
developments
Assessments of applicability of
measures
Practice
established by
RSLs and
Council for
incorporating
renewable
energy systems
and maximising
energy efficiency
in new build
properties
Disseminate results
of Windygoul Ground
Source Heat Pump
monitoring June 2009
Consider means of
evaluation installation
of other technologies,
including community
Evalution report for Windygoul
Asessment of available grant
funding for renewable energy
heating systems and their
application to affordable
housing via the Council’s
Newbuild standards
Numbers of renewable energy
systems installed
By
June
2009
72
APPENDIX 5
RISK REGISTER
74
APPENDIX 5 RISK REGISTER
Risk to the achievement of fuel poverty reductions and mitigating action
Risk
Probability
Severity
Rising Fuel Costs
(Including):
High
High
Ability
of
Council to
Influence
Low
Mitigating Action


-increased international
competition for fossil fuels
- Costs involved in updating
the Country’s energy supply
infrastructure


Promote benefits of Preferred Supplier arrangements between landlords
and fuel utilities providing cheaper tariffs – Action 12
Investigate technologies and initiatives for new build housing
developments and retro-fitting – Action 10
Extend mains gas network and monitor the effectiveness of gas extension
in reducing fuel bills - Action 11
Promote the benefits of changing to cheaper suppliers – Action 12
- Decommissioning costs for
retired power stations and
nuclear waste disposal costs
75
Risk
Probability
Severity
Income
Low
High
Ability
of
Council to
Influence
Low
- Factors affecting the health of
the economy (including fuel
supply) could impact on
household incomes and levels
of unemployment
Energy Efficiency
Mitigating Action



Medium
Medium
Provide benefits advice and follow on appeals support and identify most
appropriate funds
Link benefits advice to all fuel poverty and energy efficiency initiatives
Action 9
Economic development activity
Low

Lobby Government to widen / better target eligibility criteria for grant
funding
B) Expense of improving hard to
treat properties Energy
Efficiency

Increase energy efficiency of Council and Registered Social Landlord
stock
Maximise available grant funding for insulation and other measures Action
10
C) Availability of energy advice
and information

The effectiveness of energy
efficiency programmes in
reducing fuel poverty
A) Eligibility of fuel poor
households for grants



Provide outreach advice service in conjunction with East Lothian Energy
Advice Centre
Establish a programme of mailing to target the worst affected areas in
terms of fuel poverty. Action 2
All actions under Objectives 2 and 3 of the Action Plan
76
Risk
Probability
Severity
Ability
of
Council to
Influence
Mitigating Action

D) Resourcing of measures in
private sector households

Strategy Management and
Financing
 Lack of staff available
to drive process and
monitor strategy

Lack of resources to
fund initiatives
Medium
Medium
Medium





Medium
Medium
Medium


Consider opportunities for promoting energy and fuel efficiency to private
sector landlords, including the setting up of accreditation schemes and
promotion of initiatives Action 14
Identify sources of funding for energy efficiency interventions private
sector households Action 14
Promote energy efficiency measures in owner occupied sector. Action 14
Identify resources within the Council and externally to deliver strategy.
Develop partnerships to assist management of the strategy
Implement process for obtaining and recording data on progress –
Objective 1
Raise awareness of the importance of Fuel Poverty Initiatives at the
local and national level.
Maximise existing grants - Actions 14, and Objectives 2, 3 and 4
Raise awareness of the importance of Fuel Poverty Initiatives at the
local and national level.
77
Glossary and Terms and Abbreviations
Affordable Warmth
The concept of provision of space heating and
hot water at an affordable cost to households on
low income.
Cavity Wall
A wall construction with an air gap between
inner and outer layers of the wall.
Condensing Boiler
A high efficiency gas or oil fuelled boiler, which
recovers heat from flue gases.
EAGA Ltd
The Energy Action Grants Agency- organisation
responsible for administering Warm Deal and
Network Installers.
CERT
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target - Energy
efficiency scheme funded via a levy on electricity
and gas customers
ELEAC
East Lothian Energy Advice Centre - Locally
branded energy advice service run by
Changeworks and funded by East Lothian Council.
Energy Rating
Measure of a property’s energy efficiency, based
on a set scale, i.e. 1-100 SAP rating and 0-10
NHER Rating.
EST
Energy Saving Trust- government funded body
which monitors the energy advice centre
network and EEC spending.
78
Fuel Poverty
A situation where households are unable to
afford to purchase sufficient energy for their
needs.
HECAction
An initiative run by the EST, which offers grant
funding to set up sustainable energy efficiency
schemes
Network Installers
Organisations franchised to deliver energy
efficiency measures in designated areas under
Warm Deal.
NHER
National Home Energy Rating Schemecommercial energy rating scheme relating to a
dwellings construction and the effect of standard
occupancy on lighting and appliance use.
Non-traditional
Construction
Usually regarded as properties built using
prefabricated building elements (such as steel
concrete) between the 1940s and 1970s and using
wall designs that are expensive to insulate
TWh
One thousand million kilowatt hours, equivalent to
one thousand million one bar fires used for one
hour
Warm Deal
Energy efficiency initiative administered by EAGA
Ltd and the Scottish Government.
Warm & Well
A HECAction initiative operating in East Lothian,
which facilitates heating and energy efficiency
measures for households referred by health
professionals.
79