Tackling Fuel Poverty in Coventry David Shiner Domestic

Tackling Fuel Poverty in Coventry David Shiner Domestic Energy Efficiency Manager

The scale of fuel poverty in Coventry • Coventry’s fuel poverty rate stands at 15. 9% • 6 th highest level of fuel poverty of all local authorities in England • 195 neighbourhood level LSOAs: - in 10%, 1 in 3 households fuel poor - highest: 43% (Gosford and Gulson Rds)

Keeping Coventry Warm • Do. H and now Public Health funded • Framework contract for 1) advice and information and 2) heating and insulation • KCW Partnership Board • GP surgery advice • Affordable Warmth on Prescription pilot • Bids to NEA Warm and Healthy Homes Fund and BGET Healthy Homes Fund

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project • £ 820 k DECC and ECO funding • Over 80 homes improved • Mostly external wall insulation, but also boiler replacements, loft and cavity wall insulation

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project Before: Mrs A housebound, lives downstairs, suffered urinary infections and colds, treated for anxiety After: house warmer, no condensation, less GP call -outs, son says “she is a changed person”

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project

Aerial thermal imaging

Aerial thermal imaging • Last survey Nov 2013, heat map results available online from 31 st March 2014 • First 3 days, 5573 heat map page views, 593 loft insulation page views • Survey cost per home in the city was 8 p • Data matching with Council Tax Benefit data (2011) – 653 referrals for insulation/heating • Used to target 800 Midland Heart homes for insulation between Oct 14 and March 15

Switch and Save • Campaigns in 2013 and 2015 • Focus on those who haven’t switched supplier or tariff (CMA 2015: 50% – 90% of ‘Big Six’ customers on Standard Variable Tariffs)

Switch and Save 2015 • 1688 registered, of which 501 went on to switch (30%) • 77% of registrants hadn’t switched before • Average saving for all tariff types for those who switched was £ 284 • Examples of specific tariff average savings: dual fuel monthly direct debit £ 347, electric only pre-payment £ 64

Advice and information on energy efficiency, fuel bills, financial assistance • Fuel Poverty Team assisted 1283 residents by telephone, e-mail, specialist surgeries, events and home visits in 2014/15 • Additional 655 assisted through provider appointed under Keeping Coventry Warm in winter 2014/2015 – 588 from specified groups (e. g. health/disability/65+/benefits)

The commercial break! • Current Fuel Poverty Officer vacancy • Closing date 25 th September • www. wmjobs. co. uk

Maintaining and developing our approach – the key ingredients • Partnerships • Focusing on where the needs are greatest • The smart use of data and intelligence • Building the case through evidence • Pursuing funding opportunities