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Approval to proceed with UKSPF funded Fuel
Poverty Project as detailed below.
 
Fuel Poverty is a key component of the UKSPF
project programme and formed part of the Investment Plan approved
by Members and Government in 2022.  The
plan states the intention to appoint a fixed term position to
provide expertise, support and advice in the area supplemented by a
grant mechanism.  Unfortunately, this
was not able to be realised and in becoming unviable lead to a
change of tact and the proposal for a multifaceted approach to
combat Fuel Poverty.  Designed to offer
the most significant impact in the communities of Adur and
Worthing, especially given the recent announcement of the winter
fuel support being removed, the approach will deliver the
following;
 

·      
A community, publicly accessible, event in both authorities to
offer support, signpost, engage and facilitate the discovery of
interventions that may be available to help with local need.

·      
Engage with LEAP to act as a signposting and support mechanism
(point of contact) to help avoid, overcome and manage the costs
associated with fuel.

·      
Working with Private Sector Housing, we will engage with private
landlords with a view to offering a discount on licensing in
exchange for a commitment to retrofit energy saving measures in
their properties in year.

·      
A grant programme to provide finance to create sustainable
solutions to help with long term energy saving (retrofit/boiler
assistance).

·      
A voucher scheme to offset energy debt and provide an opportunity
to ‘start again’ and /or switch to a better contract
that is more suited to circumstance.
 
With £100K allocated per authority it is
crucial to have the project programme approved to ensure we can
realise the pre approved and agreed
outputs/outcomes achieved and spend realised before the deadline of
31st March 2025.

Reasons for the decision

Different approach to that suggested in year
one of the programme, crucial now to allow the programme to
commence prior to the winter period to ensure maximum benefit and
impact within the community and grant funding defrayed.

Alternative options considered

Social housing objectives which are being
catered for within the Cost of Living arm of the project through
the AD for Housing, Homelessness and Prevention.