Fuel Poverty Project
How do we engage and deliver energy efficiency
improvements to rural communities?
Rugby Borough
Brinklow and Wolvey
The Warwickshire Perspective
Andy McDarmaid
Warwickshire County Council
Fuel Poverty Project
The Warwickshire Perspective
Over 20% of Warwickshire’s households (46,000)
are in fuel poverty and these are most prevalent
in rural and semi-rural communities.
Previous funding opportunities have mostly
been consumed by urban schemes.
Initially this bid was being prepared as from
the LEP, but it was announced by DECC as a
LA competition so WCC and Cov CC submitted
separate bids.
Fuel Poverty Project
Objectives
“To support the installation of
improvements to the thermal efficiency of
up to 50 rural dwellings in Warwickshire.“
“To develop a “one front door” web portal
to enable individuals and support
agencies to access local energy efficiency
information and local installers online.”
Fuel Poverty Project
Warwickshire Approach
Use Local Intelligence Sources
Pre-Assessment
• 15 Postcode areas identified across the
communities of Brinklow and Wolvey
which covered 396 properties.
• Doorknocking exercise for all 396
properties to identify interest and also
undertake short assessments.
This created an “intelligence-led” dataset through combining socio-economic
and property information to effectively target those most in need.
Fuel Poverty Project
Shortlisting criteria
Dwelling characteristics:
- Solid walls
- Un-insulated cavity walls
- Less than 150mm loft insulation
- Off gas grid
Vulnerable households:
- Elderly
- Young Children
- On means tested benefits
- In Social Housing
From the physical surveys undertaken, or from the postal surveys returned,
83 properties met some of the criteria and were therefore shortlisted for a
more detailed assessment.
Fuel Poverty Project
Web Portal
Fuel Poverty Project
Lessons Learned – so far
• Communication is critical
• On a project engaging so many partners the
roles must be clear and adhered to by all
• There will always be someone who will
complain!
Local co-ordinated delivery
Ken Mantock
Hardyman Ltd
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
Time is of the essence......
• Tender returned - Submission included
six RETA service delivery partners
• Appointed as project manager
• Advised RETA SDPs
• Met with Andy and Rachel to learn 34 target
homes identified by Act on Energy in Brinklow
• Notified RETA members of scope of opportunity
and arranged for meeting at The Bulls Head
• Expectation of: Survey/quote
Start
Complete
24th January
31st January
1st Feb
5th Feb
18th Feb
25th Feb
22nd March
four weeks!
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
• Meeting 14 Feb – Andy , reps from Rugby Borough
Council and all the service delivery partners:
-
Complete Green Solutions – External Wall Insulation
Homeworks – External Wall Insulation
ITS – Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation
New World Solar – Boilers and Central Heating
Renewable Micro Solutions – External Wall Insulation and Boilers
Zest – External Wall Insulation
• Overview of project given, aims and objectives described, roles explored
AND ........address list received with:
• So ready to proceed
Brinklow 46 homes
Wolvey 37 homes
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
• Bad news...........
Weather then became Arctic
• Good news ........
Completion date of end of March extended to end of April
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
Yew Tree Hill, Brinklow
External Wall Insulation by Homeworks
Boilers by New World Solar
Initial Phase:
Homes 8,9,10
11 & 12
13,14,15,16
Second Phase:
Homes 17,18,19,20 21,22,23,24
Third Phase:
Homes 3,4,5,6 7 25 & 26
Commenced 1st March and
due to complete 3rd May
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
Heath Lane, Brinklow
External Wall Insulation by Renewable Micro Solution and
Loft Insulation by ITS
Homes 1a and 2a
Commenced 21st March
and completed 17th April
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
Leicester Road, Wolvey
External Wall Insulation by Zest and Loft Insulation by ITS
Homes: 1 & 2 7 & 8 11 & 12
Commenced 2nd April and due
to be completed 26th April
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
What achieved to tackle issues of affordable warmth and carbon
reduction?
• 45 homes worked in, of which 14 are local authority or rented and 31 are
owner occupiers
• 54 eco measures delivered:
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
What achieved overall to tackle issues of affordable warmth
and carbon reduction?
EWI
Boiler/ Central
Heating Upgrades
Loft Insulation
Cavity Wall Insulation
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
What achieved to tackle issues of affordable warmth and
carbon reduction?
Brinklow
4
1
Wolvey
2
EWI
EWI
6
Boiler / Central
Heating Upgrades
7
4
Loft Insulations
Loft Insulations
26
Cavity Wall
Insulation
Boiler/ Central
Heating Upgrades
Cavity Wall
Insulation
4
Fuel Poverty Project
Local co-ordinated delivery
Learning points (author’s personal view):
• More information at tender stage on homes likely to be worked in.
• Greater time for pre-visits, resident liaison, asbestos surveys/removal,
power and services alterations, location of site compounds and getting to
know the team.
• Better communication with residents throughout the process
• On-going involvement of Act of Energy to help advise residents on specific
and general affordable warmth options
• Closer working between District and County Council staff and better
appreciation of team roles/responsibilities
• Involve and advise local councillors and community interest groups before
and during the process.