Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered the requirement to present a “further report” to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA). The proposed “further report” was set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Environmental Services.

It was noted that the HECA report specifically committed the Authority to undertake its obligations in relation to domestic home energy efficiency, to tackle fuel security, combat fuel poverty and to contribute to the mitigation of carbon emissions locally.  The report detailed progress made so far and confirmed that the Council would participate in and utilise the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation as its main delivery mechanism for HECA aims.

It was further noted that DECC guidance requested Authorities to set “ambitious targets” to improve home energy efficiency. Whilst the Council was committed to acting on issues relating to energy and had agreed strategies in place to address these issues, the current report specifically did not set targets in view of the unknown additional resource implications. Targets would be established when there was a clear idea of how the Green Deal would be delivered.    

It was stated that a further report including details of the Green Deal would be submitted to the Cabinet in June 2013.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the HECA further report contained at Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Environmental Services be approved for submission to DECC and for publication on the Council’s website; and

(b)       That the current position in relation to the Green Deal be noted.