Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

To improve accessibility individual documents published after 1 May 2020 are available as HTML pages where their original format supports this

Speaking at a Council or Committee meeting

Venue: Plowman Room - Oxford Town Hall. View directions

Items
No. Item

76.

Apologies

The Quorum for this Panel is three and substitutes are allowed.

Minutes:

None.

77.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

None.

78.

Fuel Poverty pdf icon PDF 113 KB

For the Panel to receive a briefing on the Council’s approach to combatting Fuel Poverty.

Minutes:

The Panel noted that the definition of fuel poverty has changed and that fewer people meet the newer definition.  The Panel heard that modelling the ‘fuel poverty gap’ could help the City Council to target the worst affected residents, and that officers are looking at how this approach could be applied in Oxford. 

 

The Panel also noted that energy efficiency is the main component of fuel poverty that the City Council can really affect.

 

The Panel questioned to roll out of solar PVs and suggested that tenant-facing staff in Direct Services could play a role in keeping an eye on installations and advising tenants on the use of free electricity. 

 

The Panel questioned whether the City Council has looked at purchasing energy in bulk, citing the example of Tower Hamlets Borough Council, and whether this is within the scope of the new Energy Strategy.  The Panel heard that this is something that officers are aware of but that it would be quite complicated to do and would require some additional expertise.

 

The Panel requested further information about the availability of emergency support, and energy tariffs for vulnerable persons.

 

The Panel also asked to review the latest excess winter deaths figures for Oxford.

 

79.

STAR Survey results pdf icon PDF 210 KB

For the Panel to receive a briefing on the latest STAR survey results.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Housing Panel reviewed the STAR Survey results 2014 at its meeting on 22 January 2015.  The Panel would like to thank Nicola Griffiths for introducing this item and answering the Panel’s questions.

 

The Housing Panel noted the tenant satisfaction results were down across the board compared to last year.  However, the City Council is awaiting data from other local authorities which should indicate whether this is a national trend.

 

The Panel noted that more tenants had been contacted in 2014 than in 2013 but returns were down.  The Panel questioned why the sample size was small and suggested that door-knocking would be more effective than sending letters.  The Panel heard that the STAR Survey is conducted by a consultation service but that there will be an opportunity to review this arrangement following the 2015 survey.

 

The Panel questioned how the results would be used and whether any improvements are planned in response.

 

80.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 24 KB

For the Housing Panel to review and note its work programme.

Minutes:

Noted.

81.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 30 KB

To note the notes of the meeting held on 10 December 2014.

Minutes:

Noted.

82.

Date of next meeting

4 February 2015

24 March 2015

Minutes:

Noted.