Cllr Seamons, Board member for Housing and Estate Regeneration agreed the two recommendations and would look into both pieces of work.

Cllr Turner explained that the consultation budget recommended a free energy efficiency review for every council home.

The City Executive Board resolved to AGREE:

1. That tenant-facing staff in Direct Services are encouraged to offer appropriate advice on the use of free electricity.  

2. To explore the possibility of buying energy in bulk.

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

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.