Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented a report on a proposal to enter into an agreement which would enable up to 4,000 Council households to benefit from free cavity wall and loft insulation.

The Cabinet Member advised that the scheme would be carried out in partnership with British Gas, who would finance the works via Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) funding, and the not-for-profit agency Greater London Energy Efficiency Network (GLEEN) and that estimates suggested that Council tenants who received the works could benefit by up to £350 a year on lower fuel bills.

The Leader referred to past independent studies that had highlighted potential problems that could be caused by cavity wall filling.  The Corporate Director of Housing and Environment confirmed that the agreement with the parties would contain appropriate warranties and indemnities to protect the interests of both the Council and its tenants and that he would ensure that the information to be provided to tenants fully explained the potential side-effects of cavity wall filling.  The Corporate Director also referred to the types of households that would be prioritised under the scheme.

Cabinet agreed that the Council enter into the necessary agreements with the Greater London Energy Efficiency Network (GLEEN) and British Gas to enable up to 4,000 Council homes to benefit from free cavity wall and loft insulation works through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme.

(The Chair agreed that the report could be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency under the provisions of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.)