Residents Invited to Have Their Say on Fuel Poverty

South Tyneside Council is inviting people to help shape its fuel poverty strategy and action plan.                                    

A household is classed as being in fuel poverty if the residents are on a low income and are unable to heat their home for a reasonable cost.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        More than 10,000 households in the Borough are living in fuel poverty, according to the latest estimate from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The council is now consulting on its draft strategy, which sets out its objectives and proposed actions to tackle the issue in the social, private rented and owner-occupied residential sectors.

Cllr Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: "We're committed to listening to our residents' views and we're inviting them to help us develop our strategy and our plans to tackle this issue.

"We want to improve the lives of people in all communities, and in particular, those who are vulnerable.

"Addressing fuel poverty is a key element of that. All our residents deserve to live in warm, decent homes.

"Tackling fuel poverty will not only improve health and wellbeing in the borough, but will also support our drive towards carbon neutrality by 2030."

In a series of priorities set out earlier this year, the council made a commitment to support families and older or more vulnerable members of the community.

The consultation period will run from 21 October until 17 December. People can find out more and give their views by visiting http://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay. 

Earlier this year, the Council secured £5.4m in Green Homes Grant (GHG) funding, which is being used to upgrade around 500 council properties through a range of energy improvement and de-carbonisation measures.

The improvements, including cavity wall and loft insulation and replacement of UPVC windows with triple glazing, will help residents with their fuel bills and help reduce fuel poverty in the borough.