Development and Property Services

Building and Works

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
THE HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION ACT 1995 REPORT 1997

CONTENTS

CHECKLIST FOR HECA REPORTS PAGE (i)

1. INTRODUCTION PAGE 2
1.1 Background
1.2 East Ayrshire Council Corporate Strategy
1.3 Aims of the Corporate Strategy
1.4 Consultation Groups
1.5 Background to Energy Efficiency in East Ayrshire
1.6 Breakdown of East Ayrshire Housing Stock
1.7 East Ayrshire Baseline of stock as of the 1 April 1997

2. PROPOSED MEASURES FOR INCREASING
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF STOCK PAGE 14

3. EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL ENERGY STRATEGY
FOR IMPROVEMENT PAGE 20
3.1 Information and advice
3.2 Works
3.3 Promotion
3.4 Training
3.5 Education
3.6 Targets for saving energy and CO2 emissions
3.7 East Ayrshire Council targets 1997 to 2007
3.8 Job creation
3.9 Monitoring and Evaluation

4. PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTION OF FURTHER DATA PAGE 30

5. ISSUES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONSIDER PAGE 31

6. CONCLUSION PAGE 33

APPENDICES PAGE 34
1. East Ayrshire Council Baseline NHER figures
2. East Ayrshire Housing Associations Baseline NHER figures
3. East Ayrshire Private/Rented Baseline NHER figures
4. East Ayrshire Council Revised NHER figures
5. East Ayrshire Housing Associations Revised NHER figures
6. East Ayrshire Private/Rented Revised NHER figures
7. John Burnett MP Private Member's Bill
8. NHER Stockprofiler ll explanatory notes
9. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

1.. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Council is fully committed to implementing the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, supports its aims and objectives and agrees that the issues that it raises must be addressed.

In many ways, the Council's Environmental Strategy is similar and the first part of this section outlines its Corporate Strategy.

STRATEGY

The Aims of the Strategy are detailed together with details of the organisations consulted in drafting the strategy itself and the background of the Council's current energy efficiency activity is provided.

The section concludes with details of the East Ayrshire Housing Stock and its current energy efficiency rating.

EAST AYRSHIRE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

East Ayrshire Energy Efficiency is the group designated by the Council to develop the strategy and the following officers were involved:-

CORPORATE STRATEGY

East Ayrshire Council has already implemented a Corporate Strategy in which potential areas of activity for housing have been set out in the form of Housing Action Plans in relation to the Council's Economic, Social, Environmental and Equal Opportunities Strategic objectives.

ECONOMIC STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

Potential areas of economic activity have been set out in relation to the Council's 6 economic strategic objectives -
"Pathways to Economic Development:"

1. Investment and Enterprise.
   
2. Physical infrastructure and development opportunities.
   
3. Education, vocational training and skills.
   
4. Image and Tourism.
   
5. Social Cohesion - helping the unemployed.
   
6. Social Cohesion - community regeneration.

These pathways will be followed in collaboration with Enterprise Ayrshire, Scottish Homes, local businesses and other development agencies.

SOCIAL STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

East Ayrshire Council is committed to developing a Social Strategy which will address the real needs and aspirations of large numbers of people who experience disadvantage, deprivation and discrimination within East Ayrshire:

1. To reduce social exclusion by addressing issues of poverty deprivation and unemployment.
2. To enable each person to reach their full potential.
3. To protect the weak and vulnerable.
4. To encourage the development of a society based on equality and equal opportunities.

HOUSING ACTION PLAN

Use of discretionary payments of housing benefit and other charging policies will be reviewed to ensure maximum benefits to claimants.
Explore provision of rent allowances above those set by Rent officers for the benefit of the elderly who may be classified as vulnerable.
Undertake benefit campaigns to maximise uptake and minimise poverty.
To examine methods of providing support to first time tenants.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

East Ayrshire Council is committed to environmental protection and enhancement and the Corporate Strategy sets a high priority in the pursuit of an effective environmental programme. Potential areas of environmental activity have been set out in relation to a number of the key objectives stated.

1. To monitor environmental conditions and minimise pollution of air, water and land. Safeguard and enhance the natural environment and built heritage.
2. Take account of the health implications of environmental matters.
3. Minimise consumption of raw materials and reduce waste.
4. Reduce consumption of energy.
5. Promote environmentally sensitive practice in private sector.
6. Promote awareness of environmental issues and the environmental role of the Council.

The Energy Advice Project which is urban aid funded will provide independent advice on :

Efficient use of heating systems and controls
Methods of paying fuel bills and avoiding debt
Solutions if faced with fuel debt and disconnection
Insulation grants and cold weather allowances

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

East Ayrshire Council is committed to developing an Equal Opportunities Strategy to promote equality so that no employee, job applicant, customer or recipient of services will receive less favourable treatment than any other on any grounds or be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

1. Equal opportunities in employment.
2. Equal opportunities in service delivery.
3. Equal opportunities in the wider community.

HOUSING ACTION PLAN

1. Ensuring that all Housing employees are aware of the policy.
2. Ensuring all staff who are involved in the recruitment process are fully trained in selection and interview skills.
3. Ensuring that appropriate records are kept to aid the necessary monitoring of the policy and its implementation.

1.3 AIMS

This report outlines East Ayrshire Council's Strategy to significantly improve energy efficiency from 1997 to 2007by:-

a) Bringing public awareness to the whole field of environmental issues.

b) Improving healthcare through warm, dry, healthy living conditions.

c) Reducing poverty by providing advice to the fuel poor, releasing their disposable income to alleviate their other hardship problems and therefore increasing their standard of living.

d) Enhancing the field of employment by initiating further job creation prospects through intakes of funding created by partnership and European social funding.

e) Reducing fuel bills.

f) Reducing harmful emissions associated with the burning of fuels, in order to achieve an improvement in energy efficiency within East Ayrshire by 30% over the 10 year period of the strategy.

1.4

CONSULTATION

To obtain the required criteria and statistical data to meet the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, East Ayrshire Council involved the following organisations:-

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL:

a) Housing Department.

b) Planning and Building Control.

c) Property and Support Services.

d) Energy Advice and Efficiency Services.

e) Education Department.

f) Assessors Office

EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS:

Health Board Authority

Scottish Power and Scottish Gas

Right to Warmth.

Energy Action Scotland.

Energy Action Grants Agency

H.E.E.S Installers ie BEST, KENDON and SOLAS.

HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS:

Longpark Owners Co-operative

Shire Housing.

Scottish Homes.

West of Scotland Homes.

Margaret Blackwood Housing.

BIELD Housing.

1.5 BACKGROUND TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN EAST AYRSHIRE

The Council gives energy efficiency measures a high priority within its Housing Revenue Account Capital Investment Programme and carries out programmes of window replacement, cavity wall insulation, new central heating, loft insulation and water tank covers, to provide affordable warmth and reduce dampness.

In partnership with Scottish Power the Council has entered into a Concordat which became effective on 1 April 1997. This will enable every member of the public to access energy efficiency information which is specific to their home.

Free information and advice will be given and Roadshows will promote energy advice throughout the entire East Ayrshire area.

The Concordat also has the support of the Wise Group and is thus able to target every member of the public and small businesses.

Some of the initiatives currently in place and planned are:

1. The Energy Advice unit, dealing with local authority Areas of Priority Treatment.

2. Scottish Power's energy advice to electricity users, throughout the area.

3. Local Energy Advice Centres give energy advice to users of gas and electricity, throughout the area.

4. Scottish Power has facilities for distance learning, and is organising, in conjunction with East Ayrshire Business Partnership, training packs and programmes to encourage energy advice and development to small businesses.

5. The Council operates an environmental loans fund in conjunction with East Ayrshire Business Partnership where loans are given to assist in investment required to reduce energy costs.

6. Scottish Power has assisted the Council in investing in energy conservation works to some of its buildings. There are further works being investigated which include council buildings and housing.

7. Scottish Power and the Council's Development Services Department are assessing the potential for environmental improvement works to prominent Scottish Power facilities. This will include screening and tree planting to improve the visual impact of facilities and may include the innovative use of lighting to provide a more dramatic visual impact.

8. The Council has 14 local offices to which Scottish Power are providing information on energy savings .

9. In some communities there is a freephone service available, which members of the public can use to contact Scottish Power and other organisations.

10. The Council operates Public Access Terminals in some communities. Energy advice can be located on these terminals, and access to the Internet is being looked at by the Council and Scottish Power.

1.6 BREAKDOWN OF EAST AYRSHIRE HOUSING STOCK

The total housing stock within East Ayrshire will be categorised and explained under three areas described as Local Authority, Housing Association and Private Sector stock.

The total coverage of land area is 483.4 square miles, (125,199 hectares). Total estimated population averages 123,820. The two main population areas are Kilmarnock and Cumnock with the remaining towns and villages widespread throughout the area.

LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING STOCK

The breakdown of the council properties is itemised in Table 1 below. All the statistics in Table 1 have been taken from East Ayrshire Council Housing Department's two existing databases with the help of Housing department staff. The figures have been broken down into specific house types and banding and displayed as numbers and percentages of total stock.

TABLE 1

The age banding of the properties have been grouped under the six bands indicated on the NHER Stock Profiler II (Appendix 8) and the figures are shown in Table 1A below.

TABLE 1A

1.6.2 HOUSING ASSOCIATION STOCK

The breakdown for the Housing Association stock is itemised in Table 2 below. All the statistics in Table 2 have been provided from individual reports submitted to East Ayrshire Council by the 6 Housing Associations.

TABLE 2

The age bandings of the properties have been grouped under the six bands indicated on the NHER Stock Profiler II (Appendix 8) and the figures are shown in Table 2A below:

TABLE 2A

PRIVATE SECTOR STOCK

The breakdown for the Private Sector stock is itemised in Table 3 below. The private sector stock has been assessed from the two previous Authorities' Local Housing Condition Surveys from 1994, figures have been obtained from the Planning & Building Control Department's database for the period 1994-1997 for the former Kilmarnock & Loudoun and Cumnock and Doon Valley Councils. Total stock numbers were obtained from the Council Tax Assessor's Roll for East Ayrshire. After extraction of known figures for the Local Authority and Housing Association stock, this left the remaining stock relating to Private Sector and rented properties.

TABLE 3

The age banding of the properties have been grouped under the six bands indicated on the NHER Stock Profiler II (Appendix 8) as shown in Table 3A below.

TABLE 3A

Tables 1A, 2A and 3A relate to the age construction of the associated stock. A significant percentage of the overall stock has been constructed from 1944 onwards. This is valuable in that a high number of houses of this period are suitable for cavity filling rather than the more expensive options of internal or external insulation to stone-built properties.

1.7 CURRENT EFFICIENCY OF HOUSING STOCK

Local Authority stock

The Local Authority stock figures have been taken from two separate databases, neither of which has been updated on a regular basis. The Council has two separate systems and is working to consolidate these, and update the facilities. Information received is on the basis of details given by each housing section. The Council in conjunction with Heatwise Ltd., has a statistical breakdown of heating and fuel emissions provided by their NHER Stockprofiler II. The current efficiency of Local Authority stock is shown in Appendix 1
The current position shows an average National Home Energy Rating of 5.0

Housing Association stock

There are six Housing Associations who manage 2406 properties in the Council area All the associations responded with the required statistics and the current efficiency of the housing stock is shown in Appendix 2
The current position shows an average National Home Energy Rating of 4.0

Private Sector stock

The Private Sector stock figures have been taken and assembled from information received from the Local House Condition Surveys carried out during 1994, Planning and Building Control services and from the Energy Action Grants Agency Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The current efficiency of the private sector stock is shown in Appendix 3.
Private sector stock has been input using National averages from the Stockprofiler ll.
The current position shows an average National Home Energy Rating of 4.4.

NOTE FOR INFORMATION

Stockprofiler ll gives national home energy ratings to dwellings and these ratings are given under a banding scheme rated from 0 to 10.

9-10: Very energy efficient housing.
5-8: Typical energy efficiency of new build under 1990 building regulations.
2-4: Energy inefficient housing.
0-1: Very energy inefficient housing.

2. PROPOSED MEASURES TO INCREASE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HOUSING STOCK

2.1 PURPOSE

To achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency the current energy efficiency of the entire housing stock has been quantified. This has determined the baseline for the Council's Energy Conservation Strategy.

2.2 METHODOLOGY

Information from the House Condition Surveys of 1994 which were completed by an outside agency, has been used and is broken down into the following categories - Built Form, Tenure, Glazing, Number of Rooms, Number of Storeys, Loft Insulation, Cavity Fill, Heating, Hot Water, and Fuels.

In addition to the House Condition Survey results, the Council has liaised with other Agencies to further develop the statistics. Groups used to assist in increasing the accuracy of the energy stock profile are listed in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 and in conjunction with the NHER Stockprofiler ll Spreadsheet are shown in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4

2.3

RESULTS

The NHER Stock Profiler II has shown, in compiling the totals from Appendices 1,2 and 3, the following results:-

I. The current total energy consumption is: 1588million kWh/per annum
II. The current total NHER based CO2 emissions is: 576 Kilotonnes/year
III. The current total running costs: 40.7 £million/year

The results also show the extent of the improvement works required on the dwellings:-

1. Properties that are single glazed or single glazed with draughtproofing would be recommended for upgrade to double glazing.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 33,733.

2. Properties with lofts with less than 100 mm of insulation would be recommended for upgrade to a minimum of 150 mm.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 11,223.

3. Properties with old gas/electric boilers or room heaters would be recommended for upgrade to the relevant new system of gas/electric boiler. In the case of properties with room heaters, these should be upgraded to full house heating.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 19,589.

4. Properties with old electric storage systems are recommended for upgrade in accordance with the Council's freedom of choice policy.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 3,824.

5. Properties with hot water cylinder jackets of less than 75 mm are recommended for upgrade to a minimum of 75 mm insulation.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 16,022.

6. Properties with unfilled cavity walls would be recommended to have the cavities filled.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 22,607.

7. Properties that have solid/stone walls and have no available options for having dry lining works carried out internally would be recommended to have external cladding works carried out.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 2,314.


8. Properties which are suitable for internal cladding (dry lining) would be recommended to have this work carried out.
The number of properties requiring this measure is 9,663.

These results suggest that if all the above works can be completed the difference in energy efficiency will be :

I. Revised total energy consumption: 1229million kWh/year
II. Revised total NHER based CO2 emissions: 453 Kilotonnes/year
III. Revised total running costs : 33.2 £million/year

The total cost of the work required to achieve the above using average costing figures and guidance from the Council's Quantity Surveying Department is £230,125,975.

I. Council stock:: £57,507,312.


II. Housing Association stock: £11,760,613.


III. Private Sector stock: £160,858,050.

2.4

COMMENT

The Council's Energy Advice Project, working in partnership with Heatwise Limited, promotes advice on energy and grant take up and includes installing insulation and draughtproofing. Through this type of work, using figures from the Department of the Environment and Local Energy Efficiency and Advice Centre, energy savings to households can be achieved.

The Council has assessed that fuel use could be reduced by up to 25% in some instances. Average savings in fuel can therefore be estimated at 10%. Anything in excess of that, over the ten year period, will be added value to the works being carried out by the Council is and will be updated and monitored under the progress reporting system.

Should the Council be able to implement all of the above works throughout the area, including the savings in Energy Advice estimated at 10%, it will achieve a 32.6% improvement in energy efficiency. However with the majority of the works required coming from private sector dwellings, it is considered that the Council will have considerable difficulty in achieving the 30% reduction required.

The Council will however make every effort to maximise potential energy savings from the Private Sector by:-

· Promotion of grants available from the Energy Savings Trust which include "cash-back" offers for Energy Efficiency Works.

· Promotion of the Energy Action Grants Agency (EAGA) Services Limited scheme, which offers discounts of 30% on Cavity Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation and Heating requirements.

If the take up of these measures is high, then the Council would meet the 30% savings suggested by the Secretary of State. However the Council cannot state specifically that this saving can be achieved until regular monitoring of progress takes place.

It is hoped that the Energy Efficiency work and measures that the Council will be promoting to the private sector, may in fact significantly reduce the consumption to the stated percentage. However this will be dependent on response to and take up of the relevant measures. By monitoring and evaluating these measures through the progress reports, the Council will be able to determine the relevant percentage savings.

The nature of the work required on the private sector stock may also change dramatically. Again we can only assess these changes in the progress reports, following ongoing assessment of the private sector stock through energy advice surveys etc.

A Housing Focus Group, within the Concordat, has recently been established to focus in on specific housing energy-related issues. In conjunction with Scottish Power, the group will take its lead from the Concordat to ensure that strategies are implemented on the ground to improve and promote energy efficiency in the stock as a whole and develop further energy awareness through training and publicity.

2.5 EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98

The Council's Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for its own housing stock, for 1997/98 is listed below and costs are itemised for the individual sections of work that are being carried out:

2.6 MOBILE HOMES

Due to its geographical location East Ayrshire has only 74 caravans on the valuation Roll.

At this time the Council is not able to provide details relating to the energy efficiency of this type of accommodation.

2.7 HOUSING ASSOCIATION STOCK

The Housing Associations in the area are aware of the importance of energy efficiency in their stock. The information provided by them illustrates this with cavity wall insulation having been carried out to some degree to most properties.

The details are shown in Appendix 2.

2.8

CONCLUSION

The results which have been incorporated into the NHER Stockprofiler ll Spreadsheet have enabled the Council to make a prediction on the most cost effective measures available to enable reductions in domestic energy use. These conclusions have helped to formulate this Home Energy Conservation Strategy.

Local Authority stock is shown to have an average NHER of 5.0, (see Appendix 1). By carrying out the required works from (2.3 Results) to the properties the energy rating will to rise to an average NHER of 6.4, (see Appendix4 ).

Housing Association stock is shown to have an average NHER of 4.0, (see Appendix 2). By carrying out the required works from (2.3 Results) to the properties the energy rating will rise to an average NHER of 6.7, (see Appendix 5).

The Private Sector stock is shown to have an average NHER of 4.4, (see Appendix 3). By carrying out the required works from (2.3 Results) to the properties the energy rating is shown to rise to an average NHER of 6.1, (see Appendix 6).

NOTE

The figures used in Stockprofiler II to determine the stock condition have been taken from the Council's Housing Department's Support and Technical Services and Housing Associations Databases. In the case of the Private Sector, Stockprofiler II national averages have been used.

3.

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL'S STRATEGY FOR IMPROVEMENT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY FROM 1997 TO 2007

Similar to most other Councils in Scotland, East Ayrshire Council's strategy will address five strategic areas as follows:-:

1. Information and advice
2. Works
3. Promotion
4. Training
5. Education

3.1 INFORMATION AND ADVICE

East Ayrshire Council is already actively promoting energy awareness and advice throughout it's area. The Council and its Partners are embarking upon a programme to encourage Householders/Owners/Associations and Groups to change patterns in behaviour and to take up relevant types of improvement works. Through these measures it feels that it will be able to achieve significant reductions in energy use.

These measures are summarised in Table 5 on the following page .

TABLE 5

3.2 ENERGY EFFICIENCY WORKS TO PRIVATE SECTOR STOCK

The Council recognises that works to private sector housing will require incentives both from it and private sector sources.

Table 6 below outlines the current strategy:

TABLE 6

3.3 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROMOTION

To raise public interest, the Council needs to increase energy efficiency awareness within the area by promoting its strategies and concepts in a vigorous manner. These are detailed in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7

3.4 ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRAINING

Training of "front line" staff is vital in providing information and advice on educational and promotional measures. This is detailed in Table 8 below.

TABLE 8

3.5 ENERGY EFFICIENCY EDUCATION

By raising awareness of energy efficiency through the education of school pupils and staff we are educating the householders of the future. Energy Efficiency Education should be aimed at the entire community. Table 9 below outlines the Council's proposals.

TABLE 9

3.6 TARGETS FOR SAVINGS IN ENERGY USE AND REDUCTION IN CO2 EMISSIONS

The Council is actively promoting the Department of Environment 's Advice on energy savings ie.:

1. Closing curtains at dusk to retain heat.
2. Placing aluminium foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room instead of the house fabric.
3. Fitting shelves above radiators to deflect warm air into rooms.
4. Filling gaps between floorboards and skirting boards.
5. Dampproofing external doors, brush strip to the bottom of doors, internal and brush strip to the letter box, brush strip 3 internal doors ie. livingroom, bathroom and kitchen.
6. Fitting thermostatic radiator valves.
7. Fitting a thermostat to the existing hot water cylinder.
8. Replacing ordinary lamps with compact fluorescent lamps ( lasts 8 times longer and requires a quarter of the electricity).

The Costs of some typical measures, with payback relating to an average three bedroomed semi-detached house, are shown in Table 10 below:

TABLE 10

3.7 EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL TARGETS 1997 - 2007

a) 90% of housing stock to achieve loft insulation of 100 mm or more.

b) 90% of housing stock to have a hot water cylinder jacket of 75 mm or more.

c) 90% of housing stock with cavity walls, to have cavity wall insulation installed.

d) 90% replacement of old gas central heating systems and continuing replacement of electric central heating systems.

e) 90% of housing stock to have double glazed windows.

f) 100%of households to receive advice and information on energy conservation measures and to have continued contact with the Energy Advice Unit.

g) An Environmental Week to be run annually with energy efficiency the key topic.

h) East Ayrshire Council to use the Plan Assessor (NHER Evaluator) to look at problem houses and provide cost effective methods of improvement.

i) To promote the NHER system and provide ratings on private housing stock at level 3, encouraging energy efficiency with reasonable costs, relating to effective payback measures to homes. This would identify and aid our stock position and would be instrumental should there be possible changes implemented with future energy ratings being imposed on house sales.

j) To have relevant Energy Advice Unit staff trained to an operational level of the NHER programme.


k) Discount schemes to be researched and made available as soon as possible.

m) Project based information on energy conservation to be made available each year to all schools located in East Ayrshire.

3.8 JOB CREATION

The Council has already installed loft insulation, cavity wall fill and double glazing in a significant number of properties. This can be seen from the targets set .

The potential for the creation of employment and training through the implementation of this strategy have already been established by the Council.

A Co-ordinator has been appointed by the Wise Group whose works will be monitored and evaluated by East Ayrshire Council, four Supervisors and an Administration Officer have been employed.

Heatwise Limited have applied for £196,000 match funding from the European Social Fund to coincide with East Ayrshire Council's Energy Efficiency Programme Funding of £200,000. Twenty four Trainees previously unemployed have been selected and are now in place.

To date Heatwise Limited have carried out:-

· 54 NHER level 3 Energy Audits
· 95 NHER level 0 Energy Audits
· 226 Energy Advice visits
· 8 Loft Insulation installations
· 79 Draughtproofing installations
· 74 Referrals for Home Energy Efficiency Scheme to the Network Installers

Depending on the workload these jobs may continue into the year 2000 with further trainees being taken on.

The Council is currently examining the Welfare to Work, New Deal proposals and hopes to use the current partnership project with Heatwise Limited as one mechanism to meet its objectives within the scheme.

3.9 MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 has determined the overall aims of this strategy. It has been compiled using the NHER Stockprofiler ll Spreadsheet and information from associated groups. This is detailed in Table 11 below.

TABLE 11

EVALUATION

It will be necessary to evaluate the progress on completed works and the advice provided. Evaluation and monitoring by the Energy Advice Section within the Housing Department will be used to determine the quality of work and customer satisfaction. This will enable the Council to respond to any problems and address these to assist in improving future results.

4. PROVISION FOR COLLECTING FURTHER DATA

The Council will have to incorporate into it's records, details of all housing stock (not just Local Authority stock) in order to be able to update more accurately the accumulation of new incoming information. At the moment the Council have set up a database in "ACCESS" with all the East Ayrshire Council tax addresses and the relevant field requirements needed to update and monitor the stock details for the progress reports required under the Home Energy Conservation Act, 1995. It is anticipated that additional staffing will be required in order to update the database.

These measures will greatly improve the overall strategic evaluation and compilation of progress reports required for future submission to the Secretary of State.

5. ISSUES FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONSIDER

1. Restore the full funding of the HEES grant programme to persons over the age of 60 and not in receipt of a qualifying benefit. This would enable Councils to implement more energy efficiency works within the private sector.

2. Allow Energy Conservation Authorities to run all energy efficiency works in-house:

3. Divert financial resources presently provided to the Energy Savings Trust and Energy Action Grants Agency to the Energy Conservation Authorities.

4. These Authorities can then use the same installers allocated to their specific areas for the same types of work. There would therefore be no change to the job security within the companies involved.

5. Support John Burnett MP in his private members Energy Efficiency Bill, (see Appendix 7), and encourage support for any future bills introduced which have any relation to energy efficiency and savings relevant to the current HECA reports . Bills of this nature are significant in helping Local Authorities achieve their HECA responsibilities and therefore must be supported by Government.

6. That the Office of Gas Supply (OFGAS), be encouraged to introduce a similar scheme to the Office of Electricity Regulation, (OFFER's) "Standards of Performance" and deduct a similar amount from gas customers, to be used under the same type of criteria for gas householders.

7. English Authorities appear to be working to a 15 year programme to achieve the 30% targets, while Scotland has only been given 10 years. With the added problem of severe climatic conditions in Scotland, the Council considers that it should be allowed to implement works under the same time scale.

8. Additional financial resources must be made available to assist Local Authorities in achieving improvements to Private sector properties.

9. Local Authorities should be given the power to demand information from Utilities, Installers, Eaga, the EST and Installer Federations, to update their knowledge of the stock in their area without the hurdle of the Data Protection Act

10. Reduce VAT on insulation materials to 5% bringing this into line with the rate of VAT imposed on fuel.

11. Home improvement grants with dedicated additional funds should be extended to incorporate energy efficiency measures. This could be administered to ensure that the personal circumstances of households are taken into account in relation to distribution of funds.

12. Future censuses should include energy efficiency information.

13. Require HEES Registered installers to send the relevant energy conservation authority a copy of the home survey carried out at the time of the HEES survey. The information should be provided free to the Authority.

14. Require registration of all private landlords with energy conservation authorities, and give the authorities powers to inspect landlords properties and issue improvement notices, including condensation and energy efficiency improvements.

15. Planning permission timescales for building regulations should be reduced to stop builders from using loopholes to avoid meeting new building regulations.

16. Building Regulations should use the NHER rather than the SAP, in order to make homes in Scotland more equal when accounting for weather in different regions.

17. Local authority housing debt should be written off - the annual savings to be ploughed into energy efficiency.

18. Capital Receipts should be made available for spending on energy efficiency.

6. CONCLUSION

This strategy has been set out by East Ayrshire Council in order to implement significant improvements in the energy efficiency of housing stock in it's area as required by the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

The report justifies the role of East Ayrshire Council as an Energy Conservation Authority and emphasises the use of group workings and partnerships in seeking the achievement of the requirements of the Act.

It also confronts the issues facing the Council in adopting new and challenging measures to process, monitor, evaluate and review energy efficiency and conservation initiatives and measures.

The strategy will develop over time and be sustained over the next 10 years to ensure that East Ayrshire Council continues to advance and be innovative in the area of energy efficiency and conservation.

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