South West

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Background:

 

NEA established its Regional Office in the South West in January 2005.  Emma Quest is the Regional Coordinator and is based in Plymouth. 

The South West region features a number of challenges in tackling fuel poverty:

  • It is the largest of all regions in England comprising Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, the former Avon area and Gloucestershire (Tewkesbury in the north of the region is closer to Scotland than it is to Penzance in the south);
  • The region has a large proportion of rural and remote areas that are difficult to reach and have limited access to services;
  • On average it has the most energy inefficient housing of all the English regions;
  • It has the highest proportion of homes failing the decent homes standard on thermal performance;
  • It has a significant level of hard-to-treat properties with over 16% of all properties off the national gas gird; and
  • The region has the highest proportion of elderly people in England

Current Work Programme:

NEA aims to further develop its work in the South West Region through:

  • Continued engagement with regional and sub regional policy makers to ensure that Fuel Poverty remains on the agenda
  • Supporting local partnerships in the development, implementation and monitoring of Affordable Warmth Strategies
  • Project work in partnership with local organisations
  • A proactive Fuel Poverty Forum

NEA's regional office is currently involved in the following activities:

Practical projects:

Devon Affordable Warmth Officer & Devon Warm Zone

The Devon Affordable Warmth Officer (DAWO) is a part time post serviced by NEA.  DAWO provides affordable warmth services to the ten district councils and unitary authorities in the County.

DAWO is currently coordinating delivery of a Devon Warm Zones project.  The project aims to substantially reduce fuel poverty  designated Warm Zones in each District of the County.  From April 2008 small areas will one by one be targeted with marketing and awareness raising to increase uptake of free or subsidised insulation and heating measures.  The project will roll out over each of the designated Warm Zones over a period of three years.

Cornwall - development support for Children's Trusts

NEA is taking forward a development programme that seeks to work with Cornwall Children's Trust to raise awareness of the links between fuel poverty and the Every Child Matters agenda.  The project involves development support for frontline workers and policy makers.  For further details contact NEA's Regional Co-ordinator.

Devon 'Hotspot's initiative

NEA is taking forward a project which seeks to engage the Fire Service and other partners as key referrers to the Devon Warm Zone.  For further details contact NEA's Regional Co-ordinator.

Policy development:

South West Low Carbon Housing and Fuel Poverty Strategy

The South West Low Carbon Housing and Fuel Poverty Strategy was formally adopted in early 2007 by the South West Regional Assembly, Regional Development Agency and Government Office for the South West.  Along with other key stakeholders in the region NEA provided input into its development and continues to provide input into its ongoing monitoring.

The headline targets for fuel poverty are in line with Government targets, and for low carbon housing to cut carbon emissions by 17% in 2010, by 30% in 2020, leading to at least a 60% cut by 2050 from a 1990 baseline. The Low Carbon Housing and Fuel Poverty Strategy and Action Plan can be downloaded from www.oursouthwest.com.

The South West Climate Change Action Plan

Currently under development by the South West Regional Assembly NEA is providing input into its development along with other key stakeholders in the region.

Regional Fuel Poverty Brieifing

NEA has produced a bi-annual fuel poverty briefing which aims to highlight the extent of fuel poverty in England and to consider how fuel poverty commitments and activity at a regional level can support national priorities to make affordable warmth a reality for low-income and other vulnerable households.  The briefing builds upon NEA's regional policy matrix which tracks strategic policy commitments in each region as a means of identifying opportunities to promote action on affordable warmth at a regional level.  See NEA Regional Briefings

Forthcoming events:

South West Fuel Poverty Forum

NEA holds regional Fuel Poverty Forums three times per year throughout England and Wales. The Fuel Poverty Forums are targeted at strategic policy makers and front line service providers and aim to:

  • Examine policy and practical initiatives related to fuel poverty and delivering energy efficiency solutions at a local, regional, and national level
  • Showcase innovation and best practice
  • Promote dialogue and discussion on a wide range of sectoral issues
  • Help NEA shape policy developments and campaigns

See NEA's Events Diary for future Forum dates.

'Spotlight on fuel poverty' seminars

The seminar will explore opportunities for regional agencies to take a leading role in addressing the fuel poverty challenge via future integrated strategies.  The seminar will bring togethere regional agencies and partnerships with local authorities, the health sector, the business sector, community and voluntary sector and others with an interest in energy efficiency and fuel poverty.  See NEA's Events Diary or contact the Regional Co-ordinator for details.

Contact Details:

For more information on NEA’s current activities in the South West please contact Emma Quest, Regional Co-ordinator South West on 01752 306 530 or email emma.quest@nea.org.uk

 

Date last updated: 18/02/2010 11:04am