Energy strategy finally passed

Phone box still has 31st Oct spider over it!

After going to give my monthly report to the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council meeting on Thursday I went opn to the District Councils Exec meeting. There one of the items was the Tenants Energy Strategy.

The Energy Strategy was a recommendation in the inquiry I chaired which started 3 years ago! That got passed when I presented it to Cabinet in March 2010 but then various things led to a delay and in the  inquiry I chaired on Decent Homes Standard for housing we reiterated that call with a deadline for November this last year.....however that initial strategy did not go far enough and I am delighted that now as part of the Green, Lib Dem, Labour agreement we are moving it forward more with more funding....here was my quote after Thursday....see also for details item 9 here.

Cllr Philip Booth, who initiated and chaired the Scrutiny inquiry that led to this Energy Strategy said: "I'm delighted that we now have a way forward that reduces carbon and makes a serious start to tackle growing fuel poverty. Around 30% of our housing stock, some 1,700 homes, require major investment - and these are home to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. The impact of government changes to benefits looks set to be devastating for many; this investment will in time go someway to help a few of those hardest hit."