Agenda item

Council believes that much has been done in recent years through schemes such as Wrap Up Leeds to deal with domestic energy efficiency.  It also notes with regret that the Leeds City Council programme of domestic energy activities has been adversely affected by major changes to the way the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) operates, that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Council believes that Leeds still has a long way to go to effectively deal with fuel poverty caused by homes with  low-energy efficiency and calls on the Chief Executive to request that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change meets with an all-party delegation, so the case can be put for resources being made available to resolve some of these issues.

Council also requests that the Chief Executive writes to all Leeds MPs asking them for their support in this matter.

It was moved by Councillor D Blackburn , seconded by Councillor A Blackburn that Council believes that much has been done in recent years through schemes such as Wrap Up Leeds to deal with domestic energy efficiency.  It also notes with regret that the Leeds City Council programme of domestic energy activities has been adversely affected by major changes to the way the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) operates, that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Council believes that Leeds still has a long way to go to effectively deal with fuel poverty caused by homes with  low-energy efficiency and calls on the Chief Executive to request that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change meets with an all-party delegation, so the case can be put for resources being made available to resolve some of these issues.

Council also requests that the Chief Executive writes to all Leeds MPs asking them for their support in this matter.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dobson, seconded by Councillor G Harper;

Council believes that much has been done in recent years through schemes such as Wrap Up Leeds to deal with domestic energy efficiency.  It also notes with regret that the Leeds City Council programme of domestic energy activities has been adversely affected by major changes to the way the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) operates that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Delete all after first paragraph and replace with:

Council acknowledges the disproportionate impact of these recent changes on communities in Leeds due to the unique nature of the city’s housing stock. Council therefore welcomes action agreed to date that aims to raise awareness of this situation with Government ministers.

Council reiterates calls for a cross-party meeting with the Secretary of State for Energy with a view to enabling work to commence immediately on projects in Leeds.

Council reaffirms its commitment to a significant and wide-ranging programme of energy efficiency improvements across the city and requests that the Chief Executive writes to all Leeds MPs to secure their assistance in facilitating the changes required to enable the Council to deliver this much needed work.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Wadsworth, seconded by Councillor Cohen;

Insert after ‘domestic energy efficiency’ in paragraph 1: ‘While a more balanced approach to its implementation would have been preferable, addressing those in most need first, as opposed to an apparent focus on numbers of households, the scheme has delivered significant positives.’

Replace ‘It’ with ‘Council’ in paragraph 1.

Insert after ‘Chancellor’s Autumn Statement’ in paragraph 1: ‘This Council welcomes the Government’s attempts to reduce household energy bills that have, in recent years, begun to spiral out of control. However, Council is concerned that the changes to ECO will not necessarily directly impact on customer bills as was intended.’

Motion will read:

Council believes that much has been done in recent years through schemes such as Wrap Up Leeds to deal with domestic energy efficiency. While a more balanced approach to its implementation would have been preferable, addressing those in most need first, as opposed to an apparent focus on numbers of households, the scheme has delivered significant positives.

Council also notes with regret that the Leeds City Council programme of domestic energy activities has been adversely affected by major changes to the way the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) operates that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. This Council welcomes the Government’s attempts to reduce household energy bills that have, in recent years, begun to spiral out of control. However, Council is concerned that the changes to ECO will not necessarily directly impact on customer bills as was intended.

Council believes that Leeds still has a long way to go to effectively deal with fuel poverty caused by homes with low-energy efficiency and calls on the Chief Executive to request that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change meets with an all-party delegation, so the case can be put for resources being made available to resolve some of these issues.

Council also requests that the Chief Executive writes to all Leeds MPs asking them for their support in this matter.

The second amendment in the name of Councillor Wadsworth was declared lost.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Dobson was carried, and it was

RESOLVED – That Council believes that much has been done in recent years through schemes such as Wrap Up Leeds to deal with domestic energy efficiency.  It also notes with regret that the Leeds City Council programme of domestic energy activities has been adversely affected by major changes to the way the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) operates that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Council acknowledges the disproportionate impact of these recent changes on communities in Leeds due to the unique nature of the city’s housing stock. Council therefore welcomes action agreed to date that aims to raise awareness of this situation with Government ministers.

Council reiterates calls for a cross-party meeting with the Secretary of State for Energy with a view to enabling work to commence immediately on projects in Leeds.

Council reaffirms its commitment to a significant and wide-ranging programme of energy efficiency improvements across the city and requests that the Chief Executive writes to all Leeds MPs to secure their assistance in facilitating the changes required to enable the Council to deliver this much needed work.