Call for support for residents as energy bills rise

“THE energy crisis is really going to bite for a lot of people … they are going to be looking for support and guidance at this challenging time. What is this council going to do to facilitate this?”

That was a question from Cllr Sarah Kerr (Lib Dem, Evendons) to Cllr Gregor Murray, the executive member for communications, residents services and emissions during a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, March 24.

She pointed that schemes to help residents insulate homes are focused on low income and vulnerable homes and the vast majority of homes don’t qualify.

Cllr Murray said that for those homes that had taken part in the council schemes had benefitted from the measures, and the schemes remain open to new applicants.

He said that the council is partnering with the Southeast Energy Hub to deliver a new scheme that offers energy saving home improvements, like insulation, renewable heating systems and double glazing not only to low-income households, but also to homes where the Energy Performance Certificate rating is either D, E, F or G.

Around 1,300 residents had been contacted by mail inviting them to take part.

He added: “Fuel poverty is an area of increasing concern and for this reason has a dedicated workstream of our Tackling Poverty Strategy. Working with the Hardship Alliance, WBC is developing a range of activity to support people facing this and other types of poverty.”

After listing measures mentioned by the chancellor in his spring statement, including five-year 0% VAT rating on energy-saving materials such as solar panels, he said: “We can’t control fuel costs, but it is plain to see that we are acting to support our residents using the means at our disposal.”

Cllr Kerr wanted to know if Cllr Murray agreed with her that the government focus should be on increasing renewable energy generation.

“We are doing all we can to increase the amount of renewable energy generated within our community,” Cllr Murray said. “If you have any additional ideas of things that we could be doing in order to generate more renewable energy in our community. I welcome them.

“If you have any suggestions of more things that we could be doing to help our rent, reduce their energy bills, or reduce the amount of energy that they’re using at the same time. I welcome them as well.”

An angry Cllr Kerr said: “Could you answer my question please?” but the mayor moved on to the next question.