Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the provisions of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) which require all local authorities with a housing obligation to prepare a baseline HECA Plan by 31 March 2013.

The HECA Plan must set out the energy conservation measures and ambitious priorities that the Department for Energy and Climate Change considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in a significant reduction in the energy consumption of all tenures of residential accommodation in our communities.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Decisions Made:

That approval be given to the submission of the Sefton HECA Plan to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

Reasons for Decision:

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) presents a statutory duty upon the Council to reduce energy consumptions, carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty.  The first period of HECA reporting ended in 2010.  The Secretary of State issued revised guidance to Energy Conservation Authorities in July 2012 using powers under section 5(1)(b) of the Act, requiring further plans to be drawn up by March 2013.  The further Sefton HECA Plan (2010-2027) meets the requisite policy framework response by setting out long term priorities for Sefton and requires Member Approval.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.