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   R   E   S   P   O   N   S   E 
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
May 2009
Northgate Public Services Response
 
 
Response
Introduction
1.
 
Northgate warmly welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Government’sconsultation on the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) developed jointlybetween the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Communities andLocal Government (CLG)2.
 
CESP places an obligation on energy suppliers to reduce the carbon emissions ofdomestic energy customers by promoting carbon abatement measures. Suppliers andgenerators will be issued with a domestic emissions reduction target and have to meetthe target as a requirement of their licenses. This will force them to reduce CO
2
emissions by introducing energy efficiency and small-scale generation measures todomestic energy users in specified areas throughout Great Britain.3.
 
There are two key aims of CESP: the first is to improve the energy efficiency of theexisting housing stock, while the second is to reduce energy demand in the domesticsector. The combination of these two objectives will also ensure that households arelikely to see permanent fuel bill reductions ensuring that they will be able to heat theirhomes more easily.4.
 
Our response focuses on the issues raised by the consultation where we believe ourexperience or expertise gives us insight into possible solutions or where we believe wehave a contribution to make in terms of a substantive issue.5.
 
The response draws upon our experience of working for over fifteen years in innovativepartnerships designed to promote energy efficiency and develop sustainablecommunities, as well as working with a range of stakeholders in the field of energyefficiency including local authorities, surveyors, architects and most recently domesticenergy assessors.
General Comment
6.
 
Climate Change is one of the most pressing problems facing the world. It requires all ofus to act if we are to respond effectively. This challenge has to be weighed against theneed to break down inequalities within our diverse communities.
CESP Consultation
Northgate’s Response
Page 2 of 9
 
 
7.
 
The current economic situation presents an exceptional challenge. It requires a moreco-ordinated response from key organizations – including government, developers,energy service companies, local authorities, social landlords, the not for profit sectorand the private sector. This has to be aimed at enhancing collaboration and developinginnovative implementation in the delivery of energy efficient, affordable housing andbuildings, as well as one which above all promotes positive action to combat climatechange.8.
 
We support the focus on a collaborative approach in CESP however we believe thatthere needs to be more clarification about the role of different parties in thearrangement. We suggest that a memorandum of understanding would be appropriatein outlining the relationship between key organizations throughout CESP, however,over the longer term we believe that central government should make provision forlocal authorities to have a statutory duty to promote climate change measures in theirareas.9.
 
We wholeheartedly agree that the focus of any CESP measures should be on low incomeareas. We believe that by focusing on vulnerable sections of society, CESP will makegreat strides towards combating the two major problems of carbon pollution and fuelpoverty.
The community approach – working in partnership.
10.
 
Community Partnership is a key component of CESP. Local authorities can play a vitalrole in such partnerships because of their detailed knowledge. They are trusted bytheir local communities and can integrate other public services and strategies. LocalStrategic Partnerships, Local Service Boards and Community Planning Partnerships arealready in place in England, Wales and Scotland respectively.11.
 
There are also a number of other local agencies that may be able to act as key partnerswithin a CESP scheme such as Regional Development Agencies (RDA), SocialEnterprises, Housing Associations and Community Groups. These groups aretraditionally able to reach the most deprived groups that are inaccessible to statutoryorganizations. Many of them also have experience of working in innovative fields.12.
 
Communities, and their representatives, can add value by helping energy suppliers andgenerators identify potential areas for measures, identifying synergies with otherinitiatives that have similar objectives, and providing input through related activitieswhich serve the overall policy objectives.
CESP Consultation
Northgate’s Response
Page 3 of 9
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