In January 1992 NEA established a London Office to build on work it was already engaged in within the capital. Over the years NEA has built up a network of contacts in the region and acts as a focus for information on fuel poverty and affordable warmth policy and practice. The regional work programme is overseen by a Regional Projects Manager, Ian Tanner.
Key Regional Partnerships:
- The Greater London Assembly - NEA has developed close links with the GLA and had an input to “Green light to clean power”, the Mayor’s Energy Strategy launched February 2004. This is a key document in terms of energy efficiency, fuel poverty and affordable warmth, and NEA has welcomed its aims and objectives which includes the eradication of Fuel Poverty as part of Policy 1.
- London Energy Partnership - The London Energy Partnership was established to deliver the Mayor’s Energy Strategy and NEA is an active member of the Energy Efficiency Task Force which reports to the LEP. NEA is also a member of The Fuel Poverty Task Group formed in July 2007 by the LEP to take forward the Mayor’s commitments on Fuel Poverty set out in his Energy Policy. NEA is working closely with the LEP and City Hall to ensure that fuel poverty is accorded a higher recognition across all sectors working in London, and that linkages are made wherever the issues demand.
- London Boroughs - NEA recognises the key role that London Boroughs can play in the co-ordination and delivery of local strategies to eradicate fuel poverty and the delivery of other strategic objectives at local level. NEA enjoys good working relationships with the London Boroughs, principally through the benefits of NEA membership, providing training courses often tailored to support the affordable warmth programmes of individual authorities and through assistance with the creation of affordable warmth strategies.
Current work programme:
In accordance with NEA's business plan, NEA continues to expand its work in the region by:
- Increasing NEA’s involvement at the regional level to promote implementation of the Government's Fuel Poverty Strategy
- Further development of Affordable Warmth Strategies with local authorities, assisting those with strategies to implement, monitor and review them and helping authorities to move towards the establishment of Warm Zones
- Expansion of consultancy services for local authorities, housing providers and other organisations
- Promotion of energy champions
- Further developing technical projects
- Continuing a proactive regional Fuel Poverty Forum
Examples of current policy and practice development activities include:
Practical projects
For further details of practical projects in London contact the Regional Projects Manager.
Policy development
Affordable warmth consultancy
NEA has worked in close partnership with many London Boroughs and other key stakeholders to develop local affordable warmth strategies and subsequently has been involved in the review of progress and implementation of these strategies. This is an ongoing process and the London Office continues to be available to consult on issues around affordable warmth strategies.
Regional policy matrix development
NEA maintains a regional policy matrix for the nine regions in England, including London. The matrix highlights current fuel poverty commitments across a broad range of strategies and allows NEA to monitor the progress of implementation activity. The matrices are reviewed and updated bi-annually, which also provides an opportunity to map progress in commitments at a regional level to meet national fuel poverty targets. For more details contact the Regional Projects Manager.
Regional Fuel Poverty Briefing
NEA has produced a bi-annual regional fuel poverty briefing which aims to highlight the extent of fuel poverty in England and to consider how fuel poverty commitments and activity at a regional level can support national priorities to make affordable warmth a reality for low-income and other vulnerable households. The briefing builds upon NEA's regional policy matrix which tracks strategic policy commitments within each region as a means of identifying opportunities to promote action on affordable warmth at a regional level. Foe more details contact the Regional Projects Manager.
Technical projects:
- Low Rise Flats - Funded by EDF the London Office is currently investigating barriers to the insulation of low-rise post-war blocks of flats.
Forthcoming Events:
London & South East Fuel Poverty Forum
NEA holds regional Fuel Poverty Forums three times per year throughout England and Wales. The Fuel Poverty Forums are targeted at strategic policy makers and front line service providers and aim to
- Examine policy and practical initiatives related to fuel poverty and delivering energy efficiency solutions at a local, regional, and national level
- Showcase innovation and best practice
- Promote dialogue and discussion on a wide range of sectoral issues
- Help NEA shape policy developments and campaigns
See NEA’s Events Diary for forthcoming meetings or contact NEA’s Regional Projects Manager for details.
'Spotlight on fuel poverty' seminars
The seminar will explore opportunities for regional agencies to take a leading role in addressing the fuel poverty challenge via future integrated strategies. The seminar will bring together senior policy makers with representatives from organisations working on the ground to deliver solutions to fuel poverty and will be targeted at representatives from local authorities, community and voluntary sector organisations, the business sector, health sector, regional development agencies, and regional agencies/groups with an interest in energy efficiency and fuel poverty. For more information see the Events Diary.
Contact Details:
For more information on NEA’s current activities or advice on consultancy or partnership development projects in London please contact Ian Tanner, Regional Projects Manager on 020 7713 7396 or email ian.tanner@nea.org.uk