Minutes:
The Chairperson welcome Mr. D. Polley, Director – Housing Supply Policy, and Ms. D. Knowes, Head of Affordable Warmth and Energy Branch, both representing the Department for Communities, to the meeting to address Member’s queries regarding the Affordable Warmth Scheme (AWS).
Mr. Polley commenced by advising that he was delighted to confirm that funding of 16 million had been allocated for the overall scheme, this would equate to 30 referrals per month per Council. He also confirmed that the affordability threshold was due to increase from 20k – 23k, it was anticipated that this increase would result in the scheme being available to more people. In addition, some of the benefits, including Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Carer’s Allowance were being removed from the calculation of income, which should result in a fairer scheme for applicants.
The representative referred to the Covid-19 Pandemic. He advised that delivery of the scheme had been interrupted due to the necessary restrictions and it had taken a while to get the scheme restarted, which had resulted in an underspend in the scheme. To try address the impact on councils of the reduced funding, DfC had provided an upfront ‘in year’ payment to councils and there had also been the option to apply for any additional costs incurred.
Mr. Polley advised that representatives from the DfC, in conjunction with an officer from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (who was representing the 11 Councils), were currently drafting a new Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the AWS which would be shared for consideration in due course.
He highlighted that Busines Continuity Services (Department of Finance) was currently undertaking a review on the targeted approach and funding models for the AWS, the final report on this was likely to be available by the end of June 2021. Any proposed changes to the scheme would have to be signed off by the relevant government departments and it was therefore unlikely that this would be completed before the next financial year.
He also referred to discussion that had taken place with SOLACE regarding a 50:50 funding model, explaining that this would allow for 50% funding upfront to Council, with the remaining 50% payment per referral.
He concluded by confirming that since 2015 the scheme had allocated 82 million which had provided affordable warmth improvement measures to 20,000 homes. He stated that the AWS was vital to the Fuel Poverty Strategy and it was essential therefore that both worked hand in hand. He detailed that he was aware of several issues that the Department were currently working on addressing but added that he anticipated an improved scheme going forward.
Following a query from a Member, Mr. Polley confirmed that the Department for Communities did liaise with the Department of Finance and Department for the Economy in the regard to the Energy Strategy.
During discussion, the current rise in material costs was highlighted and the fact that this was affecting the margins to deliver on individual schemes. Ms. Knowles noted that the Department was aware of the issue but stated that in most instances the current grant covered the required measures. She went on to state that it was unlikely that the grant/allowance would be increased in line with the inflated costs as this would require a change in legislation.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for attending the meeting following which they left the proceedings.