Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision:

Cambridge City Council had been approached about introducing the HeatSeekers scheme in Cambridge. The scheme offers a new approach to promoting energy efficiency within the home through citywide thermal imaging of properties. A resident would be offered tailored advice and the opportunity to have insulation installed with the assistance of government grants.

Decision of Exec Cllr for Housing:

             I.      Approved the introduction and promotion of the scheme.

          II.      Agreed that Cambridge City Council would work with the Mark Group as described in the Memorandum of Understanding.

Reason for the Decision:

The scheme offers significant benefits to Cambridge City Council’s objectives regarding climate change, but more importantly it will also help residents to save money and to reduce fuel poverty within the city.  The timing is also significant, as the scheme will encourage residents to take advantage of their current grant entitlement.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee made the following responses to the Heatseekers report presented by the Principal Scientific Officer.

             I.      Concerns were raised about the legal status of the memorandum of understanding; this does not have the status of a formal contract as no money was changing hands.

          II.      Members questioned data protection and privacy aspect of the proposal and the officer assured them that individual properties or vehicles would not be identifiable.

       III.      The images would only been seen by the householder and would be retained only for the length of the project (one year or until funding is exhausted).

      IV.      Members requested a minor change to the wording to delete the word 'known' be taken out of the Memorandum of Understanding document (Appendix i, page 3 section 3.3) relating to data protection issues. In response to member’s questions the officer confirmed that feedback from other authorities that had used the company had been good.

         V.      Complaints had been minimal and related to missed appointments or minor post installation issues.

      VI.      Members were concerned that vulnerable residents might be exposed to pressure selling and the officers confirmed that controls were in place to prevent this.

   VII.      It was agreed that the information gathered would give a good indication of the level of properties in the City that had a poor thermal performance.

The Scrutiny Committee considered and endorsed the recommendations in the report by 6 votes to 0.

The Executive Councillor for Housing approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)