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HECA Further Report
2013
Milton Keynes Council
Prepared by the United Sustainable Energy Agency
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Contents
1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .................................................................................................. 3
HECA requirements ............................................................................................................................. 3
The process used to produce this report ............................................................................................ 3
An analysis of the data ........................................................................................................................ 3
2. LOCAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AMBITIONS AND PRIORITIES ................................................................. 8
Key messages from the data analysis ................................................................................................. 8
Local commitments and targets ......................................................................................................... 8
Local and regional activity .................................................................................................................. 9
3. MEASURES TO DELIVER SIGNIFICANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL
ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................................................... 11
Key messages from the data analysis ............................................................................................... 11
The nationally available financial incentives .................................................................................... 11
Local Policies, Initiatives and Resources ........................................................................................... 13
Local Policies ................................................................................................................................. 13
Local Initiatives to improve energy efficiency .............................................................................. 14
Local Resources to improve energy efficiency .............................................................................. 14
Advice, Education and Promotion .................................................................................................... 14
4. MEASURES PROPOSED TO DELIVER ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN A COST EFFECTIVE
MANNER. .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Key messages from the data analysis ............................................................................................... 16
Area based and other initiatives to be explored by the Council ...................................................... 17
Scheme 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Scheme 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Scheme 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Scheme 4 ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Existing / On-going measures ........................................................................................................... 19
5. TIME FRAME FOR DELIVERY AND NATIONAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS ............................................. 20
HECA strategy delivery plan .............................................................................................................. 20
Local partners ................................................................................................................................... 20
Regional partners .............................................................................................................................. 20
National partners .............................................................................................................................. 20
SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Annexes ................................................................................................................................................. 23
1 – Extracts from Milton Keynes Low Carbon Action Plan relevant to HECA ................................... 23
2-Extracts from Milton Keynes Housing Strategy relevant to HECA ................................................. 24
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
HECA requirements This report is required as per the ‘Guidance to English Energy Conservation Authorities (ECA’s)
pursuant to the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) 1995’ issued by the Department of Energy
and Climate Change (DECC) in July 2012.
The process used to produce this report This report is the culmination of a three stage process. Stage 1 involved the analysis of data and the
production of Lower Super Output Area (LSOA)1/ ward level maps for Milton Keynes to gain a better
understanding of energy use and demographic factors which influence it. Stage 2 involved a review
of relevant policies and plans and stage 3 brought stages 1 and 2 together in an officer level
workshop to discuss findings and agree the future direction the Council should take with respect to
HECA.
An analysis of the data General profile
The background data analysed for this report shows that Milton Keynes has the following key
characteristics relevant to future action under HECA:
Milton Keynes has a rising and ageing population.
Milton Keynes has a relatively low per capita domestic CO2 emissions rate of 2.1 tonnes per
person.
The take up of retrofitted cavity wall and loft insulation measures has been above the
national average.
Levels of fuel poverty in the Milton Keynes have doubled in 5 years to 8% in 2010, but are
still lower than the national average of 16.4%
Averaged over the 5 main benefits even the most deprived wards in Milton Keynes had less
than half (46%) the number of benefit claimants than the most deprived wards in the UK
46% smaller than the national average. This reflects the relative affluence of the area;
however there are pockets of high deprivation as evidenced by the five CSCo2 areas in
Milton Keynes.
Average domestic gas consumption has fallen by 21.2 % between 2005 and 2010, while
average domestic electricity consumption fallen by 16.4% in the same period.
1 LSOAs are a geographic hierarchy designed to improve the reporting of statistics. They are consistent in
population size, and typically contain a minimum population of 1000 and a mean population of 1500. 2 CSCo: (Carbon Saving Community Obligation ) areas are the lowest 15% areas ranked in the Index of Multiple
Deprivation.
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Milton Keynes – energy, CO2, insulation, fuel poverty, renewables and population
1. Domestic Energy Consumption in Milton Keynes
2. Domestic emissions for Milton Keynes in kt CO2
3. Insulation per 10,000 properties in Milton Keynes
4. Fuel Poverty in Milton Keynes
5. Percentage of the population over 65
6. Renewables installations per 10,000 properties
All graphs (apart from 5 produced from Office of National Statistics data) produced from the most current information
available from http://tools.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/local_auth/interactive/interactive.aspx
0
2000
4000
6000
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10000
12000
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20000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Average domestic gas kWh Average domestic electricity kWh
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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Emissions domestic electricity kt CO2 Emissions domestic gas kt CO2
Emissions other domestic fuel kt CO2 Total domestic emissions kt CO2
0
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600
800
1000
1200
1400
2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
MK cavity GB cavity MK loft GB loft
0
5
10
15
20
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
% fuel poor households (Milton Keynes) % Fuel poor households (England)
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035
% p
op
ula
tio
n o
ve
r 6
5
England
Milton Keynes
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Q3 2010
Q1 2011
Q3 2011
Q1 2012
Q3 2012
GB MK
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Mapped data
The data analysed for this report shows that Milton Keynes has the following key characteristics:
Solid Walls Solid wall properties are clustered to the north of Milton Keynes in rural locations and most notably: Sherington, Olney and Newport Pagnell South as well as Danesborough and Wolverton in the south. The concentration of solid wall properties in Sherington tends to mirror that of properties not on the gas network. This reflects the fact that these are older, typically pre 1900 dwellings. In addition to the wards mentioned above, both Stony Stratford and Bletchley & Fenny Stratford contain >16% (>800) solid wall properties. Combined all seven wards contain nearly 7500 of the 8,800 solid wall properties in Milton Keynes.
Off gas network The majority of Milton Keynes has good access to the gas network. Sherington ward stands out as having a high proportion of dwellings not connected to the gas network. Other areas such as Olney, Middleton, Stony Stratford and Hanslope Park have higher proportion of off-gas properties (between 10 – 20% not connected to the gas network) when compared to urban areas.
Electricity consumption
Apart from Walton Park ward the average household electricity consumption is highest in those areas with a large proportion of properties not connected to the gas network. Sherington, Olney, Hanslope Park and Danesborough stand out as areas with relatively high average electricity consumption.
Economy 7 consumption3
Sherington, Olney, Hanslope Park, Stony Stratford and Danesborough have the highest E7 consumption. Surprisingly Campbell Park registers a high level of economy 7 use for an area with good connection to the gas network.
Gas consumption Sherington, Danesborough, Stony Stratford, Hanslope Park and Olney stand out as areas with relatively high average gas consumption.
Cavity Wall Insulation
According to the HEED 4data, quite large areas of Milton Keynes have low levels of recently installed cavity insulation. Research (Milton Keynes energy mapping study) indicates that Linford North and South, Bradwell, Danesborough and Campbell Park wards all show good potential for retrofitted cavity wall insulation.
Loft Insulation According to the HEED data significant areas have low levels of recently installed loft insulation.
Condensing Boilers 5
Quite large areas of Milton Keynes have relatively low levels of condensing boiler installation. Some of the lowest concentrations in gas connected areas are Walton Park, Campbell Park, Stantonbury, Wolverton, Stony Stratford and Emerson Valley.
Current EPC 6energy rating
Of wards where EPC data is available, Bletchley has the most energy inefficient housing stock (the average EPC energy rating being 60.15). The Milton Keynes average is 67.8
3 Economy 7: refers to cheaper off-peak electricity tariff
4 HEED: The Home Energy Efficiency Database collated by the Energy Saving Trust
5 Condensing Boiler: A high efficiency space heating and/or hot water appliance, typically A or B rated for
Energy Efficiency. 6 EPC: Energy Performance Certificate
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Potential EPC energy rating
With conventional insulation and heating measures normally advocated in EPCs, the energy efficiency of the housing stock of Milton Keynes can be modestly improved. The average rating would go up from 67.8 to 74.4 if all the potential improvements were implemented.
Index of Multiple Deprivation
Deprivation is highest in Campbell Park, Woughton, Eaton Manor and Wolverton and relatively high in all central urban wards.
Benefits Summary map
Areas in Woughton and Loughton Park wards have the highest proportion of benefits claimants.
Fuel poor households
Although the average level of fuel poverty for Milton Keynes is low, there are some areas where the level of fuel poverty is significantly higher. North westerly areas of Sherington as well as parts of Wolverton, Bletchley, Fenny Stratford and Eaton Manor have rates of fuel poverty approaching 20%. The majority of rural Milton Keynes has rates of fuel poverty up to 50% higher than the Milton Keynes average.
Band A Council Tax
Eaton Manor, Bletchley & Fenny Stratford, Woughton, Bradwell, Wolverton and Stantonbury wards have the highest proportion of houses assessed as band A for Council tax. Band A Council Tax is a very accurate proxy measure for deprivation and susceptibility to fuel poverty.
Privately owned properties
Large areas of Milton Keynes have high levels of home ownership. In 2012 average home ownership (including homes owned and rented out) was 73.9%. This maybe an advantage in terms of having a large potential base for take up of Green Deal financed measures.
Privately rented properties
Concentrations of private rented properties are clustered in Campbell Park, Walton Park, Wolverton and Stony Stratford wards. There is a correlation with low levels of insulation.
ECO CSCo Areas Milton Keynes has 5 areas of deprivation which qualify as Carbon Saving Community areas for ECO funding. These are detailed further in this report.
Milton Keynes Energy Mapping Study
In 2012 Milton Keynes Council commissioned the production of an Energy Mapping Report. The
report produced an inventory of installed measures and assessed the potential under a range of
scenarios for additional energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to reach the Council’s
40% carbon emissions reduction target by 2020.
The broad conclusions of the report were that for the Council to achieve its CO2 reduction target of
40% by 2020 it is likely to require significant effort in terms of improvement to energy efficiency
measures, behaviour change and a major increase in the installed capacity of renewable technology.
Of the four scenarios tested the one that provided the biggest improvement in domestic carbon
savings was based on modest levels of domestic renewables installed, but with virtually all potential
energy efficiency measures installed and high assumed behaviour change. However the report
concluded that a scenario based on a balanced approach of high renewables installations (based on
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displacing electricity), high levels of energy efficiency and modest behaviour change was likely to be
more realistic. This HECA Further Report takes account of the findings of the Energy Mapping Study.
The maps below are a selection from those produced as part of the data analysis carried out to
inform the ambitions and actions set out in this report.
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2. LOCAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AMBITIONS AND PRIORITIES
Key messages from the data analysis Analysis of demographic, energy consumption and energy efficiency data shows that the Council will
need to adopt the following approaches in order to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle fuel poverty:
1. A renewed focus on basic insulation measures in the housing stock. Analysis shows large
numbers of properties could still benefit from loft and cavity wall insulation. 2. With energy consumption already well below the national average, and in order for the
Council to achieve its CO2 reduction target of 40% by 2020 it is likely to require significant
effort in terms of improvement to energy efficiency hard measures, behaviour change and a
major increase in the installed capacity of renewable technology. Energy efficiency and
renewables measures taken to reduce electricity consumption are therefore likely to have
more of an impact in the long term. 3. Targeted emphasis on tackling fuel poverty given the projected ageing population and the
fact that many poorly insulated properties do not have mains gas as the primary heating
fuel. In addition to CSCo areas, the potential also exists to access ECO, Home Heating Cost
Reduction Obligation funds to treat rural off-gas and solid wall properties. 4. Take-up of renewables in Milton Keynes has been high as the area is relatively affluent and
there is a correlation between relative affluence and take up of such measures. Future
success here will depend upon the cost of new technologies, how easily they can be
integrated with existing infrastructure (CHP, district heating) and to some extent the
attractiveness of future incentives such as feed in tariffs.
Local commitments and targets The Council has made the following public commitments with respect to reducing carbon emissions:
The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change (2005).
The EU Covenant of Mayors (2008) – An EU initiative to endorse and support the efforts of
local authorities in increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy to meet or
exceed the European Union’s 20% CO2 reduction objective by 2020.
The Low Carbon Living Strategy and Action Plan (2010)
Carbon emissions
The key target that drives the Council’s efforts to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions across Milton
Keynes is set out in The Low Carbon Living Strategy. This has a strategic target to reduce total carbon
emissions (domestic, commercial and transport) per person in Milton Keynes by 40% from 7.9
tonnes per person to 4.7 tonnes by 2020, from a 2005 baseline. To be consistent with the overall
target per capita, the council proposes that sector emissions including domestic emissions of CO2 will
each have to meet this target by 2020.
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Energy
All efforts in this area are driven by the CO2 target mentioned above. The Council is keen to
capitalise on potential local energy / heat generation opportunities as highlighted in the Energy
Mapping Study.
Fuel Poverty
An objective to reduce the proportion of the population living in fuel poverty has been set in the
Milton Keynes Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012- 2015. The Health and Wellbeing Board is a
partnership designed to ensure an integrated and co-ordinated approach across NHS, social care and
public health services in Milton Keynes. The priorities outlined in the strategy will be the framework
for future commissioning plans. Other specific fuel poverty objectives relate to action on particular
estates and rural housing stock off the gas network.
Renewables
There are no specific targets for renewables in Milton Keynes. The Council prefers an objective
based on increasing local energy generation via implementing targeted schemes. The recently
published Milton Keynes Energy Mapping Study will be used by the Council to guide its decisions in
this area and especially in relation to heat generation.
Local and regional activity Milton Keynes Regeneration Sites
The Council is currently preparing a new Regeneration Strategy for the period up to 2017. There are
22 regeneration areas identified in the new draft strategy, of those nine have been identified as
priority areas and are either already underway or will be in the near future. Work in these areas will
be underpinned by the principle of community-led regeneration. Appropriate energy efficiency
works will be identified ensuring that the potential scope to carbon savings is maximised.
The Council intends that housing associations and private owners will be engaged in any emerging
projects in regeneration areas. The Council desires that these improvements can be made in step
with works to Council stock, and that private finance can be secured to fund this. Housing
Associations have signalled that energy efficiency works to their stock will, where possible, be
synchronised with improvements to Council housing stock.
Targeted energy advice/affordable warmth activity will take place on estates in the regeneration
programme. The estates where work has already begun are Tinkers Bridge (Milton Keynes Council
have facilitated the retrofit of 120 private sector homes on the Tinkers Bridge Estate with external
wall insulation through CESP 7 funding), Lakes Estate, Bean Hill, Coffee Hall and Bradville. Estates
where work is to start are Fishermead, Netherfield, Fuller Slade and Stantonbury. Further analysis
will be done with EPC data the Council has procured to better understand the exact scope and
potential for improving energy efficiency measures in regeneration and CSCo areas.
7 CESP: Community Energy Saving Programme was the predecessor to the Energy Company Obligation to
deliver energy saving improvements in designated geographical areas.
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Fuel Poverty
Action to tackle fuel poverty in Milton Keynes is underpinned by the:
Milton Keynes Health & Well-being Strategy 2012 – 2015, which provides the broad
objectives to be used by partners when carrying out activities or commissioning relevant
services.
Milton Keynes Affordable Warmth Strategy which focuses on actions implemented via the
Affordable Warmth Network. This strategy will be updated in light of the Green Deal & ECO.
Given the high levels of deprivation in regeneration and CSCo areas, regeneration plans will be linked to fuel poverty and energy saving objectives, and the Council will further investigate the specific energy efficiency input into regenerations schemes as well as any specific low carbon / fuel poverty considerations. Current Neighbourhood Action Plans are focussed on social/economic actions agreed in consultation with the local community. In future the Council intends to place greater emphasis on physical measures designed to tackle fuel poverty.
Renewables
Initial investigations on potential renewable energy schemes centre on the Council’s sheltered
housing developments where the Council aims to convert to sustainably fuelled centralised boilers.
The Council has commissioned an options study to look at sustainable fuel sources for these boilers.
This project is at the planning stage with partners.
The new waste treatment facility at Wolverton also presents a major opportunity for waste heat to
be distributed to neighbouring residential areas. Other communal heating opportunities may involve
privately owned properties alongside regeneration schemes. The Energy Mapping Study mentioned
above identifies five areas for further investigation on the potential for CHP schemes in areas of high
density heat demand. This information will be used in spatial planning of CHP schemes for new
development areas.
Viability on the use of Carbon Offset Funds to incentivise take-up of FiT8s or RHI9 in an area based
off-gas scheme is also being tested with the intention of having a financial incentive in place during
2013.
8 FIT: Feed In Tariff is a unit rate incentive payable for electricity generating technologies.
9 RHI: Renewable Heat Incentive is a unit rate incentive paid for renewable heat generating technologies
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3. MEASURES TO DELIVER SIGNIFICANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
Key messages from the data analysis There is significant scope to integrate the Council’s regeneration work with the availability of
ECO Carbon Saving Community funds.
The Council will be looking to the ECO Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation as a source
of funds to reduce heating costs and carbon emissions.
The Council will look to use its own Carbon offset Funds to provide an incentive to switch to
renewable heat sources particularly in off-gas areas.
The nationally available financial incentives Green Deal
Milton Keynes Council is committed to maximising take-up of the Green Deal. It will do this through
its membership of two Community Interest Companies (Green Deal Together and the Building
Retrofit Network) established to facilitate the delivery of Green Deal funded products and services.
The Green Deal Together initiative is composed of a consortium of Local Authorities, community
partners, the National Energy Foundation and the United Sustainable Energy Agency. The underlying
rationale is that the Council actively wants to be a major player and in so doing will ensure that local
residents are able to take advantage of a credible and trusted Green Deal offer. Additionally the
prospects of linking up the deployment of energy measures with economic development and
training and employment opportunities, together with all of the social and health benefits are key
factors behind the Council’s approach to the Green Deal.
The Building Retrofit Network (BRN) is a Community Interest Company set up by Milton Keynes
Council, Orbit Heart of England (Housing Association), United Sustainable Energy Agency and the
National Energy Foundation. It was set up to pilot different approaches to financing retrofitting of
buildings. As Green Deal emerges the landscape for financing is currently limited to The Green Deal
Finance Company. The BRN intends to establish low rate financing options for householders. The
exploratory work has involved trying to secure finance from a social funder.
In January 2013, the BRN was able to attract £300k of DECC funding under the Pioneer Places
programme. This has enabled the BRN to be more ambitious and offer free Green Deal Assessments
and to establish the business opportunities for local installers. The BRNs objectives are focussed on
the pursuit of a financing mechanism which works for the majority of households coupled with a
robust local supply chain of installers, to provide a comprehensive retrofit package. The BRN is also
keen to establish how the performance gap can be closed in domestic retrofits.
The Council and its partners are working to ensure residents are aware of opportunities by taking a
range of steps similar to those outlined below.
A community engagement programme with the aim of raising awareness of Green Deal.
Planners workshops to help develop local planning policy to support Green Deal.
Low Carbon technology and Green Deal Awareness training for Local Authority staff.
Installer briefing sessions aimed at getting more local installers involved in the Green Deal
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The development of a communications plan using tools and resources produced as part of
the Pioneer Places project.
Energy Company Obligation
Carbon Saving Communities Obligation (CSCo).
Milton Keynes contains five Carbon Saving Communities areas as designated under the Energy
Company Obligation. The CSCo areas are similar to the regeneration areas already identified by the
Council and also with areas that have a high proportion (more than 50%) of Council tax band A
dwellings. It is the Council’s desire to secure CSCo funds to support the cost of eligible measures
being installed as part of the regeneration process. The Council is also keen to ensure that rural
wards are not disadvantaged and will therefore be seeking to promote that component of CSCo
funding open to rural, low income households in small settlements.
Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRo)
A significant proportion of fuel poverty in Milton Keynes tends to be rural in nature and occurs in
areas with solid wall / hard to treat properties off the gas network. As this obligation covers private
tenure households on qualifying benefits the Council will be working with partners to promote these
funds to the relevant households.
Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERo)
This is the subsidy element designed to enable some expensive measures such as solid wall
insulation to be viable under the Green Deal. This is targeted at the able-to-pay group; as such the
Council and its Green Deal partners will work to ensure that for areas where this subsidy element is
relevant, residents are made aware of opportunities to use the Green Deal and Eco.
Affordable Warmth funding
The Council and its partners on the Health and Wellbeing Board and Affordable Warmth Network
will continue to collectively and individually seek funds to support affordable warmth work. Key
sources of funds will be the Department of Health and energy utilities.
Renewable energy tariffs and premiums
Take-up of FiTs and RHI will primarily be down to individual households to access. The Council will
investigate the possible us of its Carbon Offset Funds to incentivise take-up in certain locations such
as off-gas areas to encourage switching away from electricity and oil. The Council will also be
assessing how RHI funds can be utilised for schemes to install sustainable fuel boilers in sheltered
housing units.
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Local Policies, Initiatives and Resources
Local Policies
Policies and actions relating to energy efficiency and fuel poverty occur in many of the Council’s
strategies and those of partnerships the Council is involved with. A key task for the Council and
partners is to ensure all those policies and actions relating to HECA ‘point in the same direction’.
Council Corporate Level
Strategic policy on climate change and sustainable energy in Milton Keynes is contained within
Milton Keynes Council’s Low Carbon Living Strategy for Milton Keynes, published in October 2010.
This has a target to reduce carbon emissions per person in the MK area by 40% from 7.9 tonnes per
person to 4.7 tonnes by 2020, from a 2005 baseline. The latest figures show a 16% reduction in per
capita emissions since 2005. The strategy includes the Milton Keynes Low Carbon Action Plan
(LCAP) which outlines actions to be implemented by a range of Council Services over the period
2010 to 2020. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally and contribute towards legally
binding national carbon dioxide emission reduction targets. Actions relevant to HECA are set in
Annex 1.
The Council has also committed to Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change and the EU
Covenant of Mayors initiative which requires Councils to produce a Sustainable Energy Action Plan,
with an implementation report published every two years as an update on progress.
Housing
The Housing Strategy identifies key issues relating to residential energy efficiency and proposes a doubling of capital programme resources to £20 million to fund energy efficiency improvements to hard to treat homes in its own stock. Key housing strategy issues and actions relevant to HECA are set out in Annex 2. Planning
The Core Strategy relates to LCAP Actions 9 & 10. The relevant policy - Sustainable Construction Policy CS14 - sets out requirements for energy efficiency and carbon reduction through renewables for new development. The Milton Keynes Carbon offset Fund is also based on developer payments in lieu of failing to meet the Council’s carbon emissions targets for new development. These requirements are set out in Approved Plan policy D4.
Regeneration
The Council’s current Regeneration Strategy responds to LCAP Action 14. A new strategy out to 2017 is in development. More information of the Councils regeneration programme can be found in Section 2. Affordable Warmth This Strategy corresponds with LCAP Action 22. The Affordable Warmth Strategy has been
developed in partnership with Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes NHS, Milton Keynes Age UK, the
Citizens Advice Bureau and the United Sustainable Energy Agency.
The Strategy identifies that:
Milton Keynes has some non-traditional housing estates which are difficult to insulate;
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General health is good with winter deaths and hospital admissions low;
Fuel poverty exists in Milton Keynes in relation to homes with low energy efficiency; areas
off the gas network; hard to treat homes with solid walls, flat roofs; those in financial
hardship;
Rising summer temperatures through climate change requires action to promote affordable
cooling.
Local Initiatives to improve energy efficiency
Area Regeneration
The Council has a major on-going regeneration programme, summarised in Section 2.
Milton Keynes Carbon Offset fund.
The Carbon offset Fund (CoF) established in 2008 is funded by developer payments where they fail
to meet approved plan policy requirements for Carbon reduction in new build properties. The CoF is
used to subsidise the cost of insulation and other carbon reduction measures which offer the most
cost effective price in terms of price per tonne of Carbon saved. After an extensive and successful
programme loft and cavity wall insulation the focus is currently on replacement of old, inefficient
boilers.
Council flexible loan
Milton Keynes Council participates in the Flexible Loan Scheme run by the Flexible Loan Company.
The loan currently applies to those over 65 who have sufficient equity in their homes. The loans can
be used to energy efficiency and heating improvement works.
Local Resources to improve energy efficiency
Council Capital Programme
Capital programme funds will be available to fund energy efficiency works when done in conjunction
with regeneration schemes. Appropriate energy efficiency works will be identified ensuring that the
potential scope to carbon savings is maximised.
Housing Association Funds
Housing Associations will aim where possible to integrate their energy efficiency activity with that of
the Council’s in regeneration areas. In most cases this activity is funded from planned maintenance
budgets. It is also likely Housing Associations will where possible access ECO CSCo funds in
conjunction with works in CSCo areas.
Advice, Education and Promotion Alongside advice and promotion specific to the Green Deal mentioned above, the Council will also:
Work with community partners to ensure the community-led regeneration process
addresses any specific energy use / fuel poverty issues.
Engage the services of specialists to provide energy efficiency advice and affordable warmth
activity in regeneration areas.
Continue to update the advice provided in publications, website and social media and to
work with our partners to ensure such advice is consistent.
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Through the Milton Keynes Affordable Warmth Network continue to provide training and
advice to front line staff.
Maintain clear signposting to, or provision of energy efficiency advice to householders.
Work with other bodies and the local community to develop community energy schemes,
partnerships and/or energy services companies (ESCos)
Maintain and build Milton Keynes’ strong low carbon brand image.
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4. MEASURES PROPOSED TO DELIVER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER.
Key messages from the data analysis Analysis of data (set out in the HECA data report) suggests the following action to deliver energy
efficiency improvements in residential accommodation in a cost-effective manner through an area-
based approach.
Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation
Milton Keynes has had a lengthy and successful programme to encourage home-owners to install
cavity wall and loft insulation via the Cocoon initiative which combined Carbon Emission Reduction
Target (CERT) funding with the local Carbon Offset Fund. The council has also used CERT funding to
install loft and cavity wall insulation (where suitable) in its social housing stock. The data does
however show significant numbers of potentially uninsulated cavities, with some wards still having
over 50% of cavity wall dwellings without cavity wall insulation. Almost all rural wards have a
disproportionally low up-take of insulation measures.
Solid Wall Insulation
The large number of uninsulated solid wall properties makes solid wall insulation one of the more
important in the suite of available measures which will yield reliable domestic carbon savings. The
northern wards have the largest number of off-gas and solid wall properties. There were also
significant numbers of non-standard construction homes built by the Milton Keynes Development
Corporation. The highest concentration of these hard to treat properties are in the Netherfield,
Coffee Hall, Tinkers Bridge and Bean Hill estates of Woughton ward. Other estates with hard to treat
properties are Bradville, Fullers Slade and Stantonbury and Stantonbury Fields. These eight estates
are a priority under the Council’s regeneration programme.
The Council therefore proposes to target the following wards / estates with an external wall
insulation programme through the Green Deal: The estates of Netherfield, Coffee Hall, Tinkers
Bridge, Bean Hill, Bradville, Fullers Slade and Stantonbury and Stantonbury Fields and the wards of
Sherington, Olney, Newport Pagnell South, Danesborough, Wolverton, Bletchley & Fenny Stratford
and Stony Stratford. Combined, these areas contain most of the 9480 (approximate) solid wall and
3700 (approximate) non-standard /hard to treat properties in Milton Keynes.
Heating measures
Most gas heated properties in Milton Keynes use non-condensing boilers. As these ageing boilers are
replaced with more efficient heating systems over time this will have the effect of reducing
emissions from domestic gas consumption by about 400kg per year for every old non-condensing
boiler replaced or about 3000 tonnes of CO2 per year for Milton Keynes. Electrically heated
properties could be encouraged to switch to heat pump technology, which is most effective when
combined with improving the insulation of those dwellings.
For the areas which are predominantly not connected to the gas network, ECO, HHCRo and CERo
along with the RHI may provide a sufficient incentive for some homes to switch away from expensive
and carbon intensive fuels such as oil, coal and to a lesser extent bottled gas. The use of woodland
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waste arisings in Milton Keynes is a potentially valuable carbon neutral fuel source. Opportunities to
exploit this resource are covered in the Milton Keynes Energy Mapping Study. The study also
highlights areas with potential for community heating schemes. Domestic community heating
schemes are only likely to be viable if they can be linked to high anchor heat loads, which limits
community heating opportunities to central Milton Keynes.
Targeted fuel poverty actions
Extreme fuel poverty in Milton Keynes is localised, but as fuel prices rise, the problem is likely to
increase. Quite large areas are already suffering from reasonably high levels of fuel poverty which
are over twice the Milton Keynes average of 7.9% as of 2010. Any attempts to tackle fuel poverty
with insulation measures should be aimed at these areas and particularly their elderly residents.
There is a high correlation between concentrations of Council Tax band A households and fuel
poverty. Targeting these households could be an effective way to reach the most vulnerable.
Wards such as Sherington warrant special attention in having a combination of high levels of fuel
poverty >16%, private renting >7%, off-gas properties >60%, low take of insulation measures,
relatively high electricity use (and gas use for those connected) and solid wall properties >30%.
Area based and other initiatives to be explored by the Council
Scheme 1
The nine regeneration area schemes are a priority for the Council (they all fall in the top 20% of the
most deprived wards in the country as assessed in 2007) and physical works will necessarily include
heating and insulation improvements. The Council will be looking to draw in private sector finance as
well as CSCo monies to help fund these improvements. The use of CSCo funds in the five CSCo areas
which cover all 9 regeneration areas will be explored by the Council in conjunction with its Green
Deal and utility partners. The Council will look to draw up specific CSCo schemes for each of the
relevant regeneration areas. CSCo areas take in more properties than the Council regeneration sites
and will present opportunities to roll out certain measures beyond regeneration sites.
Priority Regeneration Areas in Milton Keynes
*Conniburrow Estate is a CSCo area but not a high priority regeneration estate
The Energy Mapping Study outlined the following potential measures for these areas: non-
traditional wall insulation, roof insulation, window double glazing, district heating, retrofit
Regeneration Estates (All are CSCo areas)
Status Number of properties
Tinkers Bridge On-going 411
Lakes Estate On-going 851
Bean Hill On-going 829
Coffee Hall On-going 952
Bradville On-going -
Fishermead To start 1679
Netherfield To start 1228
Fuller Slade To start 295
Stantonbury To start 1465
*Conniburrow - 1321
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renewables e.g. solar PV10 and SW11. Further analysis will be done with EPC data which the Council
has procured to better understand the exact potential for improving energy efficiency measures in
regeneration and CSCo areas.
The Council is also keen to explore opportunities to utilise CSCo funding in deprived neighbourhoods
adjacent to CSCo areas where the potential for targeted insulation and heating works exists.
Scheme 2
Off-gas fuel poor / solid walls
The Council will work with Green Deal and Utility partners to devise a way to drive take-up of ECO
funds as follows:
1. CSCo funds in rural areas of Sherington and Olney– The opportunity exists to seek funding
from ECO providers relating specifically to 15% of the CSCO that has to be delivered in rural
areas with town populations of less than 10,000.
2. Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation HHCRo - The opportunity exists here to develop a
solid wall insulation package based around those mainly urban wards with high numbers of
hard to treat properties occupied by residents on eligible benefits.
3. Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERo) funds for those residents in hard to treat
properties who are not eligible for HHCRo or CSCo funds and who may additionally be able
to benefit from Scheme 3 below.
Scheme 3
Solid walls
The council plans to use its Carbon offset Fund to act as an incentive to households in solid wall
areas to properly insulate their homes and to switch away from electric, oil or LPG heating to
biomass / wood fuel, heat pump or CHP technology. Further analysis of the carbon savings from
different measures will be carried out to determine the most effective use of the Carbon offset Fund
in these areas.
Scheme 4
The Council has designated three large development sites:
Tattenhoe Park – 1,284 new homes under construction
Oakgrove – 1,000 homes under construction
Western expansion area – 6,500 homes. Not yet under constriction
The Council in partnership with site developers will further investigate the potential for CHP/district
heating, micro-scale or community-scale renewables, greater building fabric improvement and
emissions reduction than current building regulations.
10
Photo Voltaic – a system of generating electricity from solar radiation 11
Solar Water Heating – a system of producing hot water from solar radiation
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Existing / On-going measures
The Council’s regeneration schemes mentioned above are major on-going area based
initiatives which will have an impact in the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from
affected housing.
The proposed Wolverton energy from waste scheme and the potential for a district heating
network in neighbouring residential areas.
Three large development sites as mentioned above.
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5. TIME FRAME FOR DELIVERY AND NATIONAL AND LOCAL
PARTNERS
HECA strategy delivery plan The summary table below sets out an indicative timescale for the delivery of actions in this plan.
Responsibility for delivering this plan rests with the Council, although various schemes will be
delivered via partnerships as described below.
Local partners The Council will be forming / maintaining the following local partnerships to further its HECA
ambitions:
Milton Keynes Health and Wellbeing Board the Milton Keynes Affordable Warmth Network
(and its member organisations) coordinated by the United Sustainable Energy Agency to
tackle fuel poverty in the district.
The local Home Improvement Agency to help target area based initiatives and provide fuel
poverty services.
All Housing associations to tackle hard to treat properties
A local installer network (created via the Green Deal Together CIC) to be the primary vehicle
for installing measures / schemes proposed in this report.
A local network of Green Deal assessors (created via the Green Deal CIC).
Community Action MK and local residents groups / associations and especially those
involved in community planning in the designated regeneration / CSCo areas.
Local parish Councils, community / voluntary organisations to help publicise and raise the
profile of schemes proposed in this report.
Regional partners The Green Deal Together CIC will operate in multiple local authority areas across the South and East
and will be the primary vehicle for delivering the full range of Green Deal services participating
Council areas.
The Council has an on-going relationship with Flexible Home Improvement Loan Limited to deliver
flexible loans to residents.
National partners Through the Green Deal Together CIC, alliances will be made with energy utilities and brokers to
secure ECO (Fuel Poverty Obligation and Carbon Saving Obligation) funds for the benefit of local
residents.
The Council will be working with delivery partners (developers / infrastructure companies). These
organisations will be responsible for the main regeneration improvement works including relevant
heating and insulation improvements.
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SUMMARY Summary of the Milton Keynes Further HECA Report 2013.
THEME
ACTION
Carbon emissions To reduce carbon emissions per person in the in Milton Keynes area by 40% from 7.9 tonnes per person to 4.7 tonnes by 2020, from a 2005 baseline.
Energy efficiency To focus on improving the energy efficiency of houses in the regeneration / CSCo areas.
Fuel Poverty To work with partners to help residents manage heating costs through maximising opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of the most vulnerable households.
Renewable Energy To use the outcomes from the Energy Mapping Study to capitalise on renewable heat opportunities.
Public Commitments The Council is a signatory to the Nottingham Declaration and the EU Covenant of Mayors. The Milton Keynes Low Carbon Living Strategy has been produced as a public commitment to cutting emissions.
National funds
Green Deal Funds Work with Green Deal Together CIC and BRN to deliver a compelling offer to residents which also benefits the local economy.
Energy Company Obligation Funds
Work with Green Deal partners, utilities and brokers to secure ECO CSCo funds to support regeneration schemes and ECO fuel poverty / carbon saving funds for targeted projects in off-gas areas.
Affordable Warm Funds Seek further funds to support the Affordable Warmth Network activities, especially in regeneration areas.
FiTs and RHI Promote renewable energy incentives and investigate their use on Council schemes
Local policies and resources
Low Carbon Living Strategy Monitor progress towards achieving the 2020 40% emissions reduction target.
Housing regeneration Increase capital programme funds for regeneration schemes and continue to survey the housing stock to better understand potential improvements.
Planning policy Continue to use planning policy to drive energy efficiency and renewable energy measures on new build properties.
Affordable Warmth Review the Affordable Warmth Strategy and continue improve synergy between affordable warmth and regeneration activity.
Carbon offset Fund Use CoF funds to incentivise the take-up of renewable technologies to supplant electricity in off-gas areas.
Scheme 1 A programme based on heating and energy efficiency works in the many hard to treat properties in the nine regeneration areas, funded through a mixture or capital programme, CSCo, housing association and private finance.
Scheme 2 Off-gas fuel poor households.
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Scheme 3 Solid wall properties.
Scheme 4 Large development sites.
Time frame As indicated in the right hand column of this table.
Local Milton Keynes Health and Wellbeing Board
Milton Keynes Affordable Network
Housing Associations
Home Improvement Agency
Community partners
Local installers
Regional Green Deal Together CIC and BRN
Flexible Loan Company
National Utility companies and brokers to secure ECO funds
Developer and infrastructure companies to deliver projects
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Annexes
1 – Extracts from Milton Keynes Low Carbon Action Plan relevant to HECA Actions in the Milton Keynes Low Carbon Action Plan relevant to HECA
No Action Council Area CO2 reduction [t/yr]
Housing energy efficiency 1 Undertake stock assessment on a five year cycle to identify the
energy efficiency of all dwellings, and devise and resource an action plan to address issues.
Housing 39,000
2 Commit to a planned maintenance programme to provide energy efficient heating to Council housing and improve all ‘hard to treat’ dwellings.
Housing N/A
9 Continue to use the planning and building control systems to improve standards in existing and new buildings, and provision of renewable energy.
Planning & Building Control
30,000
10 Expand the carbon offset scheme to get all home well insulated, together with the Green Deal etc.
Planning & Building Control
10,000
14 For regeneration schemes and economic development seek to develop business partnerships to secure carbon reductions
Planning N/A
Fuel Poverty 22 Ensure that Affordable Warmth Strategy is regularly
monitored to confirm the actions are being achieved. Housing N/A
Energy Efficiency Education and Awareness Raising
15 Maintain clear signposting to, or provision of energy efficiency advice to householders and businesses by continuing with the EST advice centre and supporting front line staff.
Housing N/A
16 Work with other bodies and the local community to develop community energy schemes, partnerships and/or energy services companies (ESCos).
Sustainability Team
N/A
17 Develop at least one low or zero carbon exemplar project, using available funding and support.
Sustainability Team
N/A
18 Develop a communications plan to engage with business and residents and encourage positive behaviour change.
Strategy and Corporate Communications
174,000
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2-Extracts from Milton Keynes Housing Strategy relevant to HECA Actions in the Milton Keynes Housing Strategy relevant to HECA
Objective Action Improve the Council’s own housing stock
Increase the capital programme for the Council’s own homes from £10m pa to around £20m pa. Continue the rolling programme of Council housing stock surveys to update and improve our information and to help us assess which assets can be improved and which are no longer fit for purpose (LCAP Action 2 ) Use any opportunities presented by the forthcoming “Green Deal” which may be available for “hard to treat” single wall properties, which make up much of the former development corporation stock.
Improve housing conditions in the private sector
Commission a new private sector stock condition survey and/or or data modeling exercise from an agency such as the Building Research Establishment (LCAP Action 1). Invest in Flexible Loans.
Key issues identified in the Milton Keynes Housing Strategy relevant to HECA
Council Housing Around 5,500 of the 14,000 homes owned by the Council are of non-traditional and very hard to heat. Up to £60 million may be required for a major improvement in the energy efficiency of approximately 4,000 of these properties
Private ownership or rented housing
An increasing number of people are not able to afford the running costs of their home. This is leading to an increasing divide between estates and communities, with a significant number of estates experiencing high levels of deprivation The main findings of the Council’s housing stock condition survey (2006) reveal that:
There were 13,326 non-decent private sector homes in Milton Keynes (19% of the total private sector stock) The estimated improvement cost £146.5 million;
2,809 vulnerable households were living in non-decent homes in the private sector, which is 4% of the total private sector stock. The estimated improvement cost £30.9 million;
The Wards with the most vulnerable households living in non-decent homes were Bletchley and Fenny Stratford, Wolverton and Stony Stratford.
Housing Association homes
Stock owned by housing associations meets the Decent Homes standard and is relatively new.
