Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director (Place Management).

At its meeting on 22 November 2021, whilst considering the CAN report, the Chair of the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee requested that further information on EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) be provided.

This report provides the information requested together with an analysis and explanation of the results.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax  on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing further information on EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) that had been requested by the committee at its meeting on 22 November 2021.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) also attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that EPC ratings were largely focused on the cost of energy rather than other targets set by the council such as carbon reduction.

·         There was insufficient work being done nationally to address issues of poor EPC ratings in private rented accommodation.

·         There were a significant number of very poorly rated owner occupied properties.

·         Government funding was available to address properties with low EPC ratings, however there was often no follow-up assessment undertaken of the property meaning that the data available to the council was out of date.

·         Properties with electric heating received disproportionately poorer EPC ratings compared to those with gas central heating.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.