Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for the proposed methodology for billing residents for heating and hot water at residential properties which are metered for heat to meet Council objectives and ensure compliance with the Heat Networks (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014. 

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)        approve the option and implementation of credit billing for heating and hot water in residential communal system’s and incorporate a heat meter as set out in the report.

(2)        approve the in house management of the billing for heating and hot water residential properties at Gloucester & Durham as set out in the report,

(3)        approve the setting of tariffs in accordance with the guidance set out by the Heat Trust (in the absence of any current regulation on heat prices).

(4)        delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing and the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, to agree a metering and billing policy in line with the recommended option set out in paragraphs 5.2 – 5.5 of the report and thereafter implement and operate the policy subject to such modifications as the Director of Finance considers necessary.

Councillor Margaret McLennan (Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources) introduced the report, which detailed a methodology for billing residents of properties that were metered for heat on communal heating systems. Such properties were planned as part of the South Kilburn District Energy Scheme, and would support the authority’s targets in reducing fuel poverty and meeting its climate emergency objectives. The proposal was for a trial of the scheme to be undertaken at Gloucester and Durham Courts, and Cabinet noted that residents of the trial area had been consulted and were supportive of the scheme.

Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the provision within the methodology that no tenant would be billed for heat they did not use, and that there would be no allowance for pre-billing. 

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)          approve the option and implementation of credit billing for heating and hot water in residential communal system’s and incorporate a heat meter as set out in this paper.

(2)          approve the in house management of the billing for heating and hot water residential properties at Gloucester & Durham as set out in the report;

(3)          approve the setting of tariffs in accordance with the guidance set out by the Heat Trust (in the absence of any current regulation on heat prices)

(4)          delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing and the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources to agree a metering and billing policy in line with the recommended option set out in paragraphs 5.2 – 5.5 of the report and thereafter implement and operate the policy subject to such modifications as the Director of Finance considers necessary.