South Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre

Doncaster Councils commitment to the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 was compounded by Richard J Smith, Energy & EEAC Co-ordinator who has been awarded this years prestigious HECA Award 2008.  Richard was nominated by his peers from the East Pennine HECA Region, for the award after he has continually demonstrated his commitment to the delivery of HECA objectives.  There are 21 local authorities within the East Pennine HECA area that could have been up for the award but Richard won unanimously.  

The Award was assessed on:

· Commitment to domestic energy conservation and the environment
· Identification and implementation of energy conservation projects for households
· Promotional activities on domestic energy conservation issues
· Provision of education and training on domestic energy conservation
· Support for partner local authorities and their HECA plans

Richard joined Doncaster Council in 2001 and has been instrumental in the Councils compliance with the Act.  Richards many achievements include:

· Implementing the successful Save’n’Warm insulation scheme-offering residents throughout South Yorkshire grant aided or subsidised insulation measures.  The scheme has delivered to date insulation measure to over 26,000 households and secured over £9m of funding from utility companies.

· Co-ordinated the South Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre from 2004 offering free impartial energy saving advice and expertise in a variety of energy conservation issues.

· Administered the South Yorkshire Hotspots project from August 2007. A partnership to deliver fire safety, affordable warmth, quit smoking advice and benefit entitlement checks to vulnerable households.

· Co-ordinated and delivered the South Yorkshire Housing and Regeneration Partnership heating programme.  The scheme provides condensing boilers and central heating systems free of charge to vulnerable households that meet the grant criteria.

· Secured external funding to support an exciting new initiative to tackle fuel poverty within Doncaster.  The Neighborhood Energy Action Scheme has enabled Doncaster Council to lead on an area based approach to target the most vulnerable wards in Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley to deliver a package of measures to address affordable warmth, health, comfort and safety.