West Midlands HECA Forum
The West Midlands Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Forum is part of the national network of Fora which act as conduits for an exchange of views and information between the Energy Efficiency Partnership and Local Authorities.
The Energy Efficiency Partnership is a Government initiative aimed at bringing together all the key players involved in delivering domestic energy efficiency measures. The initiative currently involves representatives from: energy utilities, local authorities, the industry (insulation, heating, glazing manufacturers and installers), as well as advice providers, fuel poverty agencies, financial groups and environmental charities. Members of any of these organisations in the Government Office West Midlands Region are welcome, and indeed encouraged, to attend the Forum's biannual Conferences.
In common with the other Regional Fora, the WM HECA Forum provides an open, impartial and accountable focus of communication for all the Local Authorities in the area to facilitate the delivery of the Home Energy Conservation Act. Recognising that climate change is likely to exert an increasing and crucial global influence in the coming century, the WM HECA Forum seeks to support its member authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities relating to the sustainable use of energy. In particular, a priority of the WM HECA Forum would be to assist members in finding ways of addressing the significant social problem of fuel poverty.
Key aims of the Forum as identified by members at the inaugural meeting in February 2000 were:
- Developing new regional approaches to encourage a reduction in energy consumption through greater efficiency and an increasing use of renewables
- Disseminating examples of good practice that have had social, environmental and economic benefits in the region
- Engaging in co-ordinated approaches to lobbying on policy
- Encouraging public and private sector partnerships to find ways of eradicating fuel poverty in the region
- Developing a standardised approach to HECA monitoring and the assessment of fuel poverty
The WM HECA Forum engages in activities that are complementary to, but differentiated from, those of local groups, such as the Midlands Energy Efficiency Consortium (MEEC)
The WM HECA Forum has a broad and inclusive base and is more formal in
structure, with the emphasis on consultation and feedback. The local groups are
smaller with more restricted membership and are able to take advantage of
opportunities for consortium project development.
For more information about the 9th HECA conference, click here
The WM HECA Forum is very pleased to have the support of the West Midlands Government Office and the Energy Saving Trust.
For further information on the WM HECA Forum, please contact:
Chair: Graham Jones, South Shropshire Council, 01584 813377, graham.jones@southshropshire.gov.uk
Vice Chair: Neil Morton, Birmingham City Council, 0121 303 9944,
neil.morton@birnmingham.gov.uk