An energy champion for Kirklees

Jan 21 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

KIRKLEES Councillor Martyn Bolt has become energy champion for Kirklees.

Clr Bolt will be responsible for driving the council’s work on affordable warmth as newly-appointed National Energy Action (NEA) Energy Champion.

NEA is the national fuel poverty charity.

Now cabinet member for the Environment, Clr Bolt will ensure the council considers how its agendas impact on fuel poverty.

NEA classes a house in fuel poverty when it needs to spend more than 10% of its income to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Through the Kirklees Warm Zone programme, households on a road in Mirfield have had the thermal efficiency of their homes assessed.

As part of his new role, Clr Bolt (pictured) was on Eastfield Road, Mirfield, on Friday surveying thermal images of the street which measures heat loss.

Clr Bolt says: “I’m proud and privileged I have been appointed.”

The council’s heat agenda includes an event for councillors to promote ways fuel poor customers can obtain affordable warmth and a focus group for how councillors can keep up-to-date on the Kirklees Affordable Warmth Strategy.

Yorkshire NEA coordinator Kath McDaid said: “NEA is already aware of Kirklees Council’s excellent reputation for pushing forward the fuel poverty and affordable warmth agenda and we are pleased to be working with a senior member of the Cabinet to help ensure all council members consider the importance of this work when dealing both locally with their constituents and when working at a more strategic level.”