A CALL has been made for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to do more to help residents facing fuel poverty. 

The motion, which was put forward by Cllr Andrew McCormick at a full council meeting held on Thursday, March 23, asked for a strategy to be created with the aim of ending fuel poverty in the area by 2030. 

Introducing the motion Cllr McCormick said: "I am sure we are all aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Fuel poverty is defined as when a household can’t afford to keep its home adequality warm. I am dealing with an unprecedented number of housing cases as I am sure many of my colleagues here are. Many of these relate to mould and dampness exacerbated by high fuel prices leading to colder homes.

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“It is a hidden problem most people don’t like to come forward about. Fuel poverty has risen in the UK from 6.1 per cent of households when I first got elected to 13.4 per cent now, less than seven years later.”

He added that many elderly residents are facing “destitution and finical ruin” and said “these people need" help now.

Cllr Hayley Eachus, cabinet member for environment and climate action, said the council is doing all it can.

She said: "We acknowledge that many people are finding things tough at present and recognise that some residents are struggling. I would like to highlight a wide number of actions that we are already taking to support people living within Basingstoke and Deane at this difficult time. There are also a number of national initiatives and payments that we have supplemented locally.

“In addition to the cost-of-living scheme that we launched this year, there are a number of actions in our adopted climate change strategy which seek not only to reduce carbon emissions but support residents in saving money for improved energy efficiency.”

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She went on to say the council “has a good” working relationship with the local housing associations.

The motion was passed with 24 votes to 19.