Wind turbine

A COUNCIL decision on whether to adopt the Green Deal has been deferred for two months to allow councillors more time to be briefed on the issue,

The Green Deal is the government’s new energy efficiency policy, launched in October 2012, which replaces currently available government grant funding for domestic and community based energy efficiency schemes, such as Warm Front and free loft insulation schemes.

Councillor Alan Melton, leader of Fenland District Council, said: “We know very little of it. I feel that because it’s so complex, cabinet should have a separate detailed briefing so we know exactly what this is, then we can bring it back and have a detailed discussion at a future cabinet meeting.

“We are not saying we are going to delay this forever.”

The Green Deal met with opposition from several councillors at the cabinet meeting.

Cllr Kit Owen, portfolio holder for growth and transport, said: “This scheme is not suitable for people in or near fuel poverty therefore those people who need it most are kept out of the scheme from the start.

“Its been reported that only five people in the world have signed up for this so why would we sign up for something that would be completely disastorous.”

Cllr Matt Cotterell MBE, cabinet advisor for special projects, added: “This is not free of charge. It will saddle people with debt for 25 years. Why should we be catalyst for this?”

The Green Deal allows customers to have energy-saving improvements carried out to their home or business without having to pay all the costs up front.

Home-improvement work can include insulation, heating, draught-proofing, double glazing, or the addition of solar panels or wind turbines,

Once the work is done, customers pay off the money in instalments through their electricity bill.