Cabinet Members have approved a new ‘RCT Affordable Warmth Strategy’ to help those residents who struggle to afford adequate heating for their homes – establishing a framework for Council investment, action and intervention.
Running up until 2030, activity within the new Strategy also intends to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce carbon emissions – conforming to the Council’s wider goals and commitments in relation to Climate Change.
A report to Cabinet on Wednesday, June 11, noted the ongoing, significant challenge of fuel poverty, defined as the situation in which households need to spend over 10% of their income to heat their homes to a satisfactory level. It disproportionately affects vulnerable groups (low-income families, people with disabilities, and the elderly), and those living in poorly-insulated homes.
The report adds that residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf face a significant risk of fuel poverty – with some of the most disadvantaged communities in the region present in the County Borough, while the type and construction of many of the homes across the area contribute to poorer energy performance.
The Council’s previous strategy (2019-2023) made major improvements that included delivering 12,500 energy efficiency measures across 6,000 homes, supporting around £36 million investment via external funding programmes, and providing £14 million in savings for residents. It also achieved the highest number of referrals and installations via Welsh Government’s Nest scheme, and delivered important work via the Arbed programme, ECO 3 and 4 Flex schemes, the Solar PV grant, and Western Power’s Community Matters fund.
The new 'RCT Affordable Warmth Strategy' (2025-2030)
The new strategy aims to build upon the good progress made to date, working with partners to further reduce fuel poverty and support Rhondda Cynon Taf residents to live in warm, healthy, and energy-efficient homes. Its vision is to:
“Enable residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf to live in warm, healthy homes that foster prosperous futures. We aim to achieve this by supporting households that are in or at risk of fuel poverty, enhancing the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of their homes.”
This vision will be supported by four strategic objectives – to support residents to access free, impartial and quality advice on all energy-related matters; to improve the energy efficiency of homes that will enhance thermal warmth and mitigate fuel poverty; to facilitate decarbonisation in the way homes are heated; and to work with partner organisations to reduce fuel poverty in a coordinated, holistic and responsive way based on households’ needs.
The report also notes the expected outcomes resulting from the new strategy – ranging from more people receiving financial assistance, reducing energy bills and increasing interventions, to wider goals such as attracting further investment from externally-funded energy schemes, increasing awareness of renewable energy technologies, and collaborative working with Registered Social Landlords that create opportunities for area-based programmes.
Further details about the actions that will be taken to deliver the four main strategic objectives, along with the anticipated outcomes, is included in Wednesday’s Cabinet report – which is available on the Council website.
While agreeing to approve the strategy, Cabinet also supported a further recommendation specific to ‘solid wall’ constructed properties, such as 1900s terraced properties, that are common in valleys communities. Members agreed to engage with both the Welsh Government and UK Government to consider including these types of homes, that are also rated ‘B’ or ‘C’ on Energy Performance Certificates, to be included in future upgrade schemes.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “Fuel poverty is driven by many collective factors in our communities – from rising energy costs and wider Cost of Living challenges to lower household incomes and the condition of the local housing stock. It is heartbreaking to think that some residents, including the most vulnerable people, struggle to afford to sufficiently heat their homes.
“The newly-agreed ‘RCT Affordable Warmth Strategy’ was compiled while understanding that the consequences of fuel poverty are not just economic, but also centre around social issues and people’s health – including the impacts upon physical and mental well-being. The Council is committed to mitigating the effects of fuel poverty through a strong, strategic approach – continuing the work of our former strategy that delivered energy efficiency measures across 6,000 homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf communities.
“Following Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday, officers will now implement the strategy for the five-year period up to 2030, and it will be monitored on a quarterly and annual basis. This will ensure we can measure the impact of our actions and interventions, to ensure they are meeting residents’ needs. I was also pleased that Members supported the recommendation related to ‘solid wall’ constructed properties, like 1900s terraced houses, to engage with the Welsh and UK Governments and lobby that they too should qualify for future upgrade schemes and benefit from external and internal wall insulation.”
Posted on 13/06/2025