URL: https://doncaster.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3774

Decision Maker: Executive Director Policy, Partnership and Investment

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Environmental Sustainability team and Public Health have worked in collaboration to deliver the affordable warmth program for the last 12 years. Cold, damp homes have a negative impact on health and wellbeing and lead to an increased use of our health and care resources. Affordable warmth is a key preventative factor for promoting health amongst our most vulnerable communities; a warm, safe home can help maintain independence and avoid unnecessary reliance on health and social care services. It has long been understood that certain people, such as the very young, the oldest and people with long-term disability or illness, are particularly at risk of poor health from cold homes (BEIS, 2015). In addition to the health impacts of a cold home, fuel poverty affects the financial wellbeing of households and reduces available income, thus impacting on wider health and wellbeing. In Doncaster it is estimated that 22,349 (16.1%) households are in fuel poverty, 2023. The Affordable Warmth service will: Provide fuel poor and vulnerable private sector owner occupied households with grant funding to repair/replace boilers and/or heating systems and other energy measures. This includes but is not limited to Boiler on Prescription intervention. Community members will be identified as most at risk due to health conditions that are exacerbated by a cold home. Implement the energy measures required, this can range from low level measures such as draft insulation to full heating systems, radiators, pumps, control systems or other ancillary materials. Be a single point of contact for stakeholders referring householders and assess eligibility for the scheme. Provide behavioural advice to manage energy effectively and secure the most appropriate fuel tariff and billing system. Be committed to providing a safe, sensitive, non-judgemental and non-oppressive support service. Provide energy saving tips for the home, including getting the most out of your heating and hot water system. Access energy efficiency grants, including grants that will complement the BOP fund. Facilitate or attend a number of Community Events to provide information, advice, guidance on winter warmth services available, with relevant activities available to engage the target audience. Order, distribution and manage winter warmth items for those at risk when appropriate. Deliver training to health and wider professionals, this will be undertaken by the Home Energy Officer via team meetings with wider local organisations and partners. The training outcomes will be to gain an understanding of Excess Winter Deaths within the Borough and an understanding of the term “Fuel Poverty”, to understand and refer to BOP and other support and the impact on a person’s health. Offer training to health and social care staff as part of the ‘Preparing for Winter’ communication plan in order to raise their awareness and understanding of the risks associated with a cold home and what they can do to ensure vulnerable people keep warm. Information relating to the risks to vulnerable people and simple messages will be given to frontline staff as part of self-management advice. The installation of replacement and/or new heating systems, and any other works were provided through the current contractor XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX. This contract award will continue to provide this same service to the Council. This contract will be a 2-year contract with the option of a further 3 x 12 months extensions available should it be required. The contract will commence on 15th June 2026 and run until 15th June 2028 before being available to extend up until 15th June 2031. The value of the contract is XXXXXXXX XXX XXXXX. The tender which opened on 09/03/26 and closed on 09/03/26 returned a total of 11 qualifying bids, with all 11 bids being taken forward for quality assessment. The evaluation criteria were weighted as 70% Price, 20% Quality and 10% social value.

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Date of Decision: June 12, 2026