USEA has developed a Buckinghamshire County Fuel Poverty Strategy.  The aim of the strategy is to set out how to tackle fuel poverty in Buckinghamshire over the next five years.

The strategy endeavours to create a county wide approach to tackling fuel poverty which will increase partnership working and create consistency.  Previously only one of the district councils still had a current strategy in relation to fuel poverty. This strategy will update this policy and will create a direction for the remaining districts.

USEA were chosen to produce the strategy as they have been working on fuel poverty in Buckinghamshire since 2005.  We have developed good partnerships with the main organisations involved in fuel poverty directly or indirectly. 

The process involves creating a profile of Buckinghamshire to see what the issues are in relation to fuel poverty.  One of the main problems is properties off the gas network, who are restricted to expensive fuel types.  Creating a profile of Bucks has included mapping various factors which cause fuel poverty.  The strategy development also involves investigating what activities are already taking place in Bucks to tackle fuel poverty.  The main section of the strategy is an action which details how USEA and the other partners will tackle fuel poverty over the next 5 years.  This was developed through a workshop facilitated by USEA, involving the main partners.

The Buckinghamshire County Fuel Poverty Strategy is currently being adopted by the district councils as well as the County council and the primary care trust.  The cabinet at Chiltern District Council considered the strategy to be excellent with very clear actions and the community scrutiny at Aylesbury Vale District Council thought the strategy to be comprehensive and well written. 

The strategy will shape the direction of the affordable warmth networks USEA manages in Buckinghamshire