Woking Liberal Democrats welcome council tenant energy charge refund

Woking Liberal Democrats welcome the decision made by the Council Executive last night to refund council tenants, who were overcharged for their energy usage in the 2009/10 financial year.

This follows strong Lib Dem pressure two years ago forcing the council to look at the way it charges tenants for energy use. The Conservative-controlled Executive imposed energy charge rises of over 60% two years ago at the height of the recession.

Upon investigation by the Lib Dem-led Housing Task Group, it was found that all council tenants were charged the same regardless of their energy usage. This meant that an old-age pensioner was forced to pay the same heating charge as a large family. There was no energy metering of individual council homes at all providing no incentive for tenants to save energy.

Lib Dem Shadow Housing Spokesman, Cllr Denzil Coulson said:

"As part of our tireless pressure on the Conservatives to charge council tenants for what they use, council tenants are now charged according to how much energy is used per council housing block. These blocks of flats are metered individually meaning that we have a fairer system making this refund possible.

"A Housing Revenue Account surplus of £191,562 will be used to refund tenants, which could range anything from £55 to £300 per household.

"We object to the fact that tenants have to apply for their refunds. Residents have been urged to contact the council so that their accounts can be credited. A letter was sent out notifying residents of this but we, as Liberal Democrats, have insisted that the council personally contact and visit residents to help claim what they are entitled to. Last night we also exposed the fact that the Council have not properly thought through the administration of the refunds for those with visual impairment and reading difficulties."