Southwark Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to step in and investigate the issue of rising energy bills for leaseholders in the area. Councillor Victor Chamberlain, the leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrat Group, has reached out to Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh and Labour MP for Peckham to address concerns raised by residents on the North Peckham, Consort, and Gloucester Grove estates.
Residents on the North Peckham estate brought their case to the Council Assembly after receiving excessively high heating bills, with some facing charges of over £2,500, which is significantly more than the “typical” bill suggested by energy regulator OfGem. A thorough investigation conducted by leaseholder Max Templer revealed that the communal boiler system in the estates was using three times more gas than the average household.
Unlike individual households with boilers, residents on heat networks do not benefit from Ofgem’s price cap, leaving them vulnerable to skyrocketing energy costs. Mr. Templer highlighted the inefficiencies in the network, stating that a large percentage of heat generated at the boiler house was lost before reaching homes due to the council’s failure to maintain the system properly over the years.
Although the council has promised to look into the matter following the deputation, the Liberal Democrats argue that action should have been taken much earlier to prevent residents from facing such financial burdens. Similar issues have been reported by leaseholders on the Consort and Gloucester Grove estates in Southwark, prompting calls for a national intervention by the Energy Minister to address these challenges on a broader scale.
Councillor Chamberlain emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to hold the council accountable for the mismanagement that has led to residents receiving extortionate energy bills. He urged the Energy Minister to ensure that residents are protected from such financial exploitation in the future.
The Liberal Democrats are determined to push for reforms that will safeguard leaseholders across the country from facing similar challenges with rising energy costs. They are calling for greater oversight and regulation to prevent councils from neglecting their responsibility to provide affordable and sustainable heating solutions for residents.
As the issue gains momentum, pressure mounts on the Energy Minister and local authorities to take decisive action to rectify the situation and ensure that leaseholders are not left at the mercy of escalating energy bills. Residents are hopeful that the government will intervene to address these pressing concerns and implement measures that will protect them from facing financial hardship due to inefficient and mismanaged heating systems.
