MOST SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATION – LOCAL AUTHORITY
Dorset Energy Advice Centre RUNNER UP
Dorset on all aspects of energy. The idea for the centre was the brainchild of DEAC’s Director, Phil Neale and the Borough of Poole. Together, they identified early on in 1995 that there was a lack of reliable information available to the residents of Poole who were concerned about their energy needs. During the 90s this idea was
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innovative and unique to Dorset. Not only did the organisation wish to provide a comprehensive range of information on all energy matters, but their aim was and still is to help people save money and look at ways that the environment can be sustained by reducing our carbon footprint. Affordability, comfort and sustainability are DEAC’s objectives. It soon became apparent that the centre needed to expand its service across the County and shortly after, in 1998 its advice could be sought all across Dorset. After 15 years of service, there is little dispute that the Dorset Energy Advice Centre, has established itself within the community. For both individuals and businesses DEAC is the voice of authority in the local area, providing a range of reliable information and guidance on how to save energy in the home and in the workplace. DEAC is wholly a community project initiative, not driven by profit, but by the knowledge that their work makes a difference.
COMMUNICATION
Communication is the very heart and soul of the company. Their advice is utilized by the local residents but the company also believes that it is essential to disseminate their knowledge at various levels of the community. To this end, staff regularly participate in local government committees as a voice of authority on the environment and as a representative of the ‘people’s voice’. The team regularly attends events throughout the year to encourage people to save energy within their homes. Furthermore, DEAC have also
16| SUSTAINABLE FM AWARDS 2010
he Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to offer free and impartial advice to the residents and communities of
established themselves with a strong online presence, providing top energy saving advice through platforms such as their website, Twitter, Wordpress and Facebook. There is a texting service for those who cannot afford the cost of a phone call from a mobile to free phone number, as well as the more traditional press.
COST EFFECTIVENESS To date, the Dorset Energy Advice Centre has provided free help and advice to over 190,000 people across the County. It has supported individuals through providing advice on basic no-cost to lost-cost energy saving options, through to behavioural changes and the renewable technologies that are available, as well as offering a wide ranging referral mechanism. This helps people access the grants and discounts on offer in order to save energy, money and sustain the environment which enables them to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve affordable warmth.
The team is determined to make sure that every individual, community or business they speak to, whether it is face to face, by email, on the telephone or at an event, gets some value out of the company’s service.
PARTNERSHIP
The company work in partnership with all of the other major organisations across the County as part of their on-going vision to help make a difference to the environment. They include:
Dorset Energy Group
This Group (DEG) is the body that co- ordinates and monitors the delivery of the key actions laid out in the Renewable Energy Strategy, Action Plan, Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. DEAC sit on the Executive Group as well as the Domestic Sector Group and the Sustainable Community Group.
Dorset Climate Change Coalition This is a partnership of public and voluntary sector organisations working on climate change in Dorset. DA21 are the secretariat. Between March 08 and Feb
09 DEAC managed a project on behalf of the Coalition called “Spreading the Message and Action in Dorset” with funding from Dorset Strategic Partnership.
Poole Sustainable Environment Partnership The Poole Sustainable Environment
Partnership is a sub-group of Poole Partnership with responsibility for “Promoting a Sustainable Environment”, DEAC champion the housing energy efficiency section, assist with the schools section and sit on the Poole Partnership committee.
Bournemouth Earth Charter Leadership Group
Developing the sustainability of Bournemouth in line with Earth Charter principles, DEAC played a key role in organizing a symposium in June 2010 to review the sustainability of Bournemouth’s popular air festival.
Bournemouth Affordable Warmth Partnership DEAC headed the Local Area Agreement targets and assisted the group in becoming the first working group to reach their LAA target 6 months ahead of schedule
Dorset Popp Project of older people in Dorset.
DEAC sit on this partnership committee advising on latest grants and advice for older people to keep them warmer and more efficient in their homes
SAIL
Safe and Independent Living. DEAC are the referral organization for energy advice through this project, in partnership with the NHS, Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue, Age UK, Pension Service and many more partners.
Bournemouth Landlords Accreditation Board
Phil Neale the Director of DEAC, is the chair of this group, assisting and enabling Landlords of Bournemouth to create and provide to tenants, more energy efficient and healthy homes.
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