Southwark Liberal Democrats have written to Miatta Fahnbulleh, Energy Minister and Labour MP for Peckham, to demand she investigates and intervenes in several cases of leaseholder’s extortionate energy bills.

Writing to Miatta Fahnbulleh, who has responsibility for district heating in her Ministerial portfolio in the Labour Government, Cllr Victor Chamberlain highlighted issues raised by leaseholders on the North Peckham, Consort, and Gloucester Grove estates.

North Peckham residents were forced earlier this year to bring their case to Council Assembly to publicly expose the council’s failure to monitor and investigate obvious problems with their district heating system, which was using several times the normal amount of energy than is usual.

After receiving bills of more than £2,500 for heating, around £1000 than what OfGem say is a “typical” bill, the residents embarked on an investigation into what was happening. They discovered that the district heating system was using astronomically more energy per flat than would be expected in blocks of a similar type.

Responding to the deputation, the Cabinet Member for Housing promised to investigate, but the Liberal Democrats say that the council should have realised something was wrong much sooner.
Similar problems were brought to light on the Consort Estate, which come on top of yet more major works scandals. It follows residents of Southwark’s Canada Estate and Devon Mansions having to take issues to the Council’s Scrutiny committees to get answers. Southwark Council became one of the first Councils to be investigated by the Social Housing watchdog as a result of its customer service management.

The Liberal Democrats have asked the Energy Minister to ensure that these problems are investigated at the highest level, and to take these experiences on board nationally so that these issues are not repeated across the country.

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:

“It’s unacceptable that Southwark’s Labour Council has left residents facing extortionate energy bills due to their mismanagement. We need a full investigation to hold them accountable and ensure leaseholders aren’t ripped off like this again.

The new Energy Minister needs to ensure her Labour council wake up and ensure residents – her constituents – can get the fair deal they deserve.”