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Warm Zones Limited has a range of services and competencies that are available to all clients.

We are flexible and fully recognise that the right approach to be adopted within your local community will be driven and shaped by your priorities and agenda.

Your Warm Zone would be a catalyst for delivery of action across a wider local agenda - but securing that opportunity requires strong local vision and ambition.

We are committed to providing impartial advice while tailoring our best value core services and support, as outlined below, to your unique needs.

We are driven by the mission to enhance energy efficiency for all while also addressing the needs of the vulnerable within a not-for-profit ethos.

The Warm Zone team can help you to develop and launch a comprehensive Warm Zone for your community.

The development and operational support needed would be tailored and could range from an “end to end turnkey development” or Warm Zones Limited undertaking "specialist activities” as part of a partnership programme joint development approach. This would include the provision of end to end development guidance, early identification of viability, operational support and access to our enabling shared core services such as:

• Zone development, business planning, funding/partnership/EEC consultancy
• Finance & accounting/banking/VAT & tax/audit for grants,
• Public liability, employee and associated insurances
• HR & employment of local team, payroll, expenses and related services
• Tendering, contracting and banking/financial control for measures works
• WZ representation/or chair of Zone partnership meetings
• Provision of WZL policies, frameworks, processes, brand, health and safety policies, design and documentation templates
• Data collection tools
• Assessment processes and training provision
• Warm Zone network meetings and best practice fuel poverty-related network
• Independent legal entity

Example of the Warm Zone services provided to Gateshead Council 2004/2005: WZL provided development support to Gateshead Council for initial scoping, awareness raising; created the Gateshead Warm Zone business plan from partner input; managed the selection process to secure the best value EEC2 partner (ScottishPower); and now delivering specific shared core services including employing the team for the launch and operational phase of Gateshead Warm Zone.

Creation of an “associated project” that utilises the practical Warm Zone knowledge and experience within a non- Warm Zone branded project. This bespoke approach allows smaller projects to benefit from having direct access to five years of Warm Zone experience and skills to supplement existing local partnerships and skills.

Example of the Warm Zone services provided to Beat the Cold, Stoke on Trent 2005: Beat the Cold (BTC), a registered charity, was formed in 1987 by a partnership of voluntary groups, to reduce the incidence of cold-related illness and fuel poverty in North Staffordshire - it became an independent charity in 1999 and is a member of National Energy Action (NEA). BTC works with Warm Zones to assist people across all housing tenures in North Staffordshire.

For the Warm and Safe at Home project, launched in 2005, Warm Zones provided a range of tailored core services including: input to business plan and funding bid; guidance regarding project scope; managed the selection process to secure the best value EEC2 partner (ScottishPower); and developed specifications, tenders and processes required by this associated project.

The Warm Zone team can help you to develop, market and deliver a range of energy efficiency and fuel poverty related schemes.

Example of Warm Zone services: We have developed a range of innovative 'Able to Pay Insulation schemes' that blend energy suppliers' EEC2 funding with local authority or other support to maximise uptake and use local labour to deliver. The philosophy is ensuring “something for everyone” from the proactive assessment phase including 100% funded measures for those eligible to best value propositions for those able to invest.

The Warm Zone team can help you to secure best value EEC2 support for ongoing schemes and projects on an independent basis.

Example of Warm Zone services: Working with Beat the Cold, a charity, we managed the process that identified a best value EEC2 supporter.

The local Warm Zone teams based on past and planned innovative pilot projects, can assist your understanding of the benefits of utilising new products for non-traditional homes such as solar water heating, internal and external cladding, gas mains extensions, heat pumps and domestic wind. The Warm Zone network undertakes all renewable projects on an independent basis.

Example of Warm Zone services: A number of Warm Zones have successfully delivered, or have planned the testing of, sustainable and alternative solutions and the knowledge is shared within the Warm Zone network.

Local Warm Zones are programme-managing a wide range of insulation and central heating schemes in the public and private housing sectors on behalf of local authorities, ALMO's, Housing Associations and similar organisations. These activities include the delivery of full NHER/SAP surveys pre and post measures, Decent Homes surveys, fuel poverty calculations, face- to-face energy efficiency advice. Many also include links to other integrated added valued services including benefits checks, home safety, equity release, local Home Improvement Agency services and other local support partners as part of the delivered service.

Example of Warm Zone services: All Warm Zones have successfully delivered Benefits Health Checks, using dedicated resources or resources provided in collaboration with local partner organisations. This work can address fuel and other poverty issues by maximising household income. Connecting households with all available grants and local support is a key element of fully using the proactive doorstep assessment data.

The local Warm Zones have devised and delivered a wide range of social inclusion, health, regeneration, environmental and carbon reduction and employment related schemes integrated within the broader Warm Zone partnerships and activities.

Example of Warm Zone services: All Warm Zones have developed links with local agencies and provided or supplemented resources to address fuel and other poverty issues through a range of local training and employment initiatives, ESF/ERDF/NRF, and joint local working and referral schemes with regional and local government, NHS, Credit Unions, banks, energywatch, EST, EEACs, OFGEM, LSPs,LSCs etc.

The Warm Zones have also partnered with a number of Local Authorities in the development and delivery of Affordable Warmth Action Plans and HECA reporting.

Example of Warm Zone services: All Warm Zones and the supporting local authorities have used the doorstep assessment data for monitoring Affordable Warmth Actions Plans, HECA and targeting related interventions. The data also has value in identifying households who originally were ineligible for help at the time of assessment but who now become eligible due to new criteria or schemes.