Heating bill anger grows
A council has been criticised for offering debt advice to the same residents it is charging 76 per cent more for their heating and hot water bills.
About 3,000 residents – many on low incomes – face the big rise in their Leicester City Council heating bills from Monday.
The same residents have now been offered help if they get into financial hardships.
One bill payer accused the council of "giving with one hand and taking with the other".
About 200 residents packed a meeting at Highfields Community Centre on Monday to hear councillors and officers explain the bills.
They were told there was no going back on the deal, which will hit residents in the St Matthew's, St Mark's, St Peter's and St Andrew's estates in Leicester who get the council's district heating service in their homes.
The rise has been blamed on spiralling wholesale gas prices paid by the council – up 157 per cent since 2004.
During the meeting, council representatives said they were offering financial assistance such as a debt line and extra benefits for those unable to pay.
Some residents threatened to withhold payment, despite fears they could lose their council homes. One spoke of taking the council to the High Court.
Mike Watson, from the city council's income management team, told them: "Once the charges are set, it's my team's job to get the money in.
"Our advice workers are here to make sure people get the benefits they are entitled to. There is also a debt line."
Councillor Hanif Aqbany, cabinet member for housing, said energy costs had to be covered.
He said: "We are looking at avenues to reduce it, but I'm not promising anything."
Dave Pate, council service director for housing improvement and repairs, said the council tried to keep bills down, but had to balance its books.
He said: "We know it's going to cause problems, but it's important to offer as much help and support as we can."
Abdulmajid Manjothi, secretary of St Peter's Tenants Association, said: "We don't believe the council is going to do anything about this. They are passing the buck.
"We've been let down by councillors and told if we don't like it people will have to move out of their council property.
"I took offence that they were offering us the chance to phone a debt line – we are talking about people having to pay £40 a month extra.
"It looks like they are giving with one hand and taking with the other.
"Most of the affected people are on benefit or pensioners.
"It's going to affect me – and if I pay the extra £40 a month I will be going into debt elsewhere.
"The council has let us down and handled this badly."
St Peter's resident David Shaw said: "I will pay, but not with a good heart."
Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby said: "The increase was totally unacceptable, 75 per cent is the sort of increase people just can't deal with and the council has alternatives."
Many of the people at the meeting signed a petition saying they were in "total disagreement with the charges".
18 Comments
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by T. H, leicester
Thursday, December 04 2008, 3:50PM
“The gov. promise to help poor peopl, in this crisis...here an example off they been let down by the councils and the goverment ...most peopl in this state are in low income and olderly ...they need help not to be charged extra ....”
by Tom, Leicester
Thursday, November 06 2008, 2:53PM
“Donna the fee is nearly £30 weekly not monthly!! And the heating can be turned off if you want to but your still have to pay the fee!!”
by matt, Leicester
Thursday, November 06 2008, 1:18PM
“Everyone is struggling with rising costs, but that does not excuse the attitude some people have towards those in society who are living in poverty.
To suggest that these people are 'lucky' they only have to pay £30 per month (if that is accurate) when that may represent the majority of their income is callous to say the least.
I would suggest that those who would wish others who are poor to become totally destitute are the ones who need to take a look at themselves.
It seems some people aren't happy unless they are looking down on someone. The fact is most of the people having a go at those protesting don't have the first idea about the lives they lead but are all too happy to subscribe to Daily Mail stereotypes and put the put the boot in.”
by Shavi Diresh, Leicester
Thursday, November 06 2008, 12:40PM
“Donna, £30 per month is HUGE when your total income is £40 per week. Think yourself lucky!”
by Donna, Leicester
Thursday, November 06 2008, 12:21PM
“I wish I could pay £30 approx per month for my gas/elec. I currently pay £80 per month & that's even if I don't have the heating on as that is how much our bills have gone up by & I am metered but pay a set fee each month instead of waiting for the bill. The fuss is, these people don't even try & ask for help before playing the poverty hand. They should think themselves lucky they only have to pay that small amount. The council should change them to meters like the rest of us then they'll know exactly what the rest of us have to pay.”
by Laura, Leicester
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 3:16PM
“Although badly planned by the council the tenants should count themselves lucky they saved over the last few years as prices have increased and their bills have been fixed. So its caught up with them but least they arent being back-charged for what the council has been subsidising with public money”
by matt, Leicester
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:19PM
“Karen, to avoid repeating ourselves the answer to your question is in the comments by Kate, Kim and myself below.”
by Anon, Leicester
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:13PM
“The fuss is about the fact that as hs been discussed residents have to pay this charge wether they use the heating or not, they cannot opt out of, if they choose to have a gas cooker they have to pay seperate gas charges and more importantly since the charges are part of the rent tey CAN be evicted if they fall behind. To put into perspective - most flats are 1 or 2 bedrooms. One bedroom flats are for single people and couples. A single person on JSA recieves £60.50 per week out of which they must pay £29 on heating or face eviction if they live in one of these flats.”
by karen, leicester
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:02PM
“everyones utility bills have increased --whats the fuss about?”
by Kate, Coalville
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 12:45PM
“Thanks Kim, I didn't realise residents were unable to turn the heating off. This is an incredible waste of energy by the council in today's climate of fuel shortages and looming recession. Perhaps they should reassess the way the DH system works before slapping 75% rises on people. At least those of us with meters and central heating can control what we use and pay.”