Investigate heating system high costs - Lib Dems
Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondonAn MP has been urged to investigate how some south London homeowners have been charged more than £1,000 higher than average for their energy bills.
People living in several council-managed estates in Peckham have said communal boilers were using up to three times more energy than typical heating systems.
The Liberal Democrats have now written to Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh asking for her to look into what they say are failings in how Southwark Council has addressed these issues.
The MP, for Labour, has been contacted for comment.
Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondonAbout 17,000 households across the borough receive their energy through a district heat network, a communal boiler which supplies them with heating and hot water.
Unlike most people with individual boilers, they are not covered by energy regulator Ofgem’s price cap.
Lou Franklin, who bought his one-bedroom flat on the estate eight years ago, said he felt “helpless” as his service charge had more than doubled from £1,800 to £4,800 in the time he had lived there.
He added: “Why can’t people break away from the system? Why can’t somebody get a boiler in their flat and be responsible for it?”
'Value for residents'
Leader of the council's Liberal Democrat opposition, 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.”
Sarah King, Southwark’s cabinet member for council homes who is responsible for district heating, has previously said: “We know that district heating can offer value for residents long-term and offers opportunities for meeting our net zero targets for carbon reduction.
“The council is implementing metered systems across the borough and prioritising our heat networks in need of investment to improve their efficiency.”
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