Under the proposals there would be an obligation on both energy suppliers and generators to provide energy efficiency measures to domestic consumers on low incomes in targeted areas.

Community Energy Saving Programmes will offer a wide range of measures including solid wall insulation, renewable energy technologies and district heating. There will also be incentives for installing multiple energy efficiency measures to ‘hard to treat’ properties.

The programmes will offer a ‘whole house approach’ so that homes could receive all the major energy efficiency measures they need. The work would make a substantial difference to a household emissions and fuel bills.

Councillor Maria Caulfield, Brighton & Hove’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The proposals in this programme to tackle ‘hard to treat’ properties are particularly welcome. We are currently exploring the potential for a Community Energy Saving Programme initiative to be established in Brighton & Hove.”

In February the council, in partnership with Climate Energy, launched the Families Insulation Grant to help families with children under 16 improve the energy efficiency of homes and save money on fuel bills.

The council is also currently working with Climate Energy on the Brighton & Hove Warm-Homes Initiative with funding from energy supply company EDF Energy to deliver energy-saving measures. The scheme currently offers free insulation for residents receiving benefits and those aged 70 and over and 50% discounts for many others.

Under the Community Energy Saving Programme, energy generation companies would share this obligation for the first time.

Councillor Caulfield added: “We had a lot of support from Climate Energy on setting up the Warm-Homes scheme and that led to a major funding commitment from EDF Energy and we are hoping that further joint initiatives will follow.”