COLD comfort could be on the way for residents in Burnley where councillors are being asked to approve a draft "Affordable Warmth Strategy" and consider action plans to tackle the problem.

The main aims of the strategy are to ensure that households have an adequate level of affordable warmth and to secure resources to make it possible.

They will be achieved by encouraging no or low cost energy efficiency measures and changes in behaviour; publicising grants; undertaking energy efficiency measures to council properties and making grants available for energy efficiency measures.

It is estimated that half the properties in Burnley lack double glazing, 30 per cent don't have central heating, 80 per cent lack adequate loft insulation, 39 per cent lack draught-proofing, 41 per cent don't have adequate hot water tank insulation and 82 per cent don't have wall insulation.

The strategy refers to the threat to health from inadequately heated houses.

The strategy is one of the council's anti-poverty priorities and will be discussed by the Equal Opportunities Committee on Thursday.

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