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North Tyneside Council's cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a Warm Zone. It will create affordable warmth, tackle fuel poverty and increase the use of energy efficient measures to help householders save money. It will also contribute towards reducing the borough's carbon footprint.

North Tyneside Council's cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Jim Allan said the case for affordable warmth has been recognised nationally.

"This is really good news. It brings in major investment - and we are talking about millions of pounds - to help support our residents right across the borough.

"Fuel poverty - when households have to spend more than ten percent of their income on fuel - is an important issue to be tackled. Warm Zone will mean free or discounted measures and advice to all households, including encouraging take up of benefits that people are entitled to claim.

"There will be substantial grants from various sources, with a relatively small financial contribution from the council. Our major contribution will be to the organisation of the project and making it happen on the ground.

"Local authorities should be helping to promote the well-being and quality of life for residents; but we also have an important role to play as major investors of capital in council homes and also in private sector properties through renewal grants.

"We also believe it is important to contribute towards reducing carbon emissions and estimates are that this could reduce the borough's carbon footprint by over one million tonnes over the lifetime of the measures."

Now the council will seek to set up partnerships with a range of private sector organisations

The North Tyneside Warm Zone team is expected to be in place by autumn and over the next four years every home in the borough will be visited to identify whether the property could be identified as needing free energy efficiency measures and a benefits health check.

Homes that do not fall into that category would be offered loft and cavity wall insulation at significantly discounted rates and advice, to bring down their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.

In addition to improving the health and wellbeing of residents; the Warm Zone is also expected to create 40 local jobs and create 30 training places for local people.