COUNTY Durham has been given top marks by a national body in recognition of local efforts to tackle fuel poverty.

The County Durham Health and Wellbeing Board, led by Durham County Council, has been given a perfect rating of six out of six by National Energy Action (NEA) in recognition of the action it is taking on cold-related ill health.

The board, which is also made up of representatives from local NHS trusts, was one of only 14 in England to achieve the score in NEA’s Get Warm Soon survey, making it one of the top performers nationally.

The report was issued on the back of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishing a set of 12 recommendations on how health and wellbeing boards can help reduce the risk of death and ill health associated with living in a cold home.

County Durham scored six out of six on the basis that fuel poverty is reflected in a number of its key strategic documents and that its programme delivery reflects the good practice in the NICE guidance.

The board was praised for adopting innovative practice such as the methods it uses to target at risk households for fuel poverty interventions.

Cllr Lucy Hovvels, the council’s portfolio holder for adult and health services and chair of the board, said: “Since its inception the board has recognised the importance of fuel poverty and the impact living in a cold home can have on those with a health condition.

“The survey result is testament to the leadership shown by members and officers working collaboratively to address this issue.”