A new advice centre to help people save cash on their fuel bills is to be set up in the city.

Bradford Council is looking for a "top level" business planner to help set up a new energy advice centre, probably in Bradford city centre.

As energy prices continue to soar, the authority is recruiting a "home energy planning officer", who will create a one-stop shop where Bradford's most vulnerable households and the "fuel rich" can find out how to heat their homes efficiently.

There will be energy-saving ideas, help in accessing grants, information about benefits for those having difficulty paying their fuel bills and advice about renewable energy.

The Council has identified an "urgent need" for action.

It estimates that 78,500 households in Bradford are at risk of fuel poverty - 46 per cent of households cannot afford to heat their homes adequately.

But Phil Addy, home energy conservation co-ordinator for the Council said it had to reach its climate change targets as well as tackle fuel poverty, so the advice centre would also target the "fuel rich".

"It would cater for everybody, regardless of their circumstances, from university students in extreme fuel poverty to rich people living in a six-bedroom house in Burley-in-Wharfedale," he said.

"The fuel rich don't qualify for free Government schemes but proportionally may use more energy. We have to cater for all types of householder."

The officer will be in place by the end of this year and will spend ten months developing a business and delivery plan.

He or she will then negotiate with the Council and other partners, including energy companies, to get the scheme full approval.

After that there will be three months to get the project off the ground before funding for the 15-month post runs out. The advice centre is expected to open early in 2008.

As well as setting up the centre, the officer will investigate new energy efficiency ideas.

One possibility is a "warm zone" for the entire district, which could see officers calling house-to-house to research and promote energy efficiency and affordable warmth in targeted areas.

  • For free advice on energy efficiency and fuel poverty contact Mr Addy on (01274) 437589 or the Leeds, Bradford and Hull Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.