Durham County Council continues to lead the way in helping people to keep warm in their homes and to save on energy bills and is looking forward to a New Year in which schools, businesses and community buildings may also benefit.
As one of the founder members of the regional Warm Up North partnership, supporting energy efficiency, there is plenty of support and advice available to cut down on heating bills.
Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets, Durham County Council, said: “Whilst the government’s recent changes to the way in which we can help may have changed our focus, residents will continue to benefit from significant support.  This includes having their homes checked and fitted out with everything from cavity wall and loft insulation to boiler repair or replacement.”
“Since its launch in September, Warm Up North has recently celebrated its 200th installation. Much of this time has been spent on recruitment and getting the right suppliers in place to deliver goods and services, therefore we expect significant increase in delivery going into the 2014.  Warm up North is available to everyone, seeking to maximise whatever offers are available to residents.”
Latest figures also show that more 2,000 people have called the special Hotspots advice and referral service to get expert advice on everything from heating and fuel debt support to fire safety checks. It can also be used when there are problems with a lack of hot water or heating.  All referrals need to be made by frontline health and social care staff.
Funding from Hotspots comes from Public Health Durham County Council and key partners include Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue.
Stuart Timmiss added: “The council believes that the best way of tackling energy bills is by making our homes more efficient but we also want to promote the Warm Homes Discount Scheme which provides qualifying householders with a £135 discount off their electricity bills. Everyone who qualifies will get a letter from their utility provider before the end of January. But why wait? Contact them now to find out how they can help.
“An exciting year ahead offers more opportunities for schools to start reducing their bills whilst at the same time improve the environment in which our children learn. We hope to launch the schools offer in the spring with many options available to suit every school; we hope this will quickly convert into a much wider opportunity, building on what the council has already learnt from making its own buildings more energy efficient.
“By investing now the council has shown how it will manage the significant energy rises we are currently experiencing. Over the last 18 months we have opened two new primary schools, both of which are the most energy efficient in the country, reduced energy consumption in four of the highest energy consuming buildings by 40per cent, installed Photovoltaic panels on 36 buildings and implemented a range of energy reducing projects, some of which have cost little or no money across all of its buildings.  “
County Durham has already met its challenging 2020 40per cent carbon reduction target (on 1990 levels) and is now aiming to achieve a 55% reduction by 2031. The council’s streetlighting project is yet another example of how in partnership we will reach this target with 40,000 street lights to be replaced with LED’s reducing consumption by up to 70 per cent.
The Council also provides crisis help through the Welfare Assistance Scheme which includes immediate financial help to top up gas and electricity meters or help with paying energy bills.
Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member said: “We are committed to helping people make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat and are delighted to be at the forefront of a range of schemes to make this possible.  As a council we really take our responsibilities seriously by leading by example. What we have found is that we have reduced energy consumption,  our staff have become fully on board  and the environment in which we work has improved.”