Local Authority Delivery Scheme to help lower energy bills

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is set to deliver £650,000 of home improvement works as part of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Scheme.

The District Council has been successful in securing the funding through the LAD scheme (1b) to help improve the energy efficiency of low-income households.

The funding will be used to support low-earning residents living in the least energy efficient homes (those with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of E, F and G, including off-gas grid homes). The work will help to make homes healthier, warmer and cheaper to heat as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the climate emergency.

The properties targeted initially must not only fit the criteria above, but also be for households that have lower than average income.

The schemes in Stratford District are project based and will initially focus on park home sites, where a number of properties can be treated efficiently.  The first project is set to start at Wootton Wawen Park Home site and will see 65 properties receive external wall insulation.

Cllr Ian Shenton, Climate Change Portfolio Holder and Ward Member where the first project is starting said: "I am delighted that our residents are able to benefit from this investment by the Government.  These funds will not only enable the residents to lower their fuel bills - but also contribute to carbon reduction.  It's a 'win-win'."

Once this project is up and running, the District Council will be targeting other areas where the grant funding is expected to benefit householders - as well as tackling the level of carbon emissions. It will also continue to seek funds that will benefit a wide range of tenures.

The District Council is current engaged with a local housing association that will see a major investment in the social sector - and further projects will be aimed at rented properties as well as owner occupied accommodation.

Cllr Jo Barker, Homes, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder also commented: "We are delighted that this scheme is going ahead.  We are also very mindful that there is a lot of work to be done across the District - so this is the first of many such projects.  We are also pleased to be working alongside Orbit Housing on a Government backed scheme to invest in their housing stock.  We look forward to a lot of lower energy bills and lower carbon emissions."

The District Council is currently developing a strategy that will encompass the whole District, as are keen for all areas to benefit from this investment. Schemes have already been announced for 2022, and in the autumn the District Council will again be bidding for these funds - which is a competitive process.

This funding was obtained from a competitive application to the Department of Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills.