Ceredigion County Council were commended at an Awards ceremony for their efforts based on a number of schemes and interventions which have been delivered within the County.
Nominated by Warm Wales, the Council were commended for an Energy Efficiency Award at the Regional (Wales) event which was held in Cardiff at the start of February. This award was given for the Council or Local Authority Body for showing a true commitment to promoting energy efficiency within their region.
Ceredigion has seen a number of schemes being delivered that were commended.
Applications were submitted to Welsh Government for the Warm Homes Arbed schemes and areas decided on based on the need. Llandysul, Llanarth and Cardigan were the areas that were successful for the scheme. The works included the installation of external wall insulation and other minor measures, such as loft insulation and upgrading heating systems within 212 properties.
Within the Warm Homes Arbed scheme, Citizens Advice was employed to deliver energy advice and raise awareness of energy efficient measures in the home to reduce carbon emissions and in turn, global warming. They also supported householders with advice and interventions that would increase household income and reduce expenditure, to make warmth more affordable and help improve householders’ and their families’ health and wellbeing, thereby preventing and alleviating fuel poverty.
There were 3 successful National Energy Action schemes. These included the installation of 16 biomass and solar panels in Tregaron and Hinterland area; 40 draught proofing installations in properties in the Borth area; and 100 heated seat covers for vulnerable residents targeting Disabled Facilities applications.
Ceredigion was with the first Council to launch the ECO Flexibility scheme in Wales and undertook a procurement exercise to produce a framework for companies to deliver the works. OFGEM realised that Councils are better able to identify fuel poverty within their areas. The ECO Flexibility was introduced where Councils can relax the ECO criteria and establish their own criteria that would benefit the fuel poor and vulnerable households within their areas. The scheme included distributing letters to households living in energy inefficient properties with an Energy Performance Certificate with a Band E, F or G. A great deal of interest was generated and many households are benefiting from heating systems/upgrades and loft insulation. The scheme was deemed very successful in Ceredigion and other Councils have been in contact to share best practice, criteria and Framework.
Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Lifestyle Services said, “Receiving this commendation for the hard work that has been put into schemes to promote energy efficiency within Ceredigion at a regional event is wonderful and shows the hard work of our staff. I would like to thank these members of staff for their hard work in ensuring these schemes are delivered in rural West Wales to ensure a healthy and happy lifestyle for our residents.”
The Judges considered the nature, scale and scope of the work carried out, based on factors including the impact that the work has had on the local community; satisfaction of customers and local community; the level of expertise possessed within the team; and the priority the Council gives to tackling fuel poverty within its plans.
Over the past few years, the Council have also launched the Oil Syndicate for all areas of the County as well as delivering various other energy efficiency schemes and advice.
More information on schemes can be seen on the website: http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/housing/financial-assistance/eco-flexibility-funding/
Image: (L-R) Alwen Edwards, Environmental Health Officer and Team Leader, Ceredigion County Council; Nick Pritchard, City Energy Network Ltd, who were sponsoring the award; and Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Lifestyle Services.
