Funding to help improve the energy efficiency of homes and business properties in B&NES was been approved at last night’s budget Council meeting.
The Liberal Democrat administration has set aside £100,000 to help B&NES residents benefit from the “Green Deal” – a government initiative led by the Liberal Democrats in the coalition and aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of homes and commercial properties. B&NES Council signed up in support the Green Deal in Autumn 2011.
Councillor David Martin, who is the Council’s Member Champion for Energy and Climate Change and Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bathwick, commented: “It’s great to see that we are getting ready to help residents in B&NES make the most of the Green Deal. This funding will help to ensure that those who are most in need will benefit first.
“Residents who are vulnerable, those living in lower-income households or “hard-to-heat” properties – of which there are up to 20,000 in B&NES – may not be able to achieve significant energy savings without extra support. Helping these residents reduce their fuel bills will have a big impact on their health and well-being. It’s also good news that residents won’t have to pay up front for energy saving measures – the costs will be covered by savings on energy bills.
“The Green Deal will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in B&NES. A quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions comes from the energy used in homes and I’m pleased that the Council is committed to helping residents do their bit to help reduce emissions.“
