Funding boost joy
Energy project for area
A project to help residents in Rattray and the Glens benefit from a new heat and energy advice service that could save them money and reduce the area’s carbon footprint has been awarded almost £70,000 from the Climate Challenge Fund.
HEAT Rattray and the Glens is a new initiative managed by the Ericht Trust that aims to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty in Rattray and the Mount Blair, Kirkmichael and Glenshee area.
The project, which has been awarded £68,076, will provide energy efficiency advice and access to additional support that will help householders improve home energy efficiency.
It will also work with community groups, community leaders and schools to increase understanding of carbon emissions and climate change.
The idea first came from the Climate Cafe in Blairgowrie, which meets every few weeks in the Wellmeadow Cafe and is involved with other initiatives such as the proposed new cycle routes between Blairgowrie, Alyth and Coupar Angus.
Len Seal from the Climate Cafe and Phil Seymour have been co-opted on to the Ericht Trust as trustees.
Len explained: “Home energy efficiency is one of the main areas that can make a real difference to reducing carbon emissions.
“We therefore decided to apply for funding from the Climate Challenge Fund for a year-long Home Energy Advice Team - HEAT project for Rattray and the Glens that will get under way in April.
“We are over the moon to have received this funding, it’s great to have the grant and to be getting going. We are now having to move fast to get people on board.
“This grant will fund three jobs, one full-time project manager and two parttime posts, which will be advertised this week.
“It has been a really good experience working with the two development trusts, both the Ericht Trust and the Mount Blair Community Development Trust, and the two community councils for the areas. The project simply would not have happened if the Ericht Trust had not got on board for the grant application process.”
Ian Gordon, chair of the Ericht Trust, said: “We had the disappointing outcome of the school project but we have moved on and hope that that part of Blairgowrie will be enhanced by the building project at the Hill.
“We are now looking at how best to serve Blairgowrie and the surrounding area and how to acquire the appropriate funding and support for amenities for the local communities.
“We don’t claim to be experts but we do have quite a lot of experience in applying for funds and feel we have something to add and think it’s better to do it collaboratively rather than individually.
“The HEAT Rattray and the Glens project with Len and Phil is an ideal one to start with and we hope there will be others.
“We met with the Development Trust of Scotland last week to discuss how the Ericht Trust can move forward and how we can integrate with other organisations and individuals who have got worthwhile projects. The more we can work together and prioritise what the areas of Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens need, the better the chance of success.”
Len added: “There will be several aspects to the HEAT project, including offering to go into people’s homes and carry out free energy efficiency assessments.
“This would entail looking at the fabric of a building such as insulation and double glazing for example, as well as activities such as travel and what temperature the heating is set at, and looking at how behavioural changes can save people money. We would also like to raise awareness of the sort of things people can do in the long run to make a difference such as using smart metres, and of potential money and energy saving schemes.”
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced grants totalling £9.97 million for 113 community-led projects in the 23rd round of grants from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
HEAT Rattray and the Glens is one of two projects in Perth and Kinross to have been granted funding - both of which are based in east Perthshire. Ten Miles Tayside is a new community food growing project based in Spittalfield and run by Tayside Growers Co-op.
The project, which has been granted £38,019, aims to decrease carbon emissions through increasing the amount of local produce available to people within 10 miles of Spittalfield.
Two polytunnels and a rainwater collection system will be constructed with events, workshops and volunteering opportunities organised to help the community increase their knowledge of food production and how this links to climate change.
We are over the moon to have received this funding - it’s great