Initiative is a big help in energy crisis

IT’S hot and humid and the thought of cold, wintry days and needing to keep warm is not something we’re perhaps considering.

What we can’t hide from is that our home energy bills are going up, up and up! And the dread of keeping warm in winter with these new high energy prices is sadly not that far away.

Before I point the finger at muchneeded Government interventions with energy companies, greater funding for sustainable energy and significant financial support packages for us all, I want to highlight what this really means for people like you and me in Cheltenham.

Some might be able to cope with these unprecedented price hikes but most of us are already struggling, even with jobs and decent wages, and others are suffering more than we can imagine. I know first-hand the worry and pain this is causing.

As Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, I work closely with Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH).

This means I’m not only accountable for CBH service provision for residents in Cheltenham, but it also means I get to work hand in hand with CBH and can see the tremendous work being carried out and the plans they have in place to support tenants in our town during this crisis.

One of the initiatives we are supporting is the Warm and Well scheme. It provides free, impartial home energy efficiency advice to fight fuel poverty.

This service is for everyone, and I recommend calling their advice line for help on 0800 500 3076.

We’ve recently helped 70 homes in Cheltenham with this scheme to undertake energy efficiency measures, leading to significant reductions in energy bills.

Also, CBH’S replacement programme of thermally efficient doors and windows is well underway and is already having a direct positive impact with energy efficiency measures in these homes.

It’s a shame this Government has let this energy crisis get so far, and let’s hope any proposed policies are more than just hot air.

We deserve to be treated fairly in our homes, and these energy price hikes are not fair.

Cllr Victoria Atherstone Cabinet member for Housing Cheltenham Borough Council