Millions won to make hundreds of homes more energy-efficient
AROUND £7m of home improvement cash is up for grabs in Halton as part of a drive to slash carbon emissions.
Halton Borough Council, which secured the funding via a combined bid as part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said the cash will be used to make more than 700 properties more energy efficient, which will also have the effect of cutting bills.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said improvements will take place over the next 18 months and focus on the “worst homes” first and those at risk of or already experiencing fuel poverty.
She said the initiative was part of Halton Council’s goal to tackle climate change.
Upgrades will include wall, loft or underfloor insulation, double glazing, home heating systems, and other renewable and low carbon technologies.
The £7m comprises £4.65m from the Sustainable Warmth Fund, £1.47m from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and £1.04m of Green Homes Grant.
A report tabled recently to Halton’s executive board by council climate change lead Cllr Phil Harris highlighted how more than 36,000 homes in Halton need to be improved because their “Energy Performance Certificate” rating is D or lower.
The spokeswoman said around 129 sets of upgrades are already under way in Halton
and due for completion this summer.
Cllr Harris said: “The funding from the Liverpool City Region for approximately 147 homes under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund has been confirmed, which is great news.”
He added: “Ideally, we need to be doing a lot more retrofitting, but the Government is in the driving seat on this.
“We need to be offering the worst 7,700 homes the opportunity to be retrofitted for energy improvements by 2030 and that is what I am going to pursue as best I can.
“At the current rate we will struggle to achieve this by 2040, unless the government releases more funding.
“We will also want value for money, to learn any lessons that can improve future schemes, and I welcome the opportunity to help develop a green growth business alliance in the year ahead with local training and business partners to maximise economic benefits for Halton.”
The report recommended continuing with existing energy advice support for households seeking advice provided by Energy Projects Plus and Groundwork Cheshire.
Residents can find out more about grant schemes available from the council to improve the energy efficiency of their home by visiting the Green Homes Grant page at halton.gov.uk