Friday 26th February marked Fuel Poverty Awareness Day across the country, and Corby Borough Council, as the convenors of the Northants Warm Homes Partnership held an event which aimed to ensure we are doing all we can to help residents save energy and stay warm in their homes.
The Northants Warm Homes Partnership is made up of each of the 8 local authorities across the county of Northamptonshire who aim to help and encourage residents to insulate their home in an environmentally friendly and affordable way.
The partnership and relevant local organisations met at County Hall, Northampton, to take part in a Fuel Poverty Summit, after being awarded funding from the National Warm Homes Campaign, National Energy Action (NEA) supported by British Gas.
This Fuel Poverty Summit was a one off event and featured key note speakers; Councillor Michael Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways & The Environment for Northamptonshire, Christine Tate, Head of Corporate Responsibility for British Gas and Jimmy Pugh, Project Development Co-ordinator for National Energy Action.
The event also saw the relaunch of the Northants Warms Homes website (www.northantswarmhomes.com). This website has been set up to help guide the community, professionals and organisations in the right direction to seek help advice on how to save energy and heat homes affordably. The website has been developed by NEA as part of its involvement in the Community Action Partnership (CAP).
CAP is a joint is a joint initiative between NEA and British Gas, aimed at tackling fuel poverty in communities across the UK.
Northamptonshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Environment, Cllr Michael Clarke, said:
“Improved technology now means affordable warmth is something which is increasingly being made available for everyone. It goes to show how working collaboratively can bring widespread benefits for everyone.”
Christine Tate, Head of Corporate Responsibility for British Gas, said:
“It’s brilliant to see councils across Northamptonshire join forces to tackle fuel poverty. No one organisation has all the answers or the resources to deal with it single-handedly. For that reason, it’s important we have events like this, so we can share best practice and develop strategies that will help improve people’s lives.”
Jimmy Pugh, Project Development Co-ordinator for National Energy Action said:
“Through the Community Action Partnership in Northamptonshire we have been working to help residents stay warm and healthy in their homes, so it is very fitting that we’re coming together on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day to relaunch the joint partnership website and ensure that residents and professionals can access the advice and assistance that is available.”
Corby Borough Council’s Lead Member for Climate Change and Environment and, Cllr Mark Pengelly, said:
“It is our priority, particularly in these cold winter months, that all residents are managing their energy bills in order to affordably keep their home warm. I look forward to hearing the outcome of today’s Summit and I’m confident that all areas have been discussed to ensure we are doing all we can to help residents throughout the county.”