Author: Bridie Finnan

At a full council meeting on Thursday, Sefton Council approved the roll-out of a £3 million scheme to retrofit poorly insulated homes in Sefton.

The funding, which has been secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, will be used to insulate the homes of low income families in Sefton.

It will cover the entire cost of insulating the home and includes insulation for external walls, cavity walls and lofts. Work to identify eligible homes will start early this year.

Sefton Council have already identified 50 eligible homes with local housing provider One Vision Housing. Residents of properties that are retro-fitted will benefit from cheaper bills as well as being warmer in winter and cooler during the summer.

The scheme to retrofit poorly insulated homes in Sefton in line with the Council’s ongoing work towards net zero carbon across its own operations and strives to cut emissions across the Borough.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “I am delighted to see this ambitious and wide-ranging retrofit scheme approved.

“The housing stock in large parts of our Borough is energy inefficient and schemes like this allow us to address those issues. These retrofits will have a positive impact on people’s finances and their personal health as well as creating local jobs for people here in Sefton.”

 

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services added: “This scheme will make homes cheaper to heat, more energy efficient and much greener for our planet, making Sefton cleaner and greener.”

 

The Sustainable Warmth Fund is intended to make homes warmer and greener as well as creating local jobs, tackle fuel poverty and population health benefits.

For more information on the upcoming retrofit scheme, including how to check if your home could benefit please visit our website www.sefton.gov.uk/retrofit

The agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at the Sefton Council website

Free energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation may be available free to people living in poorly insulated homes in Sefton thanks to a new scheme being introduced by the Council.

The retrofit scheme will make homes cheaper to heat, more energy efficient and better for the planet. It will also help keep properties warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Grants are available to privately-owned properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. To qualify, Sefton residents must have a household income below £30,000 and/or receive a qualifying benefit.

If the home is owned by a private or social landlord, the landlord will need to contribute to the cost of the works, but the property could still be eligible for some of the cost to be covered by the scheme.

People can check if they are eligible for the Cheaper, Warmer, Greener Retrofit Scheme, using the form at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/greenhomesform

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for households in Sefton to get free energy efficiency measures to make their homes cheaper to run, warmer in winter and greener for the planet. Plus, there are huge benefits to physical and financial health.

“The Council is working to make Sefton net zero carbon by 2030 in response to the climate emergency. We are working on our own emissions and taking advantage of this scheme will help our residents to join us in making this a Borough-wide initiative by cutting their own domestic emissions.

“I would urge anyone who meets the eligibility criteria to apply for this retrofit scheme. It’s open to homeowners and tenants, it’s free and there are benefits for us all.”

The funding has come from The Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the Government’s post COVID-19 response and Climate Change targets.

People can find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk/retrofit

Sefton Council is urging local residents not to miss out on the chance to give their views on ‘Our Future, Our Bootle’, an Area Action Plan which will set out a clear vision for the town for the next twenty years and beyond. Residents are urged to participate in the consultation so that the right strategy can be put in place to deliver for the needs of our communities.

Residents now have more time to submit their comments with the consultation deadline extended to Monday 31^st January 2022.

The Area Action Plan aims to act as a catalyst for further investment in the town, creating more opportunities for local people and businesses. It will also help to secure the homes that people need and want, help address the challenge of climate change, provide good quality open spaces and facilities, seek local environmental improvements as well as securing job opportunities.

The Issues and Options document can be read online at www.sefton.gov.uk/bootleaap. There you can provide feedback using the online form. You can also provide feedback by emailing bootleaap@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0808 168 8296, leaving a message and a member of the team will call you back.

Following the close of consultation all feedback received will be reviewed and used to develop the ‘preferred options’. This will be the next stage of consultation which is due to take place later in 2022.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:

“This is a great opportunity to tell the Council what you think about Bootle and what you would like to happen in the town. We want as many people as possible to get involved and there are several ways you tell us what you think and help to shape the future of your town.”

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Planning added:

 “This is the first stage of the process and it’s important that we understand what residents think to help ensure that we protect all the things that are positive in the town and look at ways to make necessary improvements.”

The Issues and Options document is also available to read in full at Bootle Library, Stanley Road; Magdalen House, Trinity Road and Bootle Town Hall, Oriel Road.

Feedback forms are available to complete at these locations.