Watford Borough Council has been recognised as being one of the best-performing councils in the region for its work on energy-efficiency insulation projects, after being one of only three councils shortlisted for Regional Council or Local Authority Body of the Year at the Energy Efficiency Awards.
The Regional or Local Authority Body of the Year Award rewards one exceptional council in each of the 11 regional areas around the UK that has shown a true commitment to promoting energy efficiency within their region.
The council was shortlisted due to its work in improving the use of energy in buildings, helping householders save energy and money by providing impartial advice and helping tackle fuel poverty via grant and loan schemes.
This has been made possible thanks to £1.85million in funding from the government’s Green Homes Grant and the council’s own grants and loans.
The money has been used to insulate homes in the borough and it is expected that 200 households in total will be supported by the scheme by the end of 2022.
In the first phase of the grant scheme, Watford Borough Council have been working in close partnership with local housing association, Watford Community Housing, to upgrade a large number of their properties, with significant financial and health benefits for their tenants.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor (pictured with Diana Tembo, of Kingswood Insulation),said: “This is wonderful news. It is clear what a real difference insulation makes to residents everyday lives, so we are delighted that our work on energy-efficiency insulation projects to help people in our community who need it most has been recognised by the Energy Efficiency Awards.”
Councillor Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, said: “The energy-efficiency insulation projects are part of our local efforts to encourage and support people to cut the carbon and financial cost of heating their homes.
“Our team has done a fantastic job in securing over £1million of grant funding and overseeing the support provided to help residents heat their homes more efficiently, cut their energy bills and support the town in doing its bit to tackle climate change.”
Diana Tembo, who received external wall insulation from the council, said: “It’s already noticeably warmer and the heating hasn’t come on at all since during the colder nights. The work has smartened up the house replicating the brick finish to match the look of the surrounding houses.
“It’s lovely and cosy and stays warm for a long time. It will be great for those cold winter months!”
The scheme aims to help the town become carbon neutral by 2030, while also helping households save money on energy bills, stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and reduce their carbon footprints. You can read about all the council’s effort to become greener at www.watford.gov.uk/sustainablewatford
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