Telford & Wrekin Council helps residents tackle continuing rising energy costs
Telford & Wrekin Council is supporting people who face significant increases to their gas and electricity bills from April, particularly those who are already struggling to deal with the rising cost of living.
Support measures include financial assistance through top-ups to existing energy grants and helping households to access information and advice on a range of energy efficiency measures.
Vulnerable residents can benefit from top-ups to their energy grants where they have previously been expected to make a contribution, thanks to Telford & Wrekin Council investing £40,000 of capital funding over these winter months.
Grants of up to £5000 are available for those who qualify. Measures include all types of insulation and, for a limited period, also includes replacement boilers and even full central heating systems.
To find out more contact the Telford Energy Advice line on 0800 677 1952.
In the last 12 months, the council has also won funding of over £2 million to deliver energy efficiency measures to those hardest hit by rising costs.
As well as targeted support for some of the most disadvantaged communities as part of the Council’s Safer Stronger Communities programme, there will also be an open offer to households across the borough to access insulation measures.
The council will shortly be able to provide all households in the borough, whose primary residence is valued in council tax bands A – D, with a one-off council tax energy rebate payment of £150 through Government funding.
In addition, the council will also be offering a discretionary fund for households in need who would not otherwise be eligible.
More funding bids are currently in the pipeline to make sure even more households are supported.
Thanks to the council’s ECOflex statement of Intent, nearly £300,000 of funding has also been attracted into the area which is an energy company obligation that energy suppliers fund to ensure measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation are fitted in low income homes.
To find out how to apply, contact MEA – advice@mea.org.uk
Telford & Wrekin Council engages Marches Energy Agency (MEA) to deliver practical solutions to reduce fuel poverty and cold homes such as boiler installations and home energy advice.
This service handholds the client through the whole process - engaging an approved contractor on their behalf and making sure residents are completely happy with the standard of the work before payment.
MEA also offers advice on prepayment meter rules for households worried about being disconnected and the emergency credit which is available for people who can’t afford to ‘top up.’
Councillor Richard Overton (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport said: “We understand these are worrying times for households with energy prices set to rise significantly from April, impacting heavily on their monthly income.
“However, we are already supporting residents through a variety of schemes to help make homes more energy efficient across the borough and we will continue to do so.
“Through funding which we have secured already and further bids for funding which have been submitted we will support residents and try and cushion the blow that any significant energy price hikes may bring.
“We remain committed to this support and delivering energy efficient solutions which can also help to reduce costs.”
To contact Telford Energy Advice, call the team on 0800 6771952 or email: advice@mea.org.uk
Alternatively, Telford & Wrekin Citizens Advice Bureau can be contacted on 01952 567193 or email: ellawarburton@telfordcab.co.uk
