Free drop-in session for people to find out about grants to reduce energy use and save on heating bills

The event takes place from 2.30pm until 7pm on Wednesday, January 15, at the All Saints Parish Hall in Scratby. And, as well as advice and support, there will be free refreshments and useful energy-saving tips and packs available.

Experts from E.ON - Great Yarmouth Borough Council's delivery partner - will be on hand to offer guidance on whether people qualify for grants for home upgrades such as solar panels, new insulation or heat pumps. Staff from Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Community Hub team will also be at the hall to provide assistance and answer queries on a range of other issues around health, benefits and housing.

Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said: ''This event is an excellent opportunity for people to find out if they are eligible for grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce bills.

''Listening to members of the community, we know there are concerns about energy bills, scams and new technologies. It is not always easy finding out where to start to make improvements or find help.

''Working with E.ON and the project team, we want to simplify the support and make sure it's easier for people to benefit. We hope as many people as possible are able to attend on January 15 because the grants really can make a difference.''

The drop-in session - a joint venture between Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby Parish Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, E.ON and the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership - comes after GYBC was awarded Government funding to improve 355 homes across the borough.

With applications for the improvements due to close on Friday, January 17, Councillor Wells said the council is keen to ensure as many residents as possible can take advantage of the grants.

People who heat their home using oil, LPG, coal, wood or electricity and meet the eligibility criteria could benefit from the free upgrades - an air source heat pump, solar panels, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation and loft insulation. E.ON can also advise on other grants and schemes available from the Government and energy companies.

Ormesby is one of seven Norfolk Net Zero Communities in a Norfolk Climate Change Partnership project. Funded by Innovate UK, the project is working to reduce the barriers people face in making their homes more efficient, in getting cleaner heat and power and using more sustainable modes of transport.

Councillor Geoffrey Freeman, who represents the Ormesby Ward on Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "As one of the the seven Norfolk Net Zero Communities I'm delighted this event is taking place in Ormesby.

''The aim is to help as many of our residents as possible secure warmer homes this winter and reduce energy bills. Work which will also, importantly, help the environment.

''It also fitting that the event is taking place at All Saints Parish Hall where a range of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies have recently been installed.''

 Home Upgrade Grants

To qualify for this scheme, people need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

·             Be a resident in the borough

·             Use oil, LPG, electricity, or another form of fuel to heat their home

·             Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (don't worry if you don't know, E.ON can help you find out the EPC)

·             There may also be a financial eligibility check

To find out more, Great Yarmouth borough residents can call E.ON's advice team on 0333 202 4820 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or apply online at eonenergy.com/grant-finder.

Applications take only a few minutes and, for applicants that qualify, E.ON will carry out a free home survey to confirm what upgrades the property requires.

More information about the scheme is also available on the Great Yarmouth Borough Council website at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/free-energy-efficiency-improvements

Norfolk Net Zero Communities

Norfolk Net Zero Communities is a two-year Innovate UK-funded project focused on addressing the barriers people face in taking action for more efficient homes, renewable heat and power, and greener travel.

Hosted by Great Yarmouth Borough Council as the accountable body, the project has been working with national environmental charity Hubbub to deliver the work on behalf of the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership - a collection of local authorities and other public bodies working together to tackle climate change, ensuring prosperity for future generations in Norfolk.

Working closely with the seven pilot communities and local businesses, and listening to what they have to say, the project aims to find better ways to support Norfolk's residents with moving towards a lower-emission way of living, while improving quality of life and creating vibrant local economies and communities across the county.

The project runs until June 2025 and is part of a national programme of projects sharing knowledge and working together.

For more information please visit Norfolk Net Zero Communities - Norfolk Climate Change or contact the Net Zero Innovation and Delivery Manager Jonathan Ward on Jonathan.ward@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or 07919 004858.