£5.8m to help lower income households save money on energy

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has won more than £5.8m in funding from across three central government schemes aimed at helping those most at need get warmer homes. 

The Council is also supporting the schemes with more than £630,000 from its housing budget.

The targeted funding will support around 400 households with lower incomes and who live in homes with the lowest ratings for energy efficiency. The cash will pay for measures such as improved insulation and clean heating systems such as heat pumps.

The three schemes cover properties with and without a gas supply, private properties, and council and social homes. For owner occupiers the work will be carried out for free, although landlords will be asked to make a contribution for rented out homes.

Details of how householders can sign up to the schemes will be released shortly and the is work due to be completed by March 2023 - in time to help many homes cut their energy bills next winter.

The schemes will be targeted around East Flegg, West Flegg, Fleggburgh, Ormesby, and Caister South wards to the north of the borough; Nelson, and Central and Northgate wards in Great Yarmouth, and Lothingland ward to the south.

Cllr Andy Grant, chairman of the Housing and Neighbourhood committee, said: "With rising energy costs and climate concern being an ever-increasing threat, it is vital we all do everything we can to be energy efficient. 

"These schemes will make a lasting difference by supporting families who otherwise might not be able to afford to invest in improving their homes, saving them money and helping us all look after the planet."