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Moray Council re-commences Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing insulation in Forres


By Garry McCartney

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Insulation panels.
Insulation panels.

A FREE insulation scheme has restarted for local houses.

The local authority has employed contractor Everwarm to insulate buildings in Forres as part of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) to promote warm, high quality and affordable low carbon homes.

The initial programme entails installing external insulation to 91 council houses across Moray, including 41 addresses in Forres at: Bynack Place; Caroline Street; Cicely Place; Corrour Court; Glenelg Road; Glenmore Place; Grant Drive; Macdonald Drive; Seaforth Place; Leys Road; Tailwell; and Tolbooth Street.

Councillor Aaron McLean outside homes being insulated in Thornhill.
Councillor Aaron McLean outside homes being insulated in Thornhill.

Moray councillor Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP) added that the local authority is looking to add council house addresses to the contract, particularly houses that have poor energy ratings.

He said: “These houses were built in the late 1970s. A number of others in the areas had insulation improved in the last few years. The new harling on top looks good too! The council is aiming to have them all done when budgets become available. This will be worked on over the next few years.”

EESSH will help reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and the emission of greenhouse gases across Scotland. The standard will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030, 90 per cent by 2040 and net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045, in line with the requirements set out in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act.

As part of the Transition Programme for Energy Efficient Scotland, a

£3.5 million Decarbonisation Fund for energy efficiency measures within projects that include decarbonisation activity was made available to social landlords across 2018/19 and 2019/20.

A £3.9 million second round of the fund has also been made available to social landlords across 2019/20 and 2020/21 to help them deliver energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation programmes.

Cllr George Alexander (Forres, Independent) confirmed 20 local houses are currently being insulated over a 12-week period, prioritised by need, at a cost of £200,000.

He said: “Scaffolding will be around the houses for up to six weeks while the installation is completed.

“I’m delighted to see action that reduces the council’s carbon footprint and helps householders in the struggle against fuel poverty.

“The external insulation of houses started more than five years ago and is dependent on government funding.

“When the council has used up its share of one tranche of funding, then work must stop until the government releases another.”

For more information visit www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_132310.html



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