The "Here to Help" scheme has already targeted private homes in 31 of Gwynedd's wards, and soon Gwynedd Council, in partnership with British Gas, will be offering the 'Here to Help' scheme to private sector households in the Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Tudweiliog, Llanbedrog ac Efailnewydd and Buan areas.
Information sessions will be held at locations throughout the area on Thursday, 11 September and Friday, 12 September where residents can see an exhibition of information, as well as discussing the project with officers from Gwynedd Council and British Gas. Surveyors from the appointed installer, Hillserve Insulation will also be on hand to arrange appointments to carry out surveys.
Councillor John Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council's Senior Portfolio Leader for Care said:
"The Here to Help project underlines the Council's commitment to reducing the number of homes that suffer from fuel poverty. We are proud to be able to support this innovative initiative which has already given thousands of homeowners the opportunity to check their home's energy efficiency and reducing the money they spend on their fuel bills.
"I would urge anyone who lives in these Pen Llŷn communities who own their own house to go along to the open information sessions to learn more about what's on offer, and hope that a number of them can make the most of the scheme."
The information sessions will be held at:
Thursday, 11 September
- Aberdaron 10.30am - 12.30pm: Aberdaron Sailing Club
- Botwnnog 3pm - 5pm: Capel Rhydbach Vestry, Botwnnog
Friday, 12 September
- Tudweiliog 9.30am - 11am: Y Ganolfan, Tudweiliog
- Llanbedrog 12pm - 1.30pm: Village Hall, Llanbedrog
- Efailnewydd / Buan 2.15pm - 3.30pm: Pwllheli Sports Club, Parc Bodegroes, Efailnewydd
The "Here to Help" scheme - jointly funded by Gwynedd Council and British Gas - costs nothing to participating households, provided that they live permanently within the targeted wards. The scheme aims to help reduce the number of residents who live in 'fuel poverty' - homes where more than 10% of household income is spent on energy.
Householders who take part in the project don't have to be British Gas customers, or even have gas in the household to qualify. Every private sector household in the selected area will receive a letter from British Gas, inviting them to take part. The householders will then be contacted with a survey appointment by the company appointed to undertake the work, Hillserve Insulation.
Households that qualify for free energy efficiency measures will be eligible for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and hot water tank jackets, funded by Gwynedd Council and British Gas. The scheme will be extended to the Dewi and Deiniol wards in Bangor around December.
Anita Jones, Business Development Management for Hillserve Insulation added:
"We are delighted that Gwynedd Council wants to work with us again to fight household fuel poverty. 'Here to Help' is unique because it brings together private, public and voluntary sectors and we are sure it will bring many benefits to households in the Gwynedd area."
