Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted that 26 local installation companies have signed up to be part of its Affordable Warmth Scheme to carry out energy efficiency and heating system works in eligible homes.

These companies were represented at the Council’s recent information seminar on this scheme being delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and the Department for Social Development.  It offers a package of energy efficiency and heating measures tailored to eligible households.
Representatives of each partner organisation spoke at the information event detailing the Scheme to date and the process for registered installers.

The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, speaking at the event said: “This scheme is aimed at targeting those in the Council area who are deemed to be living in fuel poverty.  The Council is delighted to be managing the Scheme as it has a duty to improve the health and well-being for all our residents and this scheme can help us meet this aim.”

The Council to date has been submitted 650 surveys to the NIHE and has 200 plus approvals pending.  The monetary spend of energy improvements in the area to date is £495,000.
Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee added: “I am delighted that there has been significant interest from local companies in being part of the Scheme, which the Council hopes will last three to five years.  The investment by central government in improving our housing stock and in turn reducing the fuel poverty figures in the area is significant and much appreciated by the Council on behalf of its residents.
“It is an added bonus that local companies will benefit from being a registered installer on the scheme as this will hopefully improve the local employment figures and economy.  Should a householder not be eligible for this scheme then the Council Officers will advise of any appropriate energy savings and grant assistance programmes as the Council is mindful of the reduced disposable incomes as the Northern Ireland economy slowly recovers.”

If you are a householder and would like some further information on the Scheme, please contact the Council’s Affordable Warmth Team on 028 9244 7557.

Speakers at the Affordable Warmth Information Seminar recently held in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (l-r): Conor Bell, NIHE Small Grants Manager; Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council's Development Committee; the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett; Colin Duff, Head of Service Building Control and Michele Bell, Department for Social Development.