One stop shop for Uttlesford district residents looking to cut the cost of home heating

WITH fuel prices likely to rise again early in 2012, Uttlesford District Council is keen to support residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable, struggling to pay their bills.

Working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau and local insulation companies, the council’s energy team is providing a one-stop shop for information and advice to help households reduce their utility bills.

One call to the Uttlesford and Braintree Energy Advice Team is all it takes to get up to date advice about home insulation and the cavity wall and loft insulation grants that are now available to home owners and private tenants.

In certain circumstances, these could be carried out free of charge, regardless of household income or age.

Those who heat their homes using oil can also get more information about setting up an oil club – an initiative of the Citizens Advice Bureau to bring down the cost of buying heating oil

Cllr Julie Redfern, the district council’s cabinet member for Housing, said: “We really want to hear from anyone concerned about themselves, relatives or friends, experiencing difficulties paying their fuel bills or worrying about the cost of heating their homes.

With a 30 per cent rise in utility prices since last winter, a growing number of households are experiencing fuel poverty In the Uttlesford district this has risen to 17.7 per cent of the population, or more than 5,300 homes.

This means they have to spend more than 10 per cent of their household income on fuel to keep their home in a ‘satisfactory’ condition.

Contact the Uttlesford and Braintree Energy Advice Team on 01376 552525 or email energyteam@braintree.gov.uk