South Staffordshire Fuel Scheme up for National Award

A South Staffordshire scheme which provides practical advice and insulation measures for households living in poverty has been nominated for a national Footprint award.

 

South Staffordshire Council teamed up with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to offer free fire safety and home energy checks to all householders across the region.

The project aims to reduce the number of house fires every year and enable residents to save up to around £300 a year by improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

The project was recently named the West Midlands regional Footprint Award winner and will now go on to compete for the title of National winner in June this year.

An open day held at Wombourne Community Fire Station to promote the scheme attracted people from across the borough as locals were able to meet firemen, chat to energy saving experts, win energy efficient prizes and check how much heat was being lost from their home from an ariel view thermal photograph.

Councillor Mrs Joan Williams (Deputy Leader) Environmental Services at South Staffordshire Council said:

"This project has been hugely successful and I'm delighted that out of all the projects running across the west midlands it is ours that has been chosen for this award.

"We want to do as much as we can to try and keep people safe in their homes and this service is helping householders stay safe and warm in their home as well as saving them money".

After winning the regional Footprint Award of £2000, the South Staffordshire Home Energy Scheme is now through to the national finals with a chance to win a further £3000.

Run by National Energy Action (NEA), the Footprint Award aims to reward organisations who work to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

Anyone who was unable to attend the open day is still entitled to a free fire safety and energy efficiency check. Call the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue on 0800 0241 999.