Environmental improvements in homes
- We will ensure that future council-led housing schemes are low-carbon and we will work with Homes England to deliver our shared priorities around climate change. We will also implement new local policies so that, wherever possible, plans for new builds (council and private developments) include renewable energy, EV charging points and access to a high standard of broadband services.
- We will work with housing providers in West Cheshire to agree shared Climate Emergency goals, including our plan to be a carbon neutral borough by 2045. This will mean a shared set of principles for the development of new homes, and a plan for retrofit existing properties. Wherever possible we will look at working in partnership to secure grants, we will look at opportunities to commission work collectively and we will join up the dots so some tenants can access employment skills and work helping to support this agenda, if they wish to do so.
- We will seek grant funding to support private sector landlords to undertake whole house retrofit and other energy improvements for private rented properties that do not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard.
- We will continue to raise awareness of our Green Doctor scheme, which will include home visits to residents to advise on small measures they can take (such as draught-proofing, radiator backing, LED lights and hot water tank jackets) to reduce energy consumption and to educate people on the impact on air quality for fuels burned in the home.
- We will seek funding to launch community-led insulation projects, including training for resident groups or community groups to undertake projects in their own homes.
