Council scheme to help residents insulate park homes
Cornwall Council has joined forces with Community Energy Plus (CEP) to help park home owners to save money on their fuel bills and stay warm.
As park homes can be inefficient at retaining heat and are usually excluded from government schemes which provide free or discounted insulation, the Council and CEP will help residents fund insulation and energy saving measures.
The Council’s Green Cornwall Programme has put £500,000 towards the scheme to part fund external wall, roof and floor insulation. Residents wanting to take advantage of the scheme will be offered a grant to cover up to 50% of the costs, and access to an interest free loan to cover the rest.
“Park homes often have the lowest energy efficiency ratings, and insulating them can significantly improve living conditions and increase the lifespan of the home,” Nicola McCheyne, Project Delivery Team Manager for Community Energy Plus. “With the majority of residents being over 65, it is especially important that they are able to have an adequately heated home.”
“This is a real step forward which I heartily applaud,” said Councillor Derris Watson, Chair of the Council’s Housing Task Group. “The scheme contributes to the aims of the Council’s Housing Investment Plan by assisting vulnerable groups who are not currently eligible for Government funding in the same way that those living in bricks and mortar homes are.”
An initial pilot of the scheme will see external wall insulation and energy saving measures fitted in 10 park homes. Measures include external cladding, roof and floor insulation and, where required, windows and doors will be upgraded to Upvc units. Research has shown insulating a park home can cut combined heating and electricity costs by around 30% to 40%.
“Excessively cold living conditions are directly linked to respiratory and coronary illnesses, and increased accidents within the home caused by mobility impairment,” said Stuart Kenney, Cornwall Council’s Private Sector Housing Manager. “Providing a warm environment in park homes benefits the wider society by reducing the costs to the NHS by a decline in cold weather related GP appointments and hospital admissions.
“Reducing the cost of heating a park home will also help cut the number of households in
“I am pleased that the Council, and Community Energy Plus, have been able to step in to offer this support to park home residents,” said Councillor Mark Kaczmarek, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Housing and Planning. “Improving home insulation will make a real difference not only to fuel bills, but also the property’s ability to retain heat.”
For more information or to register for the insulation scheme contact Community Energy Plus on 0800 954 1956 or advice@cep.org.uk
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Thursday, 31 January 2013
Council Scheme to hep rsidents to insulate park home
Council support for the CAB
Good to see the council supporting the CAB
Dear Member
As you are aware there have been reports in the news about CAB funding, please see below the Council’s position:
Funding for CAB Cornwall
Cornwall Council recognises that the Citizen’s Advice Bureau is a trusted and much valued resource which offers free, independent, confidential and impartial informed advice to those who need it. Its importance in Cornwall
CAB Cornwall has received funding from Cornwall Council since April 2009 to deliver information, advice and advocacy services to communities in Cornwall
In 2012/13 Cornwall Council provided CAB Cornwall with £406,000 for this purpose and the Council will, despite the very difficult economic climate, be giving CAB the same amount in 2013/14 plus an extra £150,000 to help deliver their valuable services to some of our most vulnerable communities who will potentially be affected by the national welfare benefit reforms.
Sue Swift the Chair of Trustees for CAB Cornwall said: “We are really pleased to receive this additional funding from Cornwall Council to help us maintain our services at the same standard, but it will require us to reorganise how we deliver our services.”
Carolyn Rule
Monday, 28 January 2013
Thank You George
It's not often enough that councillors say a simple thank you to other councillors for their hard work and showing a little respect goes a long way. In the past I thought that this simple gesture would at least put some humanity into what has become a very highly charged political Cornwall Council. Ten years ago when I first became a councillor the councillors seemed different respect was the order of the day and people worked together for the good of Cornwall. The administration back then was a coalition of all the groups lead by John Lobb a gentleman and who worked with all for the good of all, something that would not happen today. In the last council that. Changed with one party having the majority which brought about our unitary authority a bad decision (a blog about that later) from a failing council. In the last four years I have seen little willingness to contribute to the good for all and politics rule the faceless world of the council, twitter and blog don't have to tell the truth. Perhaps a little more respect would not be missed in the political world of Cornwall.
Now back to the job in hand, can I say a personal thank you to George Trubody for his hard work as the councilors for Rame. I know this will have been a difficult decision for you and your family but you should be proud of you achievements over the last four years. Thank you and I wish you well for the future
Now back to the job in hand, can I say a personal thank you to George Trubody for his hard work as the councilors for Rame. I know this will have been a difficult decision for you and your family but you should be proud of you achievements over the last four years. Thank you and I wish you well for the future
Friday, 25 January 2013
Just one planning application this week
Dear All, Just the one application this week as always comments to 01503 264823 or atoms@cornwall.gov.uk Thanks Armand
Looe
Barbican Sports Field Barbican Road East Looe Cornwall
Proposed 2.4m high security fence - Mr Bill Horsfield -
PA13/00268 (Case Officer - Jonathan Luker)
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Road Works information
Location: Castle Street, East
Timing: 25th February to 22nd March 2013 (24 hours weekends included)
Reason: Sewer repair works
Contact: South West Water – Tel: 0800 1691144
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 S.14: Temporary Prohibition of Traffic
Location: East Cliff, East Looe
Timing: 25th February to 22nd March 2013 (24 hours)
Reason: Sewer repair works
Contact: South West Water, Tel: 0800 1691144
Public Conveniences - East Looe Sea front
Dear All, Recieved the e mail below regarding the refurbishment of the Seafront public conveniences, East Looe starting soon, please let me know your thoughts etc. Cantact as uaual 01503 264823 or atoms@cornwall.gov.uk Thanks Armand
Works are commencing on the sea front public conveniences in Looe on the 28th January 2013 and are due for completion on the 18th February 2013 – duration 3 weeks.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Robert Stead
Environmental Engineer
Environment Services
Cornwall Council
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Progress report on St Martins Road and Sandplace Road works
Progress report on St Martins Road and Sandplace Road works
Progress update - 15 January 2013
St Martins Hill Looe
Slope failure
Programme of works
Lower section of failed slope Higher section showing
signs of imminent failure
CORMAC
Solutions Ltd and CORMAC
Contracting Ltd, Head Office, Castle Canyke Road,
Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1DZ
Tel: 0300 1234 222
Email: customerrelations@cormacltd.co.uk
www.cornwall.gov.uk/cormac
32351 01/13
Post Christmas works
2 January to 4 February
•
Rock anchoring higher section
•
Relocation of WPD pole and overhead line to lower slip area
•
Excavation of lower slip and adjacent substandard wall (towards
junction area)
•
Rock anchoring lower slip failure
•
Spray concreting lower slip failure
4 February to 4 March
•
Micro piling in carriageway from higher section to lower slip area
•
Foundation for stone walling to lower section
•
Stonework to lower section
4 March to 28 March
•
Finish stonework
•
Kerbing
•
Resurface St Martins nearside carriageway
If you wish to report a problem please telephone our highways staff
who will be able to deal with your enquiry on 0300 1234 222.
Following a significant failure of the embankment
approximately 20 metres from the junction of
St Martins Hill and Sandplace Road that
undermined sections of the carriageway, Cornwall
Council took the decision to close Sandplace
Road and operate traffic lights on St Martins Hill.
Higher Section of St Martins Hill (Stage 1)
A series of micro piles will be installed in the affected area that will provide
permanent stability to the affected ground.
Higher Section of St Martins Hill (Stage 2)
Tension Crack
Micro
Rock
Soil
Remove any
loose surface
Parapet
Higher Section of St Martins Hill (Stage 1)
Work carried out to date
The tree and vegetation clearance of the entire embankment
area was completed at the beginning of January and the first
coat of spray concrete applied to the lower slip area.
During January will see the spray concreting process continue
with further coats being applied with steel mesh to form a
robust concrete repair system. Once this is completed and
adequately cured, we hope to be able to start soil nailing the
lower slip area, weather permitting.
The post Christmas works have continued with the micro piling downhill
from the upper section (20no).
Western Power Distribution completed the overhead electric cable and
pole diversion works.
The lower slip area and adjacent failing wall was also trimmed/excavated
in preparation for spray concreting, and the recent slip over Christmas
was cleared from Sandplace Road.
Our designers are working on a design solution for the upper
slip area which has been complicated by the recent additional
landslip which has undermined the concrete edge beam
along St Martins Hill.
We will be carrying out further inspections of the cracking
along Sandplace Road this week to assess what further works
are required.
At present all the works are on programme as initially advised.
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