Welcome to the April edition of the Marches Energy Advice (MEA) newsletter. This month see how we're making retrofit more accessible in Derbyshire by offering free home energy surveys, how we'll be continuing to provide energy and decarbonisation support to councils through the LAEP partnership, important changes to EPC ratings for landlords and how we can help, along with where you can watch the People's Emergency Briefing film, commissioned to present the latest evidence about the climate and nature crisis for the Government to take action.
You can also read more about our recent events and what's coming up. Read on to stay informed.
Free home energy surveys in Derbyshire
For anybody living in a heritage property or in a conservation area in Derbyshire - MEA is here to help. Thanks to funding from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Fund, we are offering free home energy surveys and remote consultations with expert retrofit guidance to any householder who does not qualify for other support, such as the Warm Homes Local Grant.
With oil and gas prices so volatile, now’s the time to take trusted independent advice. For any householder worried about fuel bills, wanting to increase energy security, or looking to invest in reducing carbon emissions, MEA is here to support every step of the way. Please help us reach more householders by spreading the word.
Applications are open now through Warmer Derby and Derbyshire on 0800 677 1332.
Local Authority Energy Partnership
We’re very pleased to announce that we will once again be providing energy and decarbonisation communications and outreach support to councils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. MEA has secured the contract for another year through the Local Authority Energy Partnership, to manage the refreshed and expanded Community Climate Action Network website and produce the vibrant monthly newsletter (sign up here!).
It also enables councils that opt in to take advantage of our specialist knowledge to deliver impartial advice on energy-saving, retrofit and renewables direct to the public with our exhibition van and knowledgeable advisors.
We get out to events to meet, present and discuss all things energy-related in the communities across the region. This keeps us rooted in what’s going on locally, and enables us to connect activists with each other, with councils and with wider funding and support.
We’re very grateful to the LAEP, and to all the councils that participate in the partnership, and look forward to making a real impact on carbon emissions and energy efficiency.
EPC C Requirement for Landlords
The government’s latest proposals under the Warm Homes Plan published in January signal a major shift in energy efficiency requirements for rental properties. The headline change is landlords in England and Wales will need their properties to meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (‘MEES’) EPC rating of C by 1st October 2030, unless a valid exemption applies (the main ones being £10,000 spending cap and heritage concerns). This replaces the current minimum ofE. The 2030 deadline applies to both new and existing tenancies.
On top of this, the way EPCs are assessed is changing. A new, tougher assessment framework, the Home Energy Model, will replace the current methodology from 1st October 2029. This will mean that even well insulated homes are unlikely to achieve EPC C, without either a heat pump and/or solar panels and a smart meter.
These are significant changes for the private rental sector. For more details and support get in touch with us.
People’s Emergency Briefing film
This 45 minute film is being screened by community groups all over the country. It was commissioned to present the latest evidence about the climate and nature crisis, and to attempt to build pressure on the Government to take action, starting with a national television screening of the film.
Shropshire Council also has a list of screenings across the county here,
plus see below for dates in Derbyshire:
Derby: Friday, May 15, at 7PM at St Alkmund’s Church, Darley Abbey DE22 1GU - book here.
Wirksworth: Friday, May 1, at 7PM at the Wellspring Church, Wirksworth DE4 4DS. Organised by the Dales Climate Alliance with a post-film discussion with MP John Whitby
Belper: Saturday, May 23, at 1PM at The Ritz Cinema, Belper - book here.
MEA staff from Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and the Black Country recently gathered together for a day’s volunteering at Severn Gorge Countryside Trust. We dismantled an old fence and built from scratch a nice new one. We then erected it alongside one of the paths in Coalbrookdale, at Loamhole Dingle. It was tough work but thoroughly satisfying! We really enjoyed the experience and being able to lend a hand.
Pete and Alex from our Derbyshire team attended the Dronfield Environment Funday in north-east Derbyshire earlier this month. Lots of fun was had with our ‘What uses Watt’ game – the aim being to match devices with their running cost.
Our thanks to LAEP for funding the event and to Dronfield 2gether for their hard work organising it.
Upcoming Events
Join us at our upcoming Energy Advice Drop-ins. No appointment necessary, just come and chat to us about all things energy related - from support with funded home efficiency grants, help with supplier issues, advice on retrofit and renewable energy, tips to reduce energy consumption, ways local organisations can work with us and much more. We hope to see you there!
Herefordshire
Wednesday 29th April, 9.30am - 10.30am Ross Community Garden, Old Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5AA,
Thursday 7th May, 1pm – 2.30pm
Barons Cross Community Hub, Portna Way, Leominster, HR6 9AD
Telford & Wrekin
Live Well Community Hubs
12th May, 1 - 2.30pm at Hadley Community Centre
21st May, 10am - 12pm at Leegomery Community Centre.
Our mailing address is:
Marches Energy Advice, The Pump House, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury, SY1 2DP. United Kingdom
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=MEA%20Newsletter%20Header%20(600%20x%20300%20px).png)
