Following the recent cold snaps and forecasts that more freezing temperatures could be on the way, comes the news of some welcome assistance to households in the district who may be struggling to pay their heating bills or striving to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Late last year Warwick District Council joined neighbours Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby and North Warwickshire Borough Councils by signing up to ‘ECO Flex’. This scheme aims to help more households on a low income out of fuel poverty, including those that may not have previously qualified for help.The initiative is being run in partnership with Act on Energy, an energy conservation charity who provides free advice to householders in Warwickshire, from fuel switching to installing heating and insulation measures.Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Protection, Councillor Andrew Thompson commented;“I am delighted that Warwick District Council is participating in the ECO Flex scheme. Although ECO (Energy Company Obligation) funding is already available to households on means tested benefits, signing up to the ‘flex’ element, will enable us to provide financial assistance to other vulnerable residents not necessarily on benefits such as those on a low income, with a disability or health condition or on a pre-payment meter.”Since signing up to the scheme several applications have already been made for low income households in the district. This has resulted in four homes receiving new energy efficient boilers and one loft insulation across Warwick District council area, plus many more in the rest of the county.

Pictured from left to right signing up to ECO Flex , Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Private Sector Housing Manager, Rob Watson, Warwick District Council’s Chief Executive Chris Elliott and Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Protection, Councillor Andrew Thompson         For more information and to find out if you are eligible for the scheme please call Act on Energy Tel 0800 988 2881 or fill out our contact form.THIS SCHEME HAS ALSO BEEN ROLLED OUT ACROSS STRATFORD DISTRICT, WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY AND SOLIHULL BOROUGH, for any information on any of these call us on 0800 988 2881 or fill out our contact form.