Sustainable Warmth

West Oxfordshire District Council has been allocated £1,067,000 funding to support the new Government-backed Sustainable Warmth scheme, which will be used to upgrade local homes with modifications that will boost energy performance, increase their comfort and lessen the impact of rising household energy bills. Low-income households can now apply for free funding to install a range of energy-saving improvements to reduce energy usage, make their homes warmer and healthier, and keep energy costs under control.

Eligible households must meet the following criteria:

·         The house must be privately owned or privately rented with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Some D rated properties may also be considered.

And

·         The household must have an annual household income – including any benefits of under £30,000 (before tax and deductions) or under £20,000 (after rent or mortgage costs have been deducted.

The number of children in the household will also be considered and any recent loss of income.

The Sustainable Warmth funding is available for homes on or off mains gas. The level of grants available are:

Owner occupied properties

For eligible households on mains gas, grants are available of up to £10,000.

For homes not connected to mains gas, the grant is on a sliding scale from £10,000 to £25,000.

Privately rented sector

To qualify, tenants must meet the income eligibility and the landlord will need to contribute a minimum of one third towards the cost of the upgrades

For privately rented properties connected to mains gas, the grant is up to £5,000. For properties not connected to mains gas, the grant is on a sliding scale, from £10,000 to £16,666. If costs exceed the maximum grant available, additional investment by the landlord is required.

The Sustainable Warmth grants will fund the following energy efficiency improvements:

·         Improvements to insulation (loft, cavity and wall) and ventilation

·         Upgrades to a low-carbon heating system, for example replacing a gas or oil boiler with an air source heat pump (the new heating system cannot include a gas or oil boiler)

·         Heating controls

·         Solar PV to generate electricity

·         Energy efficient lighting

Approved installers are used. Homeowners do not have to contribute to any costs or pay back the grant afterwards.

City Energy is administering the scheme on behalf of WODC. Grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are made online via City Energy’s website www.oxfordshire-applications.co.uk or by calling 02921 680951. Please also see the Sustainable Warmth webpage on the West Oxfordshire District Council website.

District Councillor Harry St John will be holding surgeries in the Committee Room of North Leigh Memorial Hall on the following dates:

2022

Friday, 2nd December: 12 to 1pm 

2023

Friday, 6th January: 12 to 1pm

Friday, 17th February:  12 to 1pm

Friday, 17th March: 12 to 1pm

Friday, 14th April: 12 to 1 pm

Friday, 12th May: 12 to 1pm.

The cost of living crisis affects all of us across society as the prices of everyday essentials are rising. West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) understands that many across West Oxfordshire are struggling to make ends meet.

WODC has created a booklet with information on support. To view the booklet, click here.

There is also much information on the WODC website – Help if you’re struggling with living costs – West Oxfordshire District Council (westoxon.gov.uk)

It has been announced that Monday 19 September will be a national Bank Holiday. The District
Council will be pausing services as usual on this day. This includes:
 Waste collection services will be running one day behind all of next week so collections
on Friday 23 September will be on Saturday 24 September. Information is available on

our website (https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/check-your-collection-
day/)

 All other council services, including customer services, will be paused on the day of the
Bank Holiday apart from the normal emergency services we provide

Residents invited to share big issues and priorities ahead of budget setting process

People in Oxfordshire are being invited to talk to and ask questions of a panel of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet about the big issues that matter most to them as part of a series of Oxfordshire Conversations events this September.

Seven events will take place, two online and five in locations across the county, bringing together residents and councillors to talk about local and countywide concerns. The county council will also share the financial challenges it is facing seeking views on priorities ahead of the budget setting process for 2023/24.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Oxfordshire Conversations demonstrate our ongoing commitment to playing our part in a vibrant and participatory local democracy by listening to residents in a more active and inclusive way.

“Primarily, we want to talk to residents about the big issues that matter to them and their communities. We also want to checkthat the priorities we set last year as part of our new strategic plan still align with those of our residents, as part of the process of setting a new budget for next year. We are all facing new and significant financial pressures as a result of the cost of living crisis, and we want to hear from residents about their experiences. We’ll also be sharing what that means for us as a council and the challenge of delivering services under these circumstances.”

The following events are taking place:

• Monday 12 September, 11am – 12.30pm, online (Microsoft Teams) 
• Monday 12 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, Abingdon, Guildhall
• Wednesday 14 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, Witney, High Street Methodist Church
• Thursday 15 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, Oxford, Old Fire Station
• Monday 19 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, Banbury, The Mill Arts Centre
• Wednesday 21 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, online (Microsoft Teams) 
• Thursday 22 September, 7pm – 8.30pm, Didcot, Cornerstone Arts Centre

The events are open to all but residents will need to register by visiting oxfordshire.gov.uk/conversations.

Residents that would like to ask a question are asked to submit it in advance as part of registering to attend an event or they can email consultations@oxfordshire.gov.uk. This will help to ensure a range of topics from residents get heard. There will be additional opportunities to ask questions during the event itself. Residents are also invited to come along and just listen.

Councillor Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, added: “We know that households across our county are facing huge financial challenges this autumn. Rising prices make this a cost of living emergency. The county council is also facing major budget pressures. We are committed to providing support to the most vulnerable people in our communities but, as the cost of doing this rises and our funding fails to keep pace, we face tough choices.

“Significant increases in inflation, the increases in energy, fuel and material costs, staff shortages are driving up costs and a shortfall in government funding are leading to a predicted funding shortfall of over £30 million next year. Other pressures include the growing nationwide costs of supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and the financial impact of implementing the government’s adult social care reforms.

“We are committed to the responsible management of the council’s finances and are planning ahead carefully to meet current and future financial challenges. We are at an early stage of our budget setting process so we are keen to listen to what services local people value most and their priorities, and for these views to help shape our budget proposals. The Oxfordshire Conversations are a great way to start this discussion.”

Following a recent change in political administration, the District Council is updating both its Local Plan and Council Plan. We are seeking the views of local residents, organisations and businesses on the areas we should focus on within these plans. This early engagement will help to ensure that they address the most important and relevant issues for West Oxfordshire.

For more information and to take part, please visit: yourvoicecounts.commonplace.is 

The hot weather has brought an increase in individuals lighting fires on grass areas across South & Vale. North Leigh Common in particular is extremely dry.

We would like to remind the public that these fires can cause damage & harm to those nearby & offer the following safety advice:

• Help stop fires from starting by never lighting open fires in the countryside
• Only use BBQ’s in safe, designated areas when in the countryside & don’t leave them unattended. Make sure they are fully extinguished & cold before disposal
• Don’t light fires in close proximity to trees, bushes, livestock or property as the fire is more likely to spread should it get out of control
• Extinguish cigarettes properly & don’t throw the end on the ground or throw them out car windows
• Take rubbish, bottles & glasses with you when leaving the countryside as sunlight shining through glass can start fires

If you see a fire make sure you are out of immediate danger & report the fire immediately by calling 999