9 minute read
17 Our Homes
To deliver sustainable housing growth, and pursue energy efficient development to meet the current and emerging needs of all our communities
£4,643,100
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in £150 energy rebate payments distributed so far in the District
We’re working to pay the rebate to eligible households, which are most of those in Council Tax Bands A to D.
Eligible households who don’t pay Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive a letter so they can provide their details to us securely.
There’ll be instructions in this letter on how to do this, via an online portal we’re creating.
Do be wary of any unsolicited or suspicious calls asking for bank details.
As of May 20 almost 31,000 eligible households have been paid theirs, using Direct Debit details from the Council Tax register.
We’ve been working through these as efficiently as we can, including all the checks to ensure each is paid correctly. There’s no need to contact us - we’ll be in touch if we need to.
There will be a discretionary scheme which may help some households who are not eligible.
We’ll share any updates at
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/
energyrebate2022 and our other channels.
Homes for the future at Potterhanworth
Eight new super-energy efficient homes at Potterhanworth are not only complete and close to being let but also scored in the top 1% across the UK in recent tests.
The homes off Moor Lane are built to the internationally-recognised Passivhaus standard, which means they meet an especially high level of energy-saving mainly from reducing air loss.
They have enhanced insulation and draught-proofing among other features, all to prevent air loss and therefore heat.
The houses are also fitted with mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems which extract warm air from kitchens and bathrooms, and using a heat exchanger, use this to heat fresh air brought in.
In recent tests the homes’ air tightness results were in the top 1% in the UK.
All this attention to airflow and heat retention means the homes’ energy demands and fuel bills are incredibly low.
They’ll be let out as Council homes, adding to quality properties across the District which meet needs and ensure futureproofed housing for residents.
For regular Council news, sign up www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/stayconnected
Seventy Council homes have been built in the last year and are now let or close to being let.
Thirty three are complete and soon to be let in Heckington, at Bagworth Way (pictured first). It’s a £4.7m second phase there, built by Lindum Group to the Council’s fabric first standard and also with spurs for EV car charging.
At Grantham Road in Sleaford (pictured second) 12 new homes are also on track to be let.
They’re the first wave of our new CO2-sy Homes Standard of Council homes for affordable rent with an electric vehicle charging point as standard.
Three new homes are now let at Mill Lane in Martin, again built to a high specification, as are four in Digby, eight in Navenby and two in Washingborough.
Then, there’s the Passivhaus homes at Potterhanworth.
All new Council homes going forward are being built to the CO2-sy Homes Standard, and so will meet a zero carbon standard set by the Council.
We’re also preparing to regenerate a former sheltered housing scheme in North Hykeham. Increased investment for the works at Grinter House and Grinter Close of almost £4.6 million, up from £4 million, was recently approved and the number of units revised from 34 to 32 as the Council navigates the current economic climate while prioritising high quality housing.
Our Architectural Design and Investment Manager was pleased to speak with architect, designer and well-known television presenter George Clarke recently, and thank him for his work in promoting social housing and inspired building.
He in return was very complimentary of the Council’s work, including the transformation of Council homes at Newfield Road in Sleaford and the new life breathed into the former Quarrington School on Grantham Road. Thanks George!
Lafford Homes is also bringing forward a number of new homes, and recently marked its 100th.
They are the latest extension of the Council’s arms-length company, to expand availability of market-level rental homes and unlock choice.
A total of 42 new properties at Waddington, a mix of one to four bed properties off Station Road, have been built with 30 let and 12 ready to let soon.
The development includes Lafford’s 100th home (pictured) which has now been let (also pictured above).
Further schemes include 20 homes off Lincoln Road in Metheringham and six in Quarrington, with work underway.
Lafford Homes now has 104 properties in its portfolio – all let – following its first in May 2017.
Sign up for alerts at
developments@laffordhomes. co.uk
Saving energy and money
Households are under increasing pressure from the cost of living, including from rising energy bills. Here’s some of the latest news and advice to help save both energy and money. Every tip comes from a reputable source on the subject.
We’ve secured Government funding to help residents improve the warmth and efficiency of their homes.
With energy bills at an all-time high, this scheme is designed to help residents save money whilst keeping warm and helping tackle climate change.
If you’re eligible, the Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is offering a range of fully-funded energy efficiency upgrades which could be worth up to £25,000 per property.
Depending on the property type, improvements could include insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps and high heat retention electric storage heaters.
Both homeowners and private renting tenants are able to apply, however landlords must contribute one third of the total costs. Homeowners won’t have to pay.
The Council is working with energy experts YES Energy Solutions to help residents find out if they qualify for the scheme. Eligibility criteria include: > Residents must have a household income of £30,000 or less (after tax), or receive means-tested benefits; > Properties must be suitable for the measures available in the scheme and have a low energy efficiency rating (EPC E or below). A new Energy
Performance Certificate can be done if needed, at no cost to homeowners.
If you’re interested in the scheme please call YES Energy Solutions on 03309 126 199.
For more advice on rising energy bills see www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/energyhelp
House fixes
Some of these are cheap and cheerful and others more of an investment, but they all save energy. Pick and choose what suits your needs and pocket.
> Draught-proofing is a cheap and simple way of reducing your energy use and enabling you to turn down the thermostat comfortably. From resealing around windows to adding draught excluder strips to doors or draught-proofing your chimney, the Energy Saving
Trust has detailed guides at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
> Insulation is a top way of saving on energy; if you can afford the investment it will pay dividends.
Check with your energy provider to see if they will fund loft or cavity wall insulation. Simple
Energy Advice has more advice at www.simpleenergyadvice.
org.uk/grants
> Water saving gadgets for taps and showers help you use less water (great if you’re on a meter) and energy from heating it. See more at www.anglianwater.co.uk/
help-and-advice/save-water/
Energy habits
We used to hear a lot about energy saving habits, but not so much in recent years. Here’s a reminder of some hacks that could trim £s from your bills.
> Shut that (fridge) door! Every second it’s open costs you in energy used to compensate for escaping cold air. Don’t leave it open while you pour the milk or decide what to cook.
Source: Good Housekeeping > Think microwave. Cooking in one is cheaper than any other way, including your oven or hob. You can quickly steam vegetables right through to cooking whole recipes.
Source: www.uswitch.com > It’s not just lights that benefit from being turned off, it’s any appliance. It’s good for safety and extending the life of your appliances, and could save around £55 per year. See more at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
> Try the 30 or even 20 degree setting on your washing if your clothes aren’t badly stained, to save around £28 per year.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
Reach out
There is help available in various forms, from energy providers to our own support as a Council.
> The Government is encouraging people to find out if they’re eligible for benefits or reliefs. Childcare vouchers, pension credits, Warm
Homes Discount and others are available – see www.gov.uk/
benefits-calculators
> There’s also a calculator on other support at www.n-kesteven.
gov.uk/residents
> Contact your energy and utility suppliers to see what they offer. Anglian Water offers support for those finding it difficult to pay water bills. See www.
anglianwater.co.uk/watercare
> You can also seek support at: The Big Energy Saving Network in Lincolnshire on 01529 301962.
Simple Energy Advice at www. simpleenergyadvice.org.uk or 0800 444 202. National Energy Action at www.nea.org.uk or 0800 304 7159 10am-noon, Monday to
Friday. Citizen’s Advice at www. camidlincs.org.uk or call 0808 278 7942.
If you are a tenant living in private rented accommodation in North Kesteven, it is the responsibility of your landlord to ensure that your property meets the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations.
This requires your landlord to maintain the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at a rating of ‘E’ or above.
If your landlord is letting out a property that has an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’, this may be an offense, and the Council can use enforcement powers in these situations to ensure that the property is improved to a rating of ‘E’ or above.
If you believe that you are living in a property that does not meet these energy efficiency standards, and has an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’ please get in contact with us and let us know.
You can report issues with your tenancy through the report form on our website - visit n-kesteven. gov.uk and head to ‘Tenants - your rights and responsibilities’.
Landlords can also find advice on complying with the law and regulations on our website, or contact our private sector housing team for guidance.
North Kesteven has topped the tables for smart meter installations, having more of these energy and carbon saving devices in households than anywhere else in the UK.
Residents have taken up the technology faster and more extensively than anywhere else, being the first area to reach more than 60% coverage – more than three out of five homes.
It follows the 20 millionth smart meter recently connected to the national network.
These meters reduce CO2 emissions by 580,000 tonnes per year across the network.
Unsure if you want one? There’s more information at www.
