Sutton Scene - Deputy Leader of the Council Column 04/09/2020

I know that many Sutton businesses and trades have struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the necessary lockdown. The Council has been working hard to support local trades through the crisis and help them back through the economic recovery. I also know there have been many calls for a green economic recovery, which we at Sutton Council very much support.

The Council is therefore encouraging local builders, plumbers, insulation fitters and other trades to get themselves accredited so they can deliver energy-efficient home improvements under a new government Green Homes Grant Scheme.

This Green Homes Grant Scheme will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of private household improvements that increase the energy-efficiency of their home. Such works include insulation of walls, floors and roofs, installation of low-carbon heating such as heat pumps or solar-thermal measures, as well as double or triple-glazing and upgrading to energy-efficient doors and heating controls.

Once the government scheme is launched at the end of September, it has the potential to be a new income stream for local tradespeople if they are accredited to deliver works under the scheme - and hopefully create more local jobs if there is significant local uptake.

The Council will be promoting the Green Homes Grant Scheme to householders too so they can take advantage of low-cost home improvements that will reduce their energy consumption and therefore their bills.

Inefficient energy consumption in the home is one of the biggest contributors to global warming, so reducing the amount of energy we use will make a significant difference. I would love to see a big local take-up of the grant scheme so we can move closer to our goal of being a sustainable borough, as well as creating new jobs and helping local businesses.

Look out for more information online and on the Council’s social media channels about the Green Grants Scheme and help our borough be part of the ‘green recovery’.