Highland Peer-Peer Climate Network Meeting
Thursday 12/11/15 2015, Highland Council HQ, 10 am – 1 pm
Present:
Stephen Carr – Highland Council
Angela Rigg – Pentland Energy Action
Alan Grant - Home Energy Scotland
Mhairi MacSween – Home Energy Scotland
Russell Gill – Keep Scotland Beautiful
Isobel MacLeod – Melness and Tongue Development Trust
Liz Goudie – North Coast Connection
Andrew Gordon – North Coast Connection
Jo Smith – Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust
Apologies
Charlotte Hatto – Lochaber Environmental Network
Alison O’Rourke – Arisaig Community Trust
Sara Mair-Bellshaw – Arisaig Community Trust
Caroline Vawdrey – Highland Environmental Network
1. Minutes from last meeting – matters arising.
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Mhairi reported that Green Homes week had been successful with 18 visits over the week
Stephen reported that the project to link off-grid renewable installations to EV charging
points in the Highlands is being supported by TBI, the Council and CES. Communities should
be in touch if they would like to be involved in the scheme.
2. Members Updates
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Jo reported that ‘Cosy Homes E. Sutherland’ is a new project installing energy efficiency
measures in homes that are in fuel poverty but that do not qualify for government schemes.
It is in partnership with British Gas and they are heavily subscribed already.
Stephen drew everyone’s attention to the Highland Council’s Carbon Clever Fund – 11
projects funded so far with 5 in the pipeline. There are £40,000 available for projects in
Caithness and Sutherland (none in this areas so far). Money is for smaller scale
infrastructure/capital projects. See
http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1210/environment/321/climate_change/2
http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1210/environment/321/climate_change/3
or contact Stephen for more information.
Home Energy Scotland. Reminder that specialist solid wall insulation and home renewables
visits are available. 50% of households in Highland are in fuel poverty and 69% of
pensioners. Contact Alan to arrange
Fuel Efficient Driving Training is still available free of charge. Contact Alan to arrange?
RES are offering grants up to £5k to improve the energy efficiency of convenience stores
(e.g. glass doors for refrigerated displays, etc.)
http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/convenience-store-resource-efficiency-grant
Mhairi announced that she is leaving HES on the 25th November. One of her responsibilities
was the Green Homes Network – enquiries about this should now go to Alan or Alison Craig.
3. Warmer Homes Scotland
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£225 million over 4-5 years from SG and delivered by ‘Warmworks’ – a non-profit venture
between E.S.T., Changeworks and Everwarm.
Powerpoint presentation being prepared by EST for community groups detailing the scheme
will be circulated soon (by Alan Grant).
Scheme aims to give same level of service to any household wherever it is – 65 day customer
journey.
Community groups can act as 3rd party referrers. This would mean phoning the 0808
number with the householder initial but then asking to become the main contact for that
referral. This would allow you to track referrals and follow up on them independent of the
householder.
Community groups could also assist the scheme by providing ‘enabling measures’ to
householders – e.g. loft clearances, and hatch enlarging.
Helen Grayshan is the communities contact for the scheme and groups should contact her
with questions or suggestions. Telephone: 0131 555 9466; Mobile: 07827 969 588; Email:
Helen.Grayshan@warmworks.co.uk
The scheme will sub-contract to local installers and assessors – any groups who think they
can assist directly or with suggestions should contact Helen.
4. Community Events
Liz asked the network if they had any advice or tips on how to run a successful community event.
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Jo said that Energy events alone weren’t very popular – linking them to food helps (as does
offering free lunch. A recent ‘Winter Warmer’ event was a success – it linked cooking,
financial advice and home energy advice.
We suggested that using the green homes network to do a visit to someone’s home (rather
than use the unfinished refurbished centre) might be a good idea.
(http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/green-homes-network-0)
Alan said that a really successful event in Lairg for them was a get ready for winter event
where folk were getting flu jabs. Linking home energy to health seems like a good plan, and
a letter from the GP also helps.
5. AOB
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Angela said that the BBC (along with EAS) are doing a documentary on fuel poverty and are
looking for anecdotal evidence from people in fuel poverty (in work, out of work,
pensioners, etc.) Contact Angela for more information.
Energy Action Scotland are running ‘Stay Well, Stay Warm’ training aimed at frontline
services (mainly health workers) – a 1 day introduction to fuel poverty. Alan advised that
doing this could mean participants are eligible for free C&G energy awareness training.
Contact Alan or EAS for more info.
6. DONM and Agenda
End of Jan 2016. We would like to focus on funders. Stephen to talk to SSE about their community
fund to be launched soon. Possible update from CCF (with Scot Gov representatives in attendance).
(RG to investigate other funders)
RG to send Doodle Poll.