Derby City Council has been named Regional Council of the Year at the East Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards.
The award recognises one council in the region that has shown strong commitment to promoting energy efficiency and supporting its local community. Derby CIty Council was nominated by delivery partner YES Energy Solutions.
Judges considered the scale and impact of the Council’s work, how well it has used national and local energy schemes, the skills within its teams, and the priority given to tackling fuel poverty.
Rising energy prices have placed extra pressure on many households, particularly those already living on low incomes or managing health conditions.
Working with YES Energy Solutions, the Council has combined practical home improvements with independent energy advice and help to access Government funding. The partnership has focused on homes that are costly to heat and on households most likely to be in fuel poverty.
Residents benefited from improvements including solar panels, loft insulation, electric storage heater upgrades and air source heat pumps. These measures are expected to save residents an average of £642.50 a year and reduce carbon emissions by more than 15 tonnes.
Alongside these installations, the Council’s Home Energy Advice Service provided more than 300 households with tailored advice, generating over £15,000 in annual savings and carbon reductions of more than 174 tonnes. The team also provided face-to-face advice at 45 community events across the city.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Public Realm, said:
We understand that behind every cold home is a resident whose health, wellbeing and financial security may be affected by where they live. For us, energy efficiency is about improving lives as well as buildings. By helping residents make their homes warmer and cheaper to run, we are tackling fuel poverty and directly combatting climate change.
This award is welcome recognition of what can be achieved when we work together with partners to build a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable city for everyone.