On the Road with the Energy Bus

Advice on home improvements to make you more comfortable, and save you money

North Norfolk District Council is taking to the road to tell people across the District how they can improve their homes.

Officers from the Private Sector Housing Team will take in five venues in a week-long tour in the Energy Bus, giving advice to North Norfolk people about how they can improve household energy efficiency, get financial help for repairs, making disability adaptations, and much more.

NNDC has been given new freedom by the Government to give grants for home improvements in the ways it feels are most important. NNDC's priorities are to bring homes up to the same Decent Homes Standard that public sector accommodation must meet, and to help disabled people be more mobile around their homes.

The Council's new Home Renewal Policy has created a single grant fund for people on low incomes who want to get their homes secure, warm and weather-tight, in a reasonable state of repair and with modern facilities and services, so they are fit to live in. Grants of up to £25,000 are available.

The Council also offers Disabled Facilities Grants to help meet the cost of adapting homes with, for example, ramps and widened doorways for wheelchair access, handrails and stairlifts, downstairs bathrooms, and easy-access heating and lighting controls. Again, the maximum grant is £25,000.

The specific criteria for these grants will be available form officers on the Energy Bus, or by visiting www.northnorfolk.org/housing and clicking on the link for "Private Sector Housing". Officers on the tour will also be able to advise on installing energy-saving measures like better insulation, to improve comfort and save money.

The Energy bus will be at:

• Holt, Station car park, Monday 11 September 9.30am-4pm
• Stalham, Station car park, Tuesday 12 September 9.30am-4pm
• Fakenham, Bridge Street car park, Wednesday 13 September 9.30am-4pm
• North Walsham, Vicarage Road car park, Thursday 14 September 9.30am-4pm
• Wells, Stearmans Yard car park, Friday 15 September 9.30am-4pm

For more information, contact Jon Bonham, Private Sector Housing Team Leader, on 01263 516224 or 07748 641739.

ENDS