Northumberland County Council has won a prestigious award for its steadfast commitment to supporting vulnerable residents.
The Council has won the Regional Vulnerable Customer Support Organisation of the Year category in the North East Regional Energy Efficiency Awards 2024 for its exceptional community support and sustainable energy upgrades for residents in the county.
Throughout the past year, the Council's innovative initiatives, including Northumberland Communities Together and the Warmer Homes program, have provided invaluable assistance to 2,503 vulnerable customers, helping to drive down energy bills and boost the energy efficiency of their homes.
During the recent cost of living crisis, the Council has introduced measures to tackle fuel poverty and help vulnerable residents in isolated communities receive timely support.
This includes supporting a network of community hubs offering a warm welcome to vulnerable residents, set up by the Northumberland Communities Together Team with a diverse programme of activities such as catering facilities, volunteer assistance, community programs, and support planning.
Alongside this, the Warmer Homes team has also accessed Government grant funding to enable fully funded energy saving measures to be installed within eligible homes, including improved home insulation, ground source heat pumps and solar panels to help residents efficiently heat their homes and adopt sustainable energy provision.
Community Retrofit Advisors have also been appointed by the Council to give energy advice to residents and promote the grant schemes available to them.
Commenting on the award win, Glen Sanderson, Leader at Northumberland County Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change said: “I’m incredibly proud to see the Council being recognised for its unwavering commitment to our most vulnerable residents.
“Tackling inequalities is one of the Council's key aims, and this award is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the effectiveness of our initiatives. In times of crisis, our teams work incredibly hard to ensure that no resident is left behind.
“We remain committed to empowering our residents to foster resilient communities. It's great to see that we are making a positive impact."
Northumberland County Council was also Highly Commended at the Regional Energy Efficiency Awards in the ‘North East Council of the Year’ category.
The Regional Energy Efficiency Awards recognises the innovators and achievements in the energy sector which help to save energy, help the environment, and drive down our energy bills.