Cllr Keith Horgan recently attended the Energy Efficiency Association Public Sector conference held at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London. He was invited there by the EEA to speak on their panel on behalf of ECDC. More information on this event is available via the EEA website (https://energyefficiencyassociation.co.uk/events/13vv).
The conference purpose was to create the opportunity for communication, collaboration and honest discussion about the energy efficiency challenges facing the public sector and where the skills and training sector stands in addressing the needs of industry so as to get ready to meet the needs of the government’s recently announced Warm Homes plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-plan). The ‘Warm Homes Plan’ sets out how people will be helped to find ways to save money on energy bills and transform ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. The government has committed £15 billion to support this between now and 2030.
It is proposed the Warm Homes money will filter down from central government, through to Local Authorities, who will operate the various schemes allowed under the plan. Typical schemes include elements such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Heat Networks, Low Cost Consumer Loans, Grants for Low Income Families and other measures.
At the EEA event Cllr Horgan was able to speak of the challenges faced by the public sector in delivering energy efficiency measures and give an example of how he and Cllr Mark Goldsack have helped address the Further Education training ‘cold spots’ in East Cambs. Mark and Keith have provided assistance to the Eastern Education Group (part of West Suffolk College) who, with £1.4 million funding provided by the CPCA, were seeking premises in Soham to establish a FE training base that will offer a number of apprenticeship places to 16-25 year olds and thus help address the skills gap. Using our local knowledge we have helped to identify a suitable location, and we expect the training school to open shortly.
