Councillors support energy audits for community buildings (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Councillors support energy audits for community buildings

March 17, 2010 12:00 AM

A £500 MICE donation will be used to support the continuing work of SURE - SUstainable and REnewable Energy in Wharfedale.

SURE is a well established community group working in Otley and Lower Wharfedale. They encourage local residents and businesses to save money on their fuel bills by moving towards a lower energy, lower carbon lifestyle. The group are currently working in the community holding open meetings and seminars about how to reduce the amount of energy used in the home. These meetings are being held at Otley Courthouse throughout the year.

The money will be used to pay for four new energy monitoring devices, a projector and printing to provide free energy audits for community buildings. The audits last for about two hours. Specialists examine previous years' fuel bills, produce a report and make a presentation to the managers of the building. Managers can then use the findings to make their buildings more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Cllr Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said:

"SURE is a successful and expanding organisation and have some fantastic plans to provide help and advice to local community groups. I hope the equipment they buy will help them to carry out more of these audits and educate people on how to save energy. This project could potentially save charities and community groups thousands of pounds by reducing their fuel bills."