Free central heating for homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Sounds too good to be true but that’s what Cornwall Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly and Scottish and Southern Electric (SSE) are offering some households.

Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly secured central government funding of £1.3m to be spent installing brand new central heating in homes that need it, but the offer is only valid until 29 February 2016.

On a league table of poor housing conditions, including those with very bad cold and damp, the islands come top and Cornwall weighs in at number three. Cold and damp cause a whole host of health and wellbeing problems. People in such homes just don’t work as well. They struggle to go about their normal lives and they can become socially isolated. Who wants to invite friends round to a freezing cold house?

The Central Heating Fund is all about fixing this. We just need owners, landlords and private tenants to get in touch. Of course there are certain qualifications to be met but we have tried to keep that red tape as simple as possible.

Recipients must be in properties with an energy rating of band G and must be in danger of fuel poverty. This must also be the first time that central heating has been fitted. That’s it; we have tried to keep it as simple as possible for those who are shivering most.

Caroline Court, Interim Director of Public Health for Cornwall Council and the Council for the Isles of Scilly said: “We’re really pleased to be able to use this funding to make a difference to people’s lives. This will allow us to bring homes up to date, and help end fuel poverty for the successful recipients.”

To find out more about the scheme, how it works and whether you may be eligible, please call Bev Wilson at Inclusion Cornwall on 01872 355008 or visit the website below to read the full eligibility criteria.

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health-cornwall...

Publishing date: 
Thursday, 11 February, 2016