New energy efficiency grants available in York

A new two-year project to help improve the energy efficiency of the private homes of lower-income households in York is being launched this week by City of York Council.

cavity-wall-insulation-illustration-244136Grants and loans will be available to less well off households towards the cost of cavity wall and loft insulation. A small number of grants are also available to insulate loft extensions and solid walls.

Households with annual incomes below £20,000 per year could receive 100 per cent funding whilst those with annual incomes between £20,000 and £35,000 could receive 75 per cent towards the cost of the improvements.

Qualifying households will be in the five priority wards:

  • Micklegate,
  • Guildhall,
  • Holgate,
  • Clifton and
  • Fishergate.

These have been identified as having higher numbers of poorly-insulated privately rented or owned homes and where households suffer higher rates of fuel poverty.

City of York Council will be working with Willmott Dixon to deliver these energy efficiency measures through the Better Homes Yorkshire framework set up to support the ten local authorities in the Leeds City Region to work together to secure funding and improve properties.

This funding follows the council’s Northern Health and Housing Summit ‘Better Homes, Better Health’ held in York in June this year, when the impact of cold and how to tackle it was a central theme.

Research commissioned by the council from the Building Research Establishment identified that cold homes are associated with a range of poor health outcomes such as respiratory andcirculatory problems, and can exacerbate certain conditions including asthma, diabetes. Recovery following hospital discharge can also take longer and sometimes increases the risk of conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Eligible residents living in the priority wards who need cavity wall or loft insulation should contact the council’s Housing Standards and Adaptations team on 01904 552300 or email housing.standards@york.gov.uk. Residents not living in these wards but who have low incomes with high heating costs may also be eligible for help and should also call 01904 552300.

For help with energy debts or other advice contact Citizens Advice York on 03444 111 444, visit www.yorkcab.org.uk; or contact Age UK York on 01904 627995.
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Domestic abuse can affect anyone

Raising awareness of domestic abuse and helping people to find the information and support they need is the subject of a new campaign in York

Running from 17-21 October, National Safeguarding Week will be supported by City of York and North Yorkshire’s Safeguarding Children and Adults’ Safeguarding Boards together with the council, North Yorkshire Police (NYP), the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

York residents are invited to West Office’s customer services foyer to learn about domestic abuse and support services available in York on Monday 17 October, Wednesday 19 October and Friday 21 October between 11am – 2pm. Information stalls will be opened to help people identify what domestic abuse is, how it can be carried out and where people experiencing it can get expert help and support whether they are adults, children or whole families. Representatives from the council, IDAS, the Vale of York CCG, NYP, York Hospital, Kyra Women’s Project and Board members will give information out to those dropping by.
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Appeal after teenage girl injured in fail to stop collision in Woodthorpe

 Police in York are appealing for witnesses and information after a 17-year-old girl suffered serious injuries when she was hit by a car.

Moorcroft RoadIt happened near the shops on Moorcroft Road at around 4pm on Tuesday 4 October 2016 when a red car collided with the girl, before leaving the scene without stopping.

The victim suffered a sprained ankle and fracture pelvis as a result of the collision.

Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw the car prior to hitting the girl, or who witnessed the actual collision to contact them.

They are also appealing to the driver to come forward and to anyone else who may have information that could help identify the driver, to contact the police.

Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12160183490 when passing on information.