The Co-operative Party and SERA have set out their plans for Britain to develop a ‘Big Six Thousand’ of community-owned energy suppliers to challenge the dominance of the ‘Big Six’ in the energy market, providing a fairer deal for consumers and reducing their carbon footprint.
It sets out plans for the creation of a national community-owned renewable energy fund, community feed-in tariffs and renewable heat incentives as well as allowing community-owned energy groups to be able to supply energy direct to residents for the very first time.
13 members of Transition New Mills and some members of Sustainable Hayfield attended a Widening Horizons Workshop in November. The aim was to envision what New Mills and the Sett Valley would look like in a sustainable future using a process called ‘backcasting’. The group started with the future as they would like to see it in 10 years and worked out how they might get there. Idea include sustainable bio-diverse woodlands with fruit and nuts, bananas growing locally in greenhouses, and more than 3000 homes generating solar electricity.
More information: http://transitionnewmills.org
South Derbyshire District Council are looking to re-launch the Community Partnership Scheme. The intention is to provide capital grants to community groups, sports organisations, voluntary organisations, church groups, parish councils. The scheme will offer grants between £1,000 and £25,000. Project supported will include the refurbishment of existing community buildings.
For more information please contact Ian Hey, Community Partnership Officer on 01283 228741
ian.hey@south-derbys.gov.uk
The Derbyshire Eco Centre has recently installed a new set of display boards about Climate Change. The six boards explore what climate change is, how it could affect us, how we can tackle it, and how local community groups, businesses, councils and individuals already are.
Nottinghamshire County Council has lots of information online to help you keep warm in your home this winter, including energy efficiency advice.
Visit the website for more information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/caring/keep-warm/