Stirling Council are looking to hear your views in order to shape their vision for community energy priorities going forward.

“I am writing to invite you to Community Energy engagement events that Stirling Council are running in March 2019.  These drop in ‘Community Energy Priorities’ events are being run to find out directly from communities what their priorities are to identify actions we can take together, using local knowledge and focusing on local needs within each community, to bring local community benefits.

There will be information on reducing energy bills; alleviating fuel poverty; grants and support available to vulnerable residents; grants available to residents for energy efficiency measures, e.g. insulation; community energy projects and community funding; as well as sustainable transport, including electric vehicles and electric bikes trial; local food growing; and a range of related topics.

Home Energy Scotland representatives will also be there to offer free, impartial energy advice for all residents.  Home Energy Scotland’s aim is to help people in Scotland create warmer homes and reduce their bills through advice including:

• switching energy suppliers to reduce energy bills
• signposting vulnerable residents to support and grants
• energy saving advice and keeping warm at home
• renewable energy and information on loans, grants and incentives available

Home Energy Scotland are also offering the opportunity for a local resident to win the cash equivalent of an average household energy bill (£1,500).  The winter advice quiz can be completed in a range of ways including by calling Home Energy Scotland free on 0808 808 2282 or online.  The closing date is the end of February for this competition.

Community Energy Priorities events are designed to be informative but also fun and interactive for all ages on a range of topics to enable communities to let us know their priorities and concerns, and to identify local opportunities.  Although drop in events are mainly aimed towards residents and community energy, advice is also available for local businesses.

We believe that a collaborative partnership will enable the identification of opportunities throughout the Council area – with key drivers and community groups identifying needs within their specific communities – and partnership working enabling solutions to be delivered.

I have attached the Community Invitation.  All information will be posted online ahead of events, as well as online surveys for those unable to attend.    I will send on details once these are on our website.  We are also happy to come out and speak to community groups in all areas following the events.

If you have any queries at all regarding these events or any of the topics please don’t hesitate to contact us on this email address.

We look forward to seeing you.”