Local News Archive

Lib Dems get smart to reduce local people's energy bills in Council Budget

With all eyes this week on Thursday's council budget meeting, Liberal Democrats want to see Brighton and Hove City Council introduce a new service that will allow local residents to monitor how much energy they are using and receive tips on how to reduce energy bills.

As part of their budget proposal for the next financial year the Lib Dems want to see 'Smart Meters' introduced into libraries for local people to loan out, similar to a successful scheme already operating in Lib Dem run York and Sheffield councils. The scheme will cost taxpayers just £16,000 over four years.

A 'Smart Meter' enables people to measure how much energy they are using at home and pin point how they can make significant savings.

Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Paul Elgood, has first hand experience of how useful the tool can be after using a 'Smart Meter' at home, he said: -

"I've been surprised at the level of energy some applications use at home, but without this tool I wouldn't have known. By using a Smart Meter we have been able to reduce energy bills relatively easily and I'm sure that many families across Brighton & Hove will be able to do the same.

"Making Smart Meters available at local libraries will offer a really useful new tool for local people to save money and reduce carbon emissions, therefore contributing to our target of reducing Brighton and Hove's carbon footprint.

"At a time when local people are facing severe financial pressure, Liberal Democrats on the Council are doing what we can to help. This initiative has the potential to help residents save hundreds of pounds each, so I hope it receives cross party support at our Council meeting."

In Sheffield the units were loaned for 3 week periods, and they have 450 units. In June 126 were loaned, July 164, Aug 118, Sept 123, Oct 176, Nov (Relaunch) 329, Dec 315 and Jan 415

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