The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
- Government announces Β£67 million to install insulation and clean heating β The Government has announced Β£67m as part of its Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme which will be distributed to local authorities. This first instalment of the scheme will focus on improving 4,300 low-income, off-gas grid households who are reliant on bottled gas and oil to heat their homes.
The grants will pay for energy efficiency measures such as wall and roof insulation, as well as new low-carbon heating systems, thermostats and room heating controls.
We know that some members will be managing properties of this nature and would benefit from support in improving the energy efficiency of these dwellings to save on energy bills and to provide more comfortable homes for residents. Currently, the fund has been allocated to certain local authorities, including:
- Blackpool Council
- Bristol Council
- Ealing London Borough
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Sedgemoor Council
- Tees Valley Combined Authority
- Three Rivers District Council
- West of England Combined Authority
- York Council
- Castlepoint Central Bedfordshire
- Great Yarmouth
- Hartlepool
- Leicester City
- Plymouth Council
- Redbridge London Borough
- Sevenoaks Council
- Sheffield City Council
- South Derbyshire
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
- Warwick
If your charity operates in one of these local authorities, we suggest that you contact the council to discuss whether you may be able to receive support from the HUG scheme. Further information can be found here.
- Government Support for Electric Vehicle Charging Points β The Almshouse Association has held discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) regarding a scheme to support the installation of Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging points.
The Department currently offers the Workplace Charging Scheme which contributes Β£350 per socket towards the installation of EV charging points for charities. Previously this could only be used for installing sockets for staff, but following our discussions, it would be acceptable to use this grant towards installation of sockets for residents. Guidance on the scheme can be found here.
CORONAVIRUS
The Almshouse Association continues to monitor developments with Coronavirus and will provide further updates when necessary. As of Thursday February 24th, all remaining Covid restrictions have largely been removed. It is still recommended that you isolate at home if you test positive. Government guidance can be found by clicking on the links below:
RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:
Posted 28 February 2022