Council switched on to savings

OLDHAM Council has been praised for achieving a 32 per cent improvement in energy efficiency since 1996.

The figures are the largest improvement in the North-West and well above the required standard. The average stands at 20 per cent.

The results have been welcomed by Oldham Euro-MP Chris Davies, but he said many other councils need to catch up.

The Liberal Democrat Euro-MP said: “The Government should speed up the pace by offering significant financial rewards to those councils that meet the standard ahead of schedule.

“Increasing energy efficiency in domestic homes is one of the most effective ways of tackling climate change and reducing energy demand.

“There are currently very few incentives for councils to take a lead in promoting energy efficiency and those improvements that are being made are usually by individuals without significant encouragement or support from councils.”