The Environmental Stewardship project, part-funded by the EU Interreg funding stream, is bringing local authorities from south-east England and northern France together, to share ways of making life in public-sector buildings more efficient and environmentally friendly. As a result of our involvement in the project, Medway Council, in conjunction with Creative Environmental Networks (CEN) is pleased to be able to offer some valuable advice to voluntary and community sector organisations in Medway.

We are offering all readers the chance to take part in a free telephone survey, which will provide you with detailed site-specific information which will help you to save energy and save money. This will be followed up with a detailed written report.

In addition, we are able to offer a limited number of organisations a more detailed energy and water survey, to be carried out at your premises at a convenient time. The surveys will look at various aspects of energy and water usage in each building, and will result in a written report that highlights a number of priority measures that could be carried out to improve environmental performance and reduce running costs. These will typically range from simple no-cost behavioural issues, such as turning off lights and computers, through to measures that will require some material investment.

The buildings to be surveyed in detail will be chosen on the basis of potential savings identified through the initial telephone survey. Please take advantage of this offer by calling 0800 358 6669 and asking for a "Business Sense energy check." Make sure that you have a recent electricity and gas bill handy when you call.

In the meantime, the following tip may be of use to you.

Are you a registered charity in charge of a building ? If so, have a look at a recent electricity bill. Does your bill mention the "climate change levy" ? If the answer is "yes" then you should contact your electricity supplier immediately, because registered charities (who are using energy for non-business purposes) are exempt from the levy and are entitled to a full rebate. While you're speaking to your electricity company, please also make sure that you're paying the correct lower level of VAT for your electricity, another entitlement which is applicable to registered charities. Simple isn't it !

For further information on the EU-funded Environmental Stewardship project, please call Ieuan Edwards, Senior Research and Review Officer at Medway Council, on 01634 331490 or e-mail ieuan.edwards@medway.gov.uk

top