A COMMUNITY Chest of £50,000 is returning to Tiverton courtesy of Western Power Distribution.

Community venues can apply for grants of up to £1,000 each, which can be put to use insulating loft spaces, installing energy monitors, insulating windows and doors, fitting effective heating controls and installing low energy lighting.

The WPD grant scheme is designed to help community groups in their network area carry out simple but effective energy saving improvements in their village hall or community building.

Janine Michael, Head of Development at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, said: “We are delighted WPD is operating the scheme for a fourth year.

“Energy efficiency measures – such as insulation and improved heating controls – should be the bread and butter for any carbon saving scheme, with renewable energy technologies added as the jam.

“Until now there have been very few places community groups could go to fund these basic improvements.”

The Community Chest has so far awarded over £134,000 to various beneficiaries across the area. Past recipients include village halls in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Ceredigion, as well as a Guide and Scout Centre in Warwickshire, and Memorial Hall in Gloucester.

Tracy Carr, the company’s Community Liaison Officer, said: “The aim of the scheme is to help a range of groups implement efficiency measures that reduce their energy costs but also reduce their community’s carbon footprint.”

“Our community buildings are the backbone of our towns and villages. They support a wide range of activities for people of all ages and have a positive impact on local lives,” Tracy added.

“I encourage all non-profit making community groups to take a look at the website and see if they qualify for one of the grants. They could be a few clicks away from a grant that can support their community and save them money.”

The Centre for Sustainable Energy, who’s role is to administer the scheme and provide expert advice and support, have organised the application process along with some energy survey guidance notes for interested groups.

For further information and to download the energy survey audit form, visit www.cse.org.uk/wpdcc.