Local Action in Cornwall

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11 May 2011 Treviscoe Community Hall 

13 May 2011 ENERGY ADVICE HITS THE ROAD IN CLAY COUNTRY
Clay Country residents are being encouraged to find out how they can beat rising energy costs by using less energy at home when an energy advice road show tours the clay villages shortly.

Community Energy Plus’s Amy Walker, who works as a Sustainable Energy Community Officer for Clay Country as part of the Clay Country Cornwall Local Action Group project, will be hosting a series of energy surgeries as part of the two year project to encourage rural communities in the clay villages to become more energy efficient and harness the opportunities presented by renewable energy technology. 

During the drop-in advice sessions, Amy will provide local residents with information on the steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint while reducing energy bills through energy efficiency and the generation of renewable energy.

The energy advice road show will be visiting the following locations:
Tuesday 31st May at Alexander Hall, St Blazey (9am-12pm), Wednesday 1st June ClayTAWC in St Dennis (9am-12pm) and Bugle Village Hall (2-5pm).  Friday 3rd June Tywardreath Methodist Chapel (9am-12pm) and St Stephen’s Brannel Room (2-5pm).  Saturday 4th June at Nanpean Methodist Church (10am-12pm). Monday 6th June at Treviscoe Community Centre (2-5pm) Tuesday 7th June at Sticker Village Hall (9am-12pm).  Wednesday 8th June will be the final chance to catch up with Amy Walker at Foxhole’s Gainsborough Park Community Centre (9am-12pm).

Clay Country Local Action Sustainable Energy Projects Officer Amy Walker said:  “In these tough economic times there’s never been a better time to reduce your energy use and even look at some of the renewable energy options available.  I’m here to help local residents and businesses find out how small but simple steps to save energy can add up to some really big financial and carbon savings to help drive a greener future for the Clay Country.  I hope that anyone with an interest in saving energy and money will come along to their local energy surgery.”

The Sustainable Energy Communities project in Clay Country is funded by the Clay Country Local Action Group which is part financed by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) using funding  from the EU and Defra.

Amy Walker can be contacted on 07976 490 956 or by email amy@cep.org.uk

Ends 
Notes for editors
For more information contact:

Laura Tregonning
Press & Communications Officer
01209 614975 ext 9209
laura@cep.org.uk

Amy Walker
Clay Country Local Action Sustainable Energy Projects Officer
01209 614975 ext 9213 / 07976 490 956
amy@cep.org.uk

Clay Country Local Action Group
There is currently a temporary suspension of new Local Action Group project activities, pending a national review of Local Action groups and their future budget allocations by Defra, starting in April 2011. It is expected the review will take place over the summer, and a way forward established in September 2011.   Should the review be positive then the Clay Country Local Action would re-establish its programme of grant aid of £1.8 million available for the Clay Country area for the period from 2009 to 2013.

The Clay Country Local Development Strategy and the Delivery Plan sets out objectives and investment ideas where the area can develop using the £1.8 million of investment.    Local Action covers the parishes of St Enoder, St Dennis, Roche, Luxulyan, Lanlivery, Lostwithiel, St Stephen-in-Brannel, St Mewan, Treverbyn, St Blaise and Tywardreath.

For more information on the Clay Country Local Action Group please contact Clare Leverton, Clay Country and West Cornwall Local Action Group Manager, Cornwall Development Company, 01209 611116 / 07528 983335 web:  www.localactioncornwall.info

Rural Development Programme for England
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) runs from 2007 to 2013.  It is the 2^nd pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy and aims to support the creation of genuinely sustainable farming, forestry and food sectors, whilst also bringing wider benefits for the economy, the environment and rural communities. It provides the major financial vehicle for protecting and enhancing the environment and securing a range of public benefits for society. Defra is the Managing Authority.
In this region, the South West RDA will deliver the Local Action part of RDPE.
Further more information on the RDPE and the schemes see www.sw-ruralgateway.info

Community Energy Plus
Community Energy Plus is Cornwall’s leading charity delivering local solutions to fuel poverty, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Community Energy Plus delivers grants for home insulation and provides advice and support for community renewables projects and also hosts the Energy Saving Trust advice centre which provides free impartial advice to householders.  Call 0800 512012 for further information.