Council Look To External Funders To Help Tackle Fuel Poverty & Meet Energy Efficient Home Standards

6th October 2023

Photograph of Council Look To External Funders To Help Tackle Fuel Poverty & Meet Energy Efficient Home Standards

Highland Council has been investigating ways in which it can harness external funding to help meet its statutory obligations around energy efficient social housing and at the same time tackle fuel poverty.

Members at yesterday's (5 October 2023) Climate Change Committee were asked to note opportunities to expand Energy Company Obligation funding to Council housing stock.

Yesterday's report outlined that the Council has identified five social properties in Caol which are part of a pilot project to retrofit homes with energy saving installations.

The local authority faces significant challenges undertaking the required energy efficiency upgrades to Council houses to ensure compliance with EESSH2 (Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing).

With the Council facing a massive budget deficit, funding to upgrade housing stock to meet the national standards far exceeds available budget with the Housing and Revenue Account (HRA).

Therefore, officers have been looking at external funding opportunities to help meet those targets. One such funding source which is being looked at is the Energy Company Obligation Fund (ECO).

Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Cllr Karl Rosie said: "In order to meet its statutory and legal obligations the Council has quite rightly investigated all available options.

“To progress with these required upgrade works it was crucial that the Council sought external investment and it is pleasing to see those inquiries in action on the Caol pilot."

He added: “ECO funding will allow the Council to access significant levels of external funding to undertake energy efficiency works on eligible social properties, not just in Caol but across Highland.

“Fuel poverty in Highland is at a disproportionately high level when compared to the rest of Scotland and part of Highland Council's recently launched ‘Our Future Highland’ administration programme focuses on working together to improve quality of life and opportunities for Highland people.”

Several Council owned Swedish Timber properties have been identified in Caol as part of a pilot which is currently at the feasibility stage.

The pilot will undertake a whole house retrofit offering:

External wall insulation

Loft insulation

Air source heat pump

Solar PV with battery storage

The five properties have been surveyed and concept design reports produced for each, outlining proposed actions and scopes.

The Council will now agree technical specifications and the scope of the work with the contractor, the contractor will then submit a revised project cost and outline ECO funding available and the costs will then be reviewed along with the availability of ECO funding internally and look for opportunities to align with the already running Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS).

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.