Large scale improvement programmes have been taking place across East Ayrshire as the Council works to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.
The external insulation programme, which has been carried out on a large scale thanks to funding from the Scottish Government and support from the Energy Agency, has just expanded even further with the recruitment of six community volunteers.
William Timpany from New Cumnock, John Hunter from Cumnock, Ann Harrison from Mauchline, Susan Graham from Onthank, David Townsley from Onthank and Valarie Christopher from Galston; will now be involved with the day to day delivery of the programme.
They visited Housing Asset Services recently to meet the improvement programme delivery team which included representatives from the contractor Keepmoat plus the Council’s Housing Asset Officers and Project Officer.
The team of volunteers were provided with an overview of the preparatory work that has to be undertaken before the start of each phase. This includes liaising with owners and securing their permission for the work.
They were also issued with protective clothing and will receive a full Health and Safety induction before attending their first site visit.
Councillor Eoghann MacColl, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “Back in May we held community meetings providing details of our extensive improvement programme planned for this financial year.
“At these meetings we asked for volunteers to work in partnership with Housing, Vibrant Communities, Waste Management and Outdoor Amenities on an exciting new initiative and to act as a voice for their community.
“The six volunteers will attend monthly site meetings to follow progress of the works and raise any issues of concern from the community. They will also work with the Council and the contractor on a community led clean up after the work is finished.
“This will ensure that streets are completely transformed not only by the rendering work but by communities working with the Council to make their streets greener, cleaner and even more vibrant than before.”
Energy efficiency features prominently in the Housing Improvement Programme, with £5.49m identified to be spent on external wall insulation and render works in the current financial year.
This year alone 640 homes will be upgraded with work set to take place soon in Kilmarnock, Cumnock, Auchinleck, Kilmaurs, Crosshouse, Mauchline, Galston, New Cumnock and Knockentiber. The programme will also include 50 rural properties.