Approximately 4000 private properties in Grangemouth, Denny and Bonnybridge will benefit from a successful Falkirk Council bid of £800k to the Scottish Government for new insulation a meeting of the Policy and Resources heard this week (18th October).

The award (the second highest for a Scottish local authority) builds on similar work carried out in 2010/11 as part of the Universal Home Insulation Scheme that saw around 2000 properties have new or improved insulation fitted free of charge.

Around 700 Council properties are also included this year in the scheme (as part of mixed private/Council estates) and a further 3000 Council properties will be inspected and insulation installed where required with Falkirk Council picking up the £500k costs.

The inspection will then allow the Council to ensure that all their properties meet the energy efficiency requirements of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by their target of 2015.

Cllr Craig Martin, Convener of Policy and Resources said: ‘We have ambitious plans to ensure that all our properties are up to standard and by providing our tenants with suitable insulation, we can keep fuel bills down and properties in better condition.

The contract will be managed by the Energy Saving Trust with the work undertaken by SIG Energy Management who have a depot locally in Falkirk.