Off-gas villages (wet electric heating systems)

All residents in off-gas villages should have received a letter giving an update on the progress made and the plans that are in place to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

These letters were issued in 2022 with a further letter sent in July 2023.

---

Alternative heating systems

Gas heating

The gas infrastructure project is detailed below.

Village	SGN Start Date	Gas connection date (SGN)	2024/25 Gas Heating Installs	2025/26 Heating Installs
Whitecross	Nov-23	End Oct-24	131
California	Nov-23	Dec-24	79
Letham	Nov-23	End Sept-24	43
Avonbridge	Nov-23	Nov-24	120
Slamannan	Nov-23	Jul-25		230
Total			373	230

The process to install the infrastructure will take approximately 2 years to complete. You can stay up to date on the Falkirk Gas Main Extension project on the SGN Website.

Following the installation of the pipeline into the villages, we will then arrange for gas heating to be installed into homes (if this is the preferred heating choice).

Once your gas supply is installed the Council will contact you to arrange a gas meter. If you need help with this, contact an Energy Monitor from the Wise Group HEAT Team on:

They are working in partnership with Falkirk Council, SGN and Home Energy Scotland to deliver free impartial advice to residents.

The green energy system chosen, for villages where there is no gas supply, will be an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) heating system, supported by solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage.

Installation of this change was carried out in 2 phases and is now complete.

A phase 3 for around 120 tenants who have chosen this system from the July 2023 mailshot will now be postponed, due to a funding application with the Scottish Government being unsuccessful. The majority of tenants will now have gas central heating installed unless otherwise stated to the council.

---

Servicing and maintenance of wet heating systems

A contract to carry out an annual service for all properties with an electric wet heating system is ongoing

Our contractor, Neat Heat, will contact tenants directly to arrange a suitable date and time to carry out the service. Any reported faults or repairs to the system will continue to be carried out on a responsive basis.

---

Financial support for tenants

Falkirk Council

Debt (including fuel debt)

If you have any debt, including fuel debt, please get in touch with our Debt Advice Team. They can make referrals to the Home Heating Support Fund with the aim of clearing any fuel related debt and provide support for managing future energy payments.

Welfare benefits

If you would like assistance with a welfare benefit enquiry, please contact our Welfare Benefits team:

Social Security Scotland

There are a number of new benefits that are paid by Social Security Scotland, such as the Child Winter Heating Payment. To find out if you are entitled to any of these new benefits, contact Social Security Scotland:

Scottish Power

Scottish Power has a Hardship Fund for customers with debt, who live on a low income. To find out if you would qualify for this Fund please contact, in the first instance a recognised Debt Advice agency such as Step Change Debt Charity on 0808 138 1111 who will advise you how to apply.

If you would like to contact Scottish Power to discuss your bill or ask about financial support, please contact them:

Other financial help that may be available

If you are worried about your finances, we would urge you to seek help from our Advice and Support Hubs, Community Advice Service or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Winter Fuel Payment

Payment of either £100 or £300 to help pay your heating bills. This is paid automatically to those who qualify.

For more information see GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment.

Winter Heating Payment

This replaced the Cold Weather Payment and helps people on low incomes who might have extra heating needs. This is a one off payment of £58.75 paid automatically for winter 2024-25

For more information see GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment.

---

Windows and door programme

Priority for replacement windows and doors has been given to our tenants living in off-gas villages and areas where homes have lower energy efficiency performance; to assist tenants who are struggling with their fuel bills. This programme is now complete where access was provided.

* Letham is considered a conservation area and the windows and doors will be replaced as part of a separate project.

Further information can be found at Window and Door Replacement Programme.

---

Housing Operations Role

The front-line Housing Officer plays an crucial role in communication with tenants. For this reason, the local Housing Operations Teams will be included in future discussions on the project and regular internal communication will take place between the Property & Asset Team and Housing Operations Team to keep front-line officers fully informed.

Colleagues in the Housing Operations Teams should be given details of the action plan that supports the ‘Alternative Heating Supplies to Off-Gas Villages’ project, along with details of the generic email address and telephone number to provide tenants/customers with.

---

Energy Efficency Improvement Plans