Notes from CC 7th Feb 2023

Climate Café Tuesday 7th February 2023 1pm

1. Insulate Pitlochry event at The Co-op on 21st January went very well.

An information sheet has been prepared ( see below) giving detailed advice on sources of help and funding, depending on an individual’s circumstances. An abbreviated form of this sheet will be in next month’s “Pitlochry Life” magazine.
The Energy Saving Trust (0808 808 2282. Weekdays 8-8, Saturday 9-5) is also a good source of advice.

1. There is currently no PKC allotment officer, despite the fact that the PKC is supposed to be obliged to provide allotments if requested. Allotments were first requested many years ago, and now there are still delays despite potential land being available. Bit of a stalemate at present.

1. Recycling centre issues were discussed. Pedestrians or folk on bikes cannot visit the recycling centre, and several people have found this very inconvenient. This is apparently because of Health and Safety reasons- there was apparently a pedestrian death at one site. ? Could a  time be put aside for those on bikes/on foot to attend? Some people have had difficulties disposing of toxic liquids, paint etc. 

1. It was agreed that the Climate Café will try to ask members of the PKC       Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team to come to meet with us to discuss some of our above concerns , specifically: 

-Planning permission difficulties, including for green initiatives such as solar panels etc. 
-Recycling Centre issues 
-Long term lack of progress on allotments and lack of an allotment officer. 

1. Andrew Dixon organic farmer from Orkney attended. He has family in the area and often visits. General discussion re organic farming especially of livestock, and importance of caring for the soil.

1. Caroline Bavey, newly appointed manager of the “Explorer’s Garden” next to the Festival Theatre attended. She is an experienced gardener and won an award in the past for an Eco-garden at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. She talked about the plans for the garden. Some Health and Safety work will be needed initially (mainly involving tree management) but she is hopeful the garden will open again in May. Volunteers are now welcome and she asked if we would spread the word. “O” will be doing a tree survey and advising where appropriate, and a tree surgeon has been appointed. Caroline can be contacted on caroline.bavey@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

1. Pitlochry Garden Share Anna Stokes was in touch after the meeting. She has written asking me to add an update about the Garden Share, below.

Pitlochry Garden Share Update
In December we became an unincorporated association with a Bank Account, a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We received our seed order (majority are non hybrid and heirlooms so we can start saving our own seed for future planting) and we will grow between 35 and 40 varieties of vegetables this season! 


We were awarded funding from PKC Community Investment Fund so we will be able to purchase a polytunnel and various other bits of equipment to help grow more veg to share with the community. The funding application is also to cover costs of the Open Kitchen events that started in September. The Open Kitchen is a branch of the Garden Share, we organise monthly informal cooking sessions where we use as much of the locally grown produce. We share recipes, cook and eat together and have a blether, and it is inter- generational! We recently organised a free Community Burn's Night in partnership with the Moulin Hall Committee and it was a great success thus becoming an annual event!


The Garden Share has a project with the Food Bank to supply them with a veg box from our own produce, when we have enough surplus - we are planting with that in mind, to make sure we have plenty surplus but obviously can't guarantee until we harvest.


We are still looking for a few more volunteer gardeners to join this season (need to be able to commit to 6 hours per month minimum), and also volunteer supporters (to help whenever you can).
Get in touch via our Facebook page or email pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com
We don't have a website yet, but it is on the agenda for this year.




Next Climate Cafes are Tuesday 7th March 1pm amd Thursday 9th March 7pm in the Pitlochry Library. Everyone is welcome. ​

Notes from Insulate Scotland

Home owner 
Lived there 1 year +, your main residence, low energy rating (D or worse),  no prior funding from Warm Homes Scotland in last 5 years, in receipt of qualifying benefits: 
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)      Adult Disability Payment (ADP)      Disability Living Allowance (DLA)* 
Child Disability Payment (CDP)*        Armed Forces Independence Payment/ War Disablement Payment 
Industrial Injuries Payment       Carer’s Allowance        Attendance Allowance 
Income-related benefits:
Council tax benefit/reduction scheme (excluding 25% discount e.g. single person or student) 
Universal Credit      Housing benefit/allowance        Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)       Income Support        Pension Credit (guarantee element) 
Working Tax Credit       Child Tax Credit 
*If your household receives low or medium rate DLA/CDP you need to also have an income-related benefit

Contact Home Energy Scotland. 30-45min call

Survey visit from Warmer Homes Scotland

Full cost of improvements met (if funds) or interest free loan for home owner’s contribution.
The Heat Project for free home energy surveys, support and advice on heating, hot water, supply switching, condensation/dampness, renewables, saving money.


All home owners


Contact Home Energy Scotland. 30-45min call

Free grant for energy efficiency improvements or renewable technologies such as heat pumps or biomass (pellet) boilers up to 75% of costs, up to maximum of £7,500 (or £9,000 for households which qualify for the rural uplift).
0% loan which can be used for the remaining costs, or for other technologies like solar PV panels and/or battery storage. 
The Heat Project for free home energy surveys, support and advice on heating, hot water, supply switching, condensation/dampness, renewables, saving money


Private sector tenant
Check landlord complies with legal requirements (EPC E or better for tenancies beginning from Oct 20, D from 31/3/22) 
Lived there 1 year +, your main residence, low energy rating, (D or worse) no prior funding from Warm Homes Scotland in last 5 years and in receipt of a passport benefit:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)      Adult Disability Payment (ADP)      Disability Living Allowance (DLA)* 
Child Disability Payment (CDP)*        Armed Forces Independence Payment/ War Disablement Payment 
Industrial Injuries Payment       Carer’s Allowance        Attendance Allowance 
Income-related benefits:
Council tax benefit/reduction scheme (excluding 25% discount e.g. single person or student) 
Universal Credit      Housing benefit/allowance        Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)       Income Support        Pension Credit (guarantee element) 
Working Tax Credit       Child Tax Credit 
*If your household receives low or medium rate DLA/CDP you need to also have an income-related benefit

Contact Home Energy Scotland. 30-45 mins call

Survey visit from Warmer Homes Scotland

Get landlord’s approval for recommended work

Full cost of improvements met (if funds) or interest free loan for contribution


The Heat Project for free home energy surveys, support and advice on heating, hot water, supply switching, condensation/dampness, renewables, saving money. 07834 962361




Local Authority tenant
La Flex Eco. Scheme by energy providers. Must get pension credit, universal credit, jobseekers allowance, ESA, income support, housing benefit or tax credits.
Must have EPC of E, F or G.

Tel: 07342 924 787, Paul Stewart. Or  www.pridejoyhomeservices.co.uk/
The Heat Project for free home energy surveys, support and advice on heating, hot water, supply switching, condensation/dampness, renewables, saving money. 07834 962361


Landlords
Check legal requirements (EPC E or better for tenancies beginning from Oct 20, D from 31/3/22, ALL private rented properties from 31/3/25) 
Must be individual or business, not agent, and registered as a landlord. Must have tenant in property.

Contact Energy Saving Trust
Loan. 0% + 1.5% admin fee. No interest if fewer than 5 properties
5 or more properties 3.5% APR interest
The Heat Project 07834 962361