The London Borough of Lewisham has been declared a Beacon Council in recognition of its excellent Sustainable Energy work.
Lewisham was one of only seven councils to achieve Beacon status for sustainable energy – and one of 48 councils recognised at the official awards ceremony on Monday 21 March 2005, attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Local Government Minister, Nick Raynsford.
Beacon status confirms Lewisham’s position as a UK leader – and recognises that the Council and its residents have benefited from its energy drives. Accepting the award on behalf of the Council, Councillor Gavin Mayor, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham, said:
'I am delighted that our hard work has been recognised with the sustainable energy Beacon award. For some years, our energy work has delivered real and lasting improvements to our residents and the environment – including warmer homes, cheaper fuel bills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Lewisham Council, its residents and businesses will continue to benefit from our work. Achieving Beacon status also means that we will share our experience and good practice with other councils so many more people gain from our approach.'
The Council is one of the largest users of renewable energy in western Europe. It bought 100% renewable electricity from 2001 to 2004 and is now tendering a long-term renewable energy contract for major council supplies and street lighting.
Examples of other green achievements include:
- 10,000 central heating and energy efficiency improvement programmes to Council properties since 1994 at a cost of about £30million
- Over 18,000 homes received energy advice in 2003/2004, which is predicted to save 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year
- 470 homes received grants under the Warm Front programme in 2003-2004
- Energy procurement savings of over £1 million per year from 1998 to 2003
- 16.7% total domestic energy savings since 1996, with an estimated annual reduction of approximately 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2)
- 6,000 Council properties currently being insulated under a £1.5 million partnership with British Gas.
The Beacon council scheme aims to raise standards in local government services. It is awarded to councils that achieve a high standard in a particular field. Beacon Councils also play an important by spreading good practice to other local authorities.
Commenting on the award ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: 'I would like to congratulate all councils which have been awarded Beacon status. Good quality pubic services are central to our vision for creating sustainable communities – places where people want to live and work. Today’s awards showcase many examples of where excellence is already being achieved and making a real difference to people’s lives.'
Further information about the Council's Sustainable Energy achievements can be found on the Sustainable Energy pages.