Council wins local authority award at National Energy Efficiency Awards

Shropshire Council has won the National Council or Local Authority of the Year 2023 at the prestigious National Energy Efficiency Awards.

The council beat 16 other local authorities for the title for their efforts in tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.

Left to right: Martin Weaver, Managing Director, BidConnecter; Rachel Cole, Commercial Director, BidConnecter;, Abbie Chandler, Head of Finance, BidConnecter; Christopher Davison, Partnerships Manager, BidConnecter; Tim Baldwin, principal affordable warmth and energy efficiency officer, Shropshire Council; Oliver Rothwell, principal affordable warmth and energy efficiency officer, Shropshire Council; and Summer Nunn-Hammond, Head of Operations, BidConnecter.

Shropshire Council and installation partner BidConnecter were shortlisted for several national awards for the work they do to help make vital home improvements, helping to keep homes warm, lower carbon emissions, and help residents save on energy costs.

BidConnecter, who are the lead insulation company for Shropshire Council’s Sustainable Warmth programme, had been shortlisted in four categories at the National Energy Efficiency Awards.

This included two categories, National Council or Local Authority of the Year, and National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year, delivered in partnership with the council.

The council and BidConnecter also took silver in the National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year category. The National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year award recognises the efforts of all those involved in delivering a successful energy saving project, where new insulation, draft exclusion or energy efficient building materials or systems have been installed as an energy efficiency measure.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and assets, said:-

“I am absolutely thrilled that we have won the National Council or Local Authority of the Year 2023 at the prestigious National Energy Efficiency Awards, as well as coming second in the Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year category.

“Our Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency (AWEE) team have been instrumental in securing millions of pounds in funding from the Government to help deliver our Sustainable Warmth programme to help tackle fuel poverty across the county, supporting those on low incomes and those in the least energy-efficient homes in the county.

“I would like to congratulate and thank our Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency (AWEE) team and BidConnecter for everything they have done to help us achieve this incredible accolade. Fantastic work everyone!”

Martin Weaver, Managing Director.at BidConnecter, added:-

“BidConnecter would like to congratulate the Shropshire Council delivery team on being awarded the National Council or Local Authority of the Year 2023 at the Energy Efficiency Awards. This is an incredible achievement which recognises the transformation that delivering energy efficiency schemes is making to many of the residents of Shropshire. Well done.”

The National Energy Efficiency Awards are open to anyone involved in the energy saving and efficiency sector in the UK. The awards recognise best practice across the energy efficiency industry. Applicants can nominate themselves, their company, someone else or a company that they believe warrants recognition.

Winners of the awards were announced on Friday 29 September 2023, at the National Energy Efficiency Awards event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

You can find out more about the awards here: Homepage–Energy Efficiency Awards 2023

Further information 

BidConnecter has been shortlisted for four awards at the prestigious National Energy Efficiency Awards. The company where shortlisted in the following four categories:-

• National Insulation and Fabric Installer of the Year
• National Funding Provider of the Year
• National Local Authority of the Year (in partnership with Shropshire Council)
• National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year (in partnership with Shropshire Council, for Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery, and Home Upgrade Grant schemes)  

What where the judges looking for?

The esteemed panel of judges are looking for demonstrable skills, expertise, and quality of service from nominees.

Nominees must have been involved with an energy efficiency project within the 14 months from January 2022 to March 2023.

National The Insulation and Fabric Installer of the Year (BidConnecter)

The Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year Award recognises the efforts of all those involved in delivering a successful energy saving project, where new Insulation, draft exclusion or energy efficient building materials or systems have been installed as an energy efficiency measure.

National Funding Provider of the Year (BidConnecter)

The judges will be considering:

• the size and scope of the energy efficiency works they have undertaken to fund.
• the level and type of funding provided by the organisation.
• the impact their business has had within the local community.
• what their customers and local community have to say about them
• what level of expertise the nominee has within their organisation.

National Local Authority of the Year (BidConnecter in partnership with Shropshire Council)

The judges will be considering:

• the impact their work has had within the local community.
• what their customers and local community have to say about the council
• what level of expertise the council has within its own teams
• what priority the council gives tackling fuel poverty within its current plans.

National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year (in partnership with Shropshire Council, for Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery, and Home Upgrade Grant schemes)  

This award recognises the efforts of all those involved in delivering a successful energy saving project, where new insulation, draft exclusion or energy efficient building materials or systems have been installed as an energy efficiency measure.