Walsall to benefit from £26m project to reduce fuel poverty and excess winter deaths
Cabinet members at Walsall Council have approved a £2.6 million project which aims to reduce the levels of fuel poverty and excess winter deaths across the borough.
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The authority was awarded the Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG) from the government in January 2025 to help tenants, private and social landlords make their homes more energy efficient.
Walsall ranks ninth highest out of all the local authority areas in England for fuel poverty, with a rate of 19.7 per cent.
It’s also the second-highest local authority area in the West Midlands region for excess winter deaths.
Now, with cabinet approval, the executive director of resources and transformation can enter an agreement with a successful contractor to kick-start the project.
It will be awarded for an initial period of 12 months with two potential extensions of 12 months each based on the company’s previous year’s performance.
The anticipated contract value over the 3-year period is estimated at £2,385,928. It will be overseen by the council’s retrofit project manager.
The Warm Homes Local Grant programme is part of the government’s plan to upgrade five million homes over the next five years.
Works to properties will include insulation measures, installation of solar panels, batteries, and low carbon heating.
Landlords who have works carried out to more than one rented property will be required to contribute 50 per cent of the cost to second and subsequent homes.
The overall aim of the scheme is to cut bills for families, reduce fuel poverty, and lower carbon emissions in line with the net zero 2041 target.
Deputy leader councillor Adrian Andrew said: “This is an incredibly good news story, and it follows on from a lot of good work that this council has done in terms of making homes warmer.
“The council has secured £2.6 worth of funding from the Warm Homes Local Grant in January 2025 to help a range of property owners and tenants.
“This will be focused on the private sector as well, it is not just for social providers. The outcome will lead to a reduction in levels of fuel poverty.”
Portfolio holder for resident access and housing support, councillor Amandeep Garcha, added: “The latest figures show fuel poverty in Walsall is amongst the highest in the country.
“The delivery of this grant has the potential to make a huge positive difference for the lives of residents across the Walsall borough.”
Councillor Garry Perry, leader of Walsall Council, said: “It’s pleasing to hear from the associate leader about the involvement of the private sector in this.
“Some of our private landlords still need some support when it comes to retrofitting and bringing those properties up to standard.”
