What a Citizens' Jury is
It is a diverse group of residents brought together to:
- consider important issues;
- and recommend changes to local decision makers.
The Jury spent 23 hours over six sessions with experts. They came up with ways to make homes in Calderdale warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat. This initiative is focused on how we can work together to make our homes:
- Greener.
- More energy efficient.
- Resilient to climate change.
This initiative encourages people to work together and will bring other benefits:
- Make our homes more energy efficient.
- Protect households against future energy price rises, mainly heating costs.
- Reduce our homes' carbon emissions to help tackle the climate emergency.
This project supports the borough's Climate Action Plan. The focus is to create warm and resilient buildings and help to meet our aim to be 'net zero' by 2038.
Video transcript
My motivation to join the Citizens' Jury was because I am interested in the housing that I live in. I want to sustain that for my children and the future population that is going to live in my house.
Well, I have always been worried about climate crisis, so I came mainly for that reason. Also, I want to retrofit, I want to buy a heat pump and to know a lot more about that. I wanted to get involved to understand more about retrofit and how it was going to roll forward in Calderdale.
I have really enjoyed the process from all the workshops and online sessions that I have attended. It has been really great and we want to be proud of what we are going to start in Calderdale here.
The process has been fantastic. I have met some fantastic people. It has really been quite inspirational to know that we can all move forward together.
What I hope for the future of retrofit within our communities is that it is inclusive. It includes everyone and, you know, benefits society in general.
I want to make sure that people in Calderdale understand that retrofit is for everybody. That really, it is important that we move forward with that.
I hope that in the future the community will take on retrofitting their properties. That they will recognise that collectively there are things we can do. I am really, really excited about what is going to happen in Calderdale with regard to the retrofit.
Retrofit
To reach this target, at least 75,000 homes in Calderdale need to improve their energy rating. They need to be brought up to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating C or above. This figure is according to research carried out through the Local Area Energy Plan.
This can be done with energy efficiency works such as installing:
- Insulation, draught-proofing and ventilation.
- Heat pumps.
- Solar panels.
This process is known as 'Retrofit'.
Old solid stone terraces, typical in Calderdale, can be a challenge to retrofit. However, the benefits of better home energy efficiency are clear as it:
- Helps to combat the climate emergency.
- Creates a more comfortable living environment.
- Makes energy bills more affordable.
The Citizens Jury is part of Calderdale's Retrofit Challenge. It explores retrofit options, develops local supply chain solutions and raises awareness of the benefits across Calderdale.
Jury members
The Jury made 14 suggestions, which include:
- Create a One Stop Shop for retrofit advice.
- Develop a local retrofit guide for different home construction types in Calderdale.
- Simplify planning permissions.
- Promote green mortgages.
- Help residents find affordable financing for retrofits.
- Clearly communicate the Councils net zero vision.
Read the full recommendations
- Visit: Calderdale's Retrofit Challenge (Tod College).
- Printed copies of this can be found at Calderdale Libraries.
The project is funded by Innovate UK's Net Zero Living Programme and runs from July 2023 to July 2025.
Advice and support
To reduce your carbon emissions, visit: