A scheme that helps keep homes warm and cuts bills by boosting efficiency has been approved by councillors for another year.
The Better Housing Better Health programme is also designed to reduce health problems associated with living in cold, damp properties and raise awareness of fuel poverty and energy efficiency as well as health and safety in the home.
Cllr Merilyn Davies, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Everyone should live in a warm, safe home that is affordable to heat.
“This scheme has already been highly successful in helping hundreds of West Oxfordshire residents to improve their homes and save money. I am delighted it will continue to help many more over the coming year.”
The Better Housing Better Health service is run by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) and costs the Council £7,000 a year as part of its commitment to the Oxfordshire-wide Affordable Warmth Network that works to reduce and prevent the number of people in fuel poverty and improve health and wellbeing.
In the last year, the NEF has carried out:

• 107 ECO Flex grant applications and installations including 77 loft insulations and 36 cavity wall insulations to boost energy efficiency
• 101 in-depth warm and wellbeing assessments which usually lead to a series of recommendations and work being carried out.

Better Housing Better Health supports the Council’s key priorities of providing healthy towns and villages and tackling climate change.
The scheme was approved for 2021-22 at a meeting of the full council on 28 July.

The Witney Shopmobility service will be relaunched under new management with extended opening hours and plans to extend its offering.
Operation of the free service which provides disability scooters and wheelchairs for shoppers, has now been taken on by the Witney Inclusive Care and Education Centre (ICE) after being closed since March last year due to the pandemic.
ICE Centre managing director Jill Bull, who is also a West Oxfordshire District councillor, said: “It makes sense for us to run it as we already provide services for people with disabilities and are often asked about lending out equipment.
“It will also provide valuable work experience for our young volunteers and it is ideally situated as we are right next door in Witney.”
Witney Shopmobility was previously only open four days a week but that is being extended to five days with the possibility of it being extended to include Saturdays.
Cllr Bull added: “It will take us a little while to build the service back up again while people regain confidence to come out shopping again but it would be good to build up the additional hours.
“We are also thinking of adding additional disability equipment for people to use depending on demand.”
Witney Shopmobility is based in Langdale Gate and will officially re-open on Monday 26 July.
Cllr Michele Mead, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This has always been a fantastic service which residents are now starting to ask for again.
“The ICE Centre could not be better placed to take it on with plans already in place to expand opening times and I am sure it will be a real bonus for those who would otherwise struggle to get around the shops.”
For more information and to book a scooter or wheelchair, please call 01993 846240.

It’s almost time to dig out your trunks and swimming costumes with the re-opening of Woodstock Pool just two weeks away.
The pool has been closed since 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19 but is now in the process of being cleaned and restored to pristine condition thanks to a team led by Craig Robins, General Manager of the Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney, ready for the first swimmers to take the plunge on 22 July.
Cllr Jane Doughty, Cabinet Member for Customer Delivery, said: “This is fantastic news and I would like to thank the team from our leisure contractor GLL for doing such a fantastic job to get it ready in time for the school holidays.
“Swimming is such a fantastic way of getting fit and enjoying yourself at the same time. I am sure everyone of all ages will have a great time and I would encourage as many people as possible to book their place in advance.”
Prices will be frozen at 2019 levels to encourage more residents and visitors to use the pool as part of the Council’s wider ambitions to help improve health and wellbeing across communities.
Once re-opened, the pool will remain operating until 1 September. Opening hours will be 7am-7pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm at weekends.
Early bird and group discounts will be available along with special promotions such as ‘Kids for £1’ in some sessions.
John Busby, Partnership Manager for GLL in West Oxfordshire, said: ‘’We are looking forward to welcoming back our customers to Woodstock Outdoor Pool. The centre is a great location for all the family this summer holiday.’’
All bookings are being managed through the online ticketing platform which will enable tickets to be pre-sold to avoid congestion at the reception counter.  Customers who cannot book online will be able to make advance bookings, secured with a payment, at reception.
The facility will fully comply with Covid-19 national and local guidelines at the time of opening.