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Tackling climate change is one of the Council's top corporate priorities and recently a Climate Change Forum was set up to ensure that measures to drive this agenda forward in the District are introduced.

The funding to Drum is for the following schemes:

• £48,000 to fund energy efficient measures to 14 properties at REEMA in Petersfield. These measures will include the use of renewable energy from solar electric, solar thermal, ground source heat pumps and combined heat and power.
• £28,000 to fund two carbon neutral properties in Alton using a biomass system
• £7,000 to fund a rain water harvesting scheme in Liss
• £8,755 to fund solar installations in Drum's existing housing stock.

The Council is only providing 25% of the funding. The remainder will be funded by Drum Housing Association and through grants.

These projects are very important as the Government is planning to introduce new requirements that by 2016 all new housing will be carbon neutral. To achieve this some form of renewable technology will be required.

Drum Housing Association were recently awarded 'Gold Award' status for the Environmental Sustainability by a Government body. This recognises their excellent work in the field of providing energy efficient housing using new technologies. The Council are proud to be working in partnership with Drum to promote some of these schemes in the District.

Sandra Theckston, Director of Drum Housing, said:
"I would like to add how thrilled Drum Housing Association is to be given this opportunity to continue to carry out this innovative work through the commitment of both officers and members from both EHDC & Drum Housing Association. A true example of partnership working."

Councillor Judy Onslow, Chairman of the Council's Climate Change Forum, said:
"I am delighted that Cabinet have supported these innovative projects. The use of renewable technologies in housing is important if we are to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. I hope that these schemes, once developed, will encourage other developers to also embrace these technologies."