The funding enabled Darnick Village Hall to install insulation to the ceiling and floor. This makes the Hall more energy efficient by reducing heat loss and will reduce future heating costs.
The project also enables the Hall to move to the next phase of our decarbonisation programme. This will involve the installation of of a more sustainable heating system as identified in the Energy Assessment report procured by Borders Community Action.
The insulation of the hall makes the internal environment more comfortable for Hall users.
The funding has not affected our “volunteers” who are essentially the Trustees of the Hall.
There are no changes to the services that the Hall provides to its users in the Darnick area but the enhanced comfort factor will encourage the Hall’s users to continue their use of the Hall. The anticipated reduction in heating bills will enable the Hall to offer continued value for money in it’s booking charges.
No, this is not relevant to the work that has been carried out.
The funding of the insulation work has had a major impact on our future plans with regard to decarbonisation. Following the advice of Borders Community Action we have attended to the fabric of the building to minimise heat loss. This is a gateway to the next stages of our decarbonisation journey, enabling us to move on to the installation of a sustainable heating system and the decommissioning of the existing old gas fired system.
Firstly we are grateful that Borders Community Action commissioned the Energy Assessment report that identified the recommended insulation works. The application process was very clear and we appreciated the guidance and advice given by Borders Community Action throughout the process.
We were able to secure funding for the insulation along with any associated costs in reparation of the fabric of the Hall where there was unavoidable damage due to installation of the insulation. Approval of the grant funding was swift as was the approval of one variation to the scope of work that occurred during the project.
The availability of 50% of the funding up front was good for cash flow in advance ordering of materials.
Continuity of the support received from Borders Community Action would be appreciated as we move into the next stage of decarbonisation. Borders Community Action helped in the insulation project by identifying potential contractors with a track record of good delivery in the Borders.
It would be very helpful to have access to recommended suppliers of heating systems for village halls and also to the format and details of performance specifications that will be the basis of tender documents for the next stage.
It would also be useful to have access to the experience of other bodies that are on the same journey if BCA could coordinate this.
The whole process was well managed by BCA, with pragmatic advice and support throughout. There was a real understanding of how difficult it can be to attract good quality contracting services in the Borders and knowledge of the companies that had performed well for others was invaluable.
