Labour has launched the biggest community‑energy plan in British history — and it could put money straight back into Bishop Auckland’s villages.

But while Labour is pushing to cut bills and rebuild local amenities, Reform UK (nationally and at Durham County Council) is pulling in the opposite direction — scrapping Net Zero, rejecting renewable investment, and calling it “Net Stupid Zero”.

Here’s what that means for us — and how you can plug into the Local Power Plan.

🌱 WHAT LABOUR IS OFFERING

✔ £1bn for community‑owned energy
✔ Backed by Great British Energy
✔ Profits stay in local hands
✔ Money for village halls, youth clubs, warm spaces
✔ Lower bills for community buildings

This is about fixing up the places we actually use — not sending profits to big energy companies.

🛑 WHAT REFORM UK IS DOING IN DURHAM

Under Reform’s leadership, Durham County Council has:

✘ Scrapped the climate‑emergency plan
✘ Rejected Net Zero entirely
✘ Opposed renewable‑energy investment
✘ Called it “Net Stupid Zero”
✘ Pushed fossil‑fuel “reindustrialisation” instead

County Durham is now one of the only councils in the country rolling back green investment — right as national funding is being expanded.

🌍 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR AREA

Villages like Evenwood, Cockfield, West Auckland, Copley, Woodland and the Upper Dales could:

• Cut energy bills
• Generate local income
• Reinvest profits into community spaces
• Support local trades and installers
• Strengthen local services

But only if we plug into the Local Power Plan.

🔌 HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

Here’s the practical bit — how people, groups and councils in Bishop Auckland constituency can actually take advantage of this.

1️⃣ Parish & Town Councils

Councils can apply for funding to install solar panels or heat systems on:

• Village halls
• Community centres
• Libraries
• Sports pavilions
• Council‑owned land

They can also partner with Great British Energy to develop community‑owned schemes.

If you’re a councillor or clerk:

• Gather energy‑use info for your buildings
• Identify roofs or land suitable for solar
• Contact community‑energy organisations for support

👉 Start here: https://communityenergyengland.org

2️⃣ Village Halls & Community Centres

If you run a hall or community building, you can:

• Register interest in hosting a community‑energy project
• Explore forming a local energy co‑op
• Apply for funding to cut your building’s bills

Perfect for:
Evenwood, Cockfield, Butterknowle, Copley, Woodland, West Auckland, St Helen Auckland, Ramshaw, Toft Hill, Middridge and more.

👉 Guidance & examples: https://communityenergyengland.org

3️⃣ Residents & Volunteers

You don’t need to be an expert. You can:

• Join a local energy co‑op
• Help set one up
• Support your parish council to apply
• Attend local meetings when funding windows open
• Share information with neighbours

Community energy only works when people get involved — even small groups can make big projects happen.

👉 How to join or start a group: https://communityenergyengland.org

4️⃣ Local Trades & Businesses

Electricians, installers, engineers, roofers, builders and surveyors could all benefit.

Community‑energy projects need:

• Solar installers
• Heat‑pump engineers
• Battery‑storage specialists
• Groundworks teams
• Maintenance contractors

This is real work, real contracts, real money staying in the local economy.

5️⃣ Community Groups, Sports Clubs & Faith Buildings

If you run a:

• Football club
• Cricket pavilion
• Church or chapel
• Scout hut
• Social club
• Charity building

…you can explore hosting solar or joining a community‑energy partnership.
This cuts your bills and frees up money for your core work.

👉 Support & case studies: https://communityenergyengland.org

⚖️ THE CHOICE

Reform UK says no to Net Zero and no to renewable investment.
Labour says yes to cutting bills, yes to community ownership, and yes to rebuilding local amenities.

For undecided voters, it comes down to this:

Do we want local energy profits funding our villages — or disappearing into big‑company pockets?