Ramsey commissioner Juan McGuinness has drawn the local authority’s attention to the government’s energy efficiency scheme, under which LED light bulbs are available free of charge to over 75-year-olds, those in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Disability Allowance and other sectors of the community.

Mr McGuinness described it as ’a great initiative’, but was concerned to note that those eligible were required to travel to Manx Utilities at Ballacottier, Douglas, or the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture’s headquarters in St John’s to collect the bulbs.

’This seemed to be impractical and time-consuming for the people the scheme was designed to help who resided in Ramsey,’ he said.

After raising the matter with the DEFA, it was suggested that Ramsey Commissioners could become a distribution partner, to help make the scheme more accessible for the people in Ramsey and the north.

Mr McGuinness put this forward to the board, who willingly supported his proposal that the Town Hall act as agents for the scheme.

’I look forward to the officers making contact with DEFA and progressing this facility,’ he said.

The full list of those who may be eligible can be viewed at:

https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/energy-efficiency-scheme/led-lighting-initiative/

According to the website, LED bulbs use less than one fifth of the electricity that normal light bulbs consume - and they are now as bright as the traditional bulbs they replace.