Yeovil Library decarbonisation project completed

Yeovil Library has undergone a transformation to make the building greener and more energy efficient as part of Somerset County Council’s commitment to decarbonise its buildings.

The project has seen a new air source heat pump installed to heat the building in a more sustainable way, lamps changed to LEDs, new thermally efficient windows, improved ventilation with carbon dioxide monitors, and significant additional insulation. The measures will save approximately 27 tonnes of carbon each year.

Work started on the project in May and was completed in November. The library only closed for two weeks during that time as every effort was made to keep the library and registration services operational for the duration of the works.

The investment is part of a wider Somerset County Council scheme to decarbonise the council’s estate and make the Council’s buildings more environmentally friendly. The Council successfully bid for £4.1m from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), and SCC has committed a further £5.6m into this initiative. This will see 12 projects including Taunton Library, Frome Library, Glastonbury Hub, and County Hall.

Early estimates indicate that the delivery of the various schemes could reduce SCC’s non-schools estate carbon output by around 27% – around 400 tonnes of carbon per annum. All the remaining projects aside from County Hall are due to be complete by March 2022.

Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Infrastructure, said: “Somerset County Council is determined to help the county achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“I was delighted to see the finished project at Yeovil Library. The decarbonisation work has the dual benefits of reducing energy bills while also reducing emissions and helping the environment.

“The library has excellent ventilation which help makes it extra Covid-safe and I know the superb library staff here are looking forward to welcoming visitors once more.”

The government funding for the PSDS projects is being delivered by Salix Finance Ltd, an executive non-departmental public body, which focuses on work in the public sector to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy bills. For Yeovil Library, the total project cost was £427,000, with £311,000 being delivered by Salix Finance.

Edward Clark, Programme Manager at Salix Finance, said: “The project at Yeovil Library is an excellent example of how Salix Finance supports public sector organisations reduce carbon in their buildings. The benefits of such a project are not only seen by the council, in reducing their energy costs, but also, more importantly, the local community by significantly improving an important amenity.”

“As someone who grew up in the countryside just outside of Yeovil, I’m especially proud of this project and encourage people in the area to visit the library to find out for themselves what has been done to tackle climate change and help the country reach net zero by 2050.”

Somerset County Council has recently launched a new Climate Emergency webpage, which is set to act as a hub of information to help Somerset work towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

The new website includes the latest news on tackling the climate emergency, information and tips for individuals and organisations on how they can reduce their carbon footprints, details on the action Somerset’s Local Authorities are taking, and much more. Visit Climate Emergency (somerset.gov.uk).

For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

Picture caption L-R: Carrie Russell, SCC Property Project Officer; Cllr David Hall; Hadleigh Wells, Futures for Somerset General Manager; Simon Luff, FP Hurley Director; Sue Crowley, SCC Strategic Manager Library & Registration Services; Vicky Harvey, SCC Project Officer, Libraries Improvement Programme; Edward Clark, Salix Finance Programme Manager.

For more information about Salix Finance Ltd visit Salix Finance.