Council leader John Halsall said: “We not only have the energy costs of our own buildings, but also of schools. The increase will be seven figures.

“We don’t really know what it will be at the moment, but it has a huge impact.”

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Alongside renovation works such as solar panels, LED lighting, improved insulation and glazing, the municipality has also installed automatic sensors and monitoring equipment, making it possible to identify any change in use in real time.

Resident Services, Communications and Emissions Executive Member Councilor Gregor Murray said: ‘It’s not just residents and businesses who are being hit by rising energy bills, but council too. .

“We manage a diverse range of properties, including schools, community buildings and offices. It is essential that these buildings perform at their best and we continue to roll out a series of projects to make our properties more energy secure.

As energy prices soar and the cost of living crisis begins to take hold, residents have been encouraged to lower their energy bills by making small changes to their homes or accessing one of the council’s support programs, such as Help to Heat or Green Homes. To agree.

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Cllr Murray said: “While we know that some improvements are not possible for everyone, there are still many things people can do to reduce their energy use and their bills.

“Whether it’s switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs, installing a new wind deflector, or simply lowering your heating thermostat by one degree, it can all add up to a good saving on your bill.”

If you’re concerned about money, you can find more information about what’s available in the borough on the council’s online Local Support Hub.