Council warms to the task with gas safety scheme

Maureen Maguire with her son John

A gas safety scheme is helping hundreds of Rochdale local residents stay warm, healthy and secure in their own homes.

Home owners across the borough are taking advantage of a free service, which includes important gas safety checks, boiler servicing and boiler repairs.

Rochdale pensioner Maureen Maguire contacted the council after a downstairs gas fire urgently needed capping for safety reasons.

Vital work, to the value of £200, was quickly carried out for free providing Maureen and her disabled son John with some much needed peace of mind.

Maureen said: “I was thrilled with the service provided. My disabled son sleeps in the downstairs room so, under national regulations, you can’t have a fire in the room where someone sleeps. I contacted the council and the fire was capped and made safe in no time at all. It’s an excellent scheme and we were so grateful for the free work. I can’t praise the service highly enough.”

Kathryn Andrew, prevention service manager for the council’s adult care service, said: “This excellent service has been really well received by local residents. Gas safety is so important but is often something people delay doing because of the cost. Our service is free, quick and hassle free and we are proud to be providing much needed help and support to vulnerable people across the borough.”

The gas safety scheme includes:

• Gas safety checks.
• Gas fire/boiler servicing.
• Gas boiler repairs.
• Gas boiler combustion analysis.

Help is available to the following residents:

• Home owners who are 60 years of age or over and who receive means tested benefit.
• Home owners who are 60 years of age or over and who receive state pension only.
• Home owners who are 60 years of age or over and who are disabled.
• Home owners who are 21 years of age or over who are disabled. 

The maximum that can be spent on repairs at any property is £500. The work is always carried out by gas safe registered contractors.

Rochdale Borough Council’s adult care service is calling for more residents to sign up.

For further information about the scheme and to register for a free home visit, residents should call the Home Improvement Agency Team on 01706 926671 between 9am and 4.45pm Monday to Friday.