It was inspiring to visit Ms L’s council-owned eco-home, where cool energy saving features inside – including large double-glazed windows to reduce the need for heating and lighting – are complemented by solar panels outside and a pretty green garden. Proud of her flowering plants and mature shrubs, Ms L wanted some help with pruning taller branches from a step ladder. It was a quick job to neaten things up, and I left the trimmings for Ms L to chop into smaller pieces for composting.