Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery that provided an overview of the current Ecoflex “Help to Heat” scheme; and sought Member approval of an updated Statement of Intent for the Maldon District and the ability to work with a third-party delivery partner.

The Director of Service Delivery took the Committee through the report. He reminded Members that this was an update to the scheme that Maldon District Council had been a member of for some years. The purpose of the report was to agree the updated Statement of Intent. The main impact for Local Authorities was that the Flexible Eligibility element of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme was increased from a maximum of 10% of ECO installations undertaken by energy providers to a maximum of 25%.  This meant that more properties and therefore more residents would be assisted through the scheme.

He also pointed out that the Council does not have to contribute any funding towards delivery of these schemes.  The finance comes from the energy companies (hence the ‘ECO’)).  The role of the Council was as an arbiter for those applicants who may fall outside of the standard ECO criteria, but who are still on a low income, not in receipt of benefits and are either in a hard to heat property or vulnerable to cold.

Councillor Fluker, in response to the issue of eligibility, confirmed that the criteria was set nationally which was how the government ascertained statistics on numbers in fuel poverty. With reference to administrative costs to the Council he said it was clear under Section 6 of the report there was no cost, the scheme was fully funded with no contribution required from Maldon District Council. He added that this was a very commendable scheme and proposed that the recommendations be agreed.

The Chairman put the recommendations to the Committee and they were agreed.

RESOLVED 

    (i)          That details of the scheme and the potential benefits to those in fuel poverty in the District are noted;

  (ii)          That the proposed statement of intent is agreed;

(iii)          That a third party is engaged as a business partner to deliver the scheme.