Issue - meetings

To consider the preferred option for moving forwards the Council’s  participation in the Green Deal and ECO (Energy Company Obligation) as our main delivery mechanism for the Council’s previously agreed Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) aims.

(Report attached)

The Committee considered a report on the preferred option for participating in the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) as the Council’s main delivery mechanism for its Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) aims.

Officers had explored the available options in some depth and were recommending that the Council engage in the Birmingham Energy Savers procurement option. This option presented the Council with no up-front costs. Officers had also identified that the funding for a number of existing schemes could more usefully be exploited in supporting this new initiative and it was therefore proposed that the existing schemes by ceased with immediate effect.

In response to members’ queries, it was clarified that Officers could not guarantee that specific scheme or areas would benefit from this initiative, there was scope for the Council to shape the work that was carried out on its behalf by Carilliion, the service provider under the Birmingham Energy Savers contract.

Members welcomed the report and initiative, recognising that it presented the Borough with opportunities to provide economic and environmental benefits.

RESOLVED that

1)         working with Carillion in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council via the Birmingham Energy Savers procurement route, and formalisation of this arrangement by entering into a contract with Carillion, be agreed;

2)         authority be delegated to the Head of Environmental Services and the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to negotiate the contract and to finalise the contract documents and any other associated legal documents;

3)         it be noted that discussions are on-going between Carillion and the other Worcestershire authorities.  In pursuing the negotiations for the contract Officers will in the first instance be aiming to secure an agreement with Carillion that is County-wide.  In the event that this does not prove possible, that Members authorise Officers to enter into a contract with Carillion on behalf of Bromsgrove and Redditch Councils;

4)         all historic/existing energy efficiency and conservation schemes currently available through the Council’s capital budget be formally suspended to avoid conflict with the incoming Green Deal initiative and the remaining funding is redeployed to support the Affordable Warmth initiatives, Green Deal incentives and general Energy Efficiency initiatives; and

5)         the Council record its thanks to the Climate Change Manager, Ceridwen John, on the occasion of her departure from the Council, for the excellent work that she had carried out on behalf of the Council during the previous 10 years.