Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management on the procurement of a green deal partner relationship for Cambridgeshire.

Approved the establishment of a Green Deal Partnership Scheme for Cambridgeshire subject to detailed approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the local authorities involved at Public Service Board; supported a procurement exercise and the subsequent award of contract(s) to one or more Green Deal Providers to be let on a Countywide basis and in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Local Authorities; and authorised the  Head of Paid Services and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding governing joint working and to enter into a contract with the chosen Green Deal Provider, after consultation with Executive Councillor for the Environment. The Head of Paid Services has been requested to clarify the terms under which the Council could withdraw from the Partnership should the implemented scheme not be meeting its objectives.

Further to Minute No. 12/40 and by way of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the background to a proposed Green Deal Partnership Scheme for Cambridgeshire aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings across the County.

The Executive Councillor for Environment explained that the Home Energy Act required all local authorities to actively promote and report on local Green Deal activity in their area whilst also playing a lead role in its delivery.  Members were advised that the most effective way of achieving this locally would be through a single Cambridgeshire brand establishing a partnership relationship with a fully accredited Green Deal provider.

In discussing a business case for a countywide scheme, Members’ attention was drawn to the conclusions reached by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the matter.  In that respect, Executive Councillors concurred with the Panel that the Provider should be selected on the basis of their ability to deliver high quality energy serving measures in a responsible way that meets the needs of customers.  Having also supported the Panel’s view that safeguards need to be put in place to ensure that the scheme does not operate in a way that might damage the Council’s reputation, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the establishment of a Green Deal Partnership Scheme for Cambridgeshire be approved subject to detailed approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the local authorities involved at Public Service Board;

  (b)  that a procurement exercise and the subsequent award of contract(s) to one or more Green Deal Providers be approved to be let on a Countywide basis and in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Local Authorities;

  (c)  that the Head of Paid Service and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding governing joint working and to enter into a contract with the chosen Green Deal Provider, after consultation with Executive Councillor for the Environment; and

  (d)  that the Head of Paid Service be requested to clarify the terms under which the Council could withdraw from the Partnership should the implemented scheme not be meeting its objectives.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management on the procurement of a green deal partner relationship for Cambridgeshire.

(Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Member for Environment, was in attendance for consideration of this item).

With the aid of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel gave consideration to the establishment of a Countywide Green Deal partnership. The Executive Member for Environment reported that the Home Energy Act required all local authorities actively to promote and report on local Green Deal activity within their area whilst also playing a lead role in its delivery. The scheme would enable households to spend up to £10,000 on energy saving measures within their homes with repayments made through their energy bills. The “Golden Rule” was that repayments should not exceed the projected cost savings on an average bill for the duration of the green finance arrangement, which could be for as long as 25 years for houses.

The Environment Team Leader acquainted the Panel with the events which had led to the development of a Cambridgeshire Green Deal brand. To date, three of the participating authorities had endorsed the proposals. Members were advised that a joint procurement exercise would be required in order to establish a partner relationship with a fully accredited Green Deal Provider. This would be subject to EU procurement rules and it was intended that local assessors and installers would be involved in the scheme. It was confirmed that the costs of any energy improvements works would be levied upon the property and not homeowners. In response to a question by a Member, it was confirmed that in the case of private rented properties, permission to carry out works would be required from the landlord.

Members’ attention was drawn to the Green Deal investment potential in Huntingdonshire, together with the likely number of leads that might be generated, which was expected to produce an income of around £30,000 - £60,000 per annum for the Council. These projections were based on the findings of a report commissioned by the County Council. The Panel expressed the view that safeguards should be put in place to ensure the scheme did not operate in a way that might damage the Council’s reputation. 

Discussion then ensued on the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). The ECO assisted with the installation of energy efficiency measures in hard to treat properties and in vulnerable and fuel poor households. Funding to undertake works to qualifying properties under the ECO would only be available through the Green Deal. The cost would be met by the major energy companies.

The Panel expressed the view that a robust methodology and associated assessment software would be required to support the accreditation and certification of energy improvement assessors and installers. This would guarantee the standard of works undertaken and the probity of the practices employed to sell them and also protect the Council’s reputation. It was further suggested that points of contact within the Council and communities should be established who would act as “trusted” informants about the scheme.

The Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77