Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment Services

Recommendations:-

1.    That an internally delivered community energy switching scheme is implemented to launch in March 2021.

Consideration was given to the report which recommended moving forward with an alternative internally delivered Community Energy Switching Scheme as no compliant bids had been received following the completion of the tender on 4th November, 2020. The Scheme, if approved, would be implemented to launch in March 2021 and would be open to all Rotherham residents with the aim to reduce the number of households paying high tariffs for gas and electricity and reduce fuel poverty.

The development of a Community Energy Switching Scheme was first approved by Cabinet on 17th December, 2018. Following an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement process to identify a potential partner in 2019, Robin Hood Energy was the successful bidder and awarded the contract. However, in December 2019, they could not agree to the specification under the terms of the procurement process and so the contract could not be awarded. Robin Hood Energy have since stopped trading.

On 20th July 2020, following changes to the specification and terms and conditions, Cabinet approved an OJEU procurement process to identify a potential partner to develop a Community Energy Switching Scheme. The tender was launched on 4th September, 2020, and bids had to be submitted by 9th October, 2020.  Only one bid was received from a company that did not provide the service required and did not have the supply license necessary.  The bid was evaluated and deemed to be a non-compliant bid.

The Cabinet Member explained that local workshops and support groups would be set up once the current Covid restrictions were removed to assist residents with the Scheme. The Scheme would focus on supporting residents to:

·     Identify a reduced utility tariff and change to a new supplier using OFGEM accredited comparison websites.

·     Promote energy efficiency for Rotherham residents and provide support to access available grants to reduce energy consumption such as the Government Green Homes Grant voucher scheme.

The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process. The Board were fully supportive of the recommendations but suggested the name of the scheme be reviewed in order to ensure it was accessible to residents. OSMB also requested information on the number of residents in receipt of the district heating scheme.

Resolved:

1.    That an internally delivered Community Energy Switching Scheme is implemented to launch in March 2021.

2.    That the name of the Scheme be reviewed in order to ensure that it is both accessible to residents and clearly matches the objectives of the scheme.

3.    That information on the number of residents in receipt of the district heating scheme be circulated to members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.