Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio: - Jobs and the Local Economy

Strategic Directorate: - Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 25 January 2021 regarding proposals for the delivery of a Community Energy Switching Scheme. The Strategic Director – Regeneration Environment, the Assistant Director - Planning, Regeneration and Transport and the Environment, Energy and Data Manager attended the meeting to present the report.

The report stated that a community energy switching scheme would be open to all Rotherham residents and the aim of the scheme would be to reduce the number of households paying high tariffs for gas and electricity and consequently reduce fuel poverty. It was noted that though the scheme would be open to all residents, it would be of particular benefit for harder to reach and vulnerable residents, who may not be able to access energy switching services independently.

The development of a community energy switching scheme had first been approved by Cabinet on 17 December 2018, with Robin Hood Energy subsequently being awarded the contract, however due to various problems with the contract and Robin Hood Energy ceasing to trade a new approach had been needed to be developed. The Strategic Director – Regeneration and Environment noted that on 20 July 2020 that Cabinet had approved a procurement process in order to identify a potential partner to develop a Community Energy Switching scheme. However, as only one bid had been received from a company that could not provide the level of service that was required, as well as not having all the required licences, the bid had been deemed to be a non-compliant bid.

The Strategic Director advised that due to the difficulties experienced with finding a suitable delivery partner the option that had also been approved by Cabinet on 20 July 2020 for the development of an internally delivered scheme as an alternative approach had been pursued.

The report stated that an internally managed scheme would be delivered by a Community Energy Officer that in 2020/21 would be funded from a combination of National Energy Action grant of £14,091 and directorate approved revenue budget. It was noted that further external funding, when available, would be used to extend or grow the scheme.

Members noted the length of time that the development of an energy switching scheme had been in development and agreed that the proposed option would enable activity to take place that would support residents who may not have the skills or internet access in order to switch energy providers.

The Chair asked how residents who needed support to switch providers, and who did not have access to the internet would be reached and engaged with. The Environment, Energy and Data Manager advised that online engagement activity would be supplemented by work with community groups and voluntary organisations in community settings that would ensure that those residents who did not have access to the internet could be engaged with and supported.

Members noted that the name of the scheme did not clearly describe its proposed purpose of supporting residents to switch to a cheaper energy tariff and were in agreement that a more suitable name should be considered for the scheme. Members also agreed that council tenants who were on the district heating scheme should be advised that the proposed switching scheme would only enable them to access alternative tariffs and providers for the supply of electricity.

The Chair thanked the Strategic Director – Regeneration Environment, the Assistant Director - Planning, Regeneration and Transport and the and Environment, Energy and Data Manager for attending the meeting and answering members’ questions.

Resolved: -

1.    That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.

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.