Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: By Zoom. View directions

Contact: Wyn Richards, Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services  Email: wyn.richards@powys.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

The Committee held a minute's silence as a tribute to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh following his death the previous week.

 

An apology for absence was received from County Councillor R Harris.

2.

Disclosures of Interest

To receive any disclosures of interests by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

The Committee received the following disclose of interests by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting:

 

Item 4 – Revision of the Statement of Intent to Improve Delivery of ECO-3 LA Flex in Powys – County Councillor G Jones disclosed a Personal and Prejudicial Interest as a private landlord who could be eligible to apply for a grant under the scheme.

3.

Declaration of Party Whips

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

 

(NB: Members are reminded that under Section 78 Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

Minutes:

The Committee did not receive any disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

4.

Revision of the Statement of Intent to improve delivery of Eco-3 LA Flex in Powys pdf icon PDF 159 KB

To scrutinise the draft report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Housing and to make recommendations to the Cabinet.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Documents Considered:

·                 Draft Cabinet Report by the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Housing.

 

Issues Discussed:

·                 ECO 3 is the UK wide energy company obligation programme which commenced in the Autumn of 2018 and will run until March 2022. The programme delivers energy efficiency and heating measures to homes. ECO3 allows a local authority to develop its own eligibility criteria. Whilst a Council does not have to have its own scheme, having a scheme benefits options for residents to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel costs.

·                 The scheme in Powys is delivered by Warm Wales. Since the scheme was adopted in Powys in September 2020 Warm Wales has processed 37 applications, but has only generated the delivery of 2 installations which is below expectations. The report therefore proposes amendments to the eligibility criteria, informed by the latest guidance from the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy and OFGEM. This is hoped to widen the client group and take up of the scheme. The revised guidance increases eligible income levels in comparison with higher child benefit thresholds. The current criteria are not in line with the revised guidance and are unviable for Warm Wales to deliver.

·                 A review by Warm Wales indicates that the low take up of the scheme is as a result of the restrictive eligibility criteria. Other Councils in Wales have more generous eligibility criteria when compared with Powys. The revised proposals do not mean an additional resource requirement for the Council as ECO Flex is fully funded by the energy companies and delivered by Warm Wales at no cost to the Council.

·                 County Councillor G. Jones disclosed a Personal and Prejudicial interest during the discussion as a private landlord with rented property who could be eligible to apply for assistance under the scheme, and took no further part in the discussion.

 

·                 Questions:

 

This is good news as the Council can offer a service to more people than under the original scheme. Have lessons been learned other than comparing eligibility criteria with other Councils.

Are there measures / mechanisms in place to ensure we do speak to other Councils to ensure parity between eligibility criteria across Wales especially if other initiatives come up in future.

It is of concern that as the scheme does not cost the Council the criteria were set so tightly initially.

A working group has been set up by officers working within the scheme to discuss this across authorities in Wales, It is important that this dialogue continues - Action for the Service.

The UK guidance was updated since Powys launched its scheme which is why the Council is reviewing its criteria to match that updated guidance.

With the funding being on a first come, first served basis for all Councils and only 12 months left in the scheme, is there enough money in the pot for Powys residents

Yes as far as the Council is aware there is sufficient funding remaining. The Council is keen to make these changes as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Scrutiny Work Programme

To note the schedule of future meetings as follows:

 

03-06-21

10.00 - 12.00

HOWPS Review Report (Confidential)

 

Performance Q4 + Risk (TBC)

12-07-21

10.00 - 12.00

Leadership and apprenticeship

 

Performance Q1 + Risk (TBC)

Freedom Leisure (provisional)

Q1 budget - efficiency savings (TBC)

06-09-21

10.00 - 12.00

Freedom Leisure (provisional)

18-10-21

14.00 - 16.00

Performance Q2 + Risk

Q2 budget - efficiency savings (TBC)

29-11-21

10.00 - 12.00

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted that future meetings would be held as follows:

 

03-06-21

10.00 - 12.00

HOWPS Review Report (Confidential)

 

Performance Q4 + Risk (TBC)

12-07-21

10.00 - 12.00

Leadership and apprenticeship

 

Performance Q1 + Risk (TBC)

Freedom Leisure (provisional)

Q1 budget - efficiency savings (TBC)

06-09-21

10.00 - 12.00

Freedom Leisure (provisional)

18-10-21

14.00 - 16.00

Performance Q2 + Risk

Q2 budget - efficiency savings (TBC)

29-11-21

10.00 - 12.00