In light of the findings of the independent investigation report into ECO2, please can you comment on the following:
Please can you advise if there a lead officer who is keeping in touch with the Powys plumbing group and members to update them directly on matters and when did they last receive a formal communication with an update? If there is not a lead officer can this be addressed.
I understand that it was agreed at the scrutiny co-ordinating committee that a joint working group (selected from the economic and audit committees) be formed to review the report and carry out any further scrutiny required. I think it needs to be clear what their role is, for example lessons learned from ECO2, mitigation steps for the future scheme, future vetting of applicant statements and consideration of the scope and definition of fuel poverty. I would welcome seeing the scope/ terms of reference for the working group.
Will the working group committee’s recommendations be made available to both the Powys plumbing group and all councillors in advance of a decision on ECO2 being made and who will make the final decision on whether or not ECO3 will be going ahead and the changes to its implementation /operation following the concerns raised with ECO2?
Minutes:
In light of the findings of the independent investigation report into ECO2, please can you comment on the following: Please can you advise if there a lead officer who is keeping in touch with the Powys plumbing group and members to update them directly on matters and when did they last receive a formal communication with an update? If there is not a lead officer can this be addressed. I understand that it was agreed at the scrutiny co-ordinating committee that a joint working group (selected from the economic and audit committees) be formed to review the report and carry out any further scrutiny required. I think it needs to be clear what their role is, for example lessons learned from ECO2, mitigation steps for the future scheme, future vetting of applicant statements and consideration of the scope and definition of fuel poverty. I would welcome seeing the scope/ terms of reference for the working group. Will the working group committee’s recommendations be made available to both the Powys plumbing group and all councillors in advance of a decision on ECO2 being made and who will make the final decision on whether or not ECO3 will be going ahead and the changes to its implementation /operation following the concerns raised with ECO2?
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Response
The Powys Plumbing Group were in regular communication with the Lead Officer for the scheme who organised face to face meetings with the group and provided regular updates by email and telephone. There has not been recent communication, however, once a proposal is put forward from the Officer Working Group, this will be discussed with the group before a decision is made by Cabinet.
Adoption of an ECO3 scheme in Powys will be subject to a Cabinet decision following analysis by Scrutiny Committee. No decision has been made to date but various options are being pursued and any future scheme, if adopted, would be fully compliant with latest BEIS local authority guidance. An Officer Working Group met on 10th May and 5th July to work through the recommendations of the SWAP Audit report and look at the requirements set out in the new Guidance. Details of how the applications would be processed as part of any future ECO3 scheme would be clearly outlined within the Business Case for Scrutiny and then Cabinet.
There are no formal terms of reference for the Officer Working Group, however, their remit is to learn lessons from ECO2, take into consideration the recommendations outlined in the SWAP report, and put forward robust proposals for any potential ECO3 scheme. There is no set timetable, however, I would anticipate proposals coming forward early autumn.
In her supplementary question Councillor Jenner asked if it would be appropriate for the timetable for when reports would be considered to be shared with the Powys Plumbing Group and the Portfolio Holder advised that dates would be published and that the Scrutiny group could invite representatives of the group to meetings when the issue was being considered.
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