Decision details

To enter into a service agreement with Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA) for the purposes of delivering energy efficiency studies, recommendations reports and decarbonisation plans to members of the Cheltenham Zero initiative. An amount of £12,000 will be awarded for these works, obtaining a waiver Under Contract Rule 8.1.5.

To enable the council to deliver Key Priority 2: Net Zero Cheltenham, working with residents, communities and businesses to help make Cheltenham net zero by 2030. One Legal are currently drafting a Service Agreement between Cheltenham Borough Council & Severn Wye Energy Agency to deliver energy efficiency studies, recommendations reports and decarbonisation plans to members of the Cheltenham Zero initiative.

This decision notice provides the relevant authority to obtain a waiver Under Contract Rule 8.1.5. as there is no satisfactory alternative and it is in the opinion of the Authorised Officer, it’s in the Authority’s best interest to engage with SWEA for these works. This is because (SWEA) are the regional experts on providing energy efficiency advise in the borough.

Their expertise has previously been utilised to work with businesses within the Cheltenham Zero membership, offering 1-2-1 support, webinars and sitting on the decision-making panel for grant allocation.
As SWEA are a charity their advice is completely impartial, and tailored to specific business premises and operations, with zero obligations. As Cheltenham Zero is a CBC initiative, we need to ensure the support offered to the members aligns with the CBC governance.

SWEA’s previous experience with the Cheltenham Zero membership, governance structures and regional expertise mean it’s in the Authority’s best interest to engage with them over request for quote.

It should be noted that works need to commence before 31st March 2025, whilst this is not the principal reason for the waiver request, there is also a time imperative in relation to commissioning this work.

Research was undertaken to review alternative options for project delivery, however for the reasons stated above moving forward with SWEA was the preferred choice.

This decision was made in consultation with Climate, Flooding & Decarbonisation Manager and Business Initiative Manager – Cheltenham Zero.