Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

RESOLVED that

the authority enter into a service level agreement (Appendix 2) until 30 March 2015 with Severn Wye Energy Agency for the provision of energy efficiency related services.

The Cabinet Member Sustainability introduced the report and explained that the Green Deal allowed individuals and businesses to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings at no upfront cost. Central to the Green Deal was a finance mechanism that would allow access to the finance needed for the improvements with repayment, in instalments, attached to the electricity bill. The Energy Companies Obligation underpinned the delivery of the Green Deal and was designed primarily to deal with hard to treat properties and to assist those in fuel poverty by issuing means tested grants as applicable.

The Cabinet Member Sustainability explained that the report recommended continuing partnership arrangements with Severn Wye Energy Agency to assist with the Council’s Affordable Warmth Strategy and Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) reporting requirements and to increase the take up of sustainable energy retrofit measures by the provision of a local support hub. He informed Members that a common approach was proposed among all six Gloucestershire districts. The costs to Cheltenham of the partnership arrangement would be £10k per annum for the financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15. A new Service Level Agreement would be entered into in 2015.

RESOLVED that

the authority enter into a service level agreement (Appendix 2) until 30 March 2015 with Severn Wye Energy Agency for the provision of energy efficiency related services.