The Committee’s approval was sought to enter into a partnership with Happy Energy Solutions Ltd (Happy Energy) to deliver the Energy Company Obligation and the government’s ECO4 Flex Scheme.  Approval was also sought to publish an ECO4 Flex Statement of Intent associated with the main ECO Scheme.

Officers advised that the ECO Scheme was an initiative to help reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions.  It was the fourth such iteration of the scheme which started in July 2022 and ran until March 2026.  Funding to residents was for the installation of appropriate energy efficiency measures for low income households, targeting those with an EPC rating of ‘D’ or lower and the household being in receipt of certain benefits to qualify.

Officers confirmed that part of the ECO Scheme was ECO4 Flex, to which local authorities could sign up.  This allowed local authorities to tailor energy efficiency schemes to their particular area, thus widening the eligibility criteria for residents identified as needing assistance with heating their homes.  To participate the Council would need to publish a Statement of Intent on its website, signed by the Chief Executive, a pro-forma of which was noted by the Committee.

Members reviewed the range of available energy efficiency measures.  Some Members aspired to steering residents away from Gas Central Heating and non-condensing boiler replacement.  However it was noted that a balance had to be struck between finding a short term solution to meet immediate need and achieving the aims of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and the wider target of Net Zero 2050.

Some Members, whilst supportive of the initiative, did question whether there was any overlap between the work undertaken by Action Surrey and Happy Energy.  Therefore, Officers were asked to provide the Committee with some comparative data between Happy Energy and Action Surrey detailing what each company provided, specifically what services were the same and how they differed from one another, and the number of grants which each had provided to the borough’s residents.  It was noted however that Happy Energy dovetailed with the Council’s Home Improvement Agency offer which was considered beneficial.  Happy Energy were also reported to have a good track record with neighbouring authorities with whom they worked and from previous partnerships with the Council.

To assess the scale of the problem, Officers were also asked to provide the Committee with details of how many homes in the borough had an EPC rating of D or lower, if this data was available, and an estimate of how many households were estimated to be assisted by Happy Energy over the life of the scheme in order to demonstrate value for money.

Officers agreed to feedback to the Climate Change Team accordingly.

Resolved that –

the partnership with Happy Energy Solutions Ltd be approved, to deliver the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 and ECO4 Flex Scheme and publish an associated Runnymede Borough Council ECO4 Flex Statement of Intent on the Council’s website.  Thereby, enabling qualifying residents living in private sector homes in Runnymede to access funding under the ECO4 schemes