Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Environmental Services

Summary

To inform members of collective energy purchasing and switching scheme proposals and provide information for progressing a scheme in Cherwell

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To take forward a collective switching scheme for domestic energy consumers in Cherwell and to collaborate with other interested Districts to achieve the best deal for residents.

(2)               To further explore engaging iChoosr as an intermediary to negotiate with energy companies in order to achieve the best value for money.

(3)               To consider the setting up of a working group to implement and deliver a collective switching project

Resolved

(1)               That it be agreed to take forward a collective switching scheme for domestic energy consumers in Cherwell and to collaborate with other interested Districts to achieve the best deal for residents.

(2)               That engaging iChoosr as an intermediary to negotiate with energy companies in order to achieve the best value for money be further explored.

(3)               That the setting up of a working group to implement and deliver a collective switching project be agreed.

(4)               That officers be requested to investigate the possibility of a commercial collective energy scheme in the district.

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report which informed members of collective energy purchasing and switching scheme proposals and provided information for progressing a scheme in Cherwell.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Clean and Green advised Executive that collective energy switching offered households the opportunity to sign up to a scheme that allowed an intermediary to negotiate with energy companies on their behalf in order to secure the householder a discounted energy price. The scheme would complement the Council’s Housing Strategy and had the potential to deliver part of Council’s priority to tackle fuel poverty.

Member commended the scheme and agreed that it offered a lot of potential. Members stressed the need for the scheme to be clear and easy to understand. It would be important to ensure that it was widely communicated to residents in receipt of benefits. It was agreed that officers be requested to investigate the possibility of a commercial collective energy scheme in the district.

Resolved

(1)               That it be agreed to take forward a collective switching scheme for domestic energy consumers in Cherwell and to collaborate with other interested Districts to achieve the best deal for residents.

(2)               That engaging iChoosr as an intermediary to negotiate with energy companies in order to achieve the best value for money be further explored.

(3)               That the setting up of a working group to implement and deliver a collective switching project be agreed.

(4)               That officers be requested to investigate the possibility of a commercial collective energy scheme in the district.

Reasons

A collective energy purchasing and switching scheme will complement the Council’s Housing Strategy by combating fuel poverty as well as the Council’s Low Carbon Environmental Strategy by making the costs of green tariffs more compatible with other tariffs.

The scheme can also have environmental benefits, if the auction was to include green energy suppliers.  This would make a contribution to the corporate objective of being a cleaner, greener Cherwell and would be particularly appropriate in Eco Bicester.

A collective energy purchasing and switching scheme across more Districts will make the scheme more successful as there is strength in numbers.

Research has established that iChoosr has the knowledge and extensive experience in collective switching therefore it is recommended that iChoosr is considered as partners to operate the pilot scheme.

Options

Option One:               Progress with a scheme working with iChoosr

Option Two:               Do not progress with a scheme

Option Three:             Investigate other options