Agenda item - Your Energy Sussex - Energy Tariffs

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

That the Housing and New Homes Committee:-

(1)      note the appointment of Robin Hood Energy (RHE) by WSCC as the energy supplier for the YES energy tariff scheme

(2)      supports the communication of the benefits of switching energy suppliers and the availability of the YES scheme to residents in the city through existing networks open to us.

(3)      note the opportunity to develop a voids service for both Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties and leased properties used for temporary accommodation.

(4)      note the opportunity to participate in the Your Energy Sussex Fuel Poverty Fund, that will use income generated from the scheme to fund fuel poverty and energy efficiency projects across the partnership (draft principles at appendix 1.)

81.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which provided a further update on the Your Energy Sussex (YES) partnership, led by West Sussex County Council (WSCC). The Your Energy Sussex Partnership was a local energy tariff scheme delivering a set of competitively priced high value energy tariffs to residents and businesses across the Sussex area. YES is a local authority partnership open to 15 Sussex local authorities working with residents, businesses and other partners to promote energy saving and renewable energy. The Council was an Affiliate member of the partnership. The report was presented by the Housing Sustainability and Affordable Warmth Manager.

81.2    Councillor Druitt stated that he was pleased to see detail on concerns raised at the previous committee meeting. His main concern had been that although it was clearly a good opportunity to improve value for money for the majority of tenants on the big six energy tariffs, it was not clear it would benefit everyone. He had also been concerned that the council branding would give the impression that it was the best deal.

81.3    In answer to questions raised by Councillor Druitt, the Housing Sustainability and Affordable Warmth Manager explained that there were no exit fees with this scheme if customers left during the tariff period. With regard to representations around governance, an officer from the council would be involved in the governance of the scheme. With regard to comparisons, the big six had been used in this example because people most likely to benefit from switching were those on the six big tariffs. The scheme was aimed at people who were on those higher tariffs. In terms of the broader market, officers would look to communicate to people that although it was competitive, the local energy tariff scheme was not necessarily the cheapest deal, and that there might be better deals available. Councillor Druitt stated that this allayed his concerns and that the Green Group would support the recommendations. 

81.4    Councillor Bell asked the following questions and made the following points:

·       How many homes did West Sussex County Council look after?

·       Paragraph 2.4 on page 57 – Councillor Bell could not support that recommendation.

·       He noted that paragraph 3.3 on page 58 stated that the tariffs would not be the cheapest on the market.

·       Looking at the Equalities Implications on page 62, Councillor Bell noted that the council managed things very well without signing up to any scheme.

·       The Brighton & Hove Energy Service Co-operative used to be funded by the council and already advised and helped residents to find the cheapest tariffs.

·       Councillor Bell stressed that the council should offer its services should people need help but should not recommend a particular supplier.

81.5    The Housing Sustainability and Affordable Warmth Manager explained that West Sussex County Council did not own any of their housing stock but as this scheme was offered to all tenures of housing (private and social housing) they had about 700,000 homes. The scheme was aimed at people across all tenures. The council were working closely with Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative on a number of projects, including the Warmth for Wellbeing Project and the SHINE project in council housing. They were in receipt of funding from various sources at different times of the year to advise people, including advice on switching which would be on a one to one basis.

81.6   Councillor Atkinson stated that he had some concerns at the last meeting but would now support the report. The previous report had focused too strongly on promoting the scheme. He was pleased to see the section on page 60 on the Fuel Poverty Fund. 

81.7   Councillor Hill stated that she too had concerns at the last meeting which were addressed well in the report. It was not possible to put forward a tariff which was always the cheapest as tariffs were constantly changing. With Your Energy Sussex, there would be better value over a period of time. Councillor Hill was pleased to see the scheme could also offer a void switching service. 

81.8   RESOLVED:-

That the Housing and New Homes Committee:-

(1)      note the appointment of Robin Hood Energy (RHE) by WSCC as the energy supplier for the YES energy tariff scheme

(2)      supports the communication of the benefits of switching energy suppliers and the availability of the YES scheme to residents in the city through existing networks open to us.

(3)      note the opportunity to develop a voids service for both Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties and leased properties used for temporary accommodation.

(4)      note the opportunity to participate in the Your Energy Sussex Fuel Poverty Fund, that will use income generated from the scheme to fund fuel poverty and energy efficiency projects across the partnership (draft principles at appendix 1.)