Flexible eligibility statement of intent - Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) 1.1

- Introduction

- Routes

- Declaration and evidence check confirmation

- CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature

Uttlesford District Council ECO4 Statement of Intent

Local authority name: Uttlesford District Council

Publication date: 1 August 2023

Version number: 1.0, template 1

Publication location: Uttlesford District Council website

Introduction

This statement sets out Uttlesford District Councils flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 to March 2026.

The ECO4 scheme will focus on supporting low income and vulnerable households. The scheme will improve the least energy efficient homes helping to meet the government's fuel poverty and net zero commitments.

The flexible approach for local authorities (LAs) to identifying fuel poor and vulnerable households who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures is referred to as "ECO4 Flex". The council welcomes the introduction of the ECO4 Flex eligibility routes as it helps the council achieve its plans to improve the homes of those in fuel poverty or vulnerable to the cold.
 

Routes

The council is publishing this Statement of Intent (SoI), on 1 August 2023 to confirm that each of the households declared will adhere to at least one of the 4 available routes outlined below:

Route 1

SAP bands D-G owner-occupied households and private rented sector E-G households with an income less than £31,000. This cap applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region.

Route 2

SAP bands E-G for owner-occupied households and private rented sector households that meet a combination of 2 of the following proxies.

Proxy 1

Homes in England in Lower-layer Super Output Area indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) 1-3

Proxy 2

Householders receiving a Council Tax reduction (based on low income only, excludes single person reductions).

Proxy 3

Householders vulnerable to living in a cold home as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance (Excess winter deaths and illness and the health risks associated with cold homes (nice.org.uk):

• people with cardiovascular conditions
• people with respiratory conditions (in particular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and childhood asthma)
• people with mental health conditions
• people with disabilities
• older people (65 and older)
• households with young children (from new-born to school age)
• pregnant women

Proxy 4

A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income.

Proxy 5

A householder supported by a local authority run scheme, that has been named and described by the local authority as supporting low income and vulnerable households for the purposes of NICE Guideline.

Proxy 6

A household referred to the local authority for support by their energy supplier or Citizen's Advice, because they have been identified as struggling to pay their electricity and gas bills.

Note that proxies 1 and 3 cannot be used together.

Route 3

SAP bands D-G owner-occupied households and private rented sector E-G households that have been identified by their doctor or GP as low-income and vulnerable, with an occupant whose health conditions may be impacted further by living in a cold home. These health conditions may be cardiovascular, respiratory, immunosuppressed, or limited mobility related.

This is because the council has identified a positive correlation between households who suffer from long- term health conditions and living off a low-income, with living in poorly insulated homes.

Route 4

SAP band D-G owner-occupied households and private rented sector E-G households that are referred under Route 4 Bespoke Targeting. Suppliers and local authorities can submit an application to BEIS where they have identified a low income and vulnerable household, who are not already eligible under the exiting routes.
 

Declaration and evidence check confirmation

All potentially eligible households should apply through an approved TrustMark registered installer to ensure that they can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any other relevant program.

The officer below will be responsible for checking and verifying declarations and associated evidence submitted on behalf of the local authority:

Name: Theresa Marlow

Job title: Grants (Aids & Adaptations) Officer

Telephone: 01799 510479

Email: tmarlow@uttlesford.gov.uk
 

CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature

Uttlesford District Council will administer the scheme according to BEIS' ECO4 Order and will identify eligible households via Ofgem's application process. The CEO of the council will oversee the process of identifying eligible households under ECO4 Flex.

The eligibility information will be stored securely in line with the council's data protection policy, Information Commissioner's Office Data Sharing Code, and DESNZ guidance.

Name: Marcus Watts

Job title: Environmental Health Manager (Protection)

Date of signature: 23 August 2023

For any general enquires relating to this SoI, please email mwatts@uttlesford.gov.uk

Previous versions

Flexible eligibility statement of intent - Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) 1.0