Private Housing
ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent
Local Authority Name: Pembrokeshire County Council
Publication Date: 06/03/2023
Version Number: v 1.0
Publication on web site: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/private-housing/energy-efficiency
Introduction and background
This statement sets out the flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) operating in Pembrokeshire County Council from 06/03/2023 until the end of the scheme.
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 is publishing this Statement of Intent (SoI), on the 06/03/2023, to confirm that each of the households will be eligible according to at least one of the three available routes outlined below.
Identifying eligible households
The council propose to allow approved ECO4 installers to make direct referrals into the scheme for eligibility checks and the signing of declarations (where qualifying). The team do not accept referrals from lead generators or third parties that are not on our list of approved agent companies and not accredited to undertake ECO4 works themselves.
Route 1 (Low Income)
Owner Occupied households living in homeswithEPC rating(SAP band) D to G and private rented households with EPC (SAP band) E-G, with a gross income less than £31,000. This cap applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region.
Route 2 (Proxy Targeting)
Owner occupied and private rented sector households living in homes with EPC rating(SAP band) E to G that are not eligible under route 1, that meet at least two of the following proxies:
- Proxy 1*) Homes in Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) decile 1-3 on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019.
- Proxy 2) Householders receiving a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excluding single person rebates).
- Proxy 3*) Householders vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance. Only one from the list can be used, excludes the proxy ‘low income’.
- Proxy 4) A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income.
- Proxy 6) A household referred to the LA 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 1: *Proxies 1 and 3 cannot be used together
Note 2: Proxy 5 – PCC do not have a scheme that meets this criteria, as such it has not been named or described. For this reason proxy 5 is unavailable.
Route 3 (NHS Referral)
Owner Occupied households living in homeswithEPC rating(SAP band) D to G and private rented households with EPC (SAP band) E-G that have been identified by their doctor or GP as 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.
Governance
The officers below will be responsible for signing Declarations on behalf of the local
Authority:
- Philip Jackson – Senior Renewals Officer, and/or
- Other delegated officers.
Declaration and evidence check confirmation
All potentially eligible households should apply through one of their approved ECO installers to ensure the applicant can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any other relevant programmes eg. Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO).
The officer below will be responsible for checking and verifying declarations and associated evidence submitted on behalf of the local authority:
- Philip Jackson, Senior Renewals Officer, 01437 775635
- Other delegated officers
Email: ecoflex@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Monitoring
The following will be recorded by Pembrokeshire County Council:
- Number of households contacted who are eligible for ECO Flexible Scheme
- Which qualifying eligibility criteria as met for each applicant
- Number of ECO Flexible Eligibility funded measures installed
- Number of homes improved
Data collected from application forms may be required for future monitoring and feedback on the scheme, which may include contacting households directly. Any such information will, be retained for a maximum of 3 years from the end of the scheme.
CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature
The 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 Pembrokeshire County Council’s data protection policy, Information Commissioner’s Office Data Sharing Code, and BEIS guidance.
Signature:
Name: Will Bramble
Job Title: Chief Exec Officer of Pembrokeshire County Council
Date of signature: 23.01.2023
For any general enquires relating to this SoI, please contact Ecoflex@pembrokeshire.gov.uk