ECO represents a significant opportunity for local authorities and registered providers on the one hand and for energy companies and third party contractors and service companies on the other. The big six energy companies are seeking to work directly with those public authorities who have housing stock to see what ECO can be applied to that stock.
There are, however, a number of factors for local authorities and registered providers to consider carefully before taking the first offer made by an obligated energy supplier.
At the end of January, HM Treasury and IUK jointly published the "Infrastructure Procurement Routemap - a guide to improving delivery capabilities".
Aimed "primarily at the sponsor and client organisations that develop major projects and programmes, long term capital investment plans and publicly procured mega-projects", it is already being adopted by the likes of Crossrail, Network Rail and London Underground. The Routemap sets out a four-stage process to be followed before commencing the procurement of any major infrastructure project or programme.
All local authorities with housing responsibilities must prepare a report under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 by 31 March 2013, setting out “the local energy conservation measures that a local authority – or groups of authorities – consider practical, cost effective, and likely to significantly improve the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in its area”. Time is running out to finalise the reports ahead of publishing them on the relevant local authority’s website and sending a copy to the Secretary of State.
The EU Commission formally approved the UK Government's support of its Green Deal initiative on 5 February 2013 and found that this support is in line with EU rules on state aid and will ultimately assist competition.
On 24 January 2014 the Government announced a package of measures that include the much talked about changes to the permitted development regime to allow the conversion of offices to residential. The changes are due to come into force in Spring 2013. This article sets out details of the changes, the possible exemptions, and the actions that may need to be taken by local authorities and landowners/funders who may benefit from these changes.
On 23 January 2013 the NHS announced the establishment of a new £50m capital fund in the 2013-14 financial year for the improvement of energy efficiency across the NHS in order to contribute towards the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England (CRS). In this alert we set out some details of the proposals together with a summary of our experience of other related energy efficiency and energy generation issues.
The Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, announced yesterday (22 November 2012) that 90 projects from over 85 councils have been selected to share in funding from the over-subscribed £250 million Weekly Collection Support Scheme (Scheme). Are you one of the lucky ones? If so, you will need to consider how best to apply any cash awarded from the Scheme from a procurement, legal and VfM perspective.
As part of the Infrastructure Costs Review programme, the Government has been working with Ofwat and the water industry to understand the impact and causes of the highly cyclical investment profiles in the water sector. HM Treasury published a report on these findings in July 2012.
The announcement by the Government last Friday (19 October 2012) of the Green Deal cashback scheme, where both registered providers (as landlords) and tenants can claim cash back on energy saving improvements, once again brings to the fore the range of possibilities presented by the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
This alert considers the key issues that registered providers should take into account before engaging with the Government’s flagship policy to reduce carbon emissions throughout the country.
Birmingham City Council (BCC) will appoint its preferred bidder in early October 2012 to deliver the Green Deal initiative in their area in a ground breaking procurement that could benefit up to 40 other local authorities, registered providers and other public sector stakeholders. As BCC's procurement continues towards contract signature, how ready are you to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Green Deal and the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO)?
This alert considers the key issues that any contracting authority would need to consider.