URL: https://democracy.stratford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4037

Decision Maker: Head of Housing, Revenues and Customer Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Extension/ variation of contract for services ADMINISTRATION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC ENERGY USE AND RELATED WORKS (SHEBS) delivered by Act on Energy (AOE).

Content: Extension/ variation of contract for services ADMINISTRATION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC ENERGY USE AND RELATED WORKS (SHEBS) delivered by Act on Energy (AOE). To extend the contract for services due to end on 30 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, and to include a provision for additional funds to be added if demand exceeds available budget. AOE will be unable to award the remaining SHEBS budget to eligible residents of Stratford-on-Avon before the end of the contract on 30 September 2025. There is approximately £90,000 remaining at the end of June 25 from a starting fund of £190,423 (note this is made up of £114,750 from 24-25 budget plus £75,673 carried over from the previous contract for services due to being unspent).   There is £135,000 for 25-26 and £135,000 for 26-27 in Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s (SDC) budget for the project, and a new contract for services was planned to be drawn up from 01/09/25 for AOE to administer.   AOE are currently awarding approx. £10,000 per month to eligible applicants for either the energy grant element (£300 or £500 paid directly to a household’s energy supplier) or the physical heating element (up to £6000 for repair, replacement or installation of heating for owner/ occupiers). So, based on this figure, extending for a further 6 months is in line with the remaining budget.   From a recent meeting with AOE on 4 July 2025, their preference is to extend the contract for services and not receive additional funds for SHEBS for 25-26 due to the difficulty spending this year’s budget and the carried over underspend. It would also be beneficial to vary the current contract for services to ensure contingency if there was an increase in application for this period due to unforeseen circumstances i.e. a particularly cold winter period.   It is not in the interests of SDC or residents of the district for AOE to hold money that is unlikely to be spent in 25-26. This also better aligns with budget setting and implementation for future contract for services.   Therefore, the best option is to extend the current contract for services with an included variation to allocate additional budget for added contingency. Extend contract to 31 March 2026 only; Extend contract to 31March 2026 and vary to include provision to add to the SHEBS budget if demand exceeds remaining budget; or Draw up contract for services for AOE to deliver SHEBS with allocated budget for 25-26.

Date of Decision: July 23, 2025