MARK Jenkinson MP has accused Cumberland Council chiefs of being “asleep at the wheel” over Government energy grants.
His comments came after the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that it has received “no communication” from the unitary authority about the Energy Company Obligation scheme known as ‘ECO Flex’.
The initiative enables local authorities to widen the eligibility criteria for support, allowing them to tailor energy efficiency schemes to their respective area, providing help for vulnerable people living in fuel poverty or in low-income households – particularly those who fall outside other funding schemes.
The scheme does not cost councils, is fully-funded by energy suppliers through the Energy Company Obligation, and could potentially see thousands of currently ineligible homes in Cumberland upgraded. Publication of a Statement of Intent is not onerous, it is simply that – a public statement which outlines their intention to participate in the scheme and follow the scheme rules.
Capital budget adjustments published by the council show that £1.8m of possible funding has been sent back to the Treasury this year – indicating that the local authority is not capitalising on the opportunities available. This comes on the back of the return of £11m to government for energy efficiency schemes last year.
By contrast Cumbria’s other council – Westmorland and Furness – has published a Statement of Intent, underscoring their willingness to participate in the scheme.
Given that nearly £13 million of energy efficiency funding has now been returned to government, the lack of even basic contact with DESNZ, and fact that vulnerable constituents are being let down again with EcoFlex, is worrying to say the least.
Cumberland are asleep at the wheel. It’s a simple job to issue the statement, and I’ve even found them at least one supplier willing to spend £millions in Cumberland.
And it is not as if the leadership is ‘nodding off’ once or twice. First, we had months of avoidable #binchoas despite the warnings from me and trade unions.
Then we learned that Cumberland has so far refused to accept the Government bus funding available and was prevaricating on spending £millions of central Government funding on improving our bus services.
Now we have this latest energy grant debacle, coming on top of council tax hikes which are among the largest in England; huge pay rises for councillors; and ‘jobs for the boys’.
Cumberland council failing my constituents once is an accident, twice a coincidence, and thrice a pattern.
Given the parlous state of their budget, one would expect them to be more receptive and vigilant when it comes funding opportunities – if not for themselves then for the people they were elected to serve.”
Mark Jenkinson MP
