Superseded Version 5

This superseded Statement of Intent was published on 27 October 2023.

This statement sets out Westmorland and Furness Council’s 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. 

The Council is publishing this Statement of Intent (SoI), on 27 October 2023 to confirm that each of the households declared will adhere to at least one of the four available routes outlined below.

Route one

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

Route two

SAP bands E to G for owner-occupied households and private rented sector households that meet a combination of two of the following proxies. Proxies 1 and 3 cannot be used together.

Proxy 1

Homes in England in Lower-layer Super Output Area 1 to 3 (LSOA), or homes in Welsh provision LSOA 1 to 3 on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019, or the Index of Multiple Deprivation for 2020, published by the Scottish Government.

Proxy 2

Householders receiving a Council Tax reduction (based on low income only). 

Proxy 3

Householders vulnerable to 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 5

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

Proxy 6

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

Route three

SAP bands D to G owner-occupied households and private rented sector E to 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 four

SAP band D to G owner-occupied households and private rented sector E to G households that are referred under Route 4: Bespoke Targeting. Suppliers and LAs 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 Westmorland and Furness Council or one of their approved ECO installers to ensure that they can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any other relevant programme. 

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

Sam Taylor 
Job Title: Technical Energy Officer 
Telephone: 01768 212 159 
Email: Sam.Taylor@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Louise Jeffery 
Job Title: Housing Services Manager 
Telephone: 01768 212 451
Email: Louise.Jeffery@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

Lee Curren 
Job Title: Principal Specialist (Housing Standards/Disabled Facilities Grants)
Telephone: 07500 052 696 
Email: Lee.Curren@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Chris Jones 
Job Title: Head of Programme Management and Climate Change 
Telephone: 01229 876 351
Email: Chris.Jones@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature 

Westmorland and Furness 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 BEIS guidance. 

Steph Cordon 
Job Title: Director Thriving Communities 
Date of signature: 31 October 2023 

General enquires 

Please contact us with any enquiries.

Email: better.homes@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 
Telephone: 01768 212 348