Decisions and Actions
Meeting Title:
Green Deal Advisory Group
Date of Meeting:
27th February 2014
Attendees:
No
Organisation
In attendance
1.
Trustmark
2.
Federation of Master Builders
3.
InstaGroup
4.
Carillion
5.
Eon
6.
EDF Energy
7.
British Gas
8.
Energy UK
Association for the Conservation of
9.
Energy
10.
Green Deal Finance Company
11.
BRE
12.
Institute for Domestic Energy Assessors
13.
Consumer Futures
14.
DECC
15.
DECC
16.
DECC
17.
DECC
18.
DECC
19.
DECC
20.
Gemserv
21.
Gemserv
Dial-in
22.
Welsh Government
23.
Newcastle Council
24.
SSE
25.
British Gas
Apologies
1.
Gemserv
2.
NIA
3.
Grafton Group
4.
Scottish Power
5.
TSI/Surrey Council
6.
Scottish Government
7.
Scottish Government
8.
Scottish Government
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Type
Installer Forum Rep
Installer Forum Rep
Chair of GDAA Panel
Provider Forum Rep
Electricity Supplier
Electricity Supplier
Provider Forum guest
Electricity Trade Body
Maximisation Forum Rep
GDFC
Certification Body Forum Rep
Assessor Forum Rep
Consumer Protection Forum Rep
Government
Government
Government
Government
Government
Government
GD ORB
GD ORB
Government
Local Authority Rep
Electricity Supplier Rep 2
Electricity Supplier Rep 3
GD ORB
Installer Forum Rep
Provider Forum Rep
Electricity Supplier
Consumer Protection Forum Rep
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
Page 1 of 9
Decisions and Actions
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the Green Deal Advisory Group (GDAG) meeting and invited
introductions from the participants.
2. Actions from Previous Meeting
Six actions from the previous meeting were outstanding, of which three were closed at the meeting.
th
Action GDAG 02-07 and GDAG 03-03 were deferred to the 7 April meeting.
Details of all new, outstanding and closed actions can be found in Annex A of this document.
There were no comments on the Draft Decisions and Actions of the previous meeting, and the GD
ORB will circulate the Final Decisions and Actions document to the Group membership.
Post-meeting note: the GD ORB circulated the Final Decisions and Actions from the GDAG 03 meeting
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on 12 March 2014.
3. Update on Green Deal Streamlining
a. GDAR Workshop Paper
The GDAG was presented with the outputs of the GDAR review workshop to the Group. It was
reported that the key objective was to reduce the cost of the GDAR to the customer, and introduce
more flexibility and choice for consumers. Customer research undertaken by the Provider Forum
member’s company found that many respondents believed the Occupancy Assessment to be costly
and time consuming. The report concludes that the occupancy assessment should be optional for
consumers, rather than mandatory.
It was reported that the Assessor Forum had been consulted and invited to feed back their comments
and concerns. The main thrust of the feedback from the Assessors focussed on two points:
-
There is a risk that the whole-house approach and the 'advice' element, promoted by the
Green Deal, would be weakened by the proposed changes;
-
Impact on the supply chain with regards to investment in training and certification undertaken
by the industry.
These concerns were acknowledged, but it was argued that the assessor market would not suffer if
there was a real demand from consumers for the full GDAR product; the market would respond by
meeting the demand.
Support was expressed for introducing more choice (as there were different types of customers who
would want different options) and for the customer journeys across the various environmental
programmes to have a high degree of commonality. DECC envisages three main types of customers;
(i) an owner of existing EPC who is clear about what they want, (ii) interested, but wants more advice
on measures that could be installed, and (iii) customers who want detailed advice potentially beyond
the assessment (e.g. extensive renovations happening).
The Group was informed that feedback received at this meeting would be incorporated into the final
report, which is to be presented to the Provider Strategy Group on 4th March.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 2 of 9
Decisions and Actions
b. Customer Journey
DECC presented a set of slides covering its latest thinking on streamlining the Green Deal and the
improvements to the customer journey. The three key areas being focussed on were:
(i) Digital Front-end:
DECC is considering a more sophisticated online tool, which provides more bespoke advice to the user
(the consumer). A basic online assessment tool currently exists and is being improved.
In terms of the software solutions (e.g. for assessments), GDAG members expressed support for the
Government to decide on the methodology and allow the market to deliver the solutions with
Government approval. All GDAG members agreed that all the outputs must be accurate, which could
be achieved by using a central Government methodology.
Action GDAG 04-01: DECC to circulate the online link to its online assessment tool.
Post-meeting note: the DECC online assessment tool can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/energygrants-calculator
(ii) Assessment offer:
DECC recognise that the current arrangements are costly for consumers or, alternatively, many are
getting their assessments paid for by third parties. The Department would want to follow up the report
being prepared under the previous item.
(iii) The harmonisation of certification schemes:
DECC is considering options for further integration of the certification schemes that exist across the
various environmental policy programmes (Green Deal, RHI,MCS,etc).
Action GDAG 04-02: Trustmark to share with DECC cross analysis they have completed with
regards to alignment of certification scheme requirements.
Action GDAG 04-03: GD ORB to provide an update to GDAG on current MCS/ PAS scheme
alignment and further considerations.
In addition, it was reported that Green Deal Plans can get 'stuck' late in the process due to failed
validation of the Golden Rule compliance check, without a reason for failure being clear. When a Plan
fails, the Provider must start the process again, which adds time and cost. DECC acknowledged the
concerns of Providers but reported that it had found that most Plans that failed did so by a large
margin, and the issue might not be minor changes in the Golden Rule calculations.
Action GDAG 04-04: DECC to circulate an information note to Providers, which includes
the reasons for Plans failing.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 3 of 9
Decisions and Actions
It was also suggested that Green Deal customers should be allowed to install their measures in stages
by revisiting their Green Deal and adding new measures to it. It was suggested that this is more in tune
with patterns of how home-owners improve their properties. Other members acknowledged the merits
of the proposal, but also recognised that this was not possible under the current arrangements.
Action GDAG 04-05: DECC to provide an updated version of the streamlining slides that
could be circulated more widely to the other GD ORB fora.
Post-meeting note: the GD ORB circulated an updated version of the streamlining slides
to the GDAG, Provider Forum, Consumer Protection Forum, Assessor Forum, Installer Forum
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and Certification Body Forum on 14 March 2014.
Action GDAG 04-06: GDAG participants to provide further feedback to DECC on
streamlining options electronically (via GD ORB) following the meeting.
Post-meeting note: the GD ORB invited GDAG, Provider Forum, Consumer Protection
Forum, Assessor Forum, Installer Forum and Certification Body Forum members to comment
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on the aforementioned streamlining slides from 14 – 24 March. Comments received were
submitted to DECC.
4. Green Deal Complaints Process
The Consumer Protection representative presented two sets of processes which described the current
customer complaints journeys, both when there is a Green Deal Plan in place, and when there is not.
It was questioned why there is a different process when complaining about an installer as when
complaining about an assessor organisation (in situations where the complaint comes in before the
Green Deal Plan is entered into). It was explained that it had not been anticipated that there would be
complaints against installers when there is no Green Deal Plan in place.
A question was also raised if there was a process for complaints involving microgeneration
installations. It was agreed that further clarification was required with regards to this area.
Action GDAG 04-07: GD ORB to provide clarification on (1) the complaints process where
there is cross-over between MCS and Green Deal schemes and (2) whether the
Ombudsman will accept complaints at the point where the contract has been signed, or
whether the Plan has to be 'live' in the GDCC for the complaint to be eligible.
Action GDAG 04-08: GD ORB to add a standing item on the GDAG agenda covering key
consumer protection trends and issues.
5. GD ORB Fora Update Report
Members were invited to ask questions about specific sections of the report.
Certification Body Forum:
A question was raised regarding the process of a Certification Body suspending an Assessor
Organisation’s certification. It was confirmed that the Assessor Services Specification permits
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 4 of 9
Decisions and Actions
Certification Bodies to share information on suspended Assessor Organisations, in order to prevent
them from regaining certification through another Certification Body.
A member asked whether action was being taken regarding the request for clarification around how the
Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) Route (Route 4) to demonstrating competence under PAS
2030 was being conducted. GD ORB confirmed that this was being developed.
GDAA:
A member asked about how information on the forthcoming self-funding would be communicated to the
signatories. It was confirmed that this had been discussed at the last GDAA Panel meeting and is an
ongoing matter that the GDAA Panel is considering.
GDFC:
One member asked about the level of uptake of the Green-Deal-in-a-day product with Green Deal
Providers. The GDFC confirmed that 18 Providers were either using or had requested access to the
Green Deal-in-a-day product.
The GDFC also fed back that there was a large increase in applications for Green Deal Plans last
week, which is most likely a result of the proposed changes to ECO.
A member asked why the non-domestic market is still not open. The GDFC confirmed that at the
present time the non-domestic risk profile is very difficult to measure, meaning that funding sources for
the non-domestic are not coming forward.
The GDFC confirmed that version 3 of the Green Deal Plan documentation has been released to
incorporate the changes to the CCA legislation and allow for the landlord-tenant scenario. As a result,
all Providers must start using the new templates, Any Provider using their own template is required to
get it approved by the GDFC to ensure compliance and GIB sign off, and this does involve additional
cost.
Action GDAG 04-09: GD ORB to provide an update on the GD ORB key developments in the GD
ORB Fora paper.
6. AOB
a) Update on DECC Stamp Duty Rebate Scheme.
b) GDAG expressed concerns over not having visibility of the CoP changes and that they need to
prepare for these and ensure they are able to ensure compliance in time for when the CoP comes
into force. DECC agreed to provide a document outlining the key changes to the Code (Please
refer to Action 03-02 in Appendix A).
c) XML functionality for the Occupancy Assessment
In relation to Providers’ request for greater access to XML functionality, DECC stated that it was
not considering a change in the arrangements to allow this as it presented too much of a security
risk (a script editor will allow a user to manipulate the underlying data file). DECC reported that for
the next iteration of software packages, it has requested that the packages incorporate the Green
Deal Improvement Package tool. DECC reported that the direction of travel on the Green Deal
Advice Report is to include improved information for consumers.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 5 of 9
Decisions and Actions
d) Green Deal project planner
DECC agreed to make available an overall policy programme planner, once there is a clearer
picture of which options will be implemented as this will dictate the nature of the change and
therefore the timeline for change i.e. ECO consultation outcome, streamlining proposals, resulting
in changes to the Framework Regulations, the Code of Practice, etc. Some changes may be
completed this year, but significant changes have longer delivery timelines. In this respect, it was
agreed that Action 03-02 would remain open.
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The next Green Deal Advisory Group meeting will take place on 7 April, 2014.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 6 of 9
Decisions and Actions
Annex A
Actions Outstanding
Action Ref
Description
By Who
Date of
completion
Update
Action GDAG
02-07
Add non-domestic Green Deal as agenda item
for GDAG discussions at one of the next
meetings
GD ORB
07/04/2014
Item deferred to April meeting to allow affected GDAG
parties to participate in the discussion.
Action GDAG
03-02
DECC agreed to explore the possibility of
producing an overall Green Deal project
planner as an aid for participants.
DECC/ GD
ORB
07/04/2014
DECC agreed to provide an overall policy programme
planner, once there is a clearer picture of which options
will be implemented as this will dictate the nature of the
change and therefore the timeline for change.
Action GDAG
03-03
Top-up loans to be added to the agenda for
GDAG 04 meeting
GD ORB
07/04/2014
Item deferred to April meeting. The GDFC is currently
working on a formal product, which should ready for
discussion at the next meeting.
Action GDAG
04-01
DECC to circulate the online link to its online
assessment tool.
DECC/ GD
ORB
12/03/2014
New action – post-meeting note: the link to the DECC
online assessment tool was circulated to the Group on
th
12 March.
Action GDAG
04-02
GDAG member to share with DECC cross
analysis they have completed with regards to
alignment of certification scheme
requirements.
GDAG
member/
GD ORB
07/03/2014
New action
Action GDAG
04-03
GD ORB to provide an update to GDAG on
current MCS/ PAS scheme alignment and
further considerations.
GD ORB
07/04/2014
New action
Action GDAG
04-04
DECC to circulate an information note to
Providers, which includes the reasons for
Plans failing.
DECC/ GD
ORB
07/03/2014
New action
Action GDAG
04-05
DECC to provide an updated version of the
streamlining slides that could be circulated
more widely to the other GD ORB fora.
DECC/ GD
ORB
07/03/2014
New action – post-meeting note: the GD ORB circulated
an updated version of the streamlining slides to the
GDAG, Provider Forum, Consumer Protection Forum,
Assessor Forum, Installer Forum and Certification Body
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 7 of 9
Decisions and Actions
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Forum on 14 March 2014.
Action GDAG
04-06
GDAG participants to provide further feedback
to DECC on streamlining options electronically
(via GD ORB) following the meeting.
GD ORB
07/03/2014
New action – Post-meeting note: the GD ORB invited
GDAG, Provider Forum, Consumer Protection Forum,
Assessor Forum, Installer Forum and Certification Body
Forum members to comment on the aforementioned
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streamlining slides from 14 – 24 March. Comments
received were submitted to DECC.
Action GDAG
04-07
GD ORB to provide clarification on (1) the
complaints process where there is cross-over
between MCS and Green Deal schemes and
(2) whether Ombudsman will accept
complaints at the point where the contract has
been signed, or whether the Plan has to be
'live' in the GDCC for the complaint to be
eligible.
GD ORB
07/04/2014
New action
Action GDAG
04-08
GD ORB to add a standing item on the GDAG
agenda covering key consumer protection
trends and issues.
GD ORB
07/04/2014
New action
Action GDAG
04-09
GD ORB to provide an update on the GD ORB
key developments in the GD ORB Fora paper.
GD ORB
07/04/2014
New action
Actions Closed at the Meeting
Action Ref
Description
Action GDAG
03-01
XML capability for the Occupancy Assessment
data to be discussed at the GDAG 04 meeting.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
By Who
Version: Final
GD ORB
Date of
completion
Update
27/02/2014
XML functionality discussed as an item at the GDAG 04
meeting. DECC reported that it had no current plans to
permit Providers access to the XML datafile, for security
reason.
Page 8 of 9
Decisions and Actions
Action GDAG
03-04
GD ORB to circulate and seek feedback on the
DECC Streamlining paper from the other GD
ORB fora.
Action GDAG
03-06
Complaints process to be discussed at the
GDAG 04 meeting
27/02/2014
An update was provided by DECC on its latest
Streamlining options under consideration under agenda
item 3b. A further action (GDAG 04-05) to circulate the
latest slides to Group members for comment was taken
following the update.
GD ORB
27/02/2014
The Green Deal complaints process was presented and
discussed at the GDAG 04 meeting. Two subsequent
new actions (Action GDAG 04-07 and 04-08) were
taken. Please see above table for a description.
DECC/ GD
ORB
Actions Closed since the previous meeting
Action Ref
Description
By Who
Date of
completion
Update
Action GDAG
03-05
GD ORB to make the necessary corrections to
the GDAG 03-06 paper
GD ORB
16/01/2014
The GD ORB corrected the incorrect reference to 'Green
Deal changes' to the correct reference of 'ECO changes'
to the GDAG 03-06 paper.
Action GDAG
03-07
GD ORB to circulate the new GDAR template
to GDAG members for comment
GD ORB
17/01/2014
GD ORB circulated the new GDAR template to the
GDAG for comment. Feedback received was forward to
DECC.
Date issued: 27 March 2014
Version: Final
Page 9 of 9