Fuel Poverty and Energy Affordability

Procurement reference

WWU1582

Procurement description

This project will build on the long-standing approach to delivering trusted, high quality in-person energy support for communities across Devon and Torbay. Through this programme, ECOE Advice will ensure that vulnerable customers continue to receive timely, practical assistance, including carbon monoxide safety guidance and early conversations that support the transition to a net zero future. Support will be delivered through the following ways:

- Home visits.

- Hub drop-ins

- Energy Advice Centres.

- Community events and specialist clinics.

Maintaining leased premises in Exeter and Paignton ensures that accessible, face-to-face support remains available in areas of greatest need. These sites enable customers who do not wish to receive home visits to seek help locally, improve response times and increase the number of households we can support efficiently.

Alongside face-to-face delivery, the project will provide tailored household support including carbon monoxide safety, Priority Services Register engagement, personalised energy efficiency advice and energy triage. Advisors will also support access to emergency provision, keep-warm resources and onward referrals, including Fire and Rescue Service visits and gas safety interventions where required.

To maximise the impact of this project, ECOE Advice will recruit four 0.4 FTE roles - a Data Lead a Well in the Home Health Energy Advisor, a People and Culture Lead, and an Income Generation Lead - alongside a 0.2 FTE Fuel Poverty Client Coordinator.

Benefits include:

- Access to trusted, in-person and community-based energy advice.

- Improved energy efficiency, reduced fuel poverty and safer, warmer homes.

- Strengthened referral pathways and faster response times.

- Better data integration enabling earlier identification of vulnerability.

- Enhanced financial resilience and improved household wellbeing.

- Improved physical and mental wellbeing.

Wales & West Utilities Limited

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS LIMITED

Procedure type

Direct award

Description of how these justifications apply

ECOE Advice (Sustainable Community Solutiosn) is a well-established, place-based organisation with specialist expertise in delivering fuel poverty, energy advice and vulnerability support across Devon and Torbay. Through its locally embedded model, ECOE provides trusted, person-centred support that addresses the interconnected challenges of energy affordability, poor housing, health vulnerability and carbon monoxide risk.

ECOE is uniquely positioned within the region, operating through a strong network of community partners and accessible delivery channels including home visits, Energy Advice Centres, hubs and community outreach. It's model is built on face-to-face, relational engagement, ensuring those most at risk, including digitally excluded and socially isolated households, can access tailored support that is not achievable through remote or standardised approaches.

This combination of local infrastructure, trusted relationships and integrated delivery cannot be readily replicated without disrupting established pathways, reducing accessibility and weakening engagement with vulnerable households. ECOE plays a critical role in providing consistent, community-based access to support, particularly in rural and off-gas areas where need is high and services are often fragmented.

The proposed investment represents a continuation and strengthening of this proven model, enabling ECOE to maintain core services while building capacity following its transition to an independent charity. This ensures continuity of support for vulnerable households, protects established delivery capability and avoids fragmentation across the wider Devon support landscape.

Direct award justification

Single suppliers technical reasons

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch