Shropshire Council to consider partnership with energy supplier

Shropshire Council is to consider forming a partnership with an energy supply company, to help generate additional income for the council.

Under proposals to be considered by the council’s Cabinet this week (Wednesday 14 October 2015) – click here, the proposed new partnership would provide competitively-priced energy, giving some stability to the local energy market and a better deal for Shropshire residents.

It would also help to deliver a range of other benefits, including stimulating economic development, addressing fuel poverty and environmental issues, and making savings through energy efficiencies.

If the plans are agreed, Shropshire Council will carry out an open procurement process to identify a licensed energy supplier as a potential partner.

Bidders will be asked to put forward their proposed options and delivery models for consideration. As well as proposals for raising income through energy supply, they will also be asked to submit innovative propositions for raising income in other ways, and for delivering the other potential benefits outlined above.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“In the face of Government funding cuts we need to look not just at saving money, but also ways of generating additional income.

“If Cabinet agree these plans, we’ll be looking to procure an energy supply partner with the specialist skills and capabilities to supply energy, and to operate an energy supply scheme for residents and businesses in the area.

“This partnership would help to generate income for the council, but also deliver a range of other important benefits for the council, and for the people of Shropshire.”

All bids submitted under the procurement process would be carefully evaluated using return on investment and social value as key criteria, and a full report will then be presented to Cabinet to obtain a decision on progressing the preferred options.