Disproportionate burden assessment for the Statement of intent (Ofgem)

Scope

ECO4 flex is a government backed scheme to enable customers to apply for energy efficiency measures for their property. Colchester City Council is participating in the scheme, and will be checking all applications.

A requirement by both BEIS and Ofgem is that any LA publish the Statement of intent template as per the Ofgem Guidance.

It is not possible to simply convert the template to a web page, as Ofgem require the template, complete with wet signature, to be published as a pdf, to our website. Without this, Ofgem will not accept any applications

Benefits of creating an accessible version

The benefits of creating a HTML version of this PDF would be:

• A fully accessible version for all users to access
• An easily searchable and indexable version
• fulfils Ofgem/BEIS requirements, complete with wet signature

Burden placed on the organisation

Interest in the document is likely to be low as people only refer to it if they are not satisfied with the action taken against them or the other party.

We have never received a request for an accessible version of the document and will continue to assist with accessible versions on request.

Due to the nature of this content and the statutory function, there is a requirement to have it available in a readable format at all times, at the moment the PDF is the only available format.

Contributing factors

Other factors relevant to this decision are:

• Having considered the estimated effort involved in creating a HTML version, along with the low estimated demand and the requirement to have it available at all times, this document is to be placed on the website as a PDF. 

Assessment

We have concluded that the work involved would be a poor use of staff time. This represents a disproportionate burden on the organisation.

View the Statement of intent

If you need any of the information from the PDF provided in another format, contact Keith.Parker-Larkin@colchester.gov.uk or EnergyEfficientHomes@colchester.gov.uk.