Information surrounding surveys conducted for The Green Living Grant

Summary

A request was made for statistics regarding the Isle of Man's Green Living Grant, including applicant numbers, survey counts, and staffing details. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that while over 1,500 applications were received, no grant funding had been issued yet, and surveys are conducted by external contractors rather than direct staff.

Key Facts

• The Green Living Grant Scheme opened in October 2021.
• No applicants have yet reached the grant funding stage as of March 2022.
• Property surveys (MHEAs) are conducted by external companies, not direct Department staff.
• Contracts for survey companies were awarded on 16th February 2022.
• The number of qualified assessors is expected to increase during the scheme.

Data Disclosed

• 1,534 applications received
• 1,488 approved for MHEA
• 13 applications declined
• 33 applications awaiting processing
• 107 MHEAs conducted
• 71 applicants with dates arranged
• 2 contracted companies
• 1 qualified domestic energy assessor per company
• 22nd March 2022
• 16th February 2022
• 9th March 2022
• October 2021

Original Request

How many successful applicants have there been for the Green Living Grant since it started in Oct 2021? How many property surveys have been carried out since Oct 2021? How many staff do the Dept have to conduct property surveys? How many surveys carried out, to date,in 2022?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

1

29th March 2022

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 686400) Website: www.gov.im/ded Email: dpo-dfe@gov.im

Our ref: 2322189

Dear ####

Re: Request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2015

I write further to your request which was received on 9th March 2022 and which states:

“How many successful applicants have there been for the Green Living Grant since it started in Oct 2021?

How many property surveys have been carried out since Oct 2021?

How many staff do the Dept have to conduct property surveys?

How many surveys carried out, to date, in 2022?”

In accordance with the criteria laid out under the above Act all of the information you have requested can be provided. Each question you have asked is answered sequentially as follows:-

How many successful applicants have there been for the Green Living Grant since it started in Oct 2021?

The Green Living Grant Scheme (GLGS) offers support in two ways. Firstly, the provision of a Manx Home Energy Audit (MHEA), which is 100% funded by the Department. Secondly, direct financial support in the form of the Green Living Grant towards the costs of energy efficiency improvements identified during the Audit. Upon receipt of an application form, the Department determines the applicant’s eligibility to receive a MHEA. Upon completion of the MHEA, this is reviewed and further eligibility criteria are applied to determine whether applicants are eligible to receive grant funding.

2

The following figures given in this answer are correct as at the 22nd March 2022, however, these will change on a daily basis as applications continue to be processed and MHEAs undertaken.

The GLGS has received 1,534 applications since it opened in October 2021. 1,488 have been approved to receive a MHEA, 13 have been declined, and 33 applications are awaiting processing. No applications have yet reached the grant funding stage of the process.

How many property surveys have been carried out since Oct 2021?

107 MHEAs (surveys) have taken place, with a further 71 applicants either having a date arranged for their MHEA or have been contacted to arrange a date.

These surveys have all been undertaken since 16th February 2022 when contracts were awarded following an open procurement process and contract negotiation which was required in late 2021 so as to ensure that the awards complied with Financial Regulations.

How many staff do the Dept have to conduct property surveys?

The Department does not directly employ staff to undertake the MHEAs. MHEAs are carried out by qualified persons employed by companies engaged by the Department following an open procurement process. At present, there are two such companies contracted to undertake the MHEAs, with each of these companies having one qualified domestic energy assessor. Contracts were awarded to these companies on the 16th February 2022.

It is expected that the number of qualified persons undertaking MHEAs will increase during the course of the Scheme, either as a result of contracted companies increasing staffing levels, or through additional companies joining the select list which will remain open for the duration of the Scheme.

How many surveys carried out, to date, in 2022?

107 MHEAs have been conducted in total, with all of these being undertaken in 2022.

Please quote the reference number 2322189 in any future communication.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask for an internal review, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by mail.

An electronic version of the complaint form can be found by going to the Isle of Man Government’s website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of this form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why 3

you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as possible. I will respond once the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning the information provided to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. This concludes my response to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Yours sincerely,

Data Protection Officer