Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019

Independent advisory panel

14 Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel

(1) The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel is established.

(2) The Panel is to meet after the publication of each periodic report under section 11 in order to consider the matters mentioned in subsection (3).

(3) The matters are—

(a) progress toward meeting the fuel poverty targets,

(b) the likelihood of meeting the fuel poverty targets, and

(c) the extent to which the four drivers of fuel poverty are being addressed.

(4) The Panel must make a report to the Scottish Ministers on its consideration of the matters under subsection (3).

(5) A report under subsection (4) may—

(a) propose changes to the fuel poverty strategy,

(b) make such other recommendations to the Scottish Ministers as the Panel considers appropriate.

(6) The Panel may from time to time provide advice to a committee of the Scottish Parliament with the subject of fuel poverty within its remit on—

(a) the matters mentioned in subsection (3),

(b) such other matters as are prescribed in regulations under subsection (7).

(7) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a) make further provision about the Panel,

(b) make provision about the dissolution of the Panel after the target year for the time being mentioned in section 1 has passed.

(8) Regulations under subsection (7)(a) or (as the case may be) (b) may, in particular—

(a) make provision about the membership of the Panel (including the process for appointment of members),

(b) make provision about the remuneration and expenses that may be paid to members of the Panel,

(c) make provision about the preparation and publication of reports,

(d) make such other provision relating to the functioning of the Panel as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate,

(e) modify any enactment (including this Act).

(9) The Scottish Ministers must bring forward regulations under subsection (7)(a) within 1 year of this section coming into force.

(10) In this section the “four drivers of fuel poverty” are—

(a) low net adjusted household incomes,

(b) high household fuel prices,

(c) homes having low levels of energy efficiency, and

(d) inefficient use of fuel in homes.

(11) For the purpose of subsection (10), “adjusted”, “household” and “net income” have the same meanings as in section 3(10).

15 Funding of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Scottish Ministers must provide such financial resources as they consider necessary to support the operation of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel.

(2) The total costs for the operation of the Panel must not exceed £82,000, adjusted in accordance with subsection (3), in any operating period.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (2), the sum of £82,000 is to be adjusted to reflect the percentage increase (if any) in the annual average consumer prices index from the day on which this section comes into force.

(4) In subsection (3), the consumer prices index means the all consumer prices index published by the Office of National Statistics.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations amend this section to replace references to one prices index with references to another.

(6) In this section, an “operating period” is—

(a) the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force,

(b) each subsequent period of 3 years.