Terms of reference

1.1. The Welsh Government published its plan to tackle fuel poverty 2021 – 2035 on 2 March.

1.2. In response to recommendations made by the Wales Audit Office in its Landscape Report into Fuel Poverty published by the Auditor General in October 2019, and by the Committee for Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs following its inquiry into fuel poverty published April 2020, a new fuel poverty stakeholder advisory group is being set up.

2.1. The group shall be known as “The Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel”.

2.2. Chairmanship of meetings of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel will be a function of the Deputy Director Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

2.3. As an administrative advisory panel to the Welsh Ministers, invitations to attend the panel shall be at the discretion of the Welsh Ministers. Invitations to attend shall be on the basis of organisations representing groups and associations recognised as representing the interests of people at risk of living in fuel poverty. On this basis, membership shall not be subject to a formal public appointments process.

3.1. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel will operate for the duration of the sixth term of the Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament (2021-2026), unless otherwise notified by the Welsh Ministers, or their representatives.

4.1. The purpose of the group will be to provide advice on objectives, initiatives and measures developed by Welsh Government designed to lift people out of fuel poverty to meet the interim milestones and the final 2035 fuel poverty target.

• To support the preparation of informed advice on initiatives and measures developed by Welsh Government designed to lift people out of fuel poverty
• To monitor and review progress on actions to tackle fuel poverty in Wales
• To improve the sharing of information between stakeholders
• To highlight new and emerging issues which affect people who are struggling to maintain a satisfactory heating regime at a reasonable cost.

7.1. Meetings of the Advisory Panel shall be held not less than every 3 months (quarterly).

7.2. There may be a requirement for sub-group meetings to be held, for example, to discuss/progress a particular issue, though these meetings will not require all members to attend. Issues may include, but not limited to, decarbonisation of homes, financial health of consumers, modelling and evidence bases, and training requirements.

7.3. Agendas in draft, notes of the previous meeting and discussion papers shall be circulated to members by the secretariat not less than one week (7 days) ahead of the scheduled meeting.

7.4. The draft agenda shall be agreed by members at the start of each meeting. Agenda items can be proposed not less than two weeks in advance to the secretariat.

7.5. Notes of meetings shall be circulated not more than one week (7 days) following the date of any meeting unless otherwise notified. Once approved the minutes will be published.

7.6. Information in accessible formats can be produced to enable participation in meetings on request and at the expense of the Welsh Government.

7.7. Contributions through the medium of Welsh are encouraged. Simultaneous translation will be arranged as required.

7.8. To enable participation at meeting, the Welsh Government shall meet any cost reasonably incurred to enable attendance at meeting, within the published Welsh Government rates.

7.9. Claims for costs incurred shall be submitted to the secretariat within one week of any meeting for which the claim is being made (unless exceptionally agreed by the Secretariat). Payment shall be made within one week (7 days) of a correctly submitted claim.

8.1. Any costs relating to meetings of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel shall be met by the Welsh Government.

8.2. Secretariat services shall be provided by the Domestic Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty Branch of the Welsh Government.