The CORGI statutory registration scheme for gas installation businesses has been operating for 17 years. During that time, the number of gas related fatalities has fallen significantly. Although stakeholders involved in the review overwhelmingly supported the continuation of a gas installer registration scheme, they identified areas where improvements could bring potentially significant benefits to both gas consumers and gas installers. Moving to a concession agreement for a fixed term of [5] years will give greater certainty to the provider and encourage investment.
This is a great opportunity to build on the successes of the existing scheme and at the same time introduce innovation to further develop the existing arrangements and add value to gas consumer safety.
Most change involves some level of investment. For instance, there will be costs associated with developing and launching the new gas safety brand. However, because we are offering the new provider a long-term concession agreement, this gives the scheme provider time to recoup their investment. An important requirement with the new scheme is that fees for installers should be fixed at affordable levels and come down in real terms during the period of the agreement. Further announcements on the fees will be made when the contractual arrangements are finalised.
Announcements of the changes that will occur from April 2009 will be made as soon as possible once the contractual arrangements are finalised. Further advice and support about the new scheme will be made available to installers at that stage. There are plans in place to minimise any possible confusion and ensure a smooth transition.
All installers who are currently carrying out gas work should be registered now and will need to continue to be registered in the future. The scope of registration will not change and will still require installers working on domestic, non-domestic, commercial, natural gas and liquid petroleum gas installations to be registered.
Since July last year, following an announcement in the Official Journal of the European Union, HSE has been involved in a major procurement exercise to select a provider to operate the new scheme. This has been a fair and open competition. The evaluation of bids was undertaken by an independently chaired HSE Tender Evaluation Board and has involved detailed examination and clarification of proposals together with negotiation to achieve the best outcome for the new gas scheme. Capita was recommended as preferred bidder because it scored more highly in this process.
Stakeholders were very much involved in advising on the changes needed and in the early stages of developing the specification for the new scheme which formed part of the invitation to tender documentation. As this has been a competitive procurement exercise, it would not have been appropriate to continue with the same level of stakeholder engagement that occurred during the review. However, certain selected stakeholders, subject to confidentiality agreements, have provided advice to HSE on aspects of the bids, as part of the evaluation process.