Faced with surging energy costs and inflexible procurement frameworks, Our Lady and St John’s Catholic Primary School turned to CES for support. CES conducted a comprehensive bill validation process, identified historic billing errors, and delivered expert procurement analysis. The result? Immediate rebates of £19,494.87, annual savings of £10,839, ongoing VAT savings of £4,843.83/year and future budget certainty until 2027.
Our Lady and St John’s Catholic Primary School, an institution dedicated to providing quality education, was grappling with the burden of escalating energy costs. Located in Brentford, the school relied on one of the largest public sector buying organisations, coordinated through its local council, for energy procurement.
1.Rising Costs
Energy expenses surged during the energy crisis despite their existing reliance on a public sector buying framework. These sharp increases placed a significant strain on the school’s budget for utilities.
Their energy procurement/contracts, handled by the council’s purchasing framework, offered no flexibility. This lack of adaptability made it impossible to plan budgets effectively over longer periods, leaving the school vulnerable to fluctuating market conditions.
2.Lack of Flexibility and Long-term Planning
Their energy procurement/contracts, handled by the council’s purchasing framework, offered no flexibility. This lack of adaptability made it impossible to plan budgets effectively over longer periods, leaving the school vulnerable to fluctuating market conditions.
3.Billing Errors Overlooked
Existing market arrangements had not flagged nor resolved several historic invoicing irregularities, leading to additional, avoidable costs for years. Without a robust solution, the school risked ongoing financial challenges and further inefficient energy management.
CES deployed a tailored, three-pronged approach to address both the immediate and systemic issues faced by the school:
1. Comprehensive Bill Validation
CES meticulously reviewed historical billing records dating back to 2020. This analysis uncovered substantial errors, leading to the identification of incorrect bills that had been overlooked for years by the school’s current buying group.
2. Market Analysis for Procurement
A comprehensive market analysis was conducted to identify more cost-effective energy contracts. CES presented tailored options that allowed the school to secure considerable annual cost reductions. The new agreements incorporated budget certainty until 2027, providing peace of mind in a volatile market.
3. Supplier Management and Invoice Validation
CES managed the transition to new suppliers, ensuring smooth implementation. Following the re-bill process, CES validated every invoice to confirm accuracy, identifying and correcting multiple errors from the historic re-billing process. This ensured that future bills would be aligned with market-competitive rates and contract terms.
With this strategic approach, CES not only solved the school’s immediate energy challenges but also future-proofed its utility management processes.
CES delivered an impressive set of outcomes that immediately improved the school’s financial position and utility management planning:
By partnering with CES, Our Lady and St John’s Catholic Primary School successfully overcame persistent energy challenges, reclaimed historic financial losses, and secured significant cost savings for the future. The tailored solution provided by CES not only resolved immediate concerns but also established a solid foundation for reliable utility management.
Looking ahead, the school is well-positioned to tackle future utility management challenges with long-term budget efficiency. Their continued relationship with CES ensures access to expert advice and innovative energy solutions tailored to their evolving needs.
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