IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): ACC/2802
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: LONDON ELECTRICITY CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL
Date(s): 1947-1990
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 6.73 linear metres
Name of creator(s): London Electricity Consultative Council
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The London Electricity Consultative Council (LECC) was established in 1947 under the Electricity Act 1947 which nationalised all the electricity companies. It was one of many area consultative councils established in Britain to answer complaints from consumers concerning electricity supply. All Area Electricity Consultative Councils (AECCs) were sponsored by the Department of Trade.
The LECC dealt with complaints concerning the London Electricity Board (LEB). In 1976 their work expanded to include complaints about purchases made from LEB shops (in 1988 this accounted for 13% of complaints made), From 1947 to 1986, District Committees dealt with local issues and reported to the LECC. The District Committees were replaced by local complaints panels in 1986.
The LECC acted as a consumer watchdog body, it was involved in negotiations with the LEB on policy, tariffs and complaints and it published annual reports. Its headquarters were at Newspaper House, Great New Street, London EC4. In March 1990 the Electricity Act 1989 came into force, privatising the electricity industry, and the LECC was abolished.
After March 1990 a new regulating body was formed, the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER), based in Birmingham with localised branch offices.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
London Electricity Consultative Council, 1947-1990, comprising minutes; reports, including annual reports, complaint reports and general reports; papers relating to conduct and operations, including rules and regulations; correspondence of the policy working party; minutes and correspondence of the district committees; nominations and appointments to council and district committees; Chairman's meetings and correspondence; correspondence and administrative papers of the Electricity Consumers Council and Area Electricity Consultative Councils; correspondence and reports of the National Consumer Council; correspondence and reports regarding electricity supply industry reorganisation; reports and papers regarding accountability and performance indicators; research and publicity; papers relating to tariffs; correspondence and reports of the London Electricity Board and Central Electricity Generating Board; correspondence, papers and statistics relating to consumer complaints; minutes, correspondence and papers of the Fuel Poverty Group; pamphlets and correspondence relating to methods of payment and meters; papers regarding appliances, retailing and other issues; general correspondence.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions governing access:
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: City of London
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
The collection has been weeded of duplicate material. Some LECC records such as case files and legal papers were not deposited but were transferred to the new London branch of OFFER in 1990. Printed material about energy projects was not deposited as this information is available elsewhere.
Immediate source of acquisition:
Records deposited on 19 March 1990.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: April to June 2009