Residents to be offered low-cost energy scheme

Cheshire East’s 170,000 households could soon benefit from an energy deal aimed at tackling fuel poverty, by buying their supply through their local council.

Businesses could also take advantage of the low-cost scheme unveiled by the Council on Tuesday, 14th October.

Cheshire East Council will work with registered housing providers to become only the second local authority in the country to introduce a low-cost energy scheme for its residents.

The scheme will enable anyone in the borough to buy their energy at a competitively low cost when compared to the Big Six energy suppliers and the more people who join the scheme the cheaper it will work out.

The Council is already in talks with a supplier and further announcements will be made in due course as to how soon residents can begin switching to the Council's own preferred energy provider, offering the one of the most competitive tariffs.

Council Leader, Councillor Michael Jones said "This is yet another innovation for Cheshire East Council, the council which has frozen council tax for four consecutive years.

"Now we have initiated a scheme to alleviate fuel poverty in the borough so that low-income families who are worried about paying their energy bill this winter know that their local council can ease the pain by offering a scheme tailored to their circumstances."

"My concern is to ensure that families and older people in particular do not have to choose between heating and eating.

"I want the people of Cheshire East to live well and for longer and not to have to worry about heating their homes and meeting huge energy bills.”

Tags:
Cheshire East Council
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

DELETED ACCOUNT
Wednesday 15th October 2014 at 3:14 pm
In theory this sounds like a good idea. However, the current collective energy schemes work on the basis of going through a "middle man" - namely, a company who then negotiates the deal with existing energy providers. So the same suppliers are used but bulk purchasing power buys in. However, there are some energy companies I would not use under any circumstances because of a) they are owned and regulated from overseas and b) because of their poor customer service. No doubt, the Council will also take a commission. On balance I will contract as an individual thank-you.
Barry Stafford
Tuesday 21st October 2014 at 2:13 pm
As the big six seem to be in cahoots with their tariffs, and as Jackie mentions. The service from companies like Npower, I would sooner live with candles. They quickly increase your direct debits,try getting a refund.It took 4 months to receive MY money back.