ENERGY bills could fall if Flintshire joins a ‘switching’ scheme.
Flintshire Council is being asked to back a plan for bulk-buying power, which could cut £200 from the average family’s energy bill.
The call comes in the wake of families having to face a rise in energy costs averaging seven per cent this winter.
Cllrs Chris and Rosetta Dolphin will call on the authority to consider the scheme at today’s full council meeting.
The plan involves residents joining a collective purchase scheme, organised by the council, to buy energy collectively by switching to an alternative provider – enabling consumers to get cheaper rates through buying in bulk.
Cllr Chris Dolphin said: “This is a brilliant plan, promoted by Energy Minister Ed Davey to push down rocketing energy bills.
“It’s time for Flintshire Council to help hard-pressed families save money on their energy bills.
“Rosetta and I have both been approached by residents in Carmel and Greenfield.
“This is the way forward and with major grants available from national Government, Flintshire can lead the way in Wales, and our neighbouring authorities, particulary Wrexham and Denbighshire, could also benefit.”
A notice of motion to be read at the meeting asks councillors to consider “the relentless increase in domestic energy costs and the consequent similar increase in instances of fuel poverty in Flintshire” and also “the Switching Energy Scheme operated by South Lakeland District Council for the benefit of residents of that council”.
The Flintshire authority will call on the director of environment to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of introducing a similar scheme in the county and to bring a report to the environment overview and scrutiny committee.
The energy switching scheme in South Lakeland gives residents the opportunity to access cheaper energy tariffs, particularly those without online access.
A specialist switching firm, iChoosr of Belgium, was appointed, a registration scheme opened and a campaign carried out to make residents aware of the energy switching opportunity.