Corsham: Wiltshire Council to help communities save energy

Wiltshire Council are joining forces with other local authorities to work on getting a better deal on energy bills.

The UK Collective Energy Switching Scheme which is the first of its kind aims to help residents across the country to negotiate cheaper bills after recent challenges have been brought forward by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey.

The scheme will give an opportunity to those who use pre-paid meter cards to participate to put pressure on energy suppliers to remove fuel poverty in the country.

As the winter months set in, energy bills will rise in cost as big energy suppliers increase their prices. 

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Toby Sturgis said: "With Winter approaching and announcements of further increases in energy prices by one of the big providers, we want to act swiftly to bring the potential benefits to our local communities as soon as possible."

An initial auction is expected to be held in November 2012 with an announcement on how local businesses and communities can get involved following shortly after.

Cabinet member for economic development Fleur de Rhe-Philipe said: "We believe this scheme will be of great interest and will benefit the many small businesses in the county who are all striving to be competitive in a challenging market place."

Other local authorities across the country involved in the scheme are: Blackpool Council, London Borough of Havering Council, Manchester City Council and Northumberland County Council and more. 

Do you think the UK Collective Energy Switching Scheme will put pressure on suppliers to make energy bills cheaper? Have your say below!