Bedford Borough Conservative Councillor Roger Rigby has called on the Council to adopt an energy supplier switching scheme that has saved households across England an average of £125 a year.
Cllr Rigby feels that Bedford Borough Council should follow the example of an increasing number of local authorities administering collective switching schemes for their residents.
Such schemes see residents sign up to be offered cheaper energy tariffs which are negotiated by the local authority with energy companies. The more residents that sign up, the stronger the collective buying power meaning cheaper tariffs.
Cllr Rigby, who is a representative of Bromham & Biddenham Ward said;
‘In October of last year The Guardian reported that 150 councils in England were offering collective energy switching schemes which had attracted 285,000 households and helping them save £125 a year.
‘It is no secret that the ‘Big 6’ energy companies have increased their prices well above inflation and earnings which has hit residents hard, particularly if they are elderly, vulnerable or in fuel poverty.
‘The Council is in a great position to offer a collective switching scheme as it is a trusted local organisation with unmatched knowledge of the local population. This is therefore an opportunity for the Council to help ease the burden on residents who have had enough of paying over the odds for their energy bills.’