Cut price energy available for Tower Hamlets residents through
a co-operative
A ground-breaking energy co-operative launches in
Tower Hamlets this week - the first of its kind in the country.
Launched by Mayor Lutfur Rahman, Tower Hamlets
Energy aims to provide cheap energy to the borough’s residents.
Tower Hamlets Energy is a large scale domestic
power purchasing co-operative, which comes at a time when residents
are facing huge increases in the cost of living.
Set up for the benefit of the community,
residents sign up to express an interest in changing energy
suppliers for a cheaper tariff.
Once 5,000 households have signed up to the
scheme, the energy co-operative will negotiate to get a cheaper and
fairer deal for members this Autumn, just in time for the
Winter.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who is a great supporter
of the co-operative movement, said: "This is a pioneering scheme
that will bring huge benefits to Tower Hamlets residents.
"At a time when family budgets are squeezed
and many residents are facing financial difficulties, the energy
co-operative will be a lifeline to many residents, helping them to
save money on their utility bills.
“Paying fuel bills is one of the biggest
worries for Tower Hamlets residents, with just under one third
expressing concern over how they will meet the rising costs in this
year’s annual residents’ survey. Tower Hamlets Energy could not
come at a better time."
Jenny Jones, Leader of the Green Group for the
London Assembly, added: “This is the sort of initiative that
could make a difference to some of the poorest people in London and
could hopefully be rolled out across London and the rest of the
country.
“The aim of the co-operative is to galvanize
people into action, with the support of Tower Hamlets Council.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Stephanie Eaton
said: “Tower Hamlets Energy is about using numbers to negotiate a
better deal for residents.
“This is the kind of initiative where no one
can lose, everyone stands to gain.”
Once the co-op is established it will provide
additional benefits to members, including free and impartial advice
on grants, insulation, fuel debt, and energy efficiency to help
residents keep their bills down.
It will also offer access to energy efficiency
resources and household renovation schemes.
These plans go hand in hand with the council's
Decent Homes programme which will see all of the borough's council
homes improved to become more energy efficient and include modern
kitchens and bathrooms by 2015.
The scheme is free to join, and residents will
only be encouraged to switch suppliers if it offers a cheaper
deal.
The easiest and quickest way to express
interest in the scheme is by signing up to My.Towerhamlets, the
council's online news and consultation tool, and filling out an
online form.
Free internet access, and help with using a
computer, is available at any of the borough’s Idea Stores, should
residents require access to a computer.
Alternatively, residents can request a paper
application form by calling 0800 5088364, on weekdays between 9am
and 5pm. Paper forms will also be available at Ideas Stores
and at Tower Hamlets Homes offices.
To sign up now, visit https://my.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
More information is available at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/energy
June 8, 2012