Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Residents in Capel Hendre have put their own energy in to a community initiative to save on energy. In a concerted effort to drive down their fuel bills, residents and tenants of Bancyddraenen have launched a fuel club so that they can buy their oil in a group and take advantage of bulk discounts. A local credit union has also been established so that residents can apply for short-term loans to cover the cost of a bulk fuel order. Community volunteers are running the club and the credit union from the local tenant resource centre. Resident Sharon Morgan said: “The oil club and credit union is a fantastic opportunity for all local people to buy oil and have a big discount on it. It will make a big difference to a lot of people living here.” Carmarthenshire County Council has been encouraging communities to launch such schemes for several months. Clare Tinkler, Environmental Works Project Manager, said: “We are thrilled that another Carmarthenshire community has launched a fuel club, whi...

A unique initiative is being introduced in Carmarthenshire to help people save money on their fuel bills. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Housing Services division is working with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth to develop a series of fuel clubs. They are encouraging communities to create a syndicate which will be used to bulk buy oil – therefore enabling residents to negotiate a better deal from their supplier. They are now looking for ‘fuel champions’ who will help run syndicates and co-ordinate deliveries in their area. In return for helping their communities to secure discounted oil rates, the champions will be offered a financial incentive. Robin Staines, the council’s Head of Housing, said: “Fuel clubs are essentially a syndicate of people who live in the same area who come together to co-ordinate the ordering of fuel with a supplier – the larger the syndicate, the better the reduction will be. “In order to co-ordinate the syndicates we are looking for fuel champions whose role will be...