The West of England Rural Network is launching a domestic heating oil bulk-buying scheme across the whole of the West of England.  They are using the model of a local buying syndicate for domestic heating oil and rolling it out across the area.  They know there is great strength in harnessing the purchasing power of the many rural communities who are without mains gas so that together, oil-buyers will be able to make significant savings.  Experience with neighbouring Rural Community Councils has already shown that it is possible to get a discount of up to £70 (compared with average suppliers’ prices) on a single 1000 litre order, but with a typical saving of £40.  Since the scheme is only in its infancy, they see no reason why they cannot improve on that.  There are other benefits too – reduced carbon footprint and fewer vehicle movements on our narrow country lanes.

The West of England Rural Network are working with a sister organisation, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) to obtain the best prices for our members.  The ORCC oil-buying scheme achieved the following oil prices in November 2011 and January 2012.  No order was placed in December to avoid the highest prices.

These prices do not include VAT (currently 5%).

As a community based organisation working in the rural parts of the West of England they know that purchasing heating oil represents a major cost for householders.  Their aim is to save you money by creating a local consortium of individuals who are able to benefit through bulk purchase.  One particular strand of their work is to alleviate the impacts of fuel poverty.  This scheme will help their work, as any surplus that is created will be put back into the local community and their work on fuel poverty.

The West of England Rural Network is an organisation established to provide an expert specialist resource in rural South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, and Bristol.  They support and work with communities, businesses, social enterprises, organisations and individuals to support and encourage community-led action and to increase the long-term sustainability of local community life.  They are experienced in a wide range of topics that affect rural areas such as broadband, access to services, transport, affordable housing, fuel poverty, energy generation, village halls & community assets, health & social care, funding advice, and community led planning. 

Membership of the scheme is £20 per year for domestic households, £30 per year for community buildings, churches, and halls, and £100 per year for businesses.  As the average saving for each domestic order is around £40, you will easily get your money back on your first order.  You can place as many or as few orders as you need, with a minimum order of 500 litres.

Please look at their leaflet, see their website, www.theyrn.org.uk/oil for more information, or email or call them and they would be happy to explain the scheme in more detail.

Complete the attached membership application form and return it, with your membership fee, to their office in Chew Magna.

The next ordering deadline is Monday 30^th January and your oil would be delivered within approximately two weeks of that date.  If you would like to join, please send your membership application in good time.  Next month’s ordering deadline is Monday 27^th February.

You can e-mail The West of England Rural Network at oil@theyrn.org.uk or ring them on 01275 333701.