Smart thinking to save gas cash
Date Published : 15 December 2008
Walsall Council's gas bill could be cheaper to help save taxpayers thousands of pounds.
The authority's cabinet have changed their contract to buy the energy supply.
School children, pensioners in care homes and scores of users of other council buildings are kept warm thanks to gas heating.
The move comes after gas bills soared by an extra £1.7 million because of fuel rises leading to an overall bill of £3.5 million for a 12-month period from June this year.
Councillor Mohammed Arif, Walsall Council cabinet member for procurement, said the change of approach showed how the authority was looking at value for money in all they do.
He said: "This is about being smarter and looking at the best deal possible.
"It's always good to search for value for money at any time but in the current economic climate it's absolutely critical.
"Over the past three years councils who have bought gas in the way we will now buy gas have saved themselves five per cent compared to the traditional way we used to do it.
"I'm sure prudent Walsall residents who are trying to save money in their household bills will understand where we are coming from."
The bill covers scores of schools, centres and other council buildings.
Under the old system, gas was bought in bulk by councils who grouped together to get greater collective buying power with the price fixed for a 12 month period.
However, under the new agreement a more flexible price is to be negotiated by the Councils Energy broker who will buy gas in smaller amounts spread across the year, taking advantage of price falls when they occur, and therefore maximising opportunities for savings.
Aside from using their buying power smarter Walsall Council also operates a series of green initiatives to cut back on energy use to help both save the planet and secure value for money for taxpayers.