In light of the problems experienced by heating oil customers in last year’s big freeze, Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire [RCAN] has launched a bulk oil purchasing scheme.

Customers will benefit from savings of 4p per litre on average for their heating oil due to better prices negotiated when buying as a syndicate. The £20 per year it costs for Individual members to join the scheme is usually recouped with the first order placed. They can also order oil in smaller quantities - from 500 litres upwards - rather than the usual minimum of 1,000 litres. Savings of around £50 on a single order are possible.

RCAN are also keen to promote the environmental benefits of the scheme. Delivery tankers guzzle a lot of fuel and the more deliveries they can make in one place, the less fuel they use. This also means there will be fewer tankers on Nottinghamshire’s small country roads, which is better for the environment.

As a charity rooted in local community action, RCAN wants the new venture to reflect this philosophy. CEO, Rob Crowder, says ‘The key to making the scheme work will be having local people who will bring together members’ oil orders once a month. They pass the information on to us and then let the local members know the cost per litre and the delivery date.

That’s pretty much it. For doing this, they will get free membership of the scheme. Scheme members will be able to order as many times as they like during the year, and the price will be negotiated centrally.”

There’s more information on the RCAN website. If you think this could be of interest to you or your community, get in touch with Annalisa Goodwin on 01623 727600 or e-mail oil@rcan.org.uk