The cost of home heating oil has more than double since 2005 and is projected to reach record levels again in the coming year.
With the price of central heating oil continuing to spiral upwards it is hope to start a Village Co-operative in and around Swainby to at leat offset some of the cost of buying oil by ordering in bulk.
A fuel co-op is a group of customers who combine their buying power to negotiate lower prices with heating oil dealers. This type of club has been running in nearby villages for quite a few years.
We will initially be linked with Great Broughton Oil Club which has been running very successfully for quite a few years.
Oil deliveries are arranged up to five or six time a year, with a minimum delivery of 500 litres p time. Saving of between 1 and 5p per litre have regularly been made - that's up to £25 per load, but could and has been more! The more customers we have, the greater the buying power and the larger the saving!
The way most of the clubs / syndicates work is that a cut off date is given for ordering oil, then a two week window is given on the delivery - the nominated delivery company tracks the price fluctuations on on industry wide database and when the price is deemed favourable the delivery is made with a 1.5p/litre mark-up for the delivery company. Payment is made either by direct debit or credit card 7 days later. This method has the advantage of being open, auditable and transparent.
If you would like to register your interest, please contact -
Mike Foster at
Please leave your e-mail address, home address and size of tank.
Update 31st October - next order cut-off is 6th November - further details here.
Mike will get back to you with more details such as anticipated delivery dates, simple club rules etc.
You are not committed to buy oil with the group, there is no minimum time period you must be within the group, there is a minimum order of 500 litres per delivery but you do not have to buy oil at each delivery date, you will not be committed to buying a minimum number of litres per year and you can leave at any time you want.
Mike Foster -
Some more background information is here.