Agenda item

SH gave presentation on behalf of Neil Joshi.

SH explained that CL is based in Hazelwood Road and the One Stop Shop. The organisation provides advice on welfare, debt, money management, immigration, employment law.

ACTION: Drop in times for the OSS to be circulated electronically to the Forum. 

SH then gave a presentation called energy Best Deal encouraging Forum members to review their energy bills and to look for better deals. Leaflets were brought to meeting for Forum members to take away.

ACTION: Presentation to be electronically circulated.

SH: There is a lot of information about your bills. Suppliers have to treat you fairly. Notice should be given before tariffs come to an end. You can also complain to Ofgem if you are unhappy with the supplier. People are concerned about changing tariffs. Prices are coming down and you could cave approx. £30 per month.

SH gave advice on how to switch suppliers and there is no risk of gas and electricity supply being switched through the transitional period. The process is straightforward.

SH explained the Priority Services Register (PSR).  If you are pensioner, disabled or chronically sick, have a sight or hearing difficulties, you can qualify to go be on the PSR and access services.

SH explained the warm home discount. This is a discount of £140 which is deducted from the electricity bill. The scheme is closed at the moment and will reopen in May. Contact CL for more details.

AT: Is a council tenant and lives in a flat and lives on ground floor. Meter on higher floor and locked away.

SH: Advised AT to go on the PSR and the meter will be read for you.

MH: Feels that Ofgem can do more. MH paid by bill by direct debit and the supplier insisted that MH should go on the reduced rate. At the end of the year MH was charged extra money. Would like to know what is being paid monthly and not have an unexpected bill at the end.

Has also been advised that electricity is cheaper at night. However it is also reported that it is not safe for electrical appliances to be used at night. There is confusion surrounding this.

SH: Economy 7 is not always the best option.

DH: Have changed to Sainsbury Energy which is part of British Gas. Have had suppliers come to change the meter but are unable to do so. The meter is illegal as it has a lead pipe attached to it. I ask for paper bills which cost £24 extra. Have a friend who has never changed. The system is fragmented.

How long will the winter fuel payment be available for?

RR: Have been told that the budget for pensioners will not be touched.

Cllr O: There are 6 different suppliers. Is there actually much difference in them?

DH: Smaller companies are cheaper

RR: Agreed and added that the service is friendlier with smaller companies.

Cllr O: Sheltered housing area has had solar panels fitted.

SH: There has not been much saving yet.

DH: There are not enough engineers for solar panels. If we had a national installation scheme we would create employment and cut costs.

AT: Received a phone call asking if she would like a new boiler and was asked personal information. Suppliers should know the ages of customers and should look after the more vulnerable.  People are afraid to give personal information over the telephone.

DH: There is a fragmented energy market. There are changes in the County Council. Will CL be affected?

SH: CL should still be here. The CC is not the only funders.

Contact details for Community Law: 01604 621038.