SUMMER is often the best time for households to buy heating oil to ensure there is enough in the tank for winter.

Purchasing now when there is low demand drives prices down.

The Devon Oil Collective was set up by Devon Communities Together and has been saving people money on the purchase of their oil for the last five years.

The charity says it does this by finding the cheapest oil to purchase, leaving those who sign up time to sit back and enjoy the benefits of cheaper heating oil.

In 2016 Devon Communities Together went into partnership with Affinity, a subsidiary of Anglian Famers Ltd, the largest agricultural purchasing co-operative in the UK.

Affinity pool together fuel orders and negotiate directly with suppliers, obtaining very competitive prices for syndicate members and a good delivery service. 

Members who sign up via the Devon Communities Together website can place their first order directly with Affinity, normally on the first working day of each month, and then the requirements are added to the bulk purchase.

Members should note there is a minimum order of 500 litres and that the unit price will be the same for all orders.

Affinity then aims to have the oil delivered to your property within 10 working days of the order being placed. 

Those who know of people in their community that could benefit from purchasing their oil through a local co-operative have the chance to become a local co-ordinator and help their community group with their orders.

Co-ordinators have free membership of the collective and they are supported with promotional material for the scheme.

A DCT spokesman said: "The Devon Oil Collective is a scheme for everybody, but we particularly want to help those on low incomes or who find it difficult to manage their own negotiations.”

To find out more about the Devon Oil Collective call Huw on 01392 248919 or visit the Devon Oil Collective page on the website: www.devoncommunities.org.uk .

Alan Quick