A BOROUGH-COUNCIL energy partnership will be offered to the midlands and north west region.

Fairerpower, a company owned between Cheshire East Council and Ovo Energy, is to be run by the arms-length Skills and Growth Company under a new contract.

It was launched in March 2015 with more than 7,500 customers signed up so far and has saved an average of £224 on residents’ annual fixed-tariff gas and electricity bills.

Cllr Don Stockton, CEC cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Today’s decision gives the best fit to enable the council to deliver a cheaper fuel alternative to many more households.

“This leaves more money in residents’ own pockets and helps tackle fuel poverty across the whole region and not just in Cheshire.

“This was our promise when we started and Fairerpower tariffs have consistently been below the average of the ‘big six’ suppliers and its pre-payment tariffs among the lowest.”

Fairerpower is a not-for-profit organisation and was formed in the belief that people were spending too much on their energy bills by not switching providing from the ‘big six’ for years.

CEC became the first local authority in the UK to sell power since the gas and electricity supply system was nationalised in 1948.

For more information on the scheme call 0800 4086701 or visit fairerpower.co.uk.