Karen Bruce Environmental Health Officer Ballymena Borough Council

Background Ballymena Borough Council are 1 of 7 Councils which make up the Causeway Coast and Glens & Mid and East Antrim Cluster along with PHA and NGS The Cluster was formed following an invitation by the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to develop new joint working teams Its focus is on working effectively together to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities with a focus on fuel poverty and more recently food poverty

How did the Oil Club start? Around the kitchen & conference table! One of the outcomes of research carried out by the Cluster One of the greatest barriers when heating a home was affordability of bulk orders of oil Glenravel invited to pilot the scheme

What was Council’s involvement

How does it work? Membership scheme Forms online or from locations displaying logo Incentives to join Place order by monthly deadline online, by text, or leaving completed forms at locations displaying logo Ordering ‘mystery shoppers’ Best price negotiated Members advised of price & delivery date Members pay supplier directly

Membership 530 individuals Average household = 3.12 persons 170 members Operating for 13 months

Orders to date 13 orders Between 5600 and litres Lowest volumes ordered between April & August

Benefits & 18 pence per litre if delivered 38 ppl if compared to collection from forecourt

What happened next? Huge public and media interest Winner of Belfast Telegraph’s ‘Making A Difference’ award

Toolkit for Community Bulk-Buying Oil Clubs offers practical advice on issues to consider when setting up and running a community bulk buying oil club

Roll out of a small grants scheme To date 10 grants issued to community groups Further roll out planned for December 2013

Thank you for listening Toolkit available at: or by ing: