In Saturday’s Times (£), Ed Miliband talked about helping poorer households with their fuel bills. His “unprecedented scheme” where the party will mobilise communities to buy electricity at lower prices than individuals could manage.

The scheme will be run by iChoosr, which will negotiate on consumers’ behalf with big power companies. The more people who sign up, the harder the bargain they will be able to drive. It will be tried out in three areas, starting next month, with the aim of securing cheaper bills by the New Year. Volunteers will leaflet the pilot areas with an emphasis on reaching people who are not usually politically engaged.

Except it’s not so unprecedented. Liberal Democrat run South Lakeland Council is already doing just that asLakeland Radio News reported on the same day.

South Lakeland Council has teamed up with a specialist company, iChoosr, to find the cheapest deals on energy, and negotiate on behalf of local residents.

Now, each person who registered will be sent an offer with a price for their energy supply by email or by post.

Early indications show that people signed up to the scheme are estimated to make savings of £60 to £200 per year.

Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “This council led scheme was the first in the country and councils across the UK have all been following it with interest.

I am so pleased that the residents of South Lakeland have come together to power up their community and created mass buying power.

The other benefit to this scheme is that depending on the amount of people who accept the offer and switch, SLDC will receive a one-off payment, which will contribute directly to help community projects that improve energy efficiency for those most in need.

David Evans, the Lib Dem Finance Portfolio Holder on South Lakeland says:

Obviously, South Lakeland’s Lib Dems are very gratified that Ed Miliband has discovered, as his unprecedented scheme for connecting with disillusioned voters, a scheme that the Lib Dems in South Lakeland have already implemented.  If he wants any further advice or guidance, I am sure we will be willing to give him a few more tips on what we have done over the last few years. Obviously, South Lakeland’s Lib Dems are very gratified that Ed Miliband has discovered, as his unprecedented scheme for connecting with disillusioned voters, a scheme that the Lib Dems in South Lakeland have already implemented.  If he wants any further advice or guidance, I am sure we will be willing to give him a few more tips on what we have done over the last few years.

* Caron Lindsay is Wednesday editor at Lib Dem Voice and blogs at Caron’s Musings