Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) is to create a local fuel bank fund to support people on pre-payment meters who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

The authority estimates it could help nearly 700 people in the Moorlands at a total cost of around £15,000.

A report presented to councillors this week said: "The council recognises the importance of working in partnership to monitor the local impacts of the energy crisis and to respond to emerging problems and opportunities."

It added: "The council has started discussions with the Fuel Bank Foundation to see how a Staffordshire Moorlands Fuel Bank Scheme may be funded and operated."

SMDC will look at how it can identify families in fuel crisis (those who are living without energy – or shortly will be) and roll out support.

Once the scheme is operational, people will be given crisis top-ups on their electricity and gas meters – usually on the same day a request is made.

They will also be given energy advice and referred to other organisations where necessary.

The council will also work with Citizens Advice and Beat the Cold as well as North Staffordshire Financial Inclusion Group to come up with ways of supporting people.

Cllr Ross Ward (Con) is the council's portfolio holder for communities.

He said: "For SMDC our best efforts should be focused on the right support to the right people to make sure no-one is left behind.

"There's been significant national interventions to help alleviate at least some of the financial pressures posed by the current energy crisis.

"SMDC have also been directly involved in some locally focussed initiatives to better target the people that we know need the most support in our area."

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is part of the Staffordshire Warmer Homes Scheme which works to improve property insulation.

It has also asked Support Staffordshire to provide a network of community voluntary groups to help support people in a similar way to the Covid-19 response.

Councillors are being asked to compile a list of organisations who can provide support, so they can pass this information on to residents more efficiently when required.

The list will also be published on the council's website so people can look up the information for themselves.