SOUTHEND Council’s energy firm is determined to team up with a new supplier in Nottingham - despite the firm being plagued with problems over the past year.

Southend Energy is operated by the council but will now get its supply from the Nottingham Council-created Robin Hood Energy.

The council has said the partnership will help “fight against fuel poverty”.

The partnership went ahead despite Robin Hood Energy’s year of instability.

Last year, Nottingham Council had to loan the firm £9.4million after it failed to pay green subsidies to Ofgem.

In an annual survey of energy suppliers by the consumer choice organisation Which? Robin Hood Energy had the biggest fall of any company from number 2 to number 20.

But Southend Council has said they chose to partner with the firm due to its ‘purpose to put people before profit’ and because of their mission to help tackle fuel poverty”.

It explained that the company does not have private shareholders or pay any director bonuses so any savings will be passed on to the customer and the community.

A “vulnerability team” will also be set-up to give extra support to Southend Energy’s most vulnerable customers.

Liberal Democrat councillor Carole Mulroney, who oversees the environment, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce this partnership which will help our customers and our continuing fight against fuel poverty in Southend.

“At a time when families find it hard to pay for energy bills, this partnership will offer low prices that ensure we are always trying to do what is in the best interest of our residents.”

The partnership has come after the five-year partnership between Ovo Energy and Southend Energy came to an end.

The council planned to extend the contract with Ovo but negotiations broke down and Ovo told the council they wanted to be released from their contract early, something that was not possible due to negotiations with Robin Hood.