A proposal to help council tenants pay for oil fuelled heating will be considered by the council after Cabinet put forward a solution in the face of a recommendation that nothing could be done.

Councillor Reg Owens had put forward a notice of motion that the council assist tenants who heat their home using oil and struggle to meet the large outlay required for a tank of oil in one go.

He proposed that Pembrokeshire County Council fill the tanks and tenants pay an additional charge on their rents.

This was recommended for refusal but following discussions Cabinet agreed that a proposal to find out more about how credit unions could be used to help instead.

At Monday’s meeting Cabinet member for Regulatory services and Housing, Cllr Pat Davies, said: “It was the view of the scrutiny committee that this proposal would not be explored further. There was sympathy with tenants that only have access to oil but it came to the conclusion they couldn’t assist.”

She added that following discussions the West Wales Credit Union oil budget scheme would be an option to consider and take back to the housing department.

Cllr Cris Tomos, Cabinet Member for Environment and Welsh Language, who is a volunteer director with the credit union, said that the scheme allowed tenants to take out a loan for the oil and pay it back, with the option of starting a savings scheme at the same time.

He highlighted that there were many similar schemes available through a number of credit unions serving the county.

It was agreed that the idea be taken back to the Head of Housing and explored further.