freedom to choose energy suppliers

[donmac]

approx 5 yrs ago our local council installed a communal heating system which included compulsory pre-payment meters,this system serves about 2000 properties,we do not get statements or rebates & our only records are till reciepts,we do not have any say regarding suppliers and rarely get any more than a weeks notice ref price increases & we have never had a price reduction, is this legal or could it be challanged

[daffy654]

Many years ago when I lived in Leicester the council also installed a communal heating system in the maisonettes where I lived,it was an oil powered system and we had to pay using a prepayment meter. I never questioned whether it was legal as it was actually cheaper than gas or electric heating. I think back then all energy suppliers were regional,you didn't have the choice we have now. You may want to contact OFGEM http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/OfgemHome.aspx

They should be able to advise you.

[buildersmate]

Your scheme is possibly one of these.
http://www.chpa.co.uk/
Many of the districts running such schemes belong to this organisation.
You talk about meters - is this just for your electricity or do you get hot water to run your CH piped into your home from a central source? Some Combined Heat & Power (CHP) schemes also generate electricity that is sold directly to you.
Are you sure what you pay for this still isn't cheaper than having your own supplier? - these schemes in concept are very efficient - that's why councils installed them in the first place - irrespective of the cost of the raw energy infeed to them.