From April, Gas and Electric bills increased after the independent regulator, Ofgem, announced that the energy price cap was to rise by 6.4 per cent from the start of the new financial year. Thames Water also announced that water bills will increase in the coming months, with an average annual bill rising by £123. It’s… read more
What does Wiltshire Digital Drive do? Wiltshire Digital Drive passes on unwanted digital devices to people who need them. The process works like this: What are the aims of Wiltshire Digital Drive? “Our mission is to bridge the digital divide by refurbishing and redistributing unwanted digital devices to those most in need. We are committed… read more
Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Working, Councillor Jim Grant, met with volunteer, Andrew, and CEO of Citizens Advice Swindon, Claire Newport (pictured above), this week to highlight the support they provide to local residents. Citizens Advice Swindon is part-funded by the Council and, in 2024, helped more than 10,000 people with more than 50,000 problems…. read more
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for making sure that properties across England and Wales are in the correct Council Tax band. As Council Tax bills are being issued, VOA expects to see an increase in people challenging their band over the coming months. Individuals thinking about challenging their Council Tax band should note… read more
Work is underway to deliver £30m of energy efficiency improvements to hundreds of Council-owned homes across Swindon, as part of the Council’s work to invest in the maintenance and improvement of its housing stock. The rollout of retrofit improvements over the next five years include UPVC window and door upgrades, roof replacements and upgrading gas… read more
The latest news update from Swindon Borough Council has a number of items which may be of interest to our residents, including: Council tax information Investment into Swindon Council properties New youth centre opened. Report on flood events from 2023 Accessing support with increased water bill costs. You can read the whole news update at… read more
From Citizen’s Advice: Are you worried about rising household costs? Come and speak to an Advice and Financial First Aider at: Central Library: Friday 28 March, 10.00 – 12.00 Highworth Library: Monday 24 March, 10.00 – 11.30 North Swindon Library: Wednesday 26 March, 10.00 – 12.00 West Swindon Library: Friday 7th March, 10.00 – 11.30 Find out what they can… read more
It is now possible for people in Swindon to borrow DIY and gardening equipment thanks to a new library offered by Swindon Borough Council’s Housing team. Working in partnership with Enterprise Works, a timber and fencing supplier committed to providing supported employment to adults with learning difficulties, and the Tenant Academy, the Council’s new Library of Things service… read more
We received an updated cost list from our contractor in Nov 2024, for the 2025 grass cutting season. The costs were expected to be around £3000 extra per annum. After looking at the service for grass cutting that is currently provided, and the existing budget and proposed 2025/26 budget and precept, the EGPA committee made… read more
Plans to invest more than £250m to raise the standard of council housing for families across Swindon are being tabled at the Council’s Cabinet meeting next week (12 Feb). A new housing asset management strategy sets out how the Council plans to invest between £38m and £66m in each of the next five financial years… read more
Energy vouchers to help reduce the cost of bills are being sent to 1,923 residents by Swindon Borough Council. Worth £385,000, the vouchers are being issued by the Council through the Household Support Fund. The Council was awarded £1.5m from the Government in early October through the Household Support Fund, to provide vulnerable households with… read more
A free service to help residents pay their Council Tax bill if they are struggling financially has been launched by Swindon Borough Council. First Steps is a new service that offers non-judgemental and supportive advice, providing residents with help to overcome any difficulties they have which may affect their ability to pay their tax bills…. read more
Today, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding new parents to claim child benefit online to get their first payment before Christmas. Child Benefit can be claimed online or via the HMRC app just 48 hours after registering a baby’s birth and parents typically receive their first payment within three working days. To get started,… read more
From 1 November, households in England and Wales receiving certain benefits including Pension Credit could be eligible for extra money to help keep warm during the cold weather until the end of March 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions’ Cold Weather Payments are an automatic bank top-up of £25, triggered to be paid to… read more
The latest news update from Swindon Council is well worth a look, with items on: How the Council’s finances are doing The regeneration plans for land around the railway station The future of the Oasis Leisure Centre Extra funding available for vulnerable people this winter Money advice events Read the newsletter by following the link… read more
Chiseldon Parish Council publishes information on services and organisations which it feels may be of interest to parishioners. However, this does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Council. In addition, please note that we cannot guarantee the security or safety of any external websites. Since 1988, Christmas Care have been providing food and… read more
On 1st November, the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero reminded households receiving certain benefits, including Pension Credit, that they could be eligible for extra money to help keep warm during the cold weather until the end of March 2025. DWP’s Cold Weather Payments are an automatic bank… read more
With the energy price cap now in effect, Swindon Borough Council is signposting residents who may be concerned about rising energy costs to various forms of support. The energy price cap, which controls what most households pay for energy, rose by 10 per cent from 1st October to £1,717 a year for a typical dual-fuel… read more
Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 for each additional child. Claims can be made 48 hours after the baby’s birth has been registered. With payments made within three days, this means parents could receive their first payment within a week. Claims can also be backdated for… read more