As we head towards the cooler autumn months, take the time to see if you are eligible to apply for one of our energy efficiency schemes.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home not only helps to reduce energy bills but also has the added benefit of helping to improve your health and wellbeing. There are a number of schemes available, including the Home Upgrade Grant and The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme.

Home Upgrade Grant
This scheme is available to eligible residents living in a property that is not heated by mains gas and has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band D, E, F or G.

If you qualify for a Home Upgrade Grant then improvements that can be made to your home include, wall and loft insulation, heating upgrades, solar panels for electricity generation and much more.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme
This is a national Government scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of eligible homes to help reduce fuel poverty levels and lower carbon emissions.

If you live you live in a property with an EPC rating of Band D, E, F or G and you meet certain eligibility criteria you may be able to benefit from a range of energy efficiency upgrades.

To find out more about these and other schemes or to apply, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp .

A new, Alexa skill has been developed by the Council meaning that residents can get quick and easy access to information and updates about services, using simple voice commands.

This additional Alexa feature provides real-time information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by responding to a series of questions or commands - such as:

• When is my next bin collection?
• What can I put in my recycling bin?
• Where’s my nearest library?
• When does the current school term start?
• I want to report a missed garden bin collection,
• and much more.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:

“Residents and businesses have to be able to access the information they need at the time that they need it, it’s why the Council is committed to developing new ways for people to access information about the things the Council does.

“The Alexa skill can be installed free of charge, and is accessible to anybody with an Alexa device or the free Alexa app. It’s easy to set up, inclusive for people with mobility or visual impairments and it also demonstrates the Council’s commitment to innovation and good customer service. As well as the new Alexa skill, the Council will continue to offer the more familiar ways to ask questions - including online telephone and in-person.”

The Council’s Alexa skill can be accessed from any mobile device, directly from Amazon.

Cheshire West and Chester - Alexa Skills

Alternatively, via the Alexa app from any smart device, by searching Cheshire West and Chester in the skills and games option and clicking the Launch button. The skill will ask for a location and name permissions to enable it to provide an all-round experience.

A full list of phrases that Alexa will respond to can be found on the Council’s website.

Alexa

Other ways to access Council services

The Council has launched a campaign to help people across the borough prepare for later life and access any support they might need.

There is an ageing population in west Cheshire, with a 24 per cent increase in people aged 65 and above according to the latest Census data, meaning more people are needing to access Adult Social Care services provided by the Council and organisations it commissions.

Depending on individual circumstances and finances, people might need to pay for all or some of the care they receive in the community.

The Council has created an easy to use, online financial assessment calculator, which will tell you how much you might be asked to contribute towards any care depending on your financial circumstances. Visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/carecostcalculator.

For more information about the support available from the Council and a range of other partners, visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/managingyourmoney.

Finance officers from the Council will also be attending the regular Let’s Talk sessions across west Cheshire, providing an opportunity for you to have an informal chat with them about care services and the help available to pay for them.

More about the Let’s Talk sessions

People across west Cheshire are being asked to share their thoughts on how the Council can continue to tackle the impacts of climate change.

The Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan was launched in 2021 and now needs to be renewed for the 2025-2030 period. An early-stage engagement activity will seek the views of residents, and other partners across the borough, and the results will enable priorities and actions to be co-produced with communities. It will be followed by a formal consultation in the autumn on a draft plan.

You can help to shape how this plan will look going forward by sharing your views on a variety of topics, such as energy, transport and land use, amongst others. The engagement activity runs until Sunday, 1 September and is an important opportunity for residents to support and shape the development of the climate change strategy and how we can work together to help the borough and country reach net zero in a way that will benefit our communities for generations to come.

Provide your views to shape the new Climate Emergency Response Plan

The Cheshire West summer 2024 HAF provision will shortly be getting underway across the borough for children and young people who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

The Council, alongside Edsential and a range of community partners, is running a wide range of fantastic activities that will run throughout the school summer holiday.

The HAF Programme is funded by Department for Education to support local organisations to provide fun activities for children and young people during the holidays, while also helping them to access healthy food.

This year, all provision for the HAF Programme can be found on the new dedicated west Cheshire area on the Edsential website Cheshire West & Chester – Edsential Holiday Activity Fund

Criteria/eligibility for the programme

This holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Benefits-related free school meals (FSM) are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, and have a claim verified by their school or local authority.

Further information on eligibility for Free School Meals. Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households in the most need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items.

The current round of funding is open until 30 September 2024 and is available to a broad range of low-income households across the borough, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.

If you fall into one of these categories and haven’t already received support through the Household Support Fund since April 2024, we are now accepting further applications for remaining funding.

To find out if you’re eligible to apply for a one off payment of £50, visit:
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/household-support-fund

For families of children in receipt of free school meals the usual £15 food voucher, per week, per pupil, will be issued by the school for the 6-week summer break period.

There is currently no confirmation from government that the Household Support Fund will be continuing beyond 30 September 2024.

Additional support and advice is available for anyone who is struggling to pay their bills, requires debt advice or who’s health has been affected by the rising cost of living.
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/cost-of-living

The National Databank is providing free SIM cards to help people get connected. There are thousands of organisations registered as Databanks giving out free mobile data across the UK, including many of the Council’s libraries. The Databanks are part of the Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network.

Free mobile data is available to anyone struggling to afford mobile data or living in a low-income household. To be eligible for free mobile data you must be:

• 18+ and from a low-income household
• and/or has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
• and/or has no or insufficient access to the internet away from the home
• and/or cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you can collect a free SIM card from participating libraries.

For a full list of libraries and locations, visit Find a library | Cheshire West and Chester Council

iPad lending scheme

As well as access to free mobile data, Cheshire West residents without their own technology can boost their digital skills by borrowing a device for a six-week period from their local library.

Each device is installed with apps to support people in accessing online library resources, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, as well as links to resources and support with job searching, accessing Council services or getting in touch with family and friends.

eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines | Cheshire West and Chester Council

You can now borrow an iPad from your local library | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The benefits system is being simplified by combining the following six benefits and tax credits into one single monthly Universal Credit payment.

• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The Department for Work and Pensions is writing to most people who receive these benefits to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead. The letter is called a Migration Notice.

You do not need to take any action until you receive your Migration Notice letter, however when you do, it’s important you check the date that you will need to claim by as you won’t be moved automatically. Please don’t ignore your letter as it explains what you need to do next. It also provides information on the help available to prevent you from missing out on financial support from the government.

More information including a migration timetable is available on the Council’s website.
Universal Credit migration | Cheshire West and Chester Council

If you want some help with your Universal Credit application or you’re concerned about managing your income until you receive your first Universal Credit payment, there are different types of support available. Support and independent advice - Move to Universal Credit (ucmove.campaign.gov.uk)

itravel is an on-demand, pre-bookable rural bus service. The bus service can be booked online, using a mobile phone app or by making a phone call. You can download the app on the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play. To book a journey by telephone, call 0330 678 1545.

A resident, or group of residents, can request a bus for a specific journey. There is no fixed route or timetable, which puts you in control of your journey. The service is available Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm (excluding bank holidays) and costs just £2 per journey within the itravel area.

If you’re using the itravel app, you can track the minibus 20 minutes before your pickup time. Alternatively, if you book via the website or the Call Centre you will receive text notifications of the vehicle’s progress.

itravel serves key towns, villages and railway stations around Frodsham, Sutton Weaver, Acton Bridge, Cuddington, Delamere, Elton and Helsby.

For more information including frequently asked questions or to book online, use the link below.
itravel On Demand - Connecting People and Places | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The new Council Tax year has now begun, and some people may be worried about how they’re going to pay their bill.

Some residents are eligible for a Council Tax reduction and that might include you.

The Council Tax reduction scheme is aimed at helping people who are living in low-income households by covering part or, in some circumstances, all of your bill.

If you are working, or unemployed, and fall into one of the following criteria you may be eligible for a discount.

• Have a low income or are entitled to a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions or the Pension Service.
• If you are of Pension Credit age.
• Have capital of less than £6000, if you are working age; or £16,000 for working age protected group applicants and pension age. For more information on protected working age groups use the link below.
  Protected working age groups | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Council Tax is worked out differently depending on your circumstances. For more information on eligibility criteria and discounts and exemptions for specific individuals, visit the Council Tax reduction page on the Council’s website. Council Tax reduction | Cheshire West and Chester Council

If you’re currently receiving a Council Tax discount and your circumstances have changed, please report this change to our Benefits team.
benefits@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk