Category: News

Please see the below from Great Yarmouth Borough Council:

Thousands of residents in and around Great Yarmouth who are in line for the government’s £150 energy rebate are being urged to check how they will receive their cash payment.

People living in properties rated in Council Tax bands rated A-D are eligible for the one-off payment which the government has introduced to help people with rising energy costs.

Although it is called a rebate, the government has asked councils to pay the money direct into people’s bank accounts as a one-off payment, rather than take it off council tax bills.

This means people who already pay their council tax by direct debit will get the money automatically next month without needing to do anything, as Great Yarmouth Borough Council already holds bank details.

For anyone who pays by another method, the council will need to collect bank account details to be able to make the payment. Residents should wait to hear from the council during April to share these details – there is no need to contact the council in advance, just watch out for your application form in the post.

The Council has issued the following top tips for council tax payers:

• Check if you are eligible for the payment: to qualify for the rebate you must be in a property rated in council tax bands A to D, and not be a second home or empty property. If you are unsure of your council tax band, check online at www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands or check your printed council tax bill
• Make sure you pay your council tax by direct debit: if you don’t already, it’s not too late – sign up online at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/directdebitform by March 31
• If you don’t want to pay by Direct Debit, don’t worry: the council will contact you during April to get your bank details to make sure you don’t miss out. You do not need to contact the council but do look out for the application form.
• It doesn’t matter if you get a council tax discount: people who receive a single person’s discount or other council tax support will still get the full £150 payment
• Remember to keep paying your council tax: the £150 is being paid straight to your bank account,  so you will still need to pay your council tax as normal. You will receive a bill for the new financial year from April in the next few weeks.
• The money is yours to keep: unlike the £200 energy rebate being paid via electricity and gas bills in the autumn, this is a one-off payment that won’t affect your future bills
• If you live in a higher band property, you still might be able to get help: the Government is providing some money to help people in higher-rated homes. The details of who will be able to receive this are being worked out and will be published soon.

Relaxed, informal and free sessions

Conversation, Easy Crafts, Refreshments and a Slipper Swap for unpaid carers of people living with dementia and those cared for.

Exchange your old slippers for a free new pair

The last Wednesday of every month in Gorleston Library 10:00 – 12:00

• 30th March – Reflective portraits and poems
• 27th April – Mindful painting, flower pots & mini canvas
• 25th May – Decorative Rocks
• 29th June – Celebrating the Jubilee with crafts and afternoon tea

For more information monument@norfolk.gov.uk / 01603 223146

Drop-ins welcome space permitting or you can book. Stay as long as you like.

Relaxed, informal and free sessions:

Conversation, crafts and refreshments for unpaid family carers of people living with Dementia and those cared for.

Join us at the Steam Café Gorleston High Street.

Enjoy a range of easy craft activities, refreshments and chat in a friendly environment.

The 3rd Monday of every month in Steam Café Gorleston 10:00 – 12:00

• 21st March—Reflective Portraits and Poems
• April is closed for Bank Holiday
• 16th May – Mindful Painting – Pots, Canvas and Rocks to decorate your garden
• 20th June – Celebrating the Jubilee with crafts and refreshments

For more information: monument@norfolk.gov.uk
or call: 01603 223146 /07785 655872
Drop-ins welcome space permitting or you can book. Stay as long as you like.

Police Engagement Event

Monday 7h March 10:30am – 12:00pm

Bradwell Parish Council Office

Leo Coles Pavilion, Green Lane, Bradwell

Please see the below from Norfolk Citizens Advice:

We are looking for two people who wish to contribute to
the wellbeing of their local communities and welcome the
opportunity to develop their own skills and experience.

No formal qualifications are required and we welcome
Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds. We are
particularly interested in strengthening our skills in fund
raising, property management and organisational
governance but appreciate other skills and sector
experience.

For more information and how to apply please see our
website www.ncab.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer or email
w.richardson@ncab.org.uk for an application pack or call
01603 273114

If you wish to have an informal chat with our Chair of the
Trustee Board, David Browne, please email Wendy
Richardson w.richardson@ncab.org.uk to arrange a
meeting.

Norfolk Citizens Advice are recruiting volunteers, please see the below from them:

We are looking for volunteers in various roles –

• Face to Face Advisers
• Telephone Advisers
• Email Advisers
• Webchat Advisers
• Research and Campaigns Volunteers
• Social Media
• Volunteers
• Volunteer Referrals Administrators
• Volunteer Copywriter

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your local
community, gain new skills and meet new people. It is highly
rewarding whatever your personal circumstances. If you are
looking to get into work or fancy a change of career,
volunteering with us can help to give you an extra edge and
experience with us is highly regarded by employers. Take a
look at our role specs for more perks of volunteering with us!

For more information on these roles and how to apply
please see our website www.ncab.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer or email v.recruitment@ncab.org.uk for an
application pack or call Emma on 01603 273116

The Health and Wellbeing Board carries out a survey of pharmacy services in the county every three years, in order to understand what is working well and identify areas that need improvement.

The results of the survey will help to ensure that services meet the health needs of Norfolk residents in the future. 

They would be very grateful if you can take 10 minutes to complete the confidential survey, and encourage your friends, family to do it too. Your views and experiences are important to them and they want to hear from as many people as possible.

Visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/pna . Survey closes 4 March.

Please see the below from UK Power Networks:

Storms Dudley and Eunice, which will arrive consecutively in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 16^th February 2022).

As you may be aware, UK Power Networks manages the local power lines and substations which distribute electricity to over 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

Storm Dudley will arrive tomorrow and is forecast to have a minimal impact on our network. However, Storm Eunice is expected to arrive on Friday 18^th and is expected to bring stronger winds and unsettled weather.

Our electricity network is built to be resilient but strong winds and heavy rain can bring down branches and trees, damaging overhead power lines. Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

We have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground, particularly for Storm Eunice, to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather.

You will be able to find regular updates and information about individual power cuts on our website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk . We will also be posting general updates on @UKPowerNetworks .

Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map, with details of individual power cuts
• Call 105 free of charge to speak to our customer service team, report a power cut or damage to the electricity network
• Tweet @UKPowerNetworks to report a power cut or to receive updates
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut.  Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register.  You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .

Join the Citizens Advice for a free online session giving practical tips to manage your energy costs.

Tuesday 22nd Feb 11am

They’ll explain:
Grants and support
Energy saving tips
Finding help if you are struggling

To book a free place:
email energyadvice@cadat.org.uk
or visit
eventbrite.co.uk/e/256792953637