September 6, 2024
Welcome to this week's blog. As always, thank you for sparing the time to have a read..
This week we all had Full STC on Wednesday, which included an update on investigations into procuring additional Civil Enforcement Officer time. On Monday our Green CDC colleague, Tim Young has their Environment Panel. Next week Donna and Val have CDC’s Planning then later Val, Ian, Mick, Ali, Andrew and Gareth have STC’s Planning. Watch CDC’s public meetings here, and Full WSCC here.
Two reminders: -
CDC’s Community Wardens are digital ambassadors and have had training in scams. Rich Moorey, Selsey's Community Warden recently ran a series of free scam awareness presentations, covering a range of issues and advice, such as discussing the most prevalent scams. These include courier fraud (fraudulent communications that look like they are from delivery companies); financial and investment scams; romance fraud on dating apps and social media; and websites. Rich is organising another day of presentations on Saturday 28 September at the Assembly Rooms in Chichester, as we learn more we will update you.
A new opportunity for businesses in our County has arrived with the launch of the West Sussex Growth Hub which offers support and advice to businesses to help ensure their success. The Hub offers a free, comprehensive business support service, including triage, diagnostics and signposting as well as one-to-one and intensive support options. An experienced team of advisers is ready to help business owners navigate their way to sustainability and growth.
An issue that can cause some debate is over our fitness to drive as we get older, and whether there should be a requirement to take a further driving test. Some areas are trialling voluntary tests for Over-60s as you can read here. Another interesting read looks at whether different types of plant-based meat alternatives are better for us and better for the Environment.
Applications for secondary school places in West Sussex for September 2025 are now open. The easiest way to apply is online. The process is quick and simple to do, and you will receive an automatic confirmation when your application has been submitted. Applications close on October 31 so please bear in mind that they need to be made on time for the best chance of being offered one of your preferred places.
Monday marks the start of Pension Awareness Week so it seems like the perfect time to talk about Pension Credits. Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension and offers extra money to help with living costs. It tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It's a tax-free payment for those who have reached pension credit qualifying age and live in Great Britain. You might get extra help if you care for another adult (£45.60 a week), are severely disabled (£81.50 a week), or are responsible for a child or young person (from £66.29 a week). It's very important that everyone eligible makes an application as this will impact the Winter Fuel payments. If you, or anyone you know needs some help with this, Donna will be happy to help.
The Government has created a pension credit calculator at: www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator, where people can see if they are eligible and find out how much Pension Credit they could get without giving any personal details. You may be eligible even if you may have modest savings, retirement income or own your own home. The scheme can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs — from housing benefit (if you rent the property you live in) to support for mortgage interest (if you own the property you live in). Other benefits could include help with council tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence. To find out more about Pension Credit, you can visit: www.gov.uk/pension-credit.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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