Visit to Universal Yoga in Camerton

Louise recently visited the Universal Yoga centre in Camerton to find out more about the work the centre does in the local area. She is pictured with Cllr Sarah Bevan, the Chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, and Charlotta Martinus - the Director of Universal Yoga.

" I enjoyed my time at Universal Yoga. It's a growing community centre which attracts a wide range of people. I do hope that people will time out in 2011 to go and visit."

Over the past 12 months the organisation has had many successes, these include:

· Working with the B&NES Get Active Leisure to run yoga classes in primary and secondary schools

· The launch of a new radio show called Time Out on Somer Valley FM

· Donating 5% of the centre’s profits to WaterAid, ensuring that some of the world’s poorest people have access to clean water

· Running free workshops for the local community on healthy eating

BANES Cold snap roads round-up: December 2010

Bath & North East Somerset Council has been working around the clock alongside their contractor Atkins to ensure the 260 miles of priority routes are gritted by their nine-strong fleet of gritting vehicles to keep the road network flowing as smoothly as possible during the adverse weather.

Despite freezing temperatures, the prioritised routes on the BANES road network have been kept open. As a result, there have been no school closures due to access issues, the majority of waste collections have taken place, and adult social care providers have been able to make home visits as normal, amongst other services that have continued.

Staff from other Council services, like our Neighbourhood Teams, have been on stand-by to be re-deployed to deal with icy conditions and use multi-purpose equipment to spread salt.

Salt stocks situation

The Council has taken action to improve the resilience to extended periods of adverse weather. Braysdown Depot can now hold 1,000 tonnes of salt, which is addition to the 1,400 tonnes the Councilcan store at Clutton Depot and the emergency reserve stock of 500 tonnes at Avonmouth. The use of these facilities has contributed towards keeping routes open. However, salt stocks must continue to be prioritised and are not immune from the impact of an uncertain nationwide salt supply situation and adverse weather occurring earlier than expected this year.

The Council maintains 388 grit bins at present – these were all refilled during the summer. Since last winter, somewhere in the region of 400 requests for additional bins have been made and these are currently being assessed. Refilling bins during periods of adverse or severe weather/ snowfall is labour intensive and the salt stored in these is often spread too heavily, used on private drives, or sometimes stolen.

The Council’s priority must be to ensure that the 38% of the road network they plan to treat is gritted – this is well head of the national average of 30%. For BANES to complete this work, salt stocks and manpower must be prioritised. In response to feedback from local people, they have invested in salt bagging equipment which will enable small supplies of salt to be distributed more effectively and efficiently to the communities of greatest need during severe weather conditions when filling bins is not possible.

Keeping people updated

Local people have been kept updated on the impact of Council services, including the effect on the roads, via updates on the website and through the press.

The Council has drafted a leaflet aimed at the public giving guidance on clearing snow and providing self-help. This is due to be published shortly and will be made available to the public at Council Connect Offices, parish and town councils, and via the Council’s website.

The Winter Highways Review has been considered by parish councils and the Safer and Stronger Overview and Scrutiny Panel. This has placed BANES in a better position to cope with the type of weather experienced in February 2009 and January 2010, for example by increasing the amount of road network covered by gritting arrangements.

Preventing damage to the roads

Highways improvement crews are currently in the final stages of completing the extensive 2010/11 £8.5 million investment into improving road surfaces which will help to prevent costly potholes caused by severe weather. These improvements include resurfacing or surface dressing 10% of the entire road network.

Contacting the Council

The quickest and most direct way of bringing to their attention a problem on the roads, or any other service, is by contacting the Council via the following methods.

Web: www.bathnes.gov.uk/reportit

Email: councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk

Phone: 01225 39 40 41

Text SMS: 0779 7806545

Support The National Osteoporosis Society at the Bath Abbey Christmas Concert

Bath Abbey Christmas Concert
Wednesday 8th December 2010, 7.00pm (performances start 7:30pm)

The National Osteoporosis Society is delighted to announce the only local Christmas performance of the Bath Male Choir at A Celebration of Christmas, on Wednesday 8th December, 7.00pm at Bath Abbey.

The Bath Male Choir will be joined by some very special guests including Susan Hampshire OBE, the Prior Park Senior Chapel Choir and the Bath Chorus. The Celebration will feature a wealth of varied performances and will definitely be one to remember!

Tickets are on sale now and are available from only £8 - £35. Please call the Bath Festivals Box Office on 01225 463362. Members of the National Osteoporosis Society are eligible for a 10% by calling the charity’s Box Office on 01761 473106.

Brainy-Bones Challenge
If you like quizzes, puzzles and brain training games, you'll love this online competition, timed to coincide with World Osteoporosis Day. It only costs £2.50 to play and you could win an iPod! Winners announced on December 14th. Register for the Brainy-Bones Challenge

National Osteoporosis Society
Camerton
Bath
BA2 0PJ

Direct line: 01761 473105
Switchboard: 0845 130 3076 or +44 (0)1761 471771
Fax: +44 (0)1761 471104
Helpline: 0845 450 0230 or +44 (0)1761 472721

Websites: www.nos.org.uk www.bones4life.org

Bathavon West Beat Surgeries December 2010

Priston Village Hall 6th Dec. 17:30 - 18:30pm

Combe Hay Church 6th Dec. 19:00 - 20:00pm

Camerton School 8th Dec. 15:00 - 15:30pm

Englishcombe Old School 9th Dec. 10:30 - 11:30am

Newton St Loe O/S Post Office 9th Dec. 18:30 - 19:30pm

Tunley King William Public House 10th Dec. 10:30 - 11:30am

Royal Mail Alert Against Scam

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail:-

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655

Louise Meets the Osteoporosis Helpline Nurses

Your Local Lib Dem has been supporting the nurses who run the helpline at the
National Osteoporosis Society in the village of Camerton. I was so impressed by the Society's work when I visited earlier this year that I took the opportunity to make a return visit and to talk to the nurses who run the helpline.

Bathavon West is home to the headquarters of the National Osteoporosis Society. The charity runs a helpline, 5 days a week from 9 till 5 staffed by nurses who are experienced in Osteoporosis and bone health. They receive more than 13,000 calls a year. As my mother-in-law has recently fallen over and suffered a badly broken wrist I know firsthand how valuable a service like this is. It gives help, reassurance and advice and is free to anyone, but by becoming a Helplines Association Member you will actively support the charity.”

The Helpline Service tel. 0845 450 0230 or 01761 472721.
www.nos.org.uk
www.bonesforlife.org

Visit to Combe Hay Monday 8th November

It was good to talk to so many households in Combe Hay on Monday this week. Several issues were raised with me, but by far the biggest issue was the continuing anger at the ineffective "bus lane" leading up to the Park and Ride roundabout. We agree with you that this was a waste of £1million that our Conservative Cabinet would have been better spending elsewhere on the highway network. However several of you also complained about the measures being put in on Wellsway, especially the confusing priorities at the Red Lion roundabout. I have raised this concern with the Highways Department and will keep you informed.

A New Pavement For Christmas!

<- Louise Bray inspecting the wide grass verge where she has been inspecting for a footpath to be built for 5 years now.

Residents of Crossways Park, Dunkerton, have been complaining to us for over 5 years now about the need for the pavement to this local bus stop. The speed of traffic makes the lack of a pavement a real safety hazzard for pedestrians walking to the bus stop.

We have been working to persuade the council during this time that the provision of a pavement is vital. One of the problems was the BT telegraph pole, and we are delighted to report that negotiations with BT over this obstacle are now nearly complete. This means the council can proceed with building a pavement.

The council have assured us that work is scheduled to start towards the end of November.We will be keeping an eye on this.

After five years of waiting it will be a great christmas present for bus users from Crossways Park to be able to reach the bus stop in safety without having to walk along the road.

Mad housing targets scrapped

Louise Bray (pictured) has welcomed the news that the target to build thousands of houses on rural countryside in North East Somerset has been scrapped.

The new coalition government has thrown Labour’s plans out of the window, which could have seen 2,000 houses built at Newton St Loe with no consideration given to the views of local residents, or the effect if could have on amenities and services.

Louise, who spoke against the plans at a previous B&NES Council meeting, said:

“People living in their own communities should always be asked about what things they’d like, and not like, to see in their areas.
When the previous government introduced plans to build thousands of houses in North East Somerset none of us were consulted.
Thankfully, these plans have now been scrapped. I have seen the way the campaigners have relentlessly fought their corner in protecting the countryside. They can now breathe a huge sigh of relief.”

Under the previous government, a centrally imposed target was given to build 21,000 houses in B&NES by 2026.

Public Announcment

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(SKINNER’S HILL, CAMERTON)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) NOTICE 2010

Notice is hereby given that the Bath and North East Somerset Council in pursuance of the provisions of section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended has made a notice the effect of which will be to close temporarily to vehicles that length of Skinner’s Hill which extends from its junction with Under Tree Road to its junction with A367 Fosseway.

This notice is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road consequent upon urgent surface patching and will be operative from the 7TH JUNE for a maximum period of five days. However, the restriction may not be effected for the whole of the period but it is anticipated that the road will be closed as and when traffic signs are in position and only for so long as is necessary to execute the works which it is anticipated will be for ONE DAY.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE – Under Tree Road, A367 Fosseway

Dated: 4 June 2010

Floor 2, Riverside,Temple Street,Keynsham, BristolBS31 1LA

David Trigwell
Divisional Director of Planning and
Transport Development

Camerton School to remain open

Local campaigners and politicians have welcomed the news that Camerton Church Primary School is to remain open.

Concerns over the school’s future rose a few years ago when a review by B&NES Council’s education scrutiny panel noted the total number of children in the school was on the decline.
The same scrutiny panel though on Monday night voted to keep the school open, following a recommendation in a report presented to the panel.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Louise Bray is delighted with the news. She said:

“I know Camerton very well and have seen the way the local community supports the school in all sorts of ways.

For a number of years the number on roll at the school had declined, but thanks to the support of community groups, the Parish Council and the on site pre-school the numbers are on the rise.
Camerton School may be small, but it has a big role to play in village life.”

The decision follows a successful OFSTED report earlier in the year when the school was congratulated for its hard work in raising standards and providing a first class education to all its pupils.

Cllr Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown), the Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services in B&NES, visited the school in January to see for himself what they’ve been doing and to congratulate them on their success. He said:

“The staff, under the leadership of Headteacher Keith Ford, have worked really hard to make Camerton a community school and provide a learning environment that is tailor-made to suit each child.

I was really impressed by the school and hopefully, when I visit again in the future, will see even more progress.

The scrutiny panel’s decision to keep the school open is good news for pupils, parents, staff and the whole community.”

Dance can help prevent fractures says Osteoporosis Society

Gail Coleshill, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, is supporting Dance in North East Somerset as a health and social activity.
She said:
“I was surprised to find that dance is recommended by the National Osteoporosis Society to prevent fractures. I visited them recently with my colleague Louise Bray to hear about the work they are doing locally at the Mineral Hospital and nationally to help prevent the disease.”
Gail and Louise Bray visited the Headquarters of the national Osteoporosis Society, whose President is the Duchess of Cornwall, to see how they are addressing the very serious issue of fractures caused by thinning of the bones. Although Osteoporosis afflicts more women it can affect men too. The fractures caused by Osteoporosis need hospital care and can lead to ongoing care problems for the sufferer. The Society is working with local health authorities to identify people at risk and try to put in some preventative measures.
Louise said:
“The recent fracture suffered by the Duchess of Cornwall, although not directly related to osteoporosis, because of her family history and link with the Society serves to remind us that the ongoing care of fracture patients is a serious matter. Preventative measures are seen by the Society as a better way of dealing with the health problems of osteoporosis.”
Apart from dancing a diet rich in calcium is one of the preventative measures recommended for the mainly older women who are identified as being at risk. Beer has recently been recommended but apparently it is the silicon within the water which is the element to help prevent Osteoporosis.

Gail ready for election fight

After 18 months of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has finally called a General Election.
Here in North East Somerset, the Liberal Democrats have re-selected well respected political activist Gail Coleshill to contest the election, which will be fought under brand new parliamentary boundaries.

Gail, who has worked for ten years on community projects and initiatives in the area, said:

“A lot has changed here since the last General Election. Not just do we have new boundaries, but our Labour MP has become even more unpopular and the Conservatives have selected a candidate who has no track record of doing anything in our area.
I’m 100% ready for the election contest and hope the people of North East Somerset will elect me as their new MP.”

The new constituency, previously known as Wansdyke, will be losing the Bitton, Oldland Common area to the north of Keynsham – which has had a Labour MP for the last 13years.
New additions to the constituency include Batheaston, Bathampton, South Stoke and Freshford (a total area of around 7,000 voters) – which have all been served by the Lib Dem MP Don Foster for the last 18 years.

Today, Gail Coleshill has published her four pledges for election to Parliament:

1. Economy: I’ll work with Vince Cable to help working families by raising the individual tax free allowance to £10,000. We’ll cut out tax loopholes for the rich and reduce income tax by taxing pollution.
2. Environment:
· I will continue to campaign to protect the environment, particularly against plans to build thousands of houses on the greenbelt.
· We do need more low cost housing, so I want to bring empty homes back into use for affordable housing and increase the energy efficiency of all houses to save money and keep homes warmer.
· I’ll work with other Lib Dem MPs to push for planning decisions to be taken away from central government and decided locally.
· I would like to make buses and trains affordable and reliable so that people have a real choice on how to travel. Re-open railway lines and stations such as Bathampton, Saltford and Radstock to Bristol.
· I support the local Lib Dems plans’ to give all young people free bus passes so they have better access to services.

3. Education: I plan to give teachers more time in the classroom by cutting administration. Raise standards in every school with a pupil premium for every child. Reduce and eventually eliminate university tuition fees.
4. Democratic Reform: The expenses scandal in parliament has put people off politics. I want to change this by using local groups to bring democracy closer to the people, to give people the freedom to sack their MP, and introduce a fairer voting system where every vote counts.
Gail believes the contest locally is wide open:

“Our canvass results are looking very good, with Labour finishing in third place. Every week I am meeting new people on the doorstep, and they’re telling me they want a change from the old-style politics and break from the two older parties.

As we get closer to polling day, election fever is sure to heat up in North East Somerset.”

To watch Gail’s General Election Campaign video visit http://www.nes-libdems.org.uk/

Fears arise over future of Community Transport

Fears have arisen over the future of community transport in Bath and North East Somerset, following the news that the Council’s designated Community Transport Officer role is being scrapped.

For several years, B&NES has employed an officer to work directly work with community transport groups in Keynsham, Radstock, Bath and elsewhere to liaise on behalf of the authority and represent the views of the groups within the Transport Department.

Now, after years of successful work, Tory-run B&NES Council has decided to pull the plug on the role and leave many of the voluntary groups without this vital support.

Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill, who is standing at the next General Election has her party’s choice in North East Somerset, said:

“I was very worried to hear that the Council has decided to scrap this role. Every year, hundreds of volunteers work hard to provide a transport service to the elderly, the disabled, and anyone else who finds it difficult to use Public Transport.

In North East Somerset, groups such as the Norton-Radstock Ring & Ride, Keynsham Dial-a-Ride, Bath Community Transport and the Swan Advice Network play a vital role in offering a life-line to residents.

Many people use these services to do their weekly shop, to visit friends and get to important medical appointments.”

Last year, 14,000 passengers used the Ring and Ride service in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. B&NES currently gives £94,000 a year to support the service, but with severe government cuts on the way this funding could be under threat. Gail added:

“The current government has got its priorities wrong when it comes to using public finances to improve public and community transport. Instead of investing £millions on building bus lanes that no one wants, money should be going towards extending the community transport schemes in rural areas.

Also, if the Tories win the next election, they are telling us to expect big cuts to public services. I wonder if the Tory Candidate for North East Somerset will distance himself from his party’s actions locally and their plans nationally?

I believe that in rural areas such as North East Somerset we can’t under estimate the importance of community transport and I call on the Council to reinstate the Community Transport Officer role before it’s too late.”

Innovative transport designs

Local Lib Dems Gail Coleshill, Cllr Neil Butters and Tim Bray went on a fact finding visit to Stourbridge where there is a very successful light rail link between the station and the town.

The light rail car, or Parry’s People Mover, runs along rails on a 2 litre LPG diesel engine with a flywheel attachment to provide kinetic energy which saves fuel and carbon emissions.
Gail Coleshill was impressed by the possibilities of using such a low energy solution in Bath and North East Somerset.

She said “I can see the possibilities in a number of situations where the track beds of old railways still exist. It could be used in Bath along the old track instead of buses which use the same congested road space as cars. There are also the two tunnels track, the Radstock to Frome track, and maybe a branch line to Swindon.

Parry’s People Mover was first developed for use in the developing world but has been designed in Stourbridge to specifications from Network Rail.

The car which carries 60 people makes journeys every ten minutes along a disused branch line but the design of its body means that it can be extended to travel along tracks in or beside the road.

Gail was particularly impressed by its affordability. She added:

“LPG fuel makes it really cheap to run and the fuel is carried in a large tank within the vehicle. The car is light weight and the flywheel which stores up energy is what makes this such an innovative solution. I believe this could be a useful way to make a link between Bristol and Radstock along the old railway track which still exists most of the way.

Local resident and rail enthusiast Tim Bray thought there were practical applications within the Radstock area.

“I know there are public transport shortages between Farrington and Midsomer Norton and there is a track bed which is going to be an extension to the Greenway. I think this would be an ideal place to try out a pilot scheme for an ultra light railway.”

Why are we waiting?

Photo shows: Mike Rawlings, Louise Bray, Gail Coleshill, Rosemary Todd and residents in front of the Peasedown-bound bus stop.

Residents living in a small cul-de-sac in Dunkerton say they have been let down by Bath and North East Somerset Council after a broken promise five years ago.

The residents of Crossways Park do not have access to amenities or services in the village and rely on public transport to get them into Bath or Midsomer Norton.

Outside the cul-de-sac is a bus stop on the A367, bound for Peasedown St John. Unfortunately though, residents can rarely get to it because doing so means walking in the face of oncoming traffic at speeds of 50mph and more. Also there is a steep verge making it even more impossible if you are disabled.

Since 2005, residents have been asking B&NES Council to lay a small footpath leading to the bus stop – five years later though no action has been taken.

Frustrated resident Mike Rawlings says he and his neighbours were promised the footpath:

“The Council promised us five years ago a footpath, but despite years of waiting we have received nothing.

All we want is a small pathway that can get us safely out of our estate and to the bus stop.”

Prospective Lib Dem MP Gail Coleshill visited the affected residents recently to hear their concerns. She commented:

“It’s so frustrating that B&NES has promised to do something for these residents, but now they have been forgotten about because the Council doesn’t consider it a priority.

Why should these residents be treated any differently? They pay their Council Tax that is being wasted on transport projects elsewhere in the authority that no one wants.”

Local campaigner Louise Bray believes the Council has been wrong to have de-prioritised this scheme:

“It is a relatively small piece of work that would have a big impact on the lives of everybody living in this development.

Some of the residents are in poor health and two have died since this footpath was originally promised to them.

Once again this shows how the more vulnerable members of our rural communities are being sidelined. I am appealing to B&NES Council to take action on this before the financial year end.”

Gail Coleshill has written to the Traffic and Safety Department asking them to take action on this issue.

Street Surgery

Gail Coleshill, Prospective Lib Dem MP, and local campaigner Louise Bray will be holding a street surgery in Combe Hay on Tuesday 2nd February from 3.30pm.

Gail and Louise will be in the village to talk to residents, and help with any issues of concern.

Any residents of these streets who would like a visit can contact Gail on 01761 432923 or Louise on 01225 834673.

Bring empty properties back into use!‏

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that there are almost 600 empty properties currently in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area.

The properties, which have been uninhabited for more than six months, are located in places all over the district from Keynsham to Batheaston, and from Midsomer Norton to Peasedown St John.

The news comes at the same time that Conservative controlled B&NES Council has revealed proposals that could see an extra 15,000 additional house built in the authority by the year 2026.

Gail Coleshill, the Prospective Lib Dem MP for North East Somerset, has been an active voice against the housing building plans – particularly on the green belt. She said:

“If the Council can bring some of these empty properties back into use that would be a benefit in tackling the housing needs we have. Let’s first use some of these properties that already exist for new homes before we even think of building anymore.”

The Lib Dems want the council to more to do more to bring some of the boarded up properties in B&NES back into use.

Local campaigner Louise Bray believes that we need to adopt the same approach as Mendip District Council whereby landlords are offered grants, professional guidance on lettings, rent deposit schemes and private sector leasing.

Louise commented:

“If B&NES Council were to adopt the same approach as our colleagues in Mendip, many of these 600 properties could be brought back into use which would be a great help in providing much needed social housing.”

The Lib Dems first raised their concerns about the number of empty properties in the authority in November 2008 when Peasedown Councillor Sarah Bevan highlighted the issue at a meeting of the B&NES Full Council.

Following this, in January 2009, the Cabinet Member for Housing confessed at a public meeting to Councillor Nathan Hartley that he had no idea of the number of empty properties in B&NES.

The above photo shows Lib Dems Gail Coleshill and Louise Bray outside the old St Nicholas Junior School in Radstock, with has been empty for years. Gail and Louise want to see empty properties like this used for social housing.

Keeping Warm - Essential Numbers

It has been exceptionally cold weather recently and I am aware that many people, particularly those from vulnerable groups, will be thinking about how best to stay warm and manage their energy costs. British Gas can help. We advise that customers should contact us direct so that we can ensure that we can offer them every assistance in keeping warm and managing their energy bills during this bitterly cold period.

If they are a British Gas customer, they should call us direct on freephone: 0800 072 7100 or for Prepayment Customers 0800 294 8604

Alternatively they can call the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99). This is a free-phone number providing vulnerable customers with direct access to free insulation and reduced or ‘social’ tariffs from their energy supplier.

At British Gas we are firmly committed to playing our part in supporting all our customers especially during this cold period. We are urging customers concerned about the cost of energy to refrain from switching off their heating and contact us to see how we can help. Our call centres have received the highest level of contact ever with a nearly 300% rise in calls compared to this time last year. We have been processing these calls as quickly as possible.

We want to ensure that we can help to get out to those who are most vulnerable and will always seek to prioritise those who have no heating or hot water. We are also offering advice on line at www.britishgas.co.uk that may help protect boilers and central heating systems as the freezing temperatures continue across the country.

We may also be able to offer extended payment terms or in the case of vulnerable customers on specific benefits, transfer them onto our low cost social tariff. For customers whose bills arrive late as a result of the bad weather delaying postal services, they will still receive their prompt pay discounts as normal.

In addition we have a number of programmes specifically designed to help our most vulnerable customers which we are promoting through our charity partners and Citizen Advice Bureaux. These include:

Essentials Programme

British Gas has introduced a special tariff aimed at cutting gas and electricity bills for our most vulnerable low income customers. We currently have over 300,000 customers on the Essentials tariff saving up to £264 on average per annum, compared to a standard tariff. The tariff represents a £77.4million spend by the company and is open to existing British Gas customers in receipt of at least one of a number of specific Government benefits.

For further information on eligibility for the Essentials tariff tel: 0800 072 7100 or for Prepayment Customers 0800 294 8604

British Gas Energy Trust

British Gas has established the British Gas Energy Trust for customers to apply for grants and sustainable advice to manage their energy payments. The Trust also funds third party debt advice and in cases of extreme need, awards customers for other non-energy related debts and essential household costs.

British Gas has committed to the Trust for a further four years, taking the total committed by British Gas to the Trust to £21.3million since 2005.
The Trust is run independently of British Gas and is a registered charity.

For further information tel: 01733 421 021 (information) 01733 421 060 (applications)

‘here to HELP’

The largest social initiative of its kind in the UK, ‘here to HELP’ is a unique coalition between the public, private and charity sectors, delivering real benefits to vulnerable and fuel poor households. The scheme aims to tackle the root causes of household poverty by improving the living conditions and quality of life in some of Britain 's most deprived communities. The programme offers energy efficiency products, benefits assessments, essential appliances and adaptors, home security measures, and advice from our charity partners who include Help the Aged, Scope & the RNIB.

To date, the scheme has covered nearly 600,000 homes and has found unclaimed benefits totalling nearly £12.9 million. On average, qualifying applicants are over £1,500 a year better off as a result of the benefit health check alone.

For further information on ‘here to HELP’ tel: 0800 072 8339

Free Insulation to those Aged over 70

Insulating the home is one of the most effective ways to keep warm and cut energy bills.

British Gas customers over 70 years old or on income related benefits may be able to get their home insulated for free.

British Gas ExtraCare

British Gas has given a voluntary public commitment not to disconnect anyone we know to be vulnerable. “ExtraCare” is the process we have adopted to help us proactively identify signs of vulnerability amongst our customers; how we keep this information on our systems and what we need to do once we have identified someone as being potentially vulnerable. As part of our day to day contact with our customers, we listen out for any signs the customer may give us that might indicate that they are vulnerable.

British Gas Home Energy Care Register

Our Home Energy Care Register provides essential services for some of our most vulnerable customers and around 560,000 customers now benefit from the service. The Home Energy Care Register is a priority service register for all our gas and/or electricity customers who are elderly, disabled or chronically sick. It enables us to record any specific requirements these customers may have and helps us to provide them with services appropriate to their needs

For further information tel: 0800 072 8625

Home Heat Helpline

The national Home Heat Helpline was launched in 2005, offering help to customers struggling to pay their energy bills. The service is run by the Energy Retail Association and is funded by British Gas and other major energy suppliers. It gives one point of contact, connecting customers to advice and help from their energy supplier. A specialist British Gas team takes the calls from British Gas customers and connects them to the most appropriate support.

For further information tel: 0800 33 66 99 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 10am-3pm)

Keeping Warm - Essential Numbers

It has been exceptionally cold weather recently and I am aware that many people, particularly those from vulnerable groups, will be thinking about how best to stay warm and manage their energy costs. British Gas can help. We advise that customers should contact us direct so that we can ensure that we can offer them every assistance in keeping warm and managing their energy bills during this bitterly cold period.

If they are a British Gas customer, they should call us direct on freephone: 0800 072 7100 or for Prepayment Customers 0800 294 8604

Alternatively they can call the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99). This is a free-phone number providing vulnerable customers with direct access to free insulation and reduced or ‘social’ tariffs from their energy supplier.

At British Gas we are firmly committed to playing our part in supporting all our customers especially during this cold period. We are urging customers concerned about the cost of energy to refrain from switching off their heating and contact us to see how we can help. Our call centres have received the highest level of contact ever with a nearly 300% rise in calls compared to this time last year. We have been processing these calls as quickly as possible.

We want to ensure that we can help to get out to those who are most vulnerable and will always seek to prioritise those who have no heating or hot water. We are also offering advice on line at www.britishgas.co.uk that may help protect boilers and central heating systems as the freezing temperatures continue across the country.

We may also be able to offer extended payment terms or in the case of vulnerable customers on specific benefits, transfer them onto our low cost social tariff. For customers whose bills arrive late as a result of the bad weather delaying postal services, they will still receive their prompt pay discounts as normal.

In addition we have a number of programmes specifically designed to help our most vulnerable customers which we are promoting through our charity partners and Citizen Advice Bureaux. These include:

Essentials Programme

British Gas has introduced a special tariff aimed at cutting gas and electricity bills for our most vulnerable low income customers. We currently have over 300,000 customers on the Essentials tariff saving up to £264 on average per annum, compared to a standard tariff. The tariff represents a £77.4million spend by the company and is open to existing British Gas customers in receipt of at least one of a number of specific Government benefits.

For further information on eligibility for the Essentials tariff tel: 0800 072 7100 or for Prepayment Customers 0800 294 8604

British Gas Energy Trust

British Gas has established the British Gas Energy Trust for customers to apply for grants and sustainable advice to manage their energy payments. The Trust also funds third party debt advice and in cases of extreme need, awards customers for other non-energy related debts and essential household costs.

British Gas has committed to the Trust for a further four years, taking the total committed by British Gas to the Trust to £21.3million since 2005.
The Trust is run independently of British Gas and is a registered charity.

For further information tel: 01733 421 021 (information) 01733 421 060 (applications)

‘here to HELP’

The largest social initiative of its kind in the UK, ‘here to HELP’ is a unique coalition between the public, private and charity sectors, delivering real benefits to vulnerable and fuel poor households. The scheme aims to tackle the root causes of household poverty by improving the living conditions and quality of life in some of Britain 's most deprived communities. The programme offers energy efficiency products, benefits assessments, essential appliances and adaptors, home security measures, and advice from our charity partners who include Help the Aged, Scope & the RNIB.

To date, the scheme has covered nearly 600,000 homes and has found unclaimed benefits totalling nearly £12.9 million. On average, qualifying applicants are over £1,500 a year better off as a result of the benefit health check alone.

For further information on ‘here to HELP’ tel: 0800 072 8339

Free Insulation to those Aged over 70

Insulating the home is one of the most effective ways to keep warm and cut energy bills.

British Gas customers over 70 years old or on income related benefits may be able to get their home insulated for free.

British Gas ExtraCare

British Gas has given a voluntary public commitment not to disconnect anyone we know to be vulnerable. “ExtraCare” is the process we have adopted to help us proactively identify signs of vulnerability amongst our customers; how we keep this information on our systems and what we need to do once we have identified someone as being potentially vulnerable. As part of our day to day contact with our customers, we listen out for any signs the customer may give us that might indicate that they are vulnerable.

British Gas Home Energy Care Register

Our Home Energy Care Register provides essential services for some of our most vulnerable customers and around 560,000 customers now benefit from the service. The Home Energy Care Register is a priority service register for all our gas and/or electricity customers who are elderly, disabled or chronically sick. It enables us to record any specific requirements these customers may have and helps us to provide them with services appropriate to their needs

For further information tel: 0800 072 8625

Home Heat Helpline

The national Home Heat Helpline was launched in 2005, offering help to customers struggling to pay their energy bills. The service is run by the Energy Retail Association and is funded by British Gas and other major energy suppliers. It gives one point of contact, connecting customers to advice and help from their energy supplier. A specialist British Gas team takes the calls from British Gas customers and connects them to the most appropriate support.

For further information tel: 0800 33 66 99 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 10am-3pm)