South Glos Council Report

As usual it has been a busy few months and we are grateful for residents bringing a few local issues to our attention. Please continue to let us know of problems in the local area and we will do our best to have them resolved.

We would like to thank those residents who have expressed an interest in supporting Ukrainian families. South Gloucestershire Council has a dedicated website.

The website has a wealth of information, also with links to translated articles, and explains how you are able to assist with this effort.

Queen’s Jubilee

South Gloucestershire Council is making it easier for local people to enjoy the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations this summer. More than 30 community events across our area have received a share of a £50,000 pot to hold events ranging from festivals and fetes to picnics and garden parties, bringing our communities together.

In addition, as with previous national celebrations, South Gloucestershire Council is welcoming applications for street party closures and the hire of open spaces for Jubilee celebration events in the area between the 2 and 5 June, and has confirmed that no fees will be charged. I am sure many local residents will have started planning street parties but to apply for a street party closure then please visit southglos.gov.uk/streetclosures where you can find the application form. Organisers are reminded that applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the party date, in order that the legal requirements are met. Due to the speed and frequency of traffic, no closures will be permitted on A and B class roads.

We hope everyone will enjoy celebrating this significant event with friends, family and neighbours. If you need any assistance with making your application then we would be happy to help.

Council Tax Rebate

As many residents will have noticed on the leaflet enclosed with their Council Tax bill, a £150 rebate to council tax payers in South Gloucestershire will begin to be paid to householders later this month and in May. Those who pay by direct debit will receive the cash automatically, while those who pay in other ways will be contacted by the council to make arrangements for the money to come to them.

The final details of the scheme were agreed at the Cabinet meeting on Monday 4 April and include a range of additional, discretionary support for those who do not qualify for the national scheme, but who are still in need of support as energy costs are rising. Most households in bands A to D will be eligible. Your council tax band is on your bill, but you can also visit GOV.UK to check which band you are in.

Those who pay by direct debit will, in most cases, receive the payment directly into their bank account. People who do not already pay by direct debit can set it up online through the council website at: southglos.gov.uk/council-tax/my-council-tax-online, this way the council will then have the bank details needed to make the £150 payment directly. For those who do not, or do not wish to pay by direct debit, households will receive a letter towards the end of April or the start of May with details of the council will make the payment.

The council is also offering support through a discretionary scheme which will provide the £150 rebate to:

• people who get council tax reduction in bands E to H
• people who get Disabled Band Reduction (DBR) in bands E to G
• foster carers in bands E to H
• care homes in bands E to H
• carers in bands E to H
• people who have severe mental impairment in bands E to H
• households in bands E to H where there is an existing disregard as a member of the household is receiving long term care in hospital or care home
• students in bands E to H
• households in bands E to H where everyone living there is under 18 years of age
• night shelters or hostels in bands E to H; and households where everyone living there over 18 years old is on a government recognised apprenticeship scheme

The council will contact households in these categories this month. For people not in one of these categories, or who are eligible for the rebate, but need more financial support, the council is also running the Community Resilience Fund (CRF). Find out more by visiting the website at: beta.southglos.gov.uk/community-resilience-fund, by visiting one of the council’s One Stop Shops or calling our Contact Centre on 01454 868009.

We know that people are struggling with bills, so we urge anyone in this situation to contact South Gloucestershire Council so they can assess what help might be available.

Cllr Ben Burton