As we approach Christmas and the colder months of the New Year, I wanted to remind residents of Test Valley’s £40k Winter Fuel Payment Scheme, which we have put in place to support vulnerable pensioners impacted by the loss of their Winter Fuel Allowance and who are just above the threshold for Pension Credit.
To access the funding, anyone who needs help is being urged to contact Citizens Advice Test Valley on 0808 178 6882 or go to their website at www.testvalleycab.org.uk and fill out an email advice form. Those that Citizens Advice identify for financial help will then be referred to Unity to make the payments direct to the resident’s bank accounts.
The festive season can be an incredibly difficult time for some, which is why I also want to take this opportunity to reiterate Test Valley’s commitment to help the homeless, meaning nobody has to sleep rough this Christmas or indeed any other time of the year.
In fact, we have a pledge in place to ensure that anybody who is sleeping rough will always be made an offer of accommodation. As well as responding positively to those who seek help, we also proactively go out and engage with people we think are rough sleeping. Does this mean we have no rough sleepers in Test Valley? Sadly not. As for a number of reasons, such as addiction or poor mental health, offers of accommodation aren’t always accepted. However, we will always continue to encourage people to come inside, working with inclusion services or organisations such as Two Saints that we help fund through our flexible homelessness support grant. Please remember that anyone concerned about their housing situation can contact the council on 01264 368000 (Andover) or 01794 527700 (Romsey). You can also report rough sleeping through streetlink.org.uk and we will proactively go out and speak to the individuals and offer accommodation.
In the week prior to Christmas, it has become a tradition for me to share a very early bacon roll and cup of tea with Test Valley’s Environmental Services team before they start their bin collection, street cleaning and grounds maintenance rounds. I’m incredibly thankful for all their efforts and will make sure I pass on the thanks of residents too. Remember, you can find your Christmas bin collection dates on Test Valley’s website, including details of when you can leave out excess waste over the festive period at: www.testvalley.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/seasonalinformation
Finally, may I wish all Gazette readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Cllr. Phil North
Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council
