Saving Money - Energy Best Deal

Ofgem and Citizens Advice have produced a series of seven short films covering - how to reduce your energy costs and what help is available from both suppliers and Government if you are struggling to pay your energy bills.
The short videos include


•Shopping around for the best energy deal
•How to be energy efficient
•Avoiding debt and disconnection
•Dealing with sales people
•How to make a complaint
•Getting help with your energy bills
•More money in your pocket – consumers talking about the savings they have made thanks to Energy Best Deal
Read more & view the videos at: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/smebd/Pages/smebd.aspx

Is your property at risk of flooding?

HOW DO I FOUND OUT?
You can check by phoning Floodline on 08459 881188.
Alternatively, you can visiting our website:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales and enter your postcode.


I’M AT RISK OF FLOODING, WHAT CAN I DO NOW?
There are many things you can do to prepare your property for flooding. The first step is to sign up to our free Floodline Warnings Direct service either by phone (08459 881188) or online. This enables you to receive a warning of flooding in your local area via phone, text or email. However, it is important to regularly monitor the weather forecast for your area.

There is also information online about how you can protect your property from flooding, or contact Floodline on 08459 881188 for further advice.

WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DOING?
We have been given government funding to work with local residents to produce a community flood plan and we are identifying volunteer flood wardens from within the community. The role of volunteer flood warden involves being part of a communication chain between the Environment Agency and the residents of Rhyl. Flood Wardens are not expected to enter flood water or put themselves at risk in any way.

We are looking for community spirited people to help us.

If you wish to become a volunteer flood warden, or are interested in learning more about the role, feel free to contact Sabina Dunkling on 01248 484029 or by e-mail: sabina.dunkling@environment-agency.wales.gov.uk

Denbighshire’s Adult Placement Scheme

Have you ever considered giving support to a vulnerable person? Throughout Denbighshire, there are men and women who need support and guidance for a variety of reasons. The adult placement scheme is all about finding people who want to be adult placement carers.

The scheme provides a range of services from promoting independence to providing full care and can include: providing somewhere to live, somewhere to stay for a short break, somewhere to go for support during the day or someone to offer support to a vulnerable adult to allow them to live in their own home.

Potential carers will be assessed to make sure they understand what is involved and have the skills to support people. Training may be given if carers feel they would benefit.


In turn, the adult placement team ensures that service users, both carers and cared for, are matched with both sets of needs taken into account. The process is facilitated through introducing both parties and arranging visits, including overnight stays where appropriate.


Once a placement is secured, continual practical and emotional support is given via an Adult Placement Officer, who will visit regularly to make sure things are going well and to help with any potential issues. They will make sure that placement review meetings are held regularly to discuss any concerns.


If you would like to offer your time and support to a young person, or you would like further information about Adult Placements, please contact: Sue Parry, Adult Placement Officer, email: sue.parry@denbighshire.gov.uk or Jacqui Bryan, Registered Manager, email: Jacqui.bryan@denbighshire.gov.uk or write to: Adult Placement Scheme, Unit B7, Trem y Dyffryn, Colomendy Industrial Estate, Denbigh, LL16 5TX. Phone: 01824 712750


More information can also be found on Denbighshire County Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk.
Service users need to be eighteen and over.

Disability Living Allowance to be replaced with new benefit

Disabled people will continue to be able to rely on a non-means tested cash benefit as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is replaced with a new Personal Independence Payment.


The new benefit will continue to help disabled people live independent lives and will for the first time include regular reassessments to ensure that people are getting the right level of support when they need it most.


This follows one of the biggest ever consultations at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with more than 5500 responses from disabled people and disability organisations.


Responding to the consultation today, Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People said:


"Disabled people are at the heart of our welfare reform plans and severely disabled people who need extra help and support will always get it. That’s why we have spent the last few months working closely with disabled people and disability organisations to make sure we are making the right changes to DLA.



"We’ve listened to what they have told us and we will be working with them to make sure that the new Personal Independence Payment does what it should.

"We have also said that we won’t remove the mobility component from care home residents in 2012 and instead we are reviewing the mobility component as part of our wider reforms of DLA."


DLA is paid to help people who cannot do things like walk or wash and dress themselves.

It provides a contribution to the extra costs severely disabled people incur.

DLA is claimed by 3.2 million people at an annual cost of £12bn.

Currently more than 2 million people get the benefit indefinitely which means there is no way of knowing if their condition has changed or if they actually need more help and support.

Nearly a quarter of all working age people on DLA have not had any review of their claim in 10 years.

The Personal Independence Payment can be claimed by disabled people whether they work or not. It will also:

Introduce a more objective assessment of need, which will be developed with the help of disability organisations and disabled people

Allow disabled people to be reassessed over time – something that is lacking in the current system - to ensure everyone receives the correct support if their needs change.

Source - Department for work & pensions