Help keep out New Year chill with council heating efficiency grant

RESIDENTS of West Somerset feeling the chill in the New Year are being urged to take advantage of a newly-launched scheme to help them with keeping their homes warm.
The Warm Streets programme is just one of a number of grant and discount schemes available to help residents to heat their homes more efficiently while saving money.
West Somerset Council housing portfolio holder Councillor Kate Kravis said: “We help fund Warm Streets because it directly benefits people who need to make savings and heat their homes effectively.
“Homeowners and privately-renting tenants can get free cavity wall and, in many cases, loft insulation if they are over the age of 70 or in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
“Qualifying benefits include disability living allowance and attendance allowance.
“Householders over 60 and families with children under 16 with low savings and income of less than £20,000 before tax may also be entitled to free measures through a council grant.
“Discounts often apply for households who do not qualify for free installation.
“It is an excellent scheme, and we hope people will ’phone to see if the team can help.”
Warm Streets manager Helen Richardson said: “Insulating your walls and roof can make a dramatic difference to both your fuel bills and the comfort of your home. An uninsulated house will lose approximately 35 per cent of its heat through its walls and 25 per cent of its heat straight through the roof.”
Other grants and discounts, such as Warm Front, Warm Front 300, and the Magic Boiler Scheme, are also available to help fund the installation of heating or repairs to existing systems.
Anybody who wants more information on any of the above schemes, or other energy-related matters, should contact the South West Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.
Its team of advisers can help people access a range of local and national energy efficiency grants and discounts as well as offering free, impartial advice on how to reduce fuel bills through low-cost and no-cost measures.

Chance to have your say on future housing strategy

RESIDENTS of West Somerset are being invited to have their say on future housing needs across the district.
West Somerset Council will hold a public consultation in Minehead Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 4, between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm.
The council’s portfolio holder for housing, Councillor Kate Kravis said: “We are developing a new housing strategy and we want to make sure that it draws on the views of a wide range of people living in West Somerset.
“Residents have valuable knowledge on the reality of the local housing market and of their own housing needs.
“We are urging as many people as possible to speak to us, so we can ensure the views of people of all ages and backgrounds are taken into account during the development of the plan.”
The council hopes to explore what types of housing are needed, how it can extend the choice of housing available, and how it can help young people buy and rent homes.
It will also review how it can help local people keep their homes in good repair, help homeowners keep their homes through the recession, and look at the needs of the district’s older population.
Councillor Kravis said: “The council supports sustainable development across the district and we would like to encourage more eco-friendly initiatives so that future housing stock is not completely dependent on fossil fuels where this is possible and practical.
“We have already examined a lot of existing information and held discussions with a number of organisations involved with housing and related services.
“However, we value local residents’ knowledge and we would like to draw on their housing experience to make sure the housing strategy meets the needs of all people, and helps us to develop healthy sustainable communities.”

Council offers cash to put empty homes back into use

GRANTS of up to £10,000 are being offered by West Somerset Council so empty homes in the district can be restored to use.
The council may also be able to help owners of idle commercial buildings, flats, or empty storage areas above shops where there is potential for conversion to a dwelling.
Residents are being encouraged to report homes which have been empty for six months or more to allow the council to contact owners and look at putting the properties to good use.
The council’s housing portfolio holder, Councillor Kate Kravis, said: “Despite the effect of the current economic climate on the housing market, there is still a chronic shortage of affordable homes to rent and buy in West Somerset.
“We can help owners of properties who are struggling to bring homes up to the decent homes standard, or who have inherited the property but do not live in the area and are worried about managing the property.”
As well as funding grants of up to £10,000 for empty homes to be restored to use, the council can also help owners lease their homes to people looking for affordable housing to rent.
Advice and support is available on selling properties to local housing associations so that they can be let to local people.
Grants worth up to £5,000 may also be available to owner-occupiers who cannot currently live in homes because they do not meet the decent homes standards.
Councillor Kravis said: “Members of the public can play their part by advising us of properties that are vacant.
“We can then contact the owners and try to bring the homes back into use for local people.”
Grants are not available for second homes which are vacant for long periods during the year.
Anybody wishing to report empty homes in West Somerset should call 01643 703704, or email customerservices@westsomerset.gov.uk.

New scheme gives tenants freedom of choice over social housing

A NEW service to give people on housing waiting lists more freedom to find suitable homes for themselves is set to go live across the county next month.
Currently, anybody on a council or housing association register is allocated a property according to their individual need, which is based on a point-scoring system.
From December 10, Homefinder Somerset, however, will replace existing council and housing association waiting lists.
It will scrap the points system and instead put tenants into three different priority bands - gold, silver, and bronze - according to need.
Tenants will be able to see every housing association and council house property in Somerset as it become available to let and can bid for the one they want.
West Somerset Council is a member of the partnership of local authorities and housing associations which have joined together to create the Government-led scheme.
Tenants need to register for social housing in order to be able to join the scheme, and anybody already on the housing register will need to re-register with Homefinder Somerset.
West Somerset housing portfolio holder, Councillor Kate Kravis, said: “Homefinder Somerset is a fairer scheme as it gives house hunters a wider choice of rental homes and more freedom to select properties that suit their needs.
“Previously, people were allocated homes and they had little say in the matter.
“From December 10, all other housing waiting lists and registers close.
“We have written to our customers to let them know of the changes but we would like to remind them, and new applicants, to contact the council so that we can help them register with Homefinder.
“It is easy to register and we are here to help.”
More information about Homefinder Somerset is available by visiting www.homefindersomerset.co.uk or emailing the council at customerservices@westsomerset.gov.uk or calling 01643 703704.

PROPERTY: Clanville Grange developer offers free estate agency service

HOUSING developer Barratt is offering to act as a free ‘estate agent’ for anybody who wants to buy one of its newly-finished homes in Minehead.
The firm will sell a buyer’s existing property to ‘save them time, money, and hassle’ if they want to move to the new Clanville Grange estate, on Minehead’s North Hill.
Barratt sales director Caroline Hill said: “Appointing Barratt as your ‘estate agent’ to sell your house when you want to buy a brand new Barratt property may seem unusual - but more and more people are discovering it can be a smart way to buy and sell in one easy move.”
The housebuilder’s completely free agency selling service includes obtaining full market value for the buyer’s old home, and Barratt will also arrange and pay for a Home Information Pack and legal fees.
With the Clanville Grange development, Barratt is offering the service on a range of contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments.
Barratt arranges for an independent professional valuation of an existing house and agrees a realistic asking price before marketing it professionally, preparing sales literature, arranging advertising, and putting up a ‘For Sale’ board.
Once a buyer has been found, the sale is smoothly progressed, and when the new home is ready, the move goes ahead.
Mrs Hill said: “Our agency selling service has been popular for many years as buyers can secure the new Barratt home they want, on the plot of their choice, while we get on with selling their old one.”
Current availability at Clanville Grange includes one-bedroom apartments from £155,000.
More information on the agency selling service is available by calling 01643 709738 or logging on to http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/.

• Our photographs show (TOP) some of the Clanville Grange homes recently completed by Barratt and (BELOW) a typical bedroom on the estate. Photos submitted.

Council planners asked to approve New Horizons despite no money for it

DISTRICT councillors will be asked tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, to grant planning approval for West Somerset’s £50 million New Horizons project – even though the council has pulled its financial backing for the scheme.
New Horizons was intended to provide the district with a new hospital, sports centre and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, business support and training, and housing, including affordable homes for local people.
Now, an outline planning application will be put before tomorrow’s meeting of the council’s planning committee, with a recommendation for councillors to allow it subject to no substantive objections being received from organisations which have still to make comments.
The planning application has been submitted by the council itself in order that the principle of the development can be agreed.
But a deepening financial crisis which has hit the council since Independent councillors took control in last year’s elections has forced the authority to withdraw its £11 million share of the funding.
However, Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT) is still looking at the possibility of going ahead with the £26 million hospital element of the scheme on its own, because almost all of the cost will be met by the Government.
Work is planned to start on the hospital during the summer of this year and it should be ready to accept patients in mid-2009.
Staff in the existing Minehead hospital recently shared their views on the design of the new community hospital.
The developers, Laing O’Rouke, met with clinical staff to discuss the design of the new facility, which is being planned on a site off Seaward Way, Minehead.
PCT project director Simon Corrick said: “We held a very successful project launch day which allowed the hospital developers, Laing O’Rouke, to meet with the staff who will be working in the new hospital.
“The meeting provided a good opportunity to allow our staff to discuss their thoughts on how the hospital should be designed and operated, and for Laing O’Rouke to introduce members of their team who will be working with us over the next two years.
“The event was very useful and enabled our staff to fully understand the process that will be followed.
“In particular, I think it provided reassurance that staff will be fully involved in the process.”
Laing O’Rouke was appointed by the PCT and will take full responsibility for all aspects of the design and construction of the new hospital.
The company has considerable experience in the development of public buildings and is presently completing a new hospital in Frome which will receive its first patients this summer.
Mr Corrick said: “This is the first part of the design process and we now face a very intensive three months which will result in a design which will be submitted for a full planning application later this year.
“In the meantime, we continue working with the other partner organisations which are collaborating on the development of the town’s New Horizons project.”
Members of the Somerset Patient and Public Involvement Forum - which is an NHS watchdog - this week expressed their concern at the district council’s withdrawal from the New Horizons project.
The forum recognised the council’s financial constraints but urged it to think again, in order to allow New Horizons to go ahead as planned.
Forum chairman Maureen Lloyd Williams said: “The shared site would foster links between all sections of the community. It will be a huge boost to the area.”

Grant scheme aids homeowners on low incomes

HOMEOWNERS in West Somerset who need essential home improvements but who are on low incomes and/or benefits are being urged to apply for low-cost loans from a district council-backed scheme.
The scheme’s interest rate is fixed at three per cent, and monthly repayments are low and will not rise for the entire lifetime of the loan.
West Somerset Council’s health and well-being portfolio holder, Councillor Kate Kravis, said: “Homeowners of all ages can borrow up to £15,000 for essential home improvements, and all applications are treated in confidence.
“The cost of borrowing is far less than you will find from high street lenders and I cannot recommend the scheme highly enough.
“Projects we can consider include repairs to leaky roofs, replacing boilers and radiators, installing central heating, replacing rotten windows or doors, and updating bathrooms or kitchens over 20 years old.
“In fact, we will consider any improvements that help local homes meet the decent homes standard.”
Trustworthy, experienced advisers ensure that homeowners receive the right financial package for their circumstances.
Council environmental health manager Ian Timms said: “The adviser will support applicants throughout the whole application process and the council will inspect the work to make sure it has been completed to a good standard.
“We work with the Wessex Reinvestment Trust, who co-ordinate the scheme and remove as much of the worry as possible from applicants.
“We have invested funds to offer people this great opportunity to improve their homes, and we sincerely hope they will make use of it.”
For more information, contact Julie Payne at West Somerset Council on 01643 703704 or log on to the Wessex Home Improvement Loans website at www.wessexrt.co.uk.

Kate is given job of keeping West Somerset people healthy

A DEDICATED portfolio for health and well-being has been created at West Somerset Council to reflect the importance of such issues in a district with the third-highest proportion of pensioners in the country.
The work has been separated from that of the housing portfolio holder who previously held responsibility for both roles.
Newly-elected Councillor Kate Kravis (pictured) has been given the cabinet job of covering health and well-being, while one of the longest-serving councillors, Councillor Peter Humber, retains his housing portfolio.
Council leader, Councillor Keith Ross, said: “This is another positive step towards delivering our community priorities.
“Councillor Humber has made very real progress in the area of housing, health, and welfare.
“However, he has expressed a wish to devote his considerable energy to strengthening existing partnerships and forging new ones to provide affordable housing and decent homes for local people in West Somerset.
“I respect his wishes and commend his commitment to this vital area of work.
“In order to maximise the benefits to our local residents, I have appointed the final seat on the cabinet to Councillor Kravis, who has agreed to become portfolio holder for health and well-being.
“It is an area that is critical to the current and future welfare of local people and communities.
“She has ability, determination, and vision and will be a real asset not only to implementing and promoting initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of local people, but to the running of cabinet itself.”
Councillor Humber said: “Councillor Kravis and I will share what is a very wide-reaching portfolio in order to deliver the best service possible to local people.
“Housing is very close to my heart. I wish to concentrate on this area so I can help make real and positive differences in the provision of affordable housing for local people, the development of eco-friendly homes, and ensuring as many people as possible live in homes that meet the decent homes standard.”
Councillor Kravis, who represents Old Cleeve, said: “I am delighted to share the workload because I believe that the health and well-being of people is essential to the overall contentment and sustainability of our communities.
“We are lucky to still have close-knit, caring communities in West Somerset, and my aim is not only to ensure their well-being, but to also make sure that they are inclusive of everybody irrespective of age, ability, gender, background, or belief.
“We have developed strong partnerships to help improve conditions for local people and I intend to build on those foundations so that local people and communities get the best support available.”

Second information evening to show latest thinking on New Horizons project

AN information event on the £50 million New Horizons project in Minehead is being held at West Somerset Community College on Thursday, November 1, between 5 pm and 7 pm.
New Horizons aims to revolutionise learning, leisure, cultural, business, and health facilities for the people of West Somerset by providing a new community hospital, skills and enterprise centre, sports and leisure centre, and replacement all-weather sports facilities.
It will also provide 5.3 acres of housing, 30 per cent of which will be affordable housing for local people to rent or buy.
District council deputy leader Councillor Simon Stokes said: “Public consultation has been key to getting this fantastic project right for local people.
“We have been delighted by the positive feedback and we have arranged further events so that residents can come along and see the latest plans.”
The information evening will feature displays and the opportunity to talk to representatives from the delivering partnership about:

• Community Hospital
  
• Skills and Enterprise Centre
  
• Rural Skills Centre
  
• Sports, Leisure and Learning Facilities
  
• Housing provision and affordable housing

Aedas, the project’s architect and lead consultant, has designed the masterplan to accommodate the facilities on the site off Seaward Way, in Minehead, with the exception of the rural skills centre, which will be located on land below Conygar Tower, at Dunster.
The plans have been submitted to the district council and will go to the planning committee for a decision before Christmas.
College principal Nick Swann, representing all parties, said: “Our last open evening was really successful and this is a further chance for local people to come along for an update and to see how all the elements work together.
“We will make the displays as informative and interactive as possible so that people can really get an idea of the benefits the scheme will bring to West Somerset.
“There will be opportunities to ask questions and to feed back views and suggestions. We have been delighted with the support the project has received so far.
“Following sustained efforts to get New Horizons off the ground, we are very pleased with the rate of recent developments.
“Robust business planning must now be completed to map out how the leisure centre part of the scheme can be operated in the most efficient way to achieve best value.”
Somerset Primary Care Trust capital project director Simon Corrick said: “The development of the New Horizons project and new community hospital for Minehead is an exciting and innovative initiative and one which will benefit the whole community.
“Minehead Hospital will be the second of four new community hospitals built by Somerset PCT, and with finance already secured to pay for its development, tendering and design work will be able to progress in line with plans for construction to start in 2008.”
New Horizons is being delivered by a partnership of West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the West Somerset Community College.
More information on the project is available on West Somerset Council’s website at www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/newhorizons.

• Our image above shows the New Horizons masterplan. The buildings are colour coded: Orange - community hospital; pink - skills and enterprise centre; blue - sports and leisure centre; yellow - housing; red - performing arts centre (phase two). Image submitted.