Community News

Update from the Chief Executive

26th May 2023

While Chris is enjoying a well-deserved break in the sunshine, I was keen to give you an update on important deadlines and events happening in the coming days:

  • Our efforts to support the most vulnerable in the community through the cost-of-living crisis continue, with a reminder to residents that the deadline to apply for the ‘alternative’ government schemes for households who did not receive the automatic energy rebate in autumn 2022 is Wednesday 31 May. The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) is providing £400 in energy bills support to households without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier, We urge those who qualify (such as residents living in sheltered accommodation) to visit the GOV.UK website for details inserting the words ‘Apply for alternative fuel support if you do not get it automatically’ into the search bar or to call the applications helpline 0808 175 3287.
  • Victoria Park Tennis Courts will be officially ‘re-opened’ tomorrow (27 May) after the completion of a £111,716 renovation of the ten courts and pavilion funded by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, a project which has been successfully managed by our leisure team. Our new Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Councillor Katie Hunt will be joined on court at 3pm by Vice Chairman Councillor Robert Margrave and representatives from the Warwickshire LTA. The opening coincides with a weekend of free ‘turn up and play’ tennis sessions for adults and juniors at Victoria Park and the other WDC owned facilities at Christchurch Gardens and St Nicholas Park (Warwick). There will be LTA qualified coaches at each venue, and community tennis operator, ‘We Do Tennis’ are supplying all equipment, so a great opportunity to get on court and enjoy a game. Details of times and booking can be found here wdtvenues.co.uk/warwick-parks.
  • Following a successful private viewing last night, the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum’s new summer exhibition ‘Going Dutch’ opens today and runs until 10 September. This is a rare opportunity to see the gallery’s significant collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings on display. The exhibition features more than 40 paintings dating from the 17th Century, which have been beautifully curated by our Arts team…entry is free!

Almost finally comes the news this morning that Leamington Railway Station has made it through to the ‘world cup of stations’ final, competing with Denmark Hill and Wemyss Bay for the top spot! Voting for the final closes at midnight tonight and can be made via the Rail Delivery Group website.

And finally, wouldn’t it be great to see the Sky Blues playing at Anfield (other grounds are available!) next season. Wishing the best of luck to Coventry City in tomorrow’s Championship play-off final.

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

Andrew Jones, Deputy Chief Executive

Government Energy Bills Support Alternative Funding

Warwick District Council is urging households and individuals who didn’t qualify for the Government’s £400 energy rebate in autumn 2022, to see if they can apply for funding under a new ‘alternative’ scheme.

The Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) is providing £400 in energy bills support for households in England, Scotland, and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier. This funding is provided by His Majesty’s Government and will be distributed through your local authority. The scheme is now open to all eligible households across Great Britain with a closing date of 31st May 2023.

Subject to applications meeting the eligibility criteria, people who will be able to receive support under EBSS AF include:

  • Care home residents and others in care facilities/sheltered accommodation (wholly or partly self-funded)
    • Park home residents, and those living in houseboats and caravans who can provide proof of address
    • Social housing and private tenants who pay for energy through a landlord on a commercial supply
    • Homes on a heat network/private wire
    • Off-grid homes
    • Farmhouses with their own energy supply used for wholly domestic purposes

Those who are eligible for EBSS AF, will need to fill out a short online form via the GOV.UK website. This form can be found by searching “Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically” into the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine. Applications are made directly to His Majesty’s Government, not to or via your local authority (Warwick District Council). If you do not have online access, you can apply via a contact centre on 0808 175 3287 where a representative will guide you through the application process.

Once you have applied, your application will be processed and verified. After this if your application is successful, your details will be shared with your local authority, who will deliver the one-off, nonrepayable support. The payment will be made directly into your bank account in a single instalment.

Warwick District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources commented:

“With spiralling energy bills, we know that many in our district are struggling, we therefore strongly recommend that households and individuals who missed out on receiving the previous payment and think that they qualify for the rebate to visit the GOV.UK or call the helpline number at the earliest opportunity.”

Further information can be found on by visiting the GOV.UK website.

For cost-of-living help, advice and support visit warwickdc.gov.uk/costofliving

The Rural Services Network and the Rural Issues Group of Citizens Advice are jointly running this survey to understand more about rural household budgets at, what is, a very difficult time for many. Research has shown that those living in rural areas face some extra costs and we now want to explore the impacts for households. But we need your help and want to receive as many survey responses as possible, whatever your household’s income or financial position. This will help us to engage more effectively with Government Departments, MPs and other policy makers.

This survey does not require you to give your name or contact details. Nonetheless, please be assured that your response will be treated confidentially by us. We will not share or publish any individual responses. The information that you and others supply will be stored carefully and will only be used to generate statistics. Completing the survey should take about ten minutes.

We understand if you are unable, or indeed unwilling, to give answers to some of the questions. Please complete those you can.

The Survey can be found here

THE LAPWORTH CHARITY

 

Each year the Lapworth Charity offers various grants, details of which are shown below: 

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS – ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/23

 If you are a student living in the ancient Parish of Lapworth, who is studying in higher education, grants for eligible students are available from the Lapworth Charity.  These grants are offered to cover a proportion of accommodation fees, travelling expenses, books and computer purchases. Evidence of expenditure is required at the point of application, so you are advised to keep your receipts and your application will require verification by a parent/guardian.  Please note that Tuition fees funded by the Government Loan Scheme will not be eligible.

 

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL BUS PASS FOR YOUNG PERSONS – ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/23

Now that Warwickshire County Council no longer funds transport to and from school/college for students aged 16-19, the Trustees of the Lapworth Charity will once again be providing grants to cover up to 50% of the cost of the County Council Bus pass, the cost of which is currently £836 for the year (unless you are entitled to ‘early bird’ discount when the cost is £716 for the year).  To be eligible, applicants have to live in the ancient parish of Lapworth and are required to enclose a receipt/copy of the Bus Pass as proof of payment.  Transport ‘grants’ are paid from a limited fund and are not guaranteed to be paid each year.  Applicants will be required to sign a statement that neither the applicant nor their partner is subject to ‘High Income Benefit Charge’, noting that this is payable when taxable household income exceeds £50,000 pa.

Applications are also invited on behalf of students under 16 years old and will be considered on merit.

 

WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE

 Thanks to a very generous legacy from one of their original benefactors, Henry Billing,  the Lapworth Charity is able to offer grants towards winter fuel costs.  These are payable to those residents of the ancient parish of Lapworth who are retired and have a low income, for example, less than the threshold at which income tax becomes payable.  In some cases, the Charity will consider requests from other residents who do not fall into this category and each application will be considered on merit.

 

ASSISTANCE WITH CHIROPODY COSTS

If you are not eligible for NHS Chiropody, but are paying out for chiropody services, it could be that the Lapworth Charity are able to assist you with the costs.  There is no age restriction, but applicants are most likely to be on a low income, (ie less than the threshold at which income tax becomes payable).

Applicants must be residents of the ancient parish of Lapworth

 

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

 If you are a resident of the ancient parish of Lapworth and are currently experiencing ‘general’ financial hardship, it may be that the Charity could provide you with a supportive grant.  In the first instance, please email the Secretary/Administrator for further information on how to apply.

GENERAL:

For further information, or to make an application, please visit the website www.lapworthcharity.com (see ‘Individual Grants’) and download the relevant application form (or contact the Secretary/Administrator for more information).  Completed forms should be emailed to:

Mrs Helen Wollerton, Secretary/Administrator to the Lapworth Charity: email: lapworthcharity@gmail.com .

PLEASE NOTE:

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.