Please find below the link to the latest Briefing from Somerset Waste Partnership, with news on Reduce Week to help us all waste less and save more, repair cafés and the Fixy reuse van, Christmas details and charity tree collections, and how to manage waste services online.
SWT Council Business Bulletins
Benefice Newsletter 11th November
- Small business grants to save energy
SWT and Sedgemoor District (SDC) councils are launching a new grant scheme to help small and micro businesses become greener as part of their commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2030. Carbon cutting grants worth up to £2,500 will be made available to businesses with up to nine employees to help fund energy reduction and net-zero transition projects.
There are many ways in which businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, from reducing waste by re-using and recycling to limiting energy use at night and replacing fuel-powered vehicles with electric cars and bikes. Businesses will need to undertake eligible projects to claim back what they have spent, capped at £2,500. As the scheme is being made available through the Hinkley Point C developer contributions for business support funding, applications from businesses within the West Somerset locality of Somerset West and Taunton will be prioritised.
Applications open Wednesday, 16 November and will close 8 December.
Please click here to read the full press release
2.Reminder – Somerset West Lottery Christmas 2022 bolt-on prize
The Somerset West Lottery is now running the Christmas 2022 bolt-on prize draw. Anyone purchasing one or more tickets between Monday, 1 November and Saturday, 17 December, could win a £1,000 voucher to spend at John Lewis, courtesy of external lottery management company Gatherwell. Please click here to read the full press release.
3. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFRS)- Firefighter tips for staying warm safely
Temperatures are starting to drop. DSFRS understands it’s going to be an expensive winter and people are going to resist putting on the heating too much. They have some tips for you to think about, which may help you to keep your home warmer for less. Please click here to visit the website and hear Crew Manager, Liam’s tips.
4. Donate your Winter Fuel Payment
SCF has launched this year’s Surviving Winter appeal, which encourages people who can afford it to donate some or all of their Winter Fuel Payment to help vulnerable older people in Somerset who are unable to afford to heat their homes to stay warm and well.
The cost-of-living crisis means that this winter will be one of the toughest we have faced for decades. Many older people are already extremely anxious about rising bills and around 11,000 Somerset pensioners will find themselves living in fuel poverty this year, double the number in the same situation last year. The team at SCF know, from many years’ experience of running their Surviving Winter appeal, that many of the poorest pensioners may not turn their heating on at all, or will cut back on food to save money as they are forced to choose between heating and eating. And with everyday costs like food and fuel rapidly increasing, this winter will see many of our most vulnerable older neighbours struggling to cope. Many will stay at home to save money and will find themselves cut off from family and friends.
Please click here to read the full press release.
5. Talking Cafés Live
Coming up on November’s Talking Cafe live-streamed sessions: –
- 16 November – Interfaith Week – celebrating Somerset’s Faith communities with Somerset Diverse Communities.
- 23 November – Reduce Week with Somerset Waste Partnership.
- 30 November – NHS Somerset Flu Vaccinations in Somerset – everything you need to know.
Please click here to watch LIVE every Wednesday at 1pm and ask questions in the comments for instant answers.
Want to take part and SHOUT about the organisation or community project you are passionate about? Contact hannah@somersetrcc.org.uk or message the Talking Cafe page.
Don’t forget you can search for previous live recordings by subject here:
https://somersetagents.org/talking-cafe-live/ . Just select the topic that interests you from the drop-down menu.
6. Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) – Safe and Warm Somerset
Everyone deserves a home which is warm, comfortable and affordable to heat. Safe and Warm Somerset supports anyone in Somerset who may need help with energy bills or keeping warm at home.
If you live in Somerset and any of the following apply to you, the CSE can help with free, impartial advice and support:
- Struggling with energy bills.
- A cold home.
- Broken heating system or boiler.
- Damp and mould in the home.
- Unsure about how to use your heating system.
- No gas central heating and high electricity bills.
Please click here to find out more information.
Timberscombe 