Don’t miss this fantastic training opportunity and networking event for volunteers and groups that run community buildings and village halls in Berkshire.

Date: Thursday 8th November 2018, 10am -1pm

Venue: The Barn, Purley-on-Thames Parish Council

With funding cuts and a huge squeeze on resources CCB are very fortunate to have secured the offer of Fire Safety training / Fire Risk assessment advice from the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service.

This may be a ‘one off’ opportunity to update the safeguarding of your premises and those who use it. So please book your place and don’t miss out! To book a place please click here.

The training will cover the following:

 National guidance in Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Small and Medium Places of Assembly
 Focus on maximum occupancy
 Q & A’s
 Practical session on Risk Assessing your community building
 Coffee Break (with hot drinks and tasty refreshments!)
 Using community buildings as Emergency Rest Centres
 Emergency Rest Centre – case study – what happened when our facility was used during an emergency

NEW TRAINING EVENT – Fire Safety & Risk Assessment for Community Buildings

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Fuel Poverty News: Ofgem announces increase in the safeguard tariff for customers that are on prepayment meters or who receive the Warm Home Discount.

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Ofgem have stated that costs for these customers will increase by £47 per year on 1st October 2018. They have stated that this is due to an increase in wholesale gas and electricity prices.

For more information on the Warm Home Discount, and how to claim it, visit https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme. Customers claiming this discount for the first time will enable them to qualify for the safeguard tariff.

The Warm Home discount for 2018/2019 – Claim now!

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Our Energy Expert Helen Dean wanted to bring attention to the fact that the Warm Home discount for 2018/10 is now OPEN.

Electricity suppliers are now open for applications for the Warm Home Discount of £140. This will be paid this winter 2018, and spring 2019 to low-income customers who are pensioners, families with young children, or have a long-term illness or disability.

For more information on the Warm Home Discount, and how to claim it, visit https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.

For a list of energy suppliers running the scheme, and links to their websites and online application forms, visit https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers

This scheme is run on a first come first served basis, and there is usually only a window of about 3 months from September to make a claim. For some suppliers, even if you have received the discount previously, you’ll need to apply again for future schemes.

For more information on all aspects of reducing home energy costs, see our fuel poverty page by clicking here.

Opportunity: Thames Valley Berkshire LEP seeking Voluntary & Community Sector Representative

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Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Ltd is seeking a highly experienced Voluntary and Community Sector Representative who can bring their commitment, passion and energy to the Thames Valley Berkshire Area ESI Funds Sub-Committee.

With a successful track record in Berkshire you will bring your skills, experience and constructive challenge to our well-developed ambitions. If you have an active and current role in the Voluntary and Community Sector in Berkshire and want to make a difference to the wider Thames Valley economy we want to hear from you.

The purpose of Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Ltd is to: bring about sustainable economic growth of the Thames Valley Berkshire sub region through the implementation of a strategic economic plan. It is a business-led organisation, endorsed by government since 2010.

The LEP is in the throes of an exciting journey which will see over £182million invested in Thames Valley Berkshire and is now leading the implementation of a Strategic Economic Plan funded in part through the Growth Deal and our ESIF notional allocation. However, we want to ensure that all residents in Berkshire are able to benefit from the economic prosperity of the area and your input will be essential in this regard.

This voluntary role will be as a volunteer sector representative on the Thames Valley Berkshire Area ESI Funds Sub-Committee and will be for a minimum of three years. The Committee meets quarterly though additional input outside of meetings may be required. Download details of the role here https://bit.ly/2OkPvFg

If you wish to apply for this position, please send your CV/Profile and a one-page summary of your reasons for wanting to join us, to joanna@thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk by 9am Monday 10 September 2018.

See if you can pay less for your energy bills by signing up to the West Berkshire Energy Switch

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The West Berkshire Energy Switch is a free to join scheme which gives residents the chance to see if they can make savings on their fuel bills.

Auctions are held each year in February, May and October. Since 2016, over 450 households have switched supplier through the scheme, saving nearly £110,000 between them. The recent May 18 auction saw switchers saving an average of £184 on their annual bill.

A one day reverse auction will be held on the 9th October, suppliers compete with their best offers, and the winning supplier/s then send registrants their personalised offer for consideration.

There is no obligation to switch. Sign up and see if you can save; to register or find out more, visit www.westberks.gov.uk/communityswitch

You will need to have your latest energy bill to hand, as you’ll need the details during the registration process.

Registration is open until 27th November 2018, and offers will begin to go out from 22nd October. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can see if can save.

West Berkshire residents without internet access should contact West Berkshire Council on 01635 503267 by 16th November to register. Remember to have your energy bill or annual statement to hand when you call.