Report from East Sussex County Councillor Matthew Milligan December 2024
During November I continued to regularly report potholes and other road defects and undertook various casework from local residents.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The updates from county are:
Residents urged to check Pension Credit eligibility
East Sussex County Council has teamed up with the five district and borough councils to raise awareness of Pension Credit to those who may be eligible.
Pension Credit provides additional money to residents over State Pension age who are on a low income to help with living expenses.
As well as increasing income, Pension Credit could also help residents access other benefits including support with housing and health costs.
Pension Credit tops up a person’s weekly income to £218.15 if they are single and £332.95 if they live with a partner.
Residents could also be eligible for further support for other responsibilities and costs based on their circumstances. Those receiving Pension Credit could receive housing benefit, winter fuel payments, council tax discount and help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for appointments.
Residents who think they may qualify for Pension Credit are being urged to check their eligibility by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit or calling 0800 99 1234.
Home check service helps residents keep warm
Residents who struggle to keep their homes warm can get support and advice through the council’s Warm Home Check service.
With over 30,000 households in East Sussex living in fuel poverty, the free service offers telephone advice for anyone struggling to afford to keep warm at home, as well as money-saving advice and tips on how to stay warm for less.
Eligible households can also receive a home energy efficiency assessment which includes advice on how to reduce energy costs, for example by switching suppliers, and details of the financial support available to help with heating costs.
The Warm Home Check service is available all year round.
Subject to funding being available, the service can also coordinate and source funding for the installation of larger heating and insulation improvements.
Following the home assessment, radiator foils were fitted and he was advised he was eligible for a replacement boiler through the National Energy Foundation. A new boiler was fitted in June and Donald reports he is now much warmer.
The service can also provide information on the government grants available to eligible households who do not use a gas boiler as the home’s main heating system.
Home Upgrade Grants can fund improvements such as wall or loft insulation and solar panels, as well as electric radiators.
The grants are available to homes with poor energy efficiency where households have an income of £36,000 a year or less. To qualify for current Home Upgrade Grant funding, applications must be received by the end of December.
As well as ensuing their home is warm and heated to 18C (65F), residents are also reminded to take steps to keep well this winter.
Tips to keep warm and well include layering clothes to help trap in warm air, wearing non-slip footwear both indoors and out, moving about regularly, drawing the curtains at dusk, and having hot meals and drinks.
It is also important people get their seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 vaccinations if they are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from these illnesses. This includes older people and other vulnerable groups including pregnant women, carers and people with certain health conditions.
To apply for a warm home check visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/keepwarm, text WARM to 80011 or call 0800 464 7307.
More information on how to stay warm and well this winter is available at www.warmeastsussex.org.uk
Beware of rogue traders after stormy weather
With the onset of autumn, residents are being warned to be wary of rogue traders aiming to capitalise on damage caused by seasonal storms.
Wet and windy weather can see damage to properties and gardens which may lead to homeowners receiving cold-calls from bogus traders with offers to repair roofs, clear gutters and remove fallen trees.
East Sussex Trading Standards’ advice is to always say no to cold-callers.
Residents who think work needs to be done due to storm damage should always check with their insurance company first.
Scammers are most likely to target elderly and vulnerable people and will often point out a minor repair job.
Once let into the property, the initial problem will usually escalate into a list of jobs that are typically overpriced, unnecessary and unsafe.
Residents are advised to get at least three quotes from legitimate businesses before making a decision on which trader to use for repairs to their property.
Alternatively, residents are encouraged to obtain recommendations from trusted family members, relatives or friends who have actually had work undertaken, and which can be inspected by the resident.
The Trading Standards approved website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk can help people find a reputable trader.
If anyone has a contractual dispute or is unhappy with the service they have received they should, in the first instance, contact the Citizens Advice Helpline on 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
If residents feel threatened or intimated by a cold caller, they should report it immediately to the police by calling 999. Non-urgent issues can be reported to the police via 101.
