Cost of living support
Use our cost of living web pages to see what’s available near you, including information on community pantries and Warm Welcome Spaces. Residents can also call us on 01983 823134.
Contact Citizens Advice Isle of Wight on 0800 144 88 48 or enquiries@iwcab.org.uk. Their advice is free, confidential and independent. They can help with debt, benefits, legal advice and much more.
Contact The Footprint Trust for free advice or call them 01983 822282.
Use the connect4communities website to see what other support is available in your area.
The government Help for Households website has information about help with childcare costs, benefits and many other schemes.
Free energy advice webinar
Sovereign Network Group are offering free energy advice webinars this month and next. The sessions will offer practical tips, information and solutions that will help residents lower their energy bills, become more energy efficient and stay warmer this winter.
Everyone who attends the session can access a free household-based assessment, which will provide tailored support and solutions for their home, including energy packs to help address identified issues.
To register for a webinar, please follow the link to choose your preferred date and time and book a space. Free Energy Advice Webinar Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Tax credits are ending
Over the next few months, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be writing to residents currently on Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit with a Universal Credit Migration Notice.The notice will explain what they need to do to apply for Universal Credit. People must apply for Universal Credit within 3 months and 1 day of getting the letter; they will not get it automatically.Please encourage your residents to apply as soon as soon they receive the letter to make sure they get things sorted as quickly as possible.
Other important information to share
Isle of Wight Council website downtime
Due to essential core network maintenance our website will be unavailable on Saturday, 16 March and Sunday, 17 March.
During this period there will be no access to our iow.gov.uk website or associated council services. This includes all residential services such as waste services, online payments, the revenues and benefits portals, our registrar services and planning. Our phone system will also be unavailable, including our contact centre.
For waste tip bookings, residents will need to book their slot in advance of the weekend as same day bookings will not be available during the downtime.
Emergency calls will be handled as usual throughout the downtime by Wightcare on 01983 821105.
D-Day 80 – commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, which took place on 6 June 1944.
The D-Day 80 campaign has been created to enable local councils and residents to commemorate the anniversary and pay tribute to the many thousands of people that sacrificed so much in helping secure the freedom of our country.
Day 80 has developed several ways local councils and communities can take part in this special occasion, including:
- Beacons: Light a Beacon at 9.15pm on 6 June.
- Lamp Light of Peace: This is a chance for those unable to light a beacon in their community to get involved by lighting a lamp at 9.15pm on 6 June.
- Ringing out for peace: The D-Day 80 campaign is encouraging every church to ring their bells at 6.30pm on 6 June. Please get in touch with your local Churches inviting them to take part if you are interested.
You can find out more about how to take part in the D-Day Beacons Get Involved guide. The LGA will also be updating their community events webpage with guidance and news throughout the year.
Draft planning document aims to secure funds for Island health facilities from property developers
We’re asking for peoples’ views on proposals to help secure financial contributions from property developers for health facilities.
The draft Health Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been prepared in partnership with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).
It means financial contributions towards new health facilities (excluding dentistry) could be collected from new development.
The document sets out how the ICB will use evidence relating to the following issues to help calculate whether contributions are required:
- The capacity of existing health facilities in an area.
- Current patient list sizes.
- Size and space standards for new health facilities.
- The cost of building new health facilities.
The consultation will run until Tuesday 2 April 2024 and more information can be found at Supplementary Planning document consultations.
Comments can be submitted by email to policy.consultation@iow.gov.uk or by post to Planning Services, Seaclose Office, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2QS.
Copies of the draft SPD are available to view at reception at both Seaclose offices and County Hall.
Floating bridge refit
Cowes Floating Bridge will be out of service for its annual refit from 5am on Monday, 4 March with a view to resuming service a week later at 5am on Monday, 11 March.
The works are scheduled to last only a week owing to the pro-active maintenance undertaken last December.
A launch service for foot passengers will operate daily from 5am to 11pm apart from Sunday 10 March when it will start at 6.30am.