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Help with economic
downturn and rising fuel costs
Waverley Borough Council has launched
a 'Don't Lose Your Home
or Business' programme
to support work already being done
by its strategic partners.
It aims to help individual householders,
tenants, key community organisations
and businesses in the Borough who
are suffering from the impact of rising
fuel costs and the economic downturn.
How will the economic downturn
affect us in Waverley?
- Individuals may be in danger
of repossession or eviction.
- Community Organisations may struggle
to continue to provide their services
as rising fuel costs make it impossible
to balance budgets.
- Local businesses may suffer as
customers reduce their spending
on non-essential products and services.
Those hit hardest by the economic
downturn are often the most vulnerable
or disadvantaged in the Borough.
It is also likely that people from
all sections of our community will
be affected by the economic downturn
and will need advice. For example,
if they unexpectedly lose their job
or cannot pay the bills because of
rising costs.
We are working with our partners,
community organisations, businesses
and individuals to assist those in
greatest need.
The project aims to help people identify
problems and seek advice as soon as
possible before the situation gets
out of control.
Why is Waverley Borough
Council getting involved?
This project is a high priority for
Waverley Borough Council. If we can
offer advice at an early stage, we
can help people improve their situation
and prevent potential reposessions
or evictions.
Local businesses also need advice
on how to adapt to consolidate their
current position and survive the emerging
pressures by making the right business
decisions for the future.
The project is an effective and appropriate
way of supplementing work of partner
organisations to assist residents,
community organisations and businesses
in the Borough to ensure that they
are aware of, access and use the advice
they receive.
How will 'Don't Lose Your
Home or Business' help?
- For residents
of Waverley, we will offer an advisory
and support service to help them
take steps to avoid losing their
home. We will also offer a dedicated
helpline to answer queries. A fully
trained member of staff will also
visit people across the Borough
who need advice.
- For community organisations,
we will offer a 'hardship' scheme
that enables them to apply for one-off
financial assistance with rising
fuel costs, or a tapered contribution
over the next two to three years.
- For businesses,
in conjunction with other support
agencies, we will offer a tailored
package of advice and briefings.
Trained staff will consider each
case against specific qualifying criteria
and determine the extent of the impact
and best way to offer assistance.
Community organisations and businesses
will need to demonstrate they are,
or are expecting to be, hit by unexpected
and unavoidable above-inflation increases
in their fuel costs.
For more information see: www.waverley.gov.uk
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