The COURIER Office, and Editorial address for contributors: c/o 4 Sunnyhill, Collingbourne Ducis, Marlborough SN8 3EP Contact Details: ADDRESS for Contributions ONLY: cdkecouriercontribute@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION: Sandra Fisher (850363) cdkecouriersec@gmail.com ADVERTISING/FLYERS/LEAFLETS: Simon Gilford cdkecourieradvertise@gmail.com
The COURIER is the Magazine of the Parishes of Collingbourne Ducis, Everleigh and Collingbourne Kingston. Items for publication are most welcome but may have to be edited if space, etc, demands. All items published solely express the views of their author and are copyright of the COURIER unless otherwise stated. Whilst every care has been taken, no responsibility can be accepted for statements made by the advertisers. The deadline for July copy is 6.30 pm on 18th June 2022.
In February, the Government announced that all households in council tax bands A to D are entitled to a one-off council tax energy rebate payment of £150. You do not have to pay this back.
The quickest way to receive your rebate
If you pay your council tax by direct debit, Wiltshire Council will use your bank details to pay the rebate straight in to your account. You do not need to do anything.
Look out for a letter if you don’t pay your council tax by direct debit
If you are eligible for the energy rebate but do not pay your council tax by direct debit, you will receive a letter through the post inviting you to submit your bank details via the Wiltshire Council website. This will ensure the rebate can be paid into your bank account. You do not need to call us; we will write to you in early May.
If you do not pay council tax
There are some households in Wiltshire that do not pay council tax because they receive a council tax reduction. We will be writing to these households and inviting them to provide their bank details so that the energy rebate can be paid to them.
Properties in council tax bands E – H
The Government has given the council a discretionary fund to help households on low incomes who live in properties in bands E-H. Visit the Wiltshire Council website for further information about the scheme.
Service: Climate Team Date prepared: 5 May 2022 Contact: climate@wiltshire.gov.uk
We wanted to update you on an innovative scheme that Wiltshire Council is driving forward locally called Solar Together Wiltshire.
We are working with independent experts iChoosr and Swindon Borough Council to give homeowners the opportunity to invest in renewables through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.
This is a group-buying scheme which will offer solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as offering battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate, as well as increase their independence from the grid.
Given the current cost of living, significantly impacted by the surge in energy prices, we feel this scheme will be worth consideration from eligible households and help provide longer term savings.
It is free to register and there is no obligation for people to go ahead with an installation. All residents living in the Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council areas who own their own house (or have permission from the landlord to install a solar PV system) can register for the Solar Together group-buying scheme. Small and medium-sized enterprises (non- domestic) and community buildings meeting this requirement can participate as well. Planning permission may be required in some cases and we are directing people to this page for more information – https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-permission
The scheme works as follows: • Step one: From 9 May – 14 June, Wiltshire householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation. Invitation letters will be sent to 60,000 Wiltshire households w/c 23 May. However, any eligible household/business/community building can apply irrespective of whether they receive a letter • Step two: Pre-approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in an auction. They are able to offer competitive pricing as the volume and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to make greater efficiencies, which they pass onto customers • Step three: After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation later in June that is specific to the details they submitted in their registration. • Step four: If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey, after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system. People can accept or decline their personal recommendation. If they choose to go ahead and accept with Solar Together, a £150 deposit is required, which is conditionally refundable.
As stated earlier, iChoosr will send out a letter from the week of 23 May to a selection of properties in Wiltshire that are likely to be eligible for the scheme to give them all the information they need to consider participating should they wish to. The scheme will be promoted using all the available council communication channels prior to this as well, including social media, press releases, newsletter articles and posters at public facing council buildings There will be no selling by phone or doorstepping of residents.
Our Wiltshire Climate Strategy is very clear that as a county we need to reduce the energy we use as well as using low carbon forms of energy. Within the strategy we aimed to encourage installation of renewables through group buy schemes and we’re pleased to offer this opportunity to residents to consider
If you are contacted by residents who want more information about this, people can visit www.solartogether.co.uk/wiltshire, email wiltshire@solartogether.co.uk or call 0800 048 8113. IChoosr are responsible for managing and rolling out the scheme and all enquiries about it will be going via them.
For those residents not eligible for this particular scheme, but who still want ideas on lowering their carbon footprint or information on how to access support or grants for energy efficiency in their homes, then there’s more information available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/climate-change-individual. If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact climate@wiltshire.gov.uk We’d welcome and encourage you to share any council communications, such as social media posts and press releases, with your contacts and the local community to help spread the word about the scheme. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of this scheme.
The COURIER is the Magazine of the Parishes of Collingbourne Ducis, Everleigh and Collingbourne Kingston, click below to download/view the May 2022 edition.
The COURIER Office, and Editorial address for contributors: c/o 4 Sunnyhill, Collingbourne Ducis, Marlborough SN8 3EP Contact Details: ADDRESS for Contributions ONLY: cdkecouriercontribute@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION: Sandra Fisher (850363) cdkecouriersec@gmail.com ADVERTISING/FLYERS/LEAFLETS: Simon Gilford cdkecourieradvertise@gmail.com
The COURIER is the Magazine of the Parishes of Collingbourne Ducis, Everleigh and Collingbourne Kingston. Items for publication are most welcome but may have to be edited if space, etc, demands. All items published solely express the views of their author and are copyright of the COURIER unless otherwise stated. Whilst every care has been taken, no responsibility can be accepted for statements made by the advertisers. The deadline for June copy is 6.30 pm on 18th May 2022.
We are continuing to pay the £150 energy rebate to residents who pay their council tax by direct debit.
So far we’ve paid out over £12.8million to 85,438 households in Wiltshire and we’ll be making payments to a further 18,000 households that pay by direct debit next week.
If you don’t pay your council tax by direct debit, you’ll receive a letter in the post next month explaining how you can claim the energy rebate. More information about the energy rebateWaste and recycling Waste crews are working as usual this bank holiday, so if it’s your collection day, please make sure your bin is out for collection by 7am. Check your waste and recycling collection day Leader’s VlogRichard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council gives a short update on what was discussed at our cabinet meeting earlier this week Local Community History Month Time to celebrate Wiltshire’s rich history! It’s Local and Community History Month in May and we’re celebrating with an array of events and exhibitions at libraries across the county.
Wiltshire’s up and coming sports stars of the future were celebrated earlier this week at the 2022 Sports Scholarship grant presentation ceremony held at County Hall, Trowbridge.
Sports Scholarship grants of £500 were awarded to ten young athletes aged between 8 and 18 years, who compete at either a regional or national level in their chosen sport. More information on the 2022 Sports Scholarship grant presentation ceremonyCareers event helps young people in care consider next steps
Young people who have experience of being in care or about to leave care had an opportunity to discuss their future plans at a careers event this week.
Twenty three stands representing universities, colleges, training providers and prospective employers were at the event at the Salisbury Arts Centre.
The COURIER is the Magazine of the Parishes of Collingbourne Ducis, Everleigh and Collingbourne Kingston, click below to download/view the April 2022 edition.
The deadline for May copy is 6.30 pm on 18th April 2022
The COURIER Office, and Editorial address for contributors: c/o 4 Sunnyhill, Collingbourne Ducis, Marlborough SN8 3EP
Contact Details: ADDRESS for Contributions ONLY: cdkecouriercontribute@gmail.com EDITOR: (Position vacant) cdkecouriereditor@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION: Sandra Fisher (850363) cdkecouriersec@gmail.com ADVERTISING/FLYERS/LEAFLETS: Linda Hardiman cdkecourieradvertise@gmail.com
Items for publication are most welcome but may have to be edited if space, etc, demands. All items published solely express the views of their author and are copyright of the COURIER unless otherwise stated. Whilst every care has been taken, no responsibility can be accepted for statements made by the advertisers.
29 April 2022
£150 energy rebate update
Waste and recycling
Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council gives a short update on what was discussed at our cabinet meeting earlier this week 
Local Community History Month
Celebrating Wiltshire’s sporting future
Careers event helps young people in care consider next steps