Cllr Andy Swain
Ward: Teign Valley
Parishes: Ashton ; Bridford ; Christow ; Doddiscombsleigh ; Dunsford ; Hennock ; Tedburn St Mary ; Trusham
Mobile: 07756 253908
Email: andrew.swain@teignbridge.gov.uk
On the floor of the House of Commons this week South Lakes MP Tim Farron pressed ministers to remove requirements for Ukrainians fleeing war to have to apply for a visa in order to seek refuge in the UK.
Last week I wrote the open letter below to the Cllr Joss Bigmore (Leader) and Cllr Julia McShane (Deputy Leader) of Guildford Borough Council. In it, I asked a series of questions about how the action the Council is taking to stand with and support the people of Ukraine. I am grateful to Cllr Bigmore for responding to me within a matter of hours with responses to my queries.
Bedford Borough Council has been awarded £900,000 to fund the provision of 10 long-term accommodation options for people sleeping rough. This follows another successful bid that funded a project to provide 20 units of emergency accommodation at Roger's Court, which was completed last year. Since 2017 there has been significant progress made by the Council to reduce the number of rough sleepers in the Borough. The latest statistics show that Bedford Borough was recorded as having two rough sleepers.
*image - by alan wells
I hugely support giving more support to families for their soaring energy bills at this time. Notices are arriving of eyewatering price increases from 1st April from almost all suppliers, and there is no sign that is going to change in the near future. Households need help, and they are going to need help over months and years, not just one-off payments.
Bedford Borough Council is urging residents to sign up to pay Council Tax by direct debit by 1 April 2022, as it will mean they can receive their £150 Council Tax rebate more quickly.