From 2006 to 2010, I was a councillor for Lee Green ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. During that time, I blogged regularly and in 2009 I won the Tim Garden Award for the Best Blog by a Liberal Democrat Holding Public Office. My blog posts from my term of office are archived here in case they prove of use to former constituents, or to those who share my annoyance with faulty street furniture
My colleague Cllr Sven Griesenbeck scored an important win for older people at Wednesday night’s Full Council. The Council passed a motion proposed by Sven to remind all older residents in the borough of their entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments.
Councillors from all parties joined behind Sven’s motion calling on the Mayor to ensure that all elderly residents are aware of their entitlements, and to publicise the scheme further. Most older residents receive these entitlements automatically, but there are a minority of people who are entitled to the payment but won’t receive it unless they apply.
Sven said, “Far too many older people die of hypothermia when they can’t afford to turn the heating up, because they either don’t know about the benefit available, or else don’t claim it. We’ve had two cold winters in a row, and this shouldn’t be something they need to worry about.”
For reference, you can find out if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, and apply if you need to, here.
There’s also the Cold Weather Payment, which is triggered if the temperature falls below zero for seven consecutive days. We’ve already had one such period in Lee Green this year. Info on that payment, and a postcode search facility, here.
The one thing I’d emphasise is that these are entitlements - people who have contributed to society for so long shouldn’t be ashamed to accept or apply for what they’re entitled to.
