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These are the toughest economic times we've seen for generations.
Uncertainty about the future can make every day living difficult and stressful.
But we can help you beat the recession.
Westminster Council has introduced a range of measures,
to help you get where you want to be.
Financially secure, in a safe and warm home,
with the right job or training and
with access to great value activities.
Your council tax pays for over 250 vital services.
We appreciate that many household budgets are being stretched like never before,
so we've decided to freeze council tax until April 2010.
Our residents and also the businesses who employ our residents,
need to realise that their council is very much on their side
during this very difficult time.
The first thing we are trying to do is to keep costs down for everybody,
in everything we do.
So that means keeping the council tax down.
And the second thing, is that we are giving people advice,
and help. Practical help,
as to how to survive, and get through the next year or two.
Because thats when the worst of the recession is going to be.
Now is also a really good time to find out if you're
eligible to make a claim for housing or council tax benefit,
or to discuss an existing claim.
For a friendly face to face meeting with an advisor
head down to one of our One Stop Shops.
www.westminster.gov.uk/onestop/locations will tell you where to find them.
One stop is a part of Westminster Council.
We offer a face to face advisory service
so residents or non-residents can come into us and
and we can offer advice on a number of issues including council tax.
We can look at someones account and see whether or not they are in the correct banding
If there is any way they can get exemptions or discounts
depending on their circumstances.
If you've got other financial worries
we can also refer you to specialist debt management advice.
Contact the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Service
on 0800 072 0042 to find out more.
In the current financial climate
it's no wonder that many people are worried about falling behind with their rent
or mortgage or even losing their home.
But there is lots of help out there for you,
as Keith Sinclair discovered through Westminster's Housing Options Service.
My mortgage went into arrears
and I was due for repossession.
I was not opening the post.
I've had a stack of letters, I didn't open the post for a year,
basically, which made my finances just dive.
And I was referred to the Housing Options Group,
of the council, who helped
me by offering me the mortgage rescue scheme.
And hopefully, the council will buy the flat off me and
allow me to rent in the future.
The first thing I'd say is don't just sit there
and think the problems is going to go away.
You need to do something about it.
So if you've got a mortgage, you should talk to your lender
and see what range of options they've got available to you
to maybe make your mortgage payments easier.
If you are having difficulty with your rent you need to speak to your landlord
and see if you can make an arrangement.
If you've done both of those things or if you want advice about how to do that
then give us a call at the Housing Options Service and we can help.
We can also help if you're a landlord with rooms or homes to let.
We can put you in touch with prospective tenants,
and we can even pay you to take on council clients.
Contact the Housing Options Service to find out more.
There are lots of grants available to home owners
to help make your properties more energy efficient.
Not only is this great for the environment
but it saves you money on bills as well.
To find out if you qualify for a grant
give us a call on 020 7641 6161.
There are literally hundreds of opportunities in Westminster
for work, training or studying.
With apprenticeships, you get paid while you train,
and theres a whole host of opportunities available,
from clerical and admin posts to skilled trades.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over 16,
whether you've just left school or have been working for years.
Westminster's teamed up with a number of organisations
that can help you find the right course or job.
Contact them directly or via our website to find out more.
In central London there's no shortage of things to do.
Though sadly, not all of them are easy on your wallet.
But with Westminsters discount cards,
you can save money on all sorts of activities
from discounted or free entry to museums,
cinemas and galleries.
Money off DVD rentals from your local library, or even tea dancing.
Our leisure and sporting facilities are among the best in the country,
and they are available on a pay as you go basis,
that means there are no contracts and no monthly fees.
To lighten the load even further
we've also frozen our pay as you go prices for residents in 2009.
For lots more useful information on ways to beat the recession
visit our dedicated site at www.westminster.gov.uk/beattherecession
And don't forget, your council is here to help.
So even if the coming months may not be easy,
you don't have to face them alone.