Cost of living support for B&NES residents For many households the pressure of high living costs has not gone away and the global crisis has brought further stress on family finances. For some residents, particularly those who rely on heating oil rather than mains gas, energy costs are now especially challenging. The council is supporting people on a low income who are struggling with the rapid rise in heating oil costs. If you need help you can apply for help through our Crisis and Resilience Fund, details are on the council website or by calling our Welfare Support Team on 01225 477277. Supporting residents also means making sure people can trust the information they see and hear, especially online. The digital world is changing fast, and alongside many benefits, it has become much easier for false or confusing information to spread. Sometimes this happens unintentionally, but at other times it can be shared deliberately to mislead. That’s why Bath & North East Somerset Council has launched a new webpage to help residents check facts and find trustworthy information more easily. The page brings together clear, practical tools to help people pause, check and think before sharing information, and to feel more confident about what they read online. Importantly, the webpage also signposts current council projects and consultations, giving residents an easy way to find up‑to‑date facts in one place. This is part of our wider commitment to open and transparent communication. Have a good weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council |