Extra cash for Cardiff pensioners

Three thousand households in Cardiff are set to benefit from an additional reduction in council tax over the next year. Up to £55 will automatically be credited to the accounts of pensioners who qualify for the discount.

Cardiff Council’s Pensioner Reduction Scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and is beginning this week. There is no need to apply for the reduction or contact the council as the money will be allocated to council tax accounts which meet the correct criteria.

To be eligible for the scheme, the person concerned must be:

• liable to pay council tax in respect of a chargeable
• dwelling which was their sole or main residence on November 1, 2009
• one of the persons liable must have reached the age of 60 or over by November 1, 2009
• he or she must be in receipt of partial council tax benefit as at November 1, 2009

Where two or more people are jointly liable for council tax, they will be eligible for the reduction if one or all of them meet the criteria.

Following implementation of the scheme, any money remaining from the Welsh Assembly Government’s allocation to Cardiff will be used in conjunction with Age Concern. Both the
council and the charity are proactively encouraging take-up of benefits in pensioner households and these funds will contribute to that scheme, between November 2009 and February 2010.

Executive Member for Finance Councillor Mark Stephens said: "I am delighted Cardiff is able to work with the Welsh Assembly Government to adopt the Pensioner Reduction Scheme.

"We are committed to giving extra help to the households most in need and the council has worked hard to ensure this is the best and most appropriate discount plan to offer."

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Care home programme’s national conference

Wales' first ever conference for a programme to benefit care home residents, their families and staff members takes place this week.

The My Home Life Wales conference is in Newtown on 19 November.

Says the programme’s manager John Moore:

“My Home Life Wales is a unique programme run by Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales.

“It works with care homes residents, their relatives and staff to identify and share ideas that make life better for people who live in, visit or work in care homes across Wales.

“These can be very simple and straightforward ideas or complex innovations but the aim will be the same – improving people’s day-to-day lives in care homes.

“We’ve heard of one home that gave its corridors street names, so that residents were able to have their own address – doesn’t 17 Brynderw Road sound more homely than Room 17?.

“This is just one example of the many ideas we’ll be discussing and hearing about at our conference in Newtown on 19 November.”

The My Home Life Wales conference will bring together care and nursing home managers from across Wales to look at different ways of providing care for older people.

Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas who will be speaking at the conference says:

“Wales has always led the field with programmes that benefit older people, such as the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategy for Older People in Wales, and My Home Life Wales is another innovative project that will really make a difference to so many people across the country.

“This conference is another development from this exciting project that at its heart is a clear vision of how we can improve the lives of care home residents and staff.

“The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports the programme’s ethos of involving care home residents in meaningful activities and decisions that affect them as well as the programme’s emphasis on recognising the importance and value of the work done by care home staff.

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Adam helps digital switchover

Ahead of Wales' clash against Samoa, Wales prop Adam Jones took time out of his injury rehab to highlight the help available for older and disabled people to make the switch to digital - and safeguard their Friday night rugby viewing.

As switchover approaches in south Wales, the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme engaged the services of Jones to help spread the message about the practical support that is available for people to convert to digital TV.

The 56-times capped tight head prop, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the British and Irish Lions’ second Test against South Africa in the summer, visited the home of Help Scheme customer and life-long rugby supporter Howard Holland, from Treforest, Pontypridd.

Mr Holland recently took up the standard offer of help to make the change to digital on one of his TV sets with a Freeview digital box. He said: “When the Help Scheme information pack arrived in the post it was a big relief as I had been quite worried about what I needed to do and didn’t know who to ask.

“When I called the Help Scheme they were very patient and explained everything to me and didn’t seem to mind when I asked lots of questions.

“In no time at all my new Freeview box was being installed and ever since I’ve been able to watch lots of new programmes, but best of all, I don’t have to miss out on the rugby!”

Adam Jones agreed to be an ambassador for the Help Scheme because he knows that older and disabled people might need a little help with this change. He said:

“Digital switchover is coming, and if someone is not ready on the 3 March next year, they will wake up to a blank TV screen.

“It’s important that we all spread the message to our friends, family and neighbours that there is help available for people like Howard to switch to digital with the Help Scheme.

“I’m sure a lot people wouldn’t want to miss out on their Friday night rugby! We can all make sure this doesn’t happen, and I’m delighted to be able to do my bit to tell people about this practical support.”

People living in parts of Cardiff, Newport and South East Wales served by the Wenvoe transmitter will begin to switch on 3 March 2010.

In the run-up to Switchover, eligible people in south Wales are being sent a Help Scheme information pack which clearly explains the help that is available for them to convert to digital with the Scheme.

Details about how to apply, an explanation of all of the available options and their prices, are clearly set out in the information pack that eligible people receive in the post. People need to respond to get the help.

People are eligible for the Help Scheme if:

• They are aged 75 or over; or
• They have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
• They get (or could get) disability living allowance, or attendance or constant attendance allowance, or mobility supplement; or
• They are registered blind or partially sighted.

Most eligible people will be asked to pay £40 towards the standard offer of help which in Wales is Freeview. For eligible people who are also on pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and employment and support allowance, it’s free.

Completed information pack forms can be returned to the Help Scheme, but to make it even easier to apply, eligible people can call the Help Scheme free on 0800 408 7654 or 0800 40 85 905 if they need help in Welsh.

In addition, any eligible person who needs help to apply can nominate someone else to complete their form for them.

The Help Scheme is run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government and has been specially designed around the needs of older and disabled people. Equipment has been specifically chosen for ease of use and the Help Scheme contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. All installers have undertaken Criminal Records Bureau checks, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.

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Honouring Jim

A former soldier who played a vital intelligence gathering role during the Second World War was invited to County Hall this week.

Jim Jarman, who is now in his eighties, helped gather enemy information which was used by Bletchley Park.

The Royal British Legion member was recently awarded a Gold Badge and Certificate by the Prime Minister for his war time service.

The Badge and Certificate have only been given to those who worked at Bletchley Park and its outside field stations during the war.

To honour his achievement the County Council's Chairman, Councillor Anne Hughes invited Jim to a special reception in Haverfordwest on Monday.

"It's because of men and women like Jim that we are here today," said Councilor Hughes. "We owe them a great debt of honour.

"Their heroic role in helping defeat Hitler should never be forgotten and their stories told to inspire younger generations, who have never known such courage and sacrifice."

During the war Jim, who was born and brought up in Pembrokeshire, trained as a Special Operator and joined the newly formed Special Wireless Section A Type Mobile, first in London and then at locations near the south coast.

The unit intercepted German Army messages from Panzar divisions stationed near Paris. After examination by the Intelligence Corps, the messages would be sent every evening by dispatch rider to Bletchely Park, where - unknown to Hitler- they would be decrypted.

The unit kept monitoring the German army throughout D Day even after a German V1 rocket crashed into their camp wounding 17.

Shortly afterwards they joined front line allied forces in France and Belgium as they pushed their way across France and Belgium to Germany.

Later Jim, who lives in Milford Haven, came back to the UK to help intercept Japanese traffic and after VJ day returned to Germany and Austria to gather information on the forces of Russia and Marshall Tito - even though the Cold War had yet to be declared!

Despite the vital nature of their work because Jim and others had signed the Official Secrets Act they were unable to talk about their war work for 30 years and it was only in the late 1970s that the role of Bletchley Park in deciphering German codes such as Enigma was made public.

"It was a hard tedious job but in retrospect a vital one as has now in later years come to light," said Jim. "Due to the boffins of Bletchley Park our armed forces knew everything that the Germans were planning or about to do.

"The 1939/45 war showed this country at its best with backs to the wall. Everyone was involved especially the women of the ATS, who were trained to man fixed intercept companies covering all the high grade German chain of command and whose role is often overlooked.

"Without the supreme effort of everyone we would not have won."

*Councillor Hughes has also written a letter of congratulations to Anne Lewis-Smith from Newport, who has also been honoured by the Prime Minister for her war time work.

The former Wren worked at Bletchley Park between 1944 and 1946.

Photograph: Jim Jarman and Councillor Hughes at the reception.

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Dilys is fighting fit with free swimming

An eighty one year old woman from Crymych has discovered a way to keep fighting fit with the free activities on offer at her local leisure centre.

Dilys Phillips is a regular in the swimming pool at Crymych leisure centre and enjoys the social and health benefits it offers.

She has even been spurred on to try boxing after building up her stamina in the water!

The active grandmother learnt how to swim in Crymych pool when it opened in 1972 and has been hooked on it ever since.

She now makes the most of the free activities on offer for the over 60s at the pool including swimming and aqua aerobics.

Dilys said, "I've always liked sport from a young age, and enjoy learning new things, so when the pool opened I saw my opportunity to learn how to swim. Now I go twice a week to swimming and aqua aerobics to keep fit. You have to put your name down early for a place in the class though as it is very popular and fills up quickly."

She continued, "I have a great social life from going to the classes too, and we often all meet for a coffee afterwards. After losing my husband last year I didn't want to just sit about the house doing nothing. Going to the pool gets me out and about and meeting new people."

Darren Bowen, manager of Crymych Leisure Centre, said: "Dilys is an inspiration to everyone. She is always so positive about her swimming, and keen to ‘dive in' to something new. We have a large number of regulars attending the free classes for the over 60s in Pembrokeshire and are always pleased to welcome somebody new. If you are 60 or over, just pop into your local leisure centre or your local library and pick up an application form."

The Free Swimming Initiative, managed by the Sports Council for Wales, is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative aimed at older people 60 years and over and children and young people 16 years and under.

This is the sixth year that all 22 local authorities in Wales have operated the initiative and the figures show that each year more people are going to their local leisure centre to enjoy a pastime which not only encourages them to be fit and healthy but is a potential life saver.

For more information please visit www.free-swimming-wales.org.uk or contact your local leisure centre.

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Campaign targets fraudsters who prey on elderly

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards team is throwing its weight behind a national anti-scam campaign launched in memory of a pensioner whose family blame her death on the stress of becoming a fraud victim.

The “Think Jessica” campaign sends a clear, empowering message to all NOT to allow fraudsters and con artists to take advantage of residents with their “too good to be true” promises of big money wins and exotic holiday prizes for a small outlay.

It is hoped that launching a campaign in the name of someone who fell victim to the scammers will send a clear message to others that it is not their fault, being targeted is nothing to be ashamed of and that there are professionals out there to help you hit back at con artists.

Cruel fraudsters con thousands of residents out of an estimated £3.5 billion a year with their mail-based scams, offering prizes, incredible returns and even services in exchange for a cash contribution.

One person who fell victim was Jessica Looke, who was receiving up to 30 scam letters a day and spending most of her pension on them. The situation became so bad that parts of her home were filled with piles of scam letters.

As the situation progressed, Jessica became distrustful of her own family, while continuing to send her money to the scams, convinced she would, one day, secure the big life-changing prize. As her money began running out, so Jessica became anxious and frail.

She died in 2007 and her family say the blame for her death has to lie partly with those scammers who targeted her mother and conned her out of so much money.

Determined to stop such a thing happening to others, Jessica’s daughter, Marilyn Baldwin, launched the Think Jessica campaign with the Trading Standards Institute, which went nationwide with thousands of posters being placed on billboards across the country, stating the message “Scam Mail is Blackmail”.

The posters include a new free advice line 0800 848 88 55, sponsored by British Gas, with a message recorded by Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis. The campaign is also supported by Paul Wilson, who has conducted numerous scams on television’s The Real Hustle.

Cllr John David, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “For too long, scammers have been getting away with conning millions of pounds out of residents who send money in the belief they have won a prize or are procuring a service.

“Many of these residents are elderly or vulnerable and I hope this hard-hitting campaign from the Trading Standards Institute and the brave family of Jessica Looke helps us all to have the strength to say no and report the necessary information that could lead to offenders being brought to justice.”

Cllr Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health and Older People, added: “The family of Jessica Looke should be commended for the way they are helping others to be aware of these heartbreaking scams.

“It is a sad fact that many elderly, vulnerable or isolated people are targeted by scammers and they have nothing to be ashamed of by coming forward and reporting what has happened.

“We are here to help and support them and ensure they do not send any of their much-needed money to such criminals who are, by the way, the ones who should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”

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Caring for carers in Cardiff and Vale

Many people rely on a carer for support and the biggest worry for carers is how the family member who relies on them would cope if anything happened to their carer.

Social services care staff at both the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff Councils had heard these worries from carers they work with and they decided to do something to help.

As a result they decided to introduce ‘Carers Emergency Cards’, credit sized cards that carers carry at all times. If something should happen to a carer, such as an accident or sudden illness, the card alerts the emergency services that there is someone who relies on the carer who cannot manage without help. All the person finding the card in the carer’s purse or wallet needs to do is telephone the number on the card and quote the card’s number.

Social services will hold emergency contact details taken when the carer registers for the scheme and with a brief phone call can arrange help for the person who is looked after by the carer.

Councillor Dorothy Turner, Vale council cabinet member for social services, said: "The Carers Emergency Card is a joint initiative between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff Council. We’ve introduced the scheme in direct response to carers telling us that one of their biggest concerns is what would happen to the person they care for if they are not around.

"All carers need to do is register the details of the person they care for and give us contacts for three people who are willing and able to stand in for the carer in an emergency. If they do not have people to stand in for them our social services teams will be alerted and they can make arrangements."

Cllr Judith Woodman, Cardiff Council carers champion, commented: "Carers have told us that they want to know that the person they care for will be looked after if there is an emergency which leaves them unable to get home or make alternative arrangements. The scheme will help carers think about what support the person they care for would need in an emergency and who they would like to provide that support. We hope that by operating this scheme, it gives peace of mind and helps to alleviate some of the stress for those carers who tirelessly care for their loved ones."

Carers can register for the scheme following a carer’s assessment. To ask for a carers assessment phone the relevant number for your council - Vale of Glamorgan Council: Contact OneVale 01446 700111. Cardiff Council: Contact & Assessment Team 029 2053 6444. Carers who have had a carer’s assessment in the last six months should contact the person who completed their assessment, or the carers officer for their council. If you live in the Vale contact 01446 704604 or email kisaac@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk and for Cardiff contact 029 2087 3631 or email carers@cardiff.gov.uk.

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50plus Forum Annual Event

More than 150 people have attended Carmarthenshire 50+ Forum’s annual event held at the new Ffos Las Race Course in Trimsaran.

A full programme was laid on for the morning including a talk by Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Ruth Marks, a theatre production on bogus callers by Cwmni’r Fedwen and exhibitions, all on themes of interest to older people.

Delegates also took part in workshops on a range of subjects – community safety, leisure, Welsh language, benefit entitlements, independent living, and sustainable communities.

Carmarthenshire 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin Madge opened the event and Carmarthenshire County Council assistant chief executive Chris Burns described the progress made over the last year.

Cllr Madge said a lot had been achieved since he became 50+ Champion in June 2008, and was delighted that the 50+ Forum now had a membership of over 1,000 people and was steadily increasing. This was a clear recognition of how people wanted to work together with the council and other organisations to improve services. A number of actions had been taken forward including the expansion across the whole county of the Garden Tidy scheme in which supervised young offenders clear the gardens of older people who have no-one to help them.
Mr Burns said that the older persons’ strategy in Carmarthenshire aimed to be a voice and advocate for older people and to challenge people’s perceptions.

”We had meetings in Llanelli and Carmarthen and they nominated a steering group of 19 people who are your representatives. Throughout the year they have met people responsible for bus services, health services and leisure in Carmarthenshire and lobbied on your behalf. As a result of discussion the qualifying age for the Young at Heart scheme was reduced from 65 to 50.”

Ruth Marks gave a brief outline of her role and future objectives and then reported that the main issues raised with her by older people related to money and payment for services, information about and access to services, and the lack of dignity and respect that older people sometimes face.

Members of the Forum raised issues of social isolation in rural areas, the distance to travel to community facilities and the importance of adult education. These and many other questions were raised with the Commissioner and responses will be included in a conference report which will be drafted shortly.

Steering group member Andrew Kurzfeld said after the event: “It was very successful and identified a number of important areas affecting older people. There is plenty for the steering group to work on over the next year.

“We need joined up thinking in the provision of services, such as leisure facilities and transport.”

To join the 50+ Forum, please contact Ruth Lake on 01267 234567.

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The meeting of generations

The Friday lunch club at Age Concern in Port Talbot now have a better understanding of modern technology thanks to pupils from Glan Afan Comprehensive School.

The pupils went along to Age Concern on Older People's Day to teach older people how to use their mobile phones. One elderly lady commented on how clear and patient the young people were as they explained how to text.

The meeting of generations quickly moved on to I Pods and MP3 players and resulted in both generations gaining a better understanding of each other.

"The older people feel grateful that the pupils had taken time to sit down and help them and in return the pupils felt useful and proud of what they had achieved," says Council Leader Ali Thomas.

Next on the modern technology agenda is X boxes and Nintendo Wiis and the pupils have promised to go back before Christmas with electronic equipment to practice on.

Councillor Thomas added, "One of the aims of the Strategy for Older People is to encourage them to become more familiar with modern technology.

"We are grateful to the pupils of Glan Afan to help them to bridge this gap."

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Council secures extra benefits for pensioners

Anglesey pensioners have received more than £130,000 in extra benefits thanks to support provided by the County Council.

Take-up has increased dramatically since the appointment of a dedicated officer within the Benefits Section in September 2008. The Housing and Council Tax Benefit Take-up Officer post was created with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit Take-up Officer, Maureen Haf, is responsible for identifying potential claimants, helping them with claims, and providing advice on other benefits they may be entitled to.

Maureen explained, "During 2008/09, an extra £80,000 has been secured for pensioners making Council Tax and Housing Benefit claims, together with an additional £56,000 in Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance."

She added, "New rules introduced on November 2nd 2009 should also make it easier for more pensioners, as well as families with children, to qualify for Council Tax and Housing Benefit. The new rules mean that Child Benefit will no longer be classed as income when authorities calculate eligibility for other benefits."

Housing and Council Tax Benefit claimants need take no action as the Authority's Benefit Section will be notified of any changes. Existing Council Tax Benefit claimants' cases will also be reassessed automatically.

These changes will affect both Pension Credit and Council Tax Benefit as the capital limit will be raised from £6,000 to £10,000 on November 2nd.

There may also be those who have not previously qualified for Council Tax Benefit, but could now qualify for Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit due to the new changes introduced.

Those people are encouraged to call Benefit Take-up Officer, Maureen Haf, on 01248 751807 to check if they qualify as a result of the new rules.

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Swansea's council tax help for pensioners

THOUSANDS of Swansea pensioners are getting a Council Tax windfall under plans being drawn up by the city's council.

Eligible pensioners will benefit by around £52 per household under a scheme that's being paid for by the Welsh Assembly Government.

WAG have provided a £2m pot for local authorities across Wales to help pensioners pay their Council tax bills in the coming year and the amount coming to Swansea is just over £160,000.

Swansea Council's Cabinet has agreed the move which means about 3,100 pensioner households who qualify for partial Council Tax benefit will be informed by post by the Council of the reduction.

Stuart Rice, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "There are many pensioners in the city who already qualify for full Council Tax benefit and they will not be affected if Cabinet accepts the offer. It will only apply to pensioners who currently qualify for partial Council tax benefit."

But Councillor Rice added that local families should not forget that Swansea's Benefits Take Up Team are on hand to help anyone who may be eligible to claim other forms of help with paying Council Tax.

Benefit Take up Manager Paula Lewis said: "There are many different family situations and taking account of age and income means that customers should not rule themselves out.

"We urge everyone to contact the Take up Team on 01792 635885 to have a calculation for their particular circumstances. Even a little money off the bill can help. "

Anyone wanting information or help should contact the take-up team on 01792 635885.

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Pensioners get help with council tax

Pensioners could be in line for a £50 cash windfall to help pay their council tax.

Neath Port Talbot Council has received funds from the Welsh Assembly Government to introduce a scheme to help pensioners to pay their council tax.

Under the scheme, the Council will reduce council tax bills for pensioners who are aged 65 or over on 30th November 2009 and who are receiving partial council tax benefit.

The Council will write to the pensioners who qualify for the payment in early December. However, if you are not already receiving council tax benefit, it's not too late to apply.

You can get an application form at any of the Council's offices or you can phone 01639 686838 and an application form will be sent out. Advisors can also visit you in your own home to help you fill in the form. If you do receive a visit, remember to always ask to see identification.

Councillor Ali Thomas, Leader of the Council, said the Authority was pleased to be able to do something to help some of the county borough's pensioners to pay their council tax bills.

"I would urge those pensioners who are not claiming council tax benefit to apply and see if they are entitled to help with their bills," he said "You have nothing to lose - get an application form today."

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Older people’s manifesto launched

Older people in Monmouthshire have contributed to a manifesto that means that people using care services are treated with respect.

The manifesto is called ‘Dignity in Care’ and sets the standards for how people in care should be treated in Monmouthshire.

The manifesto is a result of the findings of a conference Monmouthshire County Council and Monmouthshire Local Health Board held to tackle dignity in care in March 2009.

People were asked to discuss older people’s and carers’ perceptions of care practices for older people and to contribute to a manifesto that will ensure that the work prioritised is what older people want.

Amanda Peters, Policy & Partnership Manager at Monmouthshire County Council, said:

“Dignity in care is something that we all want for ourselves, our family and friends while in the care of others.

“This manifesto will make a real difference - everyone who contributed to it felt their voice was heard, older people felt valued and carers felt enthused and motivated.

“Older people will be part of a user group involved in monitoring success and holding people to account.”

Dave Powell, Chair of Abergavenny’s Action 50+ group, said:

“I’m really pleased to see this document had been produced as a result of the conversations we had at the conference.

“Our group put a lot of work into responding to the issues raised. We are very glad to see that the manifesto includes an emphasis on training as that is very important in protecting people’s dignity.”

The Dignity in Care Manifesto for Monmouthshire

People receiving care in Monmouthshire must:

• be treated as individuals; a unique person with a history and a future.
• feel and be safe from all forms of abuse or harm.
• be respected and treated by trained staff in the same way as a carer would treat their loved one.
• be properly communicated with; listened to and supported to express their needs and wants.
• be allowed privacy in personal care, be able to have discussions in private and have confidentiality respected.
• be able to complain without fear of retribution; knowing that a complaint will be taken seriously and responded to.
• have support and dignity for their carers ensuring that their needs are also met; helping them to care with dignity.
• be helped and supported to maintain independence, choice and control in all areas of their care.
• not feel lonely and isolated, but valued and part of society.
• be able to have continuity and consistency of well trained care staff.
• receive high standards of care which are regularly reviewed; medically, nutritionally, and in matters of hygiene.

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New handbook to help over 50s in Blaenau Gwent

A new handbook designed to help people living in Blaenau Gwent over the age of 50 has been published.

It gives advice about health, wellbeing and independence and community safety issues.

The handbook has been produced by a partnership between Blaenau Gwent Older People 50+ Network, Blaenau Gwent Council and Western Power Distribution. 15,000 copies are being distributed.

Coun Des Hillman, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said:

“This handbook will be invaluable – as chair of our Older People 50+ Network I would like tp pay tribute to the great work of all the partners and to thank Western Power Distribution for their support.”

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Council tax windfall for some pensioners on the cards

Thousands of Swansea pensioners are set for a Council Tax windfall under plans being drawn up by the city's council.

Eligible pensioners could benefit by around £52 per household under a scheme that's being paid for by the Welsh Assembly Government.

WAG have provided a £2m pot for local authorities across Wales to help pensioners pay their Council tax bills in the coming year and the amount coming to Swansea is just over £160,000.

If the offer is agreed by Cabinet Members when they meet on Thursday it means that around 3,100 pensioner households who qualify for partial Council Tax benefit would be informed by post by the Council of the reduction.

Stuart Rice, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "This would be an offer of an additional benefit for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"There are many pensioners in the city who already qualify for full Council Tax benefit and they will not be affected if Cabinet accepts the offer. It will only apply to pensioners who currently qualify for partial Council tax benefit."

If Cabinet agrees to move forward with the plan, the Council would then identify the eligible pensioners and write to them to inform them of the reduction.

But Cllr Rice added that local families should not forget that Swansea's Benefits Take Up Team are on hand to help anyone who may be eligible to claim other forms of help with paying Council Tax.

Individual circumstances are taken into account to assess whether people qualify and an entitlement calculation can be done in minutes over the telephone.

Anyone wanting information or help should contact the take-up team on 01792 635885.

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Tidy gardens

A Scheme to give older people’s gardens a one-off tidy up has been an outstanding success.

More than 180 people asked for help this year from the Garden Tidy Scheme run by Age Concern Sir Gar.

Age Concern Sir Gar runs the Garden Tidy Scheme which uses young offenders to carry out work supervised by the probation Service on gardens for people aged 70 and over who cannot do it themselves and have no immediate family within 6-10 miles, or aged 50+ on Disability Living Allowance or similar benefit and with no family within 6-10 miles. There is no charge for the service.

The project has been limited to the Llanelli area in recent years as of this year the service can be offered to people anywhere in Carmarthenshire following a £7,200 donation from the county council’s 50+ Strategy.

The funding authorised by 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin Madge has been used to buy new equipment such as mowers and strimmers.

Age Concern Sir Gar chief officer Ann Dymock said: “The Probation Service provides young offenders for two or three days a week from April to October and they can tidy about 6-8 gardens a week.

“They do work such as cutting back hedges and shrubs, and tackling the lawns. It is of great benefit to people who have not done anything to their garden for years because they have been unable to.

“We have had more than 180 referrals and the vast majority of these have been completed, with a small number still to do. The scheme has gone very well.

“The feedback we’ve had from people whose gardens have been done is that they are delighted.”

Eireen Williams and her husband Meurig, who are in their 60s, had work done at their home in Blaenau Road, Llandybie, under the Garden Tidy Scheme.

Mrs Williams said: “We have quite a large garden and had the lawns mowed and hedges cut. We are both registered disabled and need help with the garden.”

Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The Garden Tidy scheme is an excellent scheme which has helped many people in the Llanelli area and is this year helping more than 180 households right across Carmarthenshire.

“I’m delighted that I was able to put in extra funds to extend the benefits of the scheme throughout the county.”

The Garden Tidy Scheme will be accepting referrals from next February on 01554 784080.

If you want to join the county’s 50+ Forum, which provides a voice for older people in Carmarthenshire, please contact Ruth Lake on 01267 234567.

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