Payday Loans Payday loans are high cost short-term loans designed to tide people over until payday. Typically you have until your next payday to pay back your loan plus interest, although some payday lenders let you choose the repayment period and date. On the repayment date, the lender takes the amount you have borrowed plus the interest charged directly from your bank account. You will need to make sure you have sufficient money in your account to pay essential bills like mortgage or rent, heating and food, otherwise you could end up going overdrawn and having to pay bank charges. Only take out a payday loan if you are absolutely sure you can repay it on time and don’t be tempted to roll over the loan. If you are already in financial difficulty they are unlikely to help you in the long run. If you need more than a month to repay find a cheaper alternative and if you have a poor credit rating don’t assume you can’t borrow elsewhere. A payday loan is almost certainly not the answer if you need the money to pay household bills, rent or a mortgage, or to pay back people you owe money to. If you’re struggling to pay for the essentials, speak to a debt adviser. They can help you do a budget, prioritise your bills, talk to everyone you owe money to and see if you can agree a repayment plan. For information on alternatives to Payday loans visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/alternatives-to-payday-loans or contact your local Fusion Credit Union on 01543 415032 or info@fusioncreditunion.co.uk. When used in the right way, short-term loans can give you choices about your spending that might not otherwise exist. To make sure that you make a good choice, ask yourself the following questions:
Is it at least six months since I last took out a short-term loan? If I pay the loan back in full on my next payday, will I have enough left to pay all my bills, food and travel until the payday after? Do I really understand what getting cash now is going to cost me in the future? Exactly how much will I have to repay and when? How much extra will it cost me if I can't pay on time?
If you answered no to any of these questions you might want to think about alternatives. If you do decide a payday loan is right for you, here are some things to think about.
Only borrow what you absolutely need, not the maximum the lender can offer you. Shop around – compare different costs and product features to find the loan that is right for you. Pick your lender carefully. Check that the lender is regulated by the FCA (they should tell you this on their web site, in branch or by checking the FCA Consumer Credit Register (www.fca.org.uk/ firms/consumer-credit-register). This makes sure you’re protected if things go wrong.
If you need some expert debt advice, there are lots of organisations that are confidential and free. There’s no need to spend money getting a debt management company to help you sort out your money worries. For more information on what services are available visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/debt-advice-locator.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 4
Welcome
Winter 2016
Welcome to the Partnership Update for Lichfield District, produced by Lichfield District Council on behalf of Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership.
In this issue we look at how to stay safe this winter, information on Payday loans, how to reduce energy bills, an update on the ‘Let’s Get Involved’ Project and what’s going on in the District during the Festive period. If you would like to contribute to the next issue of Partnership Update, due out in the Spring, please contact Lucie Ferneyhough, Community Safety Officer on 01543 308777 or lucie.ferneyhough@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Staying Safe during the Winter months Here are some tips to help you stay safe when you are out at night during the Festive Season:
Don’t drive on drink or drugs. Remember, alcohol can seriously affect your ability to make safe judgements. Plan ahead. Before you go out, think about how you are going to get home. Only use licensed taxis - Never flag down private hire vehicles. Be bright, be seen on our roads. Find out how at think.direct.gov.uk Try to use well-lit, busy streets and use the route you know best and avoid quiet or badly-lit alleyways or isolated car parks. Be extra careful when using cashpoint machines. Make sure nobody is hovering nearby and don’t count your money in the middle of the street. Consider carrying a personal safety alarm. Report antisocial behaviour by calling the police on the non-emergency 101 number or our Community Safety Team on 01543 308777.
Tips to keep you, your children and your property safe at home:
Check your smoke alarms - For a free home fire risk check call 0800 0241 999. Try to purchase a freshly cut tree, as they are more resistant to ignition. Keep your Christmas tree watered and away from open candles. Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep. Don’t overload sockets. Check for safety marks and labels before you buy. Don’t leave presents or shopping on display in your car or at home Is your mobile phone secure? For advice visit www.digital-trust.org/how-to-mobile/ Keep children safe online - If you're buying a new mobile phone, laptop or tablet for a child find out how to keep them safe online at www.thinkuknow.co.uk.
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Your Home Energy Check List
Let’s Get Involved
Below is a list of changes you can make immediately around your home that may help to reduce your gas and electricity bills. 1. 2.
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Monitor your gas and electricity use—Take regular meter readings as this will help you keep an eye on your energy use and keep your bills accurate. Contact your supplier to inform them of your situation or change in circumstances. Ask to negotiate a payment plan and be realistic on what you can afford to repay (you don’t want to leave yourself short for other essential bills). Get further advice from local advice agencies. Paying for your energy—Consider paying your bills by monthly online direct debit. This is the cheapest way to pay. If you are paying energy bills quarterly then you may be able to make savings, so consider different payment options to save money. If you’re having problems paying your bill, contact your supplier to discuss your energy debt. Income maximisation—Make sure you are claiming the correct benefits. Take advice. Warm Home Discount—Ask your energy supplier if you are entitled to a Warm Home Discount. Priority Services Register- If you need assistance to manage your energy use contact your energy supplier and your distribution network operator (DNO) and ask about this service. Details of your DNO can be found on your electricity bill. Heating controls—Make sure you are using your boiler and heating controls properly as directed. Using your heating—Try putting your heating on a timer so it only comes on when you need it. During colder weather use your thermostat to have the heating set to come on once the temperature drops below a certain level. For example: set the temperature to between 18-21oC (64-70oF) and the heating will turn on and off throughout the day, keeping the house at the correct temperature. In colder weather the recommended room temperature for living areas is 21 oC (70oF) and 18oC (64oF) for bedrooms. If you are finding this too cold then try increasing the temperature by 1 oC at a time until you are comfortable. Thermostatic radiator valves—In colder weather make sure the radiator valves are set to 4/5 in the living room and 2/3 in bedrooms.
For more information please visit www.nea.org.uk/.
Purse Thefts & Protecting your valuables Although it is highly unlikely that you will be a victim, Christmas can unfortunately be a time of increased crime, in particular thefts of purses and other valuables from bags and pockets. Lichfield Police are encouraging people to take simple steps to avoid becoming a victim.
Keep purses secure and carry wallets in an inside pocket. Always secure zips and fastenings on bags and pockets. Carry bags in front of you with flaps against your body. Keep straps short and bags tucked under your arm. Never leave bags, mobile phones, coats and other valuables unattended e.g. on back of chairs. Avoid advertising your valuables to would-be thieves. Don't display jewellery. Don't show your money — keep it safely in your pocket. Attach a ‘tinkerbell’ to your purse or wallet. Visit the Police desk at Lichfield District Council, Frog Lane, Lichfield to pick up your free ‘tinkerbell’. The bells will ring out and alert shoppers if someone slips a hand into your bag to steal a purse.
Tracey Hackett from Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire (CASES) has been working on the Let’s Get Involved project which is aimed at 3 areas of the district: Burntwood, North Lichfield and Chasetown. She has been helped by a number of volunteers and staff from CASES, along with a local Community Champion and has been finding out about what perceptions of crime, members of our community have. Most concerns are around youth provision and lack of facilities, cold callers, inconsiderate dog owners and inconsiderate parking; most of these are not actually crime related. To find out more about what residents think, Tracey has organised several events including having a stand in Aldi, Burntwood to chat to shoppers as well as attending Burntwood’s Play in the Park’s events to talk to residents about what we can do about these issues as a community. There are actually lots of activities for young people in the district, especially at the leisure centres and the focus will now be about ‘shouting’ about them. Leaflets and posters will be developed to highlight some of the issues raised and targeting specific areas to address and distribute them including local parks and schools. The project has also focussed on raising awareness of Staffordshire Smart Alert and common scams. So far there has been a focus group held in all 3 areas but it is vital that the focus groups continue to grow so if you are a person local to one of these three areas and are interested in being involved please email Tracey Hackett at tracey_hackett@yahoo.co.uk.
Lichfield District at Christmas The Lichfield Christmas Lights Switch on is being held on Sunday 27th November with activities starting at 11am; and the Christmas Festival Weekend Markets are on the 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th December. The BID is running a social media campaign to find Lichfield’s Customer Service Angel, which will run from 1 st to 24th December. Visitors to Lichfield simply take a selfie of themselves with their nominated customer service angel when they have received excellent customer service. Upload the pictures and why you want to nominate them, to twitter (@LichfieldBID), Facebook (Lichfield BID) and the business in question. A daily winner will be drawn to go to in to the Christmas Eve final to determine an overall customer service angel winner and their nominator, both of whom will receive a prize. From 19th to 24th, the BID has also commissioned a number of lighting installations around the city centre by local artist Peter Walker. They will run in the evening and provide an addition to the Christmas lighting landscape. Check out social media nearer the time for locations and timings (see above). For more information visit www.lichfieldbid.co.uk. Christmas at Three Spires — From Thursday 1st December, 9am – 5.30pm daily—Visit Santa’s sleigh and create your own Christmas memories at Three Spires Shopping Centre, Lichfield. We are inviting customers to sit in Santa’s sleigh for FREE, take a picture and share on the Three Spires Facebook page, to be in for chance of WINNING prizes. Plus, for every image we receive, Three Spires will donate 50p to St Giles Hospice. Plus, on Thursday 15th December join us for our 'Late Night Shopping Bonanza’ until 7pm, with entertainment, offers and much more! Burntwood Town Council, supported by local businesses are holding a Christmas Festival for all the family at Sankey’s Corner, Burntwood on Saturday 3rd December, 4—7pm. For more information please visit www.burntwood-tc.gov.uk/.
For more information on how to stay safe visit www.police.uk/crime-prevention-advice/theft-and-robbery/
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