Whiteley Energy Weekend is free to enter, and will feature a range of energy companies and local businesses with ideas to save you money.  You will learn about the huge difference to your wallet a small difference to your thermostat can make, along with other energy-saving and recycling ideas.

Everyone who takes part will also have a chance to win £1,000 towards your energy bill, sponsored by Southern Electric. You can find out how much energy it takes to make a smoothie, using a pedal-powered smoothie maker, and on the Saturday, have a go at a pedal-powered hovercraft!  You can book a test drive for an electric car, scooter or bike, and you can pick up easy cost-saving items like shower savers and TV power-downs. There is a colouring competition for children, which will be judged by members of Whiteley Art Society.

The aim of the event is to engage residents in a motivating and thought-provoking way, to increase awareness of how to save energy, promote carbon reduction, and increase awareness about recycling and sustainable living. 

Confirmed stand holders include Scottish and Southern Electricity, Ovo Energy, Winchester City Council and Fareham Borough Council recycling teams, Best Buy, Keep the House Warm, Covers Eco Centre, and The Greener Alternative amongst others.  Further stands are available, and organisers are seeking interactive stand holders who have products or services to showcase which will help residents reduce their fuel bills.  For more information, contact Al Menzies on 01489 588 501 or email al.menzies@whiteleypc.info.

The Whiteley Energy Weekend is organised by the Whiteley Action Group, and is backed by Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and Winchester Action on Climate Change

Increase in level of Small Business Rate Relief

The Government is introducing a temporary increase in the level of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) available to eligible businesses. These changes will come into effect in October 2010. Meanwhile, you should ensure that you continue to pay your existing business rates bill.

On 24 March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Government will temporarily increase the level of SBRR so that eligible ratepayers will pay no rates on properties with rateable values up to £6,000, with a tapered relief of between 100% and 0% for properties with rateable values between £6,001 and £12,000. The new levels of relief will be available for 12 months from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011.

The Government is making this change to the SBRR scheme to provide help with the fixed costs of starting and running a small business as the economy starts growing again.

What happens next?
You do not need to take any action.  Once the legislation is in place, we will need to adjust the business rates payable by all businesses that meet the criteria for SBRR and that occupy properties within the rateable value thresholds set out in the revised scheme. If amendments need to be made, we will issue revised bills and contact affected ratepayers.

What do you need to do?
Until you are told otherwise by us, you must continue to keep paying your current business rates bill. Current collection and enforcement procedures will continue to apply to ratepayers who miss a scheduled instalment.  For those already claiming small business rate relief, there is no need for you to do anything else at this stage. A revised business rates bill will be sent to you later this year if you are affected by the changes.  If you think that you meet the criteria, but have not submitted a claim for small business rate relief, you should contact Winchester City Council (telephone 01962 840 222) to see if you are entitled to support.

Do I need to meet any criteria?
Small Business Rates Relief is available to all businesses whose rateable value is less than £18,000. To qualify for the relief, businesses must apply to their local authority and confirm that: