Column by the leader of Stroud District Council, Doina Cornell.

Fuel bills and heating our homes are on all our minds at present, and as well as the measures announced by government, there are local organisations that can help with support and advice.

If your home is cold or you don’t have heating or mains gas, or you have a health condition made worse by cold and damp homes, or are on a low income, you may be eligible for a grant. Contact Warm and Well scheme on 0800 500 3076 or visit warmandwell.co.uk.

The Household Support Fund is also available until the end of March if you are struggling with essential costs. Local organisations that can help with free advice include Citizens Advice, Clean Slate, Age UK, Home-Start Stroud, GL Communities and P3 Gloucestershire.

Community hubs across the district also offer a whole range of support including foodbanks, and drop in sessions with free money and debt advice. You can find more information at stroud.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing

It is National Apprentice Week, last week I chatted to some of our apprentices, their interest and commitment to their work and training was really impressive, and some of them have taken roles as SW Ambassadors to raise awareness of apprenticeships with young people. You can find out more at apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/naw-2022#

This week the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority are visiting to assess if the Severn Edge bid to be the home of the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant, based at Oldbury and Berkeley, makes it through to the next round. If successful it could create up to 31,000 jobs and provide up to £220m of government funding. Community support will make a real difference to whether the bid proceeds or not, and there is a public online webinar on 10 February between 6pm-8pm.

Finally, as we mark 70 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, SDC is waiving the £85 fee for temporary road closures for any events during 2-5 June holiday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Applications must be made at least six weeks before hand. See stroud.gov.uk/the-queens-platinum-jubilee