Tell council if you want a home or place to work on Exmoor

WEST Somerset Council is appealing for people in central Exmoor, which includes Simonsbath and Exford, to let it know if they need affordable homes or business premises.
People are being invited to attend an informal drop-in information afternoon at the Exmoor Forest Hotel, Simonsbath, from 3pm to 7pm on March 13, where they can discuss the options with council officers and Rural Housing Project representatives.
The council’s ideas for the homes and workspace will also be on show, and it will be followed by a presentation by officers and a question-and-answer session from 7 pm to 9 pm.
It wants to hear from people living in and around Simonsbath, or those who have a long-standing connection with the area, who are in need of affordable housing or business premises.
The council’s housing, health and welfare portfolio holder, Councillor Mary Crowley (pictured), said: “House prices on Exmoor are over 14 times the annual average earnings in the district and we would like to help.
“We have some land in the parish which could be used to build affordable homes or ‘live/work’ premises which combine housing with small workshops for people who run businesses from home.”
Councillor Crowley said the council would also consider building small workshop units for new or existing businesses within the parish if there proved to be a demand.
She said: “So far, not many people have come forward and we are appealing for them to do so now.
“The council is currently building affordable homes and workspace in the district’s larger towns and villages, but we are equally prepared to explore these options in our smaller villages and hamlets if local people have a need for them.”
People wishing to register their interest or apply for more information on affordable housing and workspace opportunities on Exmoor should contact rural housing enabler Colin Savage on 01398 322249 or email cbsavage@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
To register an interest in business premises, they should contact Nigel Furze on 01984 635276 or email nfurze@westsomerset.gov.uk.

More help to find a way of owning your own home

MORE help has been made available by West Somerset Council for people looking for affordable homes to buy in the district.
The council has joined the Government-led Westcountry agency Home2own to provide more options for local people.
The agency provides affordable housing information for residents across Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall on everything to do with low-cost home ownership.
Councillor Mary Crowley, who holds the portfolio for housing, health and welfare, said: “Home2own is designed to help first-time buyers and people without enough money to buy a suitable home on the open market.
“It is a great opportunity for young people, key workers such as nurses and teachers, and local people on low incomes get on the property ladder.
“The scheme is a one-stop solution because it unites a variety of buying options and people who may not qualify for one scheme, may well find another to suit their needs.
“We are delighted the council has raised the income threshold so that households with an income of less than £35,000 per annum can apply for affordable housing if they are able to secure mortgages and also meet the local connection criteria.”
Anybody who believes they may qualify for affordable housing in West Somerset can contact Home2own’s experienced advisers, who can explain the options available.
More information is available on the website www.home2own.org.uk or by telephoning 01803 217600.

• Our photograph shows an affordable housing development at Gillams Close, Watchet. Photo submitted.

Residents benefiting from council's low cost loans scheme

LOW cost loans are on offer to West Somerset homeowners who are on a low income, thanks to a scheme run by the district council and Wessex Home Improvement Loans.
Homeowners who qualify can borrow up to £15,000 for essential repairs or home improvements at a fixed repayment rate of three per cent.
One resident who has taken advantage of the scheme is Stephanie Witherick, of Wootton Courtenay, who borrowed £5,000 to fit a downstairs shower room.
Mrs Witherick said: “I was really struggling to use the bath upstairs. It was getting beyond me and to the point where it was quite terrifying.
“High street lenders were not interested and I was also worried about rises in interest rates.
“West Somerset Council’s home improvement adviser said I was eligible for a loan, and Wessex Home Improvement Loans sorted out the financial side for me.
“It is an excellent service because the council monitored the contractor’s work every step of the way and made sure everything was done properly.”
Eligible work includes leaking roofs, rotten or draughty windows, central heating installation, and damp treatment.
However, the low cost loans are not available for non-essential improvements.
There is no charge for setting up the loan, although some homeowners may incur a small charge for taking security on their property and legal expenses.
Mrs Witherick said: “It has taken the worry out of having contractors in, and it is good that the interest rate will never go up.
“I was delighted that the shower was fitted in time for my daughter’s wedding and it has really improved our lives.”
The council’s housing, health, and welfare portfolio holder, Councillor Mary Crowley, said: “This is a fantastic scheme for people who cannot afford to get the work done or cannot afford high street borrowing rates.
“Borrowers can rest assured that there are no hidden charges and that the rate will remain fixed for the duration of the whole loan.
“We would encourage more people on low incomes to come forward to see if they are eligible.”
Three loan funds are available for borrowers, including a capital repayment scheme, an interest-only scheme, and an interest roll-up scheme.
Specialist advisers will help borrowers select the scheme that is most suited to their circumstances.
Wessex Home Improvement Loans adviser Melanie Allen said: “It has been a real privilege working with West Somerset Council and the clients here, especially when you see the difference the loan scheme makes to people like Mrs Witherick.
“We offer support and guidance throughout the process to ensure people get the right products.
“We value our partnership with West Somerset Council, which subsidises the scheme so that we can offer local people such low interest rates.
“There’s nothing like it on the high street and we are proud to be able to offer such a unique scheme which is entirely focussed on the needs of the client.”
West Somerset residents interested in the low cost loan scheme should contact Julie Payne on 01643 703704.

• Our photograph shows Stephanie Witherick (left) in her new bathroom with loans adviser Melanie Allen. Photo submitted.

Active living in Alcombe

THE second of West Somerset’s Active Living Centres has been opened in Alcombe Methodist Church Hall by the Mayor of Minehead, Councillor Ann Foxhuntley. Another centre – the first in the whole of the county – has been running in Washford for the past few weeks. The programme locally has been led by Somerset County Council and West Somerset Council and developed through Age Concern Somerset. In Alcombe, the opening session featured a healthy cooking demonstration and free lunch for the area’s over-50s, marking the start of a journey towards developing a greater range of opportunities for active living in West Somerset. There was also an opportunity to experience a holistic massage taster session and a Tai Chi demonstration. Information about Somerset Active Living was available and attendees were able to suggest other activities they would like to see provided in the future. Fifty Active Living Centres will be established across Somerset by 2008, operating locally from suitable venues on a drop-in basis. Local communities will lead the development of the centres, with the support of Partnerships for Older People (POPP), which also includes Somerset Primary Care Trust, support services, and a range of voluntary and community organisations. The Active Living Centres aim to regularly provide activities, advice, learning opportunities, and events which will promote active living and improve well-being of members of the community aged 50 and older. Minehead’s county Councillor Ian Galloway said: “I am very supportive of this project, which will offer Alcombe’s older people a chance to really enjoy themselves and maintain an active level of fitness and relaxation.” West Somerset Council’s portfolio holder for housing, health and welfare, Councillor Mary Crowley, said: “We welcome these new centres because as well as giving older local people support and advice on health and welfare matters, they also provide an excellent social environment for local people to meet and discuss issues that affect them.” Volunteers from the local community are needed to help make the centres successful by supporting activities and events. Anybody who wants to help or would like to see a similar initiative in their community or who wants more information should contact Alison Tanton, POPP officer for West Somerset, at Age Concern, on 01398 323826 or at alison.tanton@ageconcernsomerset.org.uk.