Winter is such a special time for so many, with Christmas and New Year to look forward to.

Unfortunately some of our residents find it much harder to cope at this time of year. The dark nights and cold winter evenings bring their own challenges, especially for our older residents who, following the Government’s decision to cut the ‘Winter Fuel Payment’, will be feeling the pinch this year.

We have tried to capture a range of information and advice for those residents who may be struggling over winter. This includes details on Pension Credit, how to keep warm, where to go if you need that extra bit of help as well as tips on how we can help where we can by checking in on elderly or unwell neighbours, family and friends. Please take the time to read the information and pass it on to anyone you feel may benefit from it. I was able to announce news of our ‘Bexley Boxes’ scheme for 2024 for our most vulnerable and housebound residents. Keep an eye out for more news on that this month.

The magazine also includes the usual round up of news from across the borough, including details on how partnership work has helped us to make improvements to our parks and tennis courts and how we have installed new bins and battle fly-tippers in our continued effort to keep our borough clean and green. All this along with a great list of events going on over the next few months.

I wish all our readers a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

Teresa

Councillor Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the Council