Welcome Booklet 190106

Information Booklet Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership is committed to working together to ensure that Wrexham County Borough is a peaceful and harmonious town where people feel safe and can live healthy and fulfilling lives; where strong and positive relationships exist between people in different communities, at home, at school and in the work place. If you would like to know more about this work please go to <a href="/goto?url=http://[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>We hope that it will be useful and answer some of your questions about living and working here in Wrexham. Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership is made up from the following organisations: • Wrexham County Borough Council • North Wales Institute of Higher Education [NEWI] • Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham [AVOW] • Wrexham Local Health Board • North Wales Police • Yale College of Wrexham • North East Wales NHS Trust • Chamber of Commerce – Chester, Ellesmere Port and North Wales The Community Strategy Partnership would like to thank all the voluntary and statutory organisations that assisted in the development of this booklet – it is much appreciated. Section 1 provides general information about organisations that can help you by providing free information and advice. The remaining sections of the booklet have been divided into subject areas for easy reference. If you would like to comment on the booklet or obtain additional copies please write to: One Wrexham Wrexham County Borough Council The Guildhall Wrexham LL11 1AY Or telephone: <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">1</li></ul>Tel: 01978 292000 Minicom: 01978 292067 Or email: Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>The Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership cannot accept responsibility for the omissions of any of the organisations, third parties or websites in this publication. Inclusion of an organisation, third party or website does not signify endorsement by the Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership. Whilst the Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this booklet we acknowledge that details may change. The Wrexham Community Strategy Partnership cannot be held responsible for errors within this Information booklet. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">2</li></ul>CONTENTS Section Section 1 Page Contents General information: The UK, Wales and Wrexham Wrexham County Borough Map of Wrexham town centre <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 2 </li><li style="flex:1">Advice and information: </li></ul>• Types of Advice and Information Centres and where to find them • Translation and Interpretation • Emergency help – read now – before you need it • Documentation <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 3 </li><li style="flex:1">Accommodation: </li></ul>Basic responsibilities of living in the UK: • Electricity • Gas • Water • Council tax • Television • Telephone • Non payment of bills • Parking • Household waste collections • Recycling • Bulky waste collections • Dogs • Insurance • Noise + Nuisance Finding somewhere to live: Buying your own home Renting from a private landlord Renting from the Council Homelessness Renting from a Registered Social Landlord (Housing Association) Problems with accommodation in the Private <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">3</li></ul>Rented sector and what the Council can do to help • Overcrowding and Houses of Multiple Occupation [HMOs] • Harassment Paying your rent – Housing Benefit Legal advice about housing <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 4 </li><li style="flex:1">Employment: </li></ul>Workers Registration Scheme National Insurance [NI] Numbers Finding work Employment law Minimum wage Deductions from wages Criminal Records Bureau [CRB] checks Help and advice if you cannot find work Starting your own business Section 5 Section 6 Education: Child education Problems at school Education for 16+ Young People Adult Education and Training, including languages, literacy and numeracy Converting professional qualifications Health Care: Paying for health care Doctors Pharmacy services Dentists Opticians Child health Registering for health care Medical Advice and Information Waiting for an appointment or treatment Sexual Health Smoking Child Home Accidents Alcohol Misuse Healthy Eating Physical activity Registration of Births and Deaths <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 7 </li><li style="flex:1">Social Care: </li></ul>Adult Social Services <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">4</li></ul>Children and Young People Services Childminders Children’s Information Bureau [CIB] Youth Information Shop Parentline Plus <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 8 </li><li style="flex:1">Emergency services and Safety: </li></ul>Phoning 999 The Police • Hate crime • Organisations that can help if you are a victim of racially motivated prejudice, discrimination, abuse or crime • The Crown Prosecution Service The Fire Service Ambulance Services • Emergency medical assistance • Medical assistance that doesn’t require an ambulance Neighbourhood Warden Scheme Wrexham Neighbourhood Watch Personal and Home Safety Domestic Abuse • General information • Ethnic minority women and Refuges <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 9 </li><li style="flex:1">Driving and Transport: </li></ul>Driving: • Legal documents for driving • The Highway Code • General information about driving in the UK • Mobile phones • Seat belts • Drinking and driving • Drugs and Medicines Transport in Wrexham: • Buses • Coaches • Trains • Taxis <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 10 </li><li style="flex:1">Leisure and recreational services: </li></ul>Sources of information Examples of some local facilities Sports Library services Cinemas Places of historical interest <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">5</li></ul>Section 11 Section 12 Legal advice: Where to get legal advice Shopping in Wrexham • Outdoor markets • Indoor markets • Supermarkets • Specialist food shops <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section 13 </li><li style="flex:1">Places of Worship </li></ul>• Christian • Islam • Buddhism • Hinduism • Judaism • Sikhism Section 14 Section 15 Miscellaneous: Volunteering Lost documents Opening a Bank or Building Society Account Debt and credit Immigration UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate Embassy and consulate services: • Lost documents including passports • Travel <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">6</li></ul>Section 1 General information Information on the UK and Wales The United Kingdom (UK) is also known as The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is a European country with a population of about 60 million people. The common language spoken is English. Politically the UK has a democratic system with the parliament situated in London, the capital. Wales and Scotland have some political autonomy; in Wales this is in the form of the Welsh Assembly which is situated in the capital of Wales, Cardiff. Welsh is the language of Wales although English is spoken by most people. In Wales the official literature, road signs, announcements at train/bus stations etc will be in both English and Welsh. The UK is divided up into geographical areas known as counties or boroughs. These counties/boroughs are run by local government authorities called Councils. Wrexham County Borough is one of the boroughs and is located in Wales, which is one of the countries of the United Kingdom (UK). Insert small map of UK, Wales and Wrexham Information about Wrexham Wrexham town has a population of 43,000 and is the largest town in North Wales and the fourth largest in Wales. The total population of Wrexham County Borough is 129,300. Wrexham enjoys a very privileged location as it is approximately one hour’s drive from Manchester, 45 minutes drive from Liverpool and 20 minutes drive from the City of Chester. Excellent road and rail links connect the County Borough to the rest of the U.K. Wrexham is set in the Welsh hills and has a number of historical sites . It is now a modern industrial centre with an Industrial estate and a Technology Park with both national and international companies providing services and employment. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">7</li><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">8</li></ul>Section 2 Advice and information Types of Advice and Information Centres and Where to Find Them There are a number of places to get free advice and information. You can choose from a wide range of government or independent agencies. Some of the main Government Advice and Information Centres that you may need to contact: Local Authority: Wrexham County Borough Council (the Council) has information about a wide range of Council services. You can find out about these by calling in at any Council office or visiting the website. <a href="/goto?url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.wrexham.gov.uk </a>Main Council building: Wrexham County Borough Council The Guildhall Wrexham LL11 1AY Tel: 01978 292000 Minicom: 01978 292067 Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>Social Services Department 3 -5 Grosvenor Road Wrexham Welfare Rights Wrexham County Borough Council LL11 1DB Tel: (01978) 267000 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://www.wrexham.gov.uk </a>Gladman Buildings Unit 5, Edison Court Ellice Way, Wrexham Tel: (01978) 298254 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://www.wrexham.gov.uk </a>Local Education Authority Admissions Office Ty Henblas Queens Square Wrexham LL13 8AZ Tel. (01978) 297505 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">9</li></ul>Wrexham Tourist Information Centre Lambpit Street Wrexham LL11 1AY Tel: 01978 292015 Fax: 01978 292467 Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>Housing Department, Housing Services Department Ruthin Road Wrexham LL13 7TU Telephone: 01978 315300 E-mail: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>Other Government advice centres: Job Centre Plus 15-17 Grosvenor Wrexham Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) 15-17 Grosvenor Road <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Wrexham </li><li style="flex:1">LL11 1BW </li></ul>Tel (01978) 316500 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk </a>Tel: (01978) 316500 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.dwp.gov.uk" target="_blank">http://www.dwp.gov.uk </a>Wrexham Local Health Board Wrexham Technology Wrexham LL13 7YP Tel: (01978) 346500 www.wrexhamlhb.wales.nhs.uk/ Independent Advice and Information Organisation that you may need to contact: Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) 35 Grosvenor Road Wrexham, LL11 1BT Tel: (01978) 358526 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk</a>/ <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">10 </li></ul>The CAB is an independent organisation which means it will always act in the interests of its clients without influence from outside bodies. The CAB is impartial. This means that it does not judge its clients or make assumptions about them. The service provided by CAB is confidential and they do not pass on anything a client tells them, or even the fact that a client has visited them without the clients permission. All information provided by the CAB is free and is provided by highly trained volunteers. It is the largest advice-giving network in the UK. The CAB provides information, advice and assistance on a very large number of issues including benefits, housing, debt, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other issues. They can provide application forms for a wide range of benefits, assist in completing application forms and provide benefit calculations. Advisers don’t tell clients what to do, but explain their options and the possible outcomes of different courses of action. Shelter Cymru 23 Abbot Street Wrexham, LL11 1TA Tel: (01978) 291422 <a href="/goto?url=http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk" target="_blank">www.</a><a href="/goto?url=http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk" target="_blank">shelter</a><a href="/goto?url=http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk" target="_blank">cymru.org.uk </a>Shelter Cymru is a housing advice organisation for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Shelter Cymru can give help and advice on housing problems e.g. landlord problems, rent arrears, housing benefit, repairs. They will also negotiate on your behalf with government and nongovernment organisations to assist you to access emergency accommodation. Shelter also provides a helpline, ‘Shelterline’, between the hours of 8am to 12 pm. Tel: 0808 800 4444. Shelter Cymru also run a project named, Triangle. Triangle provides housing advice and support specifically for young people under 25 years age who are bisexual, homosexual or lesbian and who have experienced difficulties because of their sexuality. Triangle can be contacted at the above address for Shelter Cymru or you can telephone 0808 801 0306 for further information and advice. Post Office There are Post Offices across Wrexham County Borough. They provide a wide range of services and information. For further details call in at a Post Office or visit <a href="/goto?url=http:www.postoffice.co.uk" target="_blank">www.postoffice.co.uk </a>Some services are only available from main Post Offices. The main Post Office for Wrexham is in the town centre. Directory enquiries <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">11 </li></ul>There are a number of commercial directory services in the UK. They provide contact details for businesses and individuals who wish to be included in the directory. <a href="/goto?url=http:www.BT.com" target="_blank">www.BT.com </a>or telephone 118 500 <a href="/goto?url=http:www.Yell.co.uk" target="_blank">www.Yell.co.uk </a>or telephone 118 24 7 <a href="/goto?url=http:www.yellowpages.com" target="_blank">www.yellowpages.com </a>or ask to look at a copy of the Yellow Pages book in your local library Further information regarding the above organisations will be given in the appropriate sections throughout this Information Pack. The above list of advice/information organisations is by no means exhaustive. Translation and Interpretation All government agencies have a legal duty to provide information for people in a format that they can understand, including Wrexham County Borough Council, Wrexham Local Health Board, North Wales NHS Trust, North Wales Police. This includes providing information for you in your own language and providing interpreter help when you need to speak to us. If you need translation or interpreter assistance you should say ‘Hello, my name is (your name). My language is (your language). Please may I have an interpreter? ‘Hello, my name is (your name). My language is (your language). Please may I have an interpreter? Emergencies: Be prepared - read through the information in Section 8 so that you know what to do in an emergency Documentation: • Photocopy your important documents. Keep the originals in a safe place • Health records – please arrange to have your, and your family’s health records with you. This will make sure that you get the right health care. • Children’s school records – please arrange for these to be available to your child’s new school. This will make sure that they get all the help and support that they need. • Lost documents – see Section 15 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">12 </li></ul>Section 3 Accommodation Basic responsibilities of living in the UK: All UK citizens are responsible for paying their household electricity, gas, water rates and council tax bills. Collectively these are often referred to as ‘Utility Bills’ In addition if you have a television [TV] you must have a TV license. Electricity There are many different electricity suppliers in the UK. It is important that when you first move into a property that you contact your electricity supplier to end the supply to the last resident and arrange an electricity supply in your name. To check which company supplies electricity to your property telephone 0845 2709101 or ask your landlord for details. Gas To check which company supplies gas to your property telephone 0870 6081524 or ask your landlord for details. Gas and electricity bills are sent out automatically every 3 months; however you may choose to pay monthly or obtain gas & electricity coupons from the Post Office. Water The Water Board issues water bills automatically to your address once a year, usually in March. Most households pay a set amount, however, if you live alone or your household only uses a moderate amount of water it may be financially beneficial for you to ask the Water Board to install a meter in your property – to ensure you only pay for what you use. If you are in rented accommodation, either with a private landlord, Housing Association or Wrexham County Borough Council you will need their permission to have a water meter installed. There are a number of options available to you to assist you to pay your water bill such as paying a fixed amount each month. For further details telephone 0800 052 0145 Council Tax Council tax is collected to pay for local amenities such as local police and refuse collection. It is best understood as a cross between a land tax and a personal tax. The council tax is levied on domestic dwellings but the number of people and the type of people who are living in a dwelling may have a crucial effect on the amount of tax to be paid and the question of who pays it. If you live alone you can obtain a 25% discount o your Council tax but you have to apply to the WCBC for this. If you are on a low wage or claiming certain benefits you may be entitled to Council Tax Benefit; this would either <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">13 </li></ul>pay your Council Tax for you, or pay part of it. If you are in doubt about whether you qualify for Council Tax Benefit contact an independent advice agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau [see Section 2]. Television [TV] It is illegal to have a TV without having a TV license. The penalty for not having a license can be extremely high [£1000 fine]. TV licenses last for one year. To obtain a TV license you can get an application form from the Post Office. You can choose to pay your TV license in a single payment or make monthly payments. For further information ask at the Post Office. Telephone There are a number of different commercial companies that provide telephone land lines. See Directory Enquiries for more information. Non payment of bills If when you receive a bill you know you do not have the money to pay it, it is advisable to seek advice immediately either from your supplier or from an independent advice agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau [see Section 2]. Parking If you are not sure where it is acceptable to park in your street ask your Neighbourhood Warden [see section 8], ask the Police or ask your neighbours. Household Waste Collections The Council provides a large plastic ‘wheelie’ bin for you to put your household rubbish in. The bins are emptied on a weekly or fortnightly basis depending on whether your street is part of the Council’s recycling scheme. To find out when your collection day is ask your Neighbourhood Warden, ask your neighbours or contact the Council Environmental Services Department on 01978 292044. The Council asks you to … • reduce or recycle as much of your household waste as possible. • not to put out extra waste when your bin is full as it will not be collected (except during Christmas and New Year). • ensure that your bin lid is closed. • put your bin out at the edge of your property/collection point by 7.30am on collection day. • bring your bin in after it has been emptied. If it is stolen you will have to pay for a new one. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Final draft 180806 </li><li style="flex:1">14 </li></ul>Recycling If you move into an area that is part of the Recycle with Michael kerbside collection scheme your property should already have: • A wheeled bin for general refuse • A green box for plastic bottles, cans, tins, aerosol, glass bottles and jars • A green sack for newspapers, magazines, junk mail, catalogues, brochures and office paper • A green wheeled bin for your garden waste such as grass cuttings, hedge prunings, and dead flowers An information pack telling you more about the service • A collection calendar detailing the alternative weekly collections

Welcome Booklet 190106

Details

Download

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

Support