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Electoral register work to start soon
We will soon start our annual household canvass.
We are legally required to do this each year, to check and update the electoral register.
We start contacting households in July, either by email or a letter in the post.
You may receive an email from this address 'This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'
Please respond online if you can. If you do not respond we may have to contact you in an alternative way.
For more information about the annual canvass visit https://www.newforest.gov.uk/householdcanvass23
Garden waste – new service from 2024
We offer a household collection of garden waste. There is an annual charge for this service.
From April 2024, the garden waste fortnightly collection service will use wheeled bins, instead of the sacks we currently use.
You will be able to join the new wheeled bin garden waste service from autumn this year.
We will deliver the bins to households, who join the garden waste service, between January and March 2024.
If you sign up to the new service in the autumn this year, you will save £25, and we can guarantee you will receive your bin and your service can start on time.
To be the first to hear when the £25 saving offer goes live add your email address to our online form https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste#h24
Current customers please note: If you pay for this service now, including with a Direct Debit, you will not automatically be transferred to this new garden waste service. Look out for a letter we will send you in September, and to receive an email when the new service goes live, add your email address at https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste#h24
For information about the current garden waste service, please see our website https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste
Household rubbish guidance
Animals and birds may be attracted to the food waste in your black sack. This can cause litter and harm to wildlife.
You can help by putting your rubbish out as close to your collection time as possible, and no earlier than 6pm the day before your collection.
You can put your black sacks in a standard dustbin at the boundary of your property. We’ll take out the sacks and replace the lids. If you’re in an area accessible to commoners’ livestock, please keep your sacks inside your gate.
Please don’t spray your bags with bleach or cleaning fluid, as this can be harmful both to wildlife and our crews.
Find out more on our website: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/rubbish
Remember to take care with sharp objects. If you have no other way to dispose of a sharp item than to put it in your black sack, please separate it from other waste and securely wrap or package it. This reduces the risk of injury to our teams.
Cost of living advice and information
Reduced fee broadband and phone packages
If you claim Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be eligible for cheaper broadband and phone packages.
Some providers call these ‘basic’ or ‘essential’ packages, and they’re delivered in the same way as other packages but at a lower price. Prices range from £10 to £20 a month, and it could be free for you to switch.
Find out more on the Ofcom website at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs
Water bill support
If you are on a low income or claim Pension Credit, you could receive a discount of at least 45% on your water bill.
To find out more, call Southern Water on 0800 027 0800 or visit their website at https://www.southernwater.co.uk/account/what-if-i-can-t-pay-my-bill
New rules in the Forest
We have introduced two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), supported by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest.
The use of BBQs and fires in the Forest and feeding and petting ponies or donkeys are banned, with those failing to comply liable to a fixed penalty fine or prosecution.
The new orders came in on 1 July 2023 and, where necessary, can be enforced by issuing fixed penalty notices of £100. This sum can rise to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.
Teams from Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest will be patrolling and engaging with the public to explain more about the new rules. Their focus is on educating and informing the public to make people aware of the risks and how they can help to protect the New Forest when spending time here.
You can help us care for this special place by following the simple nine steps of the New Forest Code, and sharing it with family and friends who are visiting: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/visiting/help-care-for-the-forest/new-forest-code/
Read more about the PSPOs at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3322/Know-before-you-go-this-summer-new-rules-come-into-force-in-the-New-Forest
Invitation to community energy project support event
Together with Community Energy South, we are supporting community groups to create community owned renewable sources of energy, which will help to reduce carbon emissions in the district.
Join us on Tuesday 18 July at Lyndhurst Community Centre from 6.30pm to 8.30pm to find out how you can get involved.
Book your free ticket at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-forest-community-energy-launch-event-tickets-670662608917
Find out more on the Community Energy South website: https://www.communityenergysouth.org/
Visit us at this year’s New Forest Show 2023
We will be at the New Forest Show on Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 July.
Our theme is “caring for the climate”. We’ll be showcasing our plans for climate action for the coast and across the district.
If you’re visiting the show, come and chat to us to find out more about our plans, and take part in fun, interactive activities which bring to life the ways that we can all understand, adapt to, and prevent environmental damage.
Read about how we’re committed to tackling climate change: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3112/Climate-change
Find out more about the New Forest Show and get tickets on their website: https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/
Please share this communication with your family and friends. They can sign up to receive them in future at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/emails