Can you help by watering young trees

Newly planted trees need to be watered regularly over the summer months if they are going to become established and thrive. Our Parks & Greenspaces Team are busy out watering young street trees that were planted during the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, as part of the Council’s weekly tree watering schedule. However, during this spell of hot and dry weather, the trees need supplementary watering. Do you have a young tree outside your house, or perhaps you pass one on your walk to work or school? Then you can help! As a general rule, young trees should receive at least 50 litres of water per week during May, June, July, and August… but every little helps! Watering should ideally be carried out in the early morning or evening. A sustainable water source should be used where possible. Harvested rainwater is ideal, but bath water or water which has been used for washing up is also suitable. The TiCL National Tree Watering Scheme Could you become a local Tree Watering Champion? The National Tree Watering Scheme helps identify local trees that need extra water for individuals to ‘Befriend’ and give the tree regular water during the hottest parts of the year. Find out more at: https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Watering-young-trees-in-dry-weather PLEASE WATER YOUNG TREES REGULARLY DURING DRY PERODS WITH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN – EVERY LITTLE HELPS

Can't afford your water Meter Bill read on

The WaterSure scheme is available for certain customers with a water meter. It allows them to have their bills capped. This is to make sure that these customers don’t cut back on how much water they use because they are worried about how they will pay their bill.
To qualify for help under the WaterSure scheme, you or someone living with you, needs be entitled to receive one of the following:

• council tax benefit
• housing benefit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)
• Pension Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

In addition, you need to either:

• be responsible for three or more children under the age of 19 and in full-time education living in the property, or
• have (or someone living in the property must have) a medical condition which requires significant additional use of water. Examples of medical conditions include weeping skin diseases (such as psoriasis), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

If you qualify for WaterSure, you will pay no more than the average household bill for your company (XLS), even if you use more than the average amount of water.
You will not qualify for WaterSure if you use a garden sprinkler system or have a swimming pool.
If you think you are eligible for WaterSure, you will need to apply through your water company.
More information on benefits, including those listed above is available from Directgov.

Thanks to Lib Dem Councillor Steve Beasant for this information.