We advised in our previous post that the Radio Teleswitch System (RTS) used by the BBC is to be switched off in the near future and may affect the functionality of Total Heating Total Control systems.
OVO Energy has now confirmed the RTS will not be switched off until June 2025. They are now looking upgrade the meters to SMART meters, which will work with Total Heating Total Control (THTC) and require no further change at distribution boards.
OVO Energy will contact eligible customers by email or letter to arrange an appointment for a SMART meter installation and provide information on the THTC-smart tariff.
When it comes to bonfires, it’s important to prioritise safety. There are several precautions you can take to make sure it’s a safe and enjoyable experience.
Our advice is to always attend an organised bonfire and firework display. If you do have a bonfire at home, make sure you:
keep your bonfire well away from buildings, vehicles, and trees/hedges
never drink alcohol when tending to a bonfire and don’t let smoke become a public nuisance
only use untreated wood and paper and never include a pressurised container
it should go without saying, but never throw fireworks onto bonfires
never use flammable liquids to light a bonfire
always supervise your bonfire and fully extinguish it once done
Any bonfire failing to satisfy safety conditions, or where people are behaving irresponsibly, may be deemed dangerous and, as such, may be removed, extinguished or otherwise made safe.
It is an offence, under Section 56 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, for any person to lay or light a fire in a public place so as to endanger any other person or give them reasonable cause for alarm or annoyance or so as to endanger any property.
It is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to possess fireworks.
Throwing fireworks or setting them off in a public place (anywhere other than your own garden) is illegal.
It is illegal for the general public to use fireworks before 6pm or after 11pm. This extends to midnight on 5 November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
It is illegal for adults to buy or supply fireworks to anyone under the age of 18, with the exception of F1 fireworks. Examples of F1 fireworks include party poppers, novelty crackers and certain sparklers. The category of firework is legally required to be displayed on product packaging.
Fly-tipping is a common cause of deliberate fires during the Bonfire Season.
You can report fly-tipping to arrange for it to be collected.
Deliberate fire-setting can be reported to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
All calls are anonymous and you’ll not be asked to provide evidence in court.
Montrose Community Housing Team is currently experiencing staff shortages, which include staff sickness, vacant posts and annual leave.
The team will try to respond to customers as quickly as possible and ask that any contact is made using ACCESSLine so that your enquiry can be directed accordingly.
They will deal with all non-emergency enquiries in date order, you do not need to call back.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you please bear with us as these shortages are outwith our control.
The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 came into force in October 2022 and introduced extra protections for tenants. The Act temporarily:
restricts landlords from increasing the amount of rent they can charge private and social tenants, as well as for student accommodation
places certain restrictions on enforcement of evictions from residential tenancies
balances these restrictions with safeguards for those landlords who may be facing particular cost pressures or financial hardship
The Scottish Parliament has approved some important changes to the Act. From 1 April 2023:
the rent cap for certain private rented sector tenancies has increased from 0% to 3%
the restrictions on the enforcement of eviction orders remain in place
landlords who may be facing particular cost pressures or financial hardship can apply for approval to increase the rent from 3% to 6%
You can view more information on these changes here and here.
We have been advised by SSE/OVO that the Radio Teleswitch System (RTS) used by the BBC will be switched off in the near future. This RTS service is currently used by some electricity meters for functions such as switching between peak and off-peak times for heating and hot water. For anyone on the Total Heating Total Control tariff, this will end when the radio teleswitch system is switched off.
We have also been advised that SSE/OVO will contact everyone currently on this tariff to discuss replacing the meter and possibly changing the tariff. Unfortunately, this will also need a change to distribution boards so the heating system still works efficiently. This will need to be carried out by one of our electricians at the same time as the meter is changed. If this is not done, your heating and water may not work on the cheaper tariff.
Therefore, when you are contacted by SSE/OVO with a date to arrange for the meter to be exchanged, you must contactus so we can arrange for an Electrician to carry out the works to your distribution board.
Everyone’s welcome at these free events. Come along to find out about the support available with:
bills
housing issues
Council Tax
money matters
mental health
food and nutrition
Free tea and coffee, soup and cookery demonstration.
Montrose
10:30am to 1:30pm on Tuesday 17 January at Old and St Andrew’s Church, 121 High St, Montrose DD10 8QW.
Newtyle
10:30am to 1:30pm on Wednesday 1 February at Newtyle Legion Hall, 33 Belmont Street, Newtyle, PH12 8UB.
Kirriemuir
11:30am to 2:30pm on Tuesday 7 February at Glens and Kirriemuir United Parish Church Hall, Bank Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BG
Visit the council’s cost of living webpage where you can find out about the support available from the council, our partners, local and national organisations.
We are aware of a major problem with the Angus Homefinder Choice Based Lettings system. If you are trying to log in to bid on properties, you will get the message – “Not a valid user.” Please be patient, our contractor is aware of the issue and is working on it urgently. We will provide updates as soon as we have them.
Make the Call is an appeal to carers, family and friends of people at risk of serious injury or even death because of an accidental fire in their home.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is now appealing to communities across Scotland to help save a life and consider home fire safety when checking in on vulnerable neighbours, patients, friends and family and to put them in touch with SFRS wherever possible using the free Home Fire Safety Visit phoneline.
Contact SFRS:
0800 0731 999 | Text “FIRE” to 80800 from your mobile phone
Angus Council Housing News 