Door to door welfare checks
The teams from Catterick Garrison have arrived to support and supplement the council teams going door to door.
I was with them this weekend and thanked them for their work. They are planning to knock on the door of everyone without power ensuring everyone is ok, has all the supplies they need, and also ensure they have all the information on how to seek reimbursement and for more community support if needed.
If you are worried about friends and family, please ask them to get in touch either with Northumberland County Council or with my team. We can arrange a welfare check. If you are not sure if your neighbour needs help, please go and check on them if you can.
You can contact NCC via:
Contact Centre (for general queries): 0345 6006400
Northumberland Communities Together (for anyone struggling with food supplies or other essentials) Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm: 01670 620015
One Call (for concerns about vulnerable residents or safeguarding issues): 01670 536400
Ofgem
The energy regulator Ofgem has agreed to our requests to remove the current cap on compensation for those still without power. This means that the customers most affected could receive up to £140 a day for each day they’re off power until power is restored.
The regulator has also announced a review into Storm Arwen. The review will focus on the role of the network companies in maintaining the resilience of the system and their emergency response, including communication with customers. As part of this review, Ofgem will establish the facts and, if necessary, will pursue further enforcement action.
This will be vital in ensuring lessons are learned for future catastrophic weather events.
Current situation
There are around 3,000 households still without power – that is across the entire network, not just Northumberland. However, those households represent over 700 separate repairs, which is why it is taking so long, even with over 4,000 engineers in place drafted in from across the UK.
A huge thank you to them all, they are working in very tough conditions to get everyone connected again. I am getting lots of messages from people who have encountered them saying how friendly they are.
Alternative accommodation and food
If you are not able to stay with a family member or friend PLEASE take advantage of the reimbursement offer form Northern Powergid as below:
If any customer is without power and is unable to make alternative arrangements to stay with family or a friend, Northern Powergrid will reimburse all reasonable costs for alternative accommodation:
- Customers who can coordinate this themselves are encouraged to do so, being asked to keep receipts and to send details of costs incurred to Northern Powergrid’s dedicated email address [email protected]
- Anyone who may need support in arranging alternative accommodation should call the 105 power cut number
Customers can also continue to access Northern Powergrid’s welfare facilities for free hot food and drinks, as well as claim the cost of takeaways or meals from local establishments, up to £15 per person per meal. Other reasonable costs incurred by customers impacted by Storm Arwen will also be considered and customers are asked to retain their receipts in order to obtain reimbursement.
Scottish Power
Scottish Power tell me ALL their customers are now reconnected.
If you are a Scottish Power customer, and you have not been reconnected, please call them on 105 or 0800 092 9290.