The 2024 stewardship charge invoice has recently been sent to residents; this charge has been frozen since 2019. The published accounts for 2022 (below) show that the stewardship charge doesn’t cover all the costs for us to run Lightmoor Village and we subsidence the rest (£175,000).

Budgets are approved by the resident-led Lightmoor Village Estate Management Committee and recently discussions took place in regard to the costs of managing the village and that the charge has been frozen for five years. They therefore decided to increase the 2024 charge by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 6.7%. The CPI in September 2023 is used because it is also the rate used as the basis for increases to many tax allowances, benefits, and the state pension.

This means, in 2024 the standard rate will be £378.75 per household (an increase of £23.78 per year) and the enhanced rate (for those properties with a courtyard or shared road in BVT ownership) will be £452.41 per household (an increase of £28.41 per year).

For those that pay by Direct Debit the charge will be around £31.56 per month (compared to around £29.59 this year) for the standard rate, and £37.70 per month (compared to £35.40 this year) for the enhanced rate.

We’re happy to talk to you about the charge, please pop in and see us at the Oak Tree Community Centre, call us on 01952 898524 or email [email protected].

As well as our day-to-day services which include litter picking, estate checks, alteration advice, managing the Oak Tree Community Centre, walk and talks, general repairs, we have also completed a number of projects this year, which include:

• The introduction of a new convenience store in the village.
• Reviewing and consulting with you on the Design Guide for the Village to ensure it is fit for the future and reflects your views. This work is now complete and the new Design Guide will be launched for use from the 1st January 2024.
• Reviewing and consulting with you on considerate parking. We know this is important to you and we will continue to work alongside residents to find solutions.
• Our Estate Caretakers working to maintain and improve the courtyards and shared spaces in our ownership. We created a rota so you can see when the Estate Caretakers will be in your area. https://bvtlightmoorvillage.org.uk/your-home/estate-caretaker-rota-2023
• Providing a series of community events and activities such as the Easter Trail, Platinum Jubilee celebration, Summer of Fun activities, Celebrating Lightmoor Village, and a Christmas celebration.
• Setting up the Lightmoor Village Delivery Group which has listened to your top priorities and provides funding opportunities for community groups and activities. One of the priorities was setting up youth provision in the Village by working in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council and Shropshire Youth Association (SYA).
• Other projects have been the planters at the entrances to the Village, working with our local councillors to provide Friday night sports activities and funding the Green Gang and toddler group.
• Working with residents to create the new Lightmoor Village website to provide you with more information. This was launched in January.

In 2024, there will be even more exciting projects and events taking place in Lightmoor Village with opportunities for you to take part in. These include becoming part of one of our ‘Get Involved’ groups by;

• volunteering to be part of the established sounding group and reviewing our welcome packs and look at how we welcome new residents to the Village.
• becoming a volunteer youth worker with SYA.
• taking part in the Green Gang, looking at green projects across the Village.
• Joining the Community Crew group, organising and planning events and activities for 2024, including a diversity celebration, scarecrow festival and Christmas celebrations.

The 2024 stewardship charge can be paid in different ways. The easiest way to pay the charge is by direct debit. The first direct debit payment will be taken in January 2024, with a further 11 payments taken monthly thereafter. We offer any day direct debit, which allows you to decide the day of the month you would like payment taken. To set up a direct debit, or to discuss/make a payment, please call our Customer Service Team on 0300 333 6540. You can also make a payment on our website at www.bvt.org.uk/your-bvt/pay-online-now/

If you are currently paying your charge by direct debit then no further action is required, and you will shortly receive a separate notification regarding your 2024 payment schedule from AllPay.

If you wish to pay in full, payment is due by 31st January 2024.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and have concerns about paying the stewardship charge, please contact us and we will work with you to find a suitable solution.