Council house tenants in Barnsley will see an increase in their rent from April following a decision by Cabinet members today (Wednesday 18 January) and the level of the increase is a direct result of the Government’s rent restructuring policy.

The decision was part of recommendations made in the Housing Revenue Account Draft Budget 2012/13 report which explains how the council has to follow the Government’s policy which will determine the rent levels for future years.  The average rent increase for Barnsley Council tenants in 2012/13 will be £5.77.

The report also set out proposals on how some of the housing budget will be allocated to provide support for tenants who may be struggling to manage their household finances in the current difficult economic climate.

The level of the rent settlement underpins the viability of the 30 Year Self Financing Business Plan which will ensure that frontline services are safeguarded and

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From Thursday 26 January, Doncaster Council will be offering a new service for residents registering a death, which will simplify the process of notifying relevant council and government departments.

The Tell Us Once service, being delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, will enable a registrar to work through a much easier notification process with recently bereaved residents at the same time as registering a death.

Residents will be told what information they need to bring with them to access this service when they book their appointment with the Registrar and the whole process, including registration of the death, will take around 40 minutes.

Councillor Mark Thompson, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services says: "When a death happens in a family, we understand that the last thing anybody wants to be doing is dealing with administration.

"Tell Us Once turns what has been a traditionally cumbersome process into a

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