A to Z of Services

BELL (Bexley Emergency Link Line)

The Council's community alarm service, the Bexley Emergency Link Line (BELL) caters for the needs of older people and people with disabilities.

Customers are provided with an alarm pendant which when pressed sends a signal to a Control Centre, located at the Civic Offices, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Control Operators are able to summon help for people in a crisis situation. In May 1999, the scheme was extended to meet the needs of shopkeepers who fear crime on their premises.

Benefits

Capita manages services for the issuing of Housing and Council Tax benefits on behalf of the Council.

Enquiries can be made between 8:30am and 6:00pm Monday - Friday and 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday.

Benefits Advice

See 'Welfare Rights Service'

Benefits Advice for Job Seekers

Free access to benefits advice, help with claiming job seekers allowance and access to the New Deal scheme.

Bexley Bulletin

The Bulletin is published weekly on Fridays for Council Members, staff, and library users. Local organisations and the media also receive copies.

Bexley in Bloom

Bexley in Bloom is an annual competition that gives local people the chance to show off their gardening skills. It aims to make the Borough more attractive for residents and visitors, whilst at the same time raising awareness of the environment.

Bexley Industrial Leaders Team

BILT is an informal association of some of the major manufacturers and logistics companies in Bexley.

Bexley Community Legal Service Partnership

Bexley's Community Legal Services Partnership brings together organisations offering advice and legal services into local networks to ensure that people can get help and information about their legal rights and how to enforce them in the right place and at the right time.

Bexley Magazine

A Council publication delivered to all properties in the borough (96,000 properties) four times a year. The Bexley Magazine is available on tape for people with eyesight difficulties, for a copy call 020 8836 7463.

If you have any suggestions for issues to be covered in the Magazine, or any comments, please email the Editor.

Bexley Business Club

A forum for self employed people and small businesses in the Borough

Biodiversity Action Plan

The Biodiversity Action Plan covers 20 species and habitat and includes a section on public involvement.

Births

See 'Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships'

Blind/partially sighted

See 'Sensory Support Service'

Blue Badge Scheme

To access this service contact Inspire Community Trust

Bonfires

If smoke from a bonfire or barbecue is causing a problem, you can refer it to Environmental Health.

Bricks and rubble - disposal

A special collection service operates for small amounts of bricks and rubble that cannot be collected by the normal refuse service. There is a charge depending on the amount.

Bridges

The Council is responsible for maintaining many bridges (including footbridges), subways and retaining walls.

Bridleways

See 'Rights of way'

Building Control

If you intend to change or extend your property, or change its use, you may need consent under building regulations.

The London Plan encourages the design of "Lifetime Homes" that are carefully designed to make the fitting of a lift (or stairlift) relatively simple by any future householder, and include several other features proven to benefit less agile residents and visitors. See the 'Inclusive Design' and 'Lifetime Homes' Links for more information.

Building material licensing

See 'Enviro Crime'

Building over sewers

See 'Flooding'

Bulky waste - removal

A special collection operates for the removal of bulky items that cannot be collected by the normal refuse service e.g. items of furniture. A charge is made based on the amount to be collected.

Burials

See 'Cemeteries and Crematoria'

Bus passes (travel permits)

'Freedom passes' offer free local bus, tube and train travel to London residents aged over 60 outside the morning rush hour. These are issued free to the user from main Post Offices. You will need to take proof of identity, age and address and two passport size photographs.

If you have a disability you may be entitled to a freedom pass following a referral and an assessment, you should contact Inspire Community Trust on 01322 344823 for further details.

Free bus passes are also provided to certain pupils who are travelling over an agreed distance to their nearest appropriate school/college. Further education students may be given a bus pass if they are travelling over 3 miles to the nearest college and their parents are either receiving Income Support or Income-Based Job-Seekers' Allowance.

Business advice and training

Advice on business start-ups, business planning, sources of finance and a range or skills seminars designed to assist in running a successful business. Business advisors available by appointment or on the telephone.

Business centres

The Thames Innovation Centre has over 50 small offices available to rent on "easy in - easy out terms.

Business Continuity Planning

Advice on business continuity planning. Free information pack giving advice and guidance for businesses in Bexley available.

Business premises

Information on commercial sites and premises on the market in the Borough.

Business rates

Capita manages the collection of Business Rates on behalf of the Council.

Enquiries concerning bills or general enquiries about business rates, can be made between 8:30am and 5:00pm.

If you need to speak to someone to carry out a valuation/assessment on what your business rates should be or if you want make an appeal contact the Valuation Office.

Byelaws

Byelaws are laws/regulations made by the Council. Copies are kept at local libraries.

For byelaws relating to parks, open spaces, recreation grounds, contact Highways and Amenities 01322 356875

For byelaws relating to public nuisances, contact Customer Services 020 8294 6082

To check if a copy of a by-law is available for you to see, contact Central Library.

Byways

See 'Rights of way'