Help and Advice

Armed Forces - Complaints	The Independent Service Complaints Commissioner provides oversight of the complaints system within the forces and also serves as an alternative point of contact.
Asylum	There is a set procedure for dealing with organisations like the Home Office, UK Border Agency and so forth. Therefore to save time, if your case relates to asylum or immigration you must complete and return the following forms to me. If you have a legal representative then you must also ensure they know that you have contacted me. Casework Form Authorisation Form
Benefits	I can try and help you with problems you may be having with benefits, including pensions and national insurance. Please write to be outlining the details of your problems. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It would also be helpful if you provided a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.
Bills	You can download this factsheet on support available for those struggling to pay for household bills. Help with Household Bills
Bridgend Council	In the first instance you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of local government services. You can find you who your local councillors are here: It is also worth visiting Bridgend Council's Website. The Local Government Ombudsmen investigates complaints about local authorities, but only after you have first exhausted the council's own complaints system.
CSA	I can try and help you with problems you may be having with the Child Support Agency. Please write to be outlining the details of your problems. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.
Court Cases	Members of Parliament are forbidden from intervening in ongoing court cases. the Bar Council have produced a Guide to Representing Yourself in Court
Counselling	Porthcawl Counselling Service: 01656 786486 Cruise Bereavement Care 0844 477 9400 Bridge Mentoring Service: Contact Angela James: angela@thebridgemps.org.uk. The Bethlehem Church Life Centre offer the following services: Counselling Service in house Cognitive Therapist Working with addictions A person Centered Counsellor We also deliver accredited counselling skills for levels 2 & 3 Counselling for Adolescents. If you need any other details could you please contact Carol Freeman who is the person in charge of the Counselling Services at BCLC on 07831330680.
Crime	To find your Neighbourhood police team visit www.ourbobby.com
Debt	For debt advice visit Bridgend's Citizens Advice Bureau Ground Floor 26 Dunraven Place Bridgend CF31 1JD Tel: 01656 654951 You can also call the National Debtline for free, confidential and independent advice on 0808 808 4000
Depression, Self-Harm and Suicide	There are a number of organisations
Electoral Register	You can register to vote here.
Electricity - Bills & Service	Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity watchdog. They can provide free and impartial advice and can take up your case with utility companies.
Energy - Efficiency & Grants	The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative aimed at making homes in Wales warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. The HEES grant provides a package of heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £3,600. The Energy Saving Trust can provide free and impartial advice on how you can cut your bills and help fight climate change.
Gas - Bills & Services	Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity watchdog. They can provide free and impartial advice and can take up your case with utility companies.
Honours	The UK Honours System has its own website with details of how to nominate people.
Housing (Council)	The provision of council housing is a matter for local government. As such, the housing section of Bridgend Council's website is a good place to start. If you cannot find the answer to your query or problem through this method, the next step is to contact your local councillor. You can find you who your local councillors are here. A Welsh Housing Advice Guide can be viewedhere: A guide to how changes to housing benefit may affect you can be downloaded here Housing Benefit changes
Immigration	There is a set procedure for dealing with organisations like the Home Office, UK Border Agency and so forth. Therefore to save time, if your case relates to asylum or immigration you must complete and return the following forms to me. If you have a legal representative then you must also ensure they know that you have contacted me. Casework Form Authorisation Form
Media - Complaints	The Ofcom website has a very helpful page on How to Complain - ranging from content on TV and Radio to problems with your phone and internet service. For newspapers and magazines see the Press Complaints Commission and for advertising the Advertising Standards Authority.
Mortgages - Difficulties	The National homelessness Advice Services (NHAS) publishes a leaflet entitled Worried about your mortgage? Get advice now which can be found below: Mortgage
Ombudsmen	The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman carries out investigations into complaints against UK government Departments and Agencies. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities including education and admissions panels. http://www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk/
Parking	Parking services are a matter for local government. As such, Bridgend Council's website in a good place to start. If you cannot find the answer to your query or problem through this method, the next step is to contact your local councillor. You can find you who your local councillors are here . After years of experience dealing with these issues, I have found the best course of action is sometimes to pay the fine and then appeal the decision where appropriate. This way you avoid paying an escalating fine (it can double after a certain period) should your appeal be unsuccessful.
Pensions	I can try and help you with problems you may be having with pensions. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.
Planning	Planning applications fall under the responsibility of Bridgend County Borough Council. In the first instance you may find a solution through the planning section of the council's website. Failing that you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of council services. You can find you who your local councillors are here.
Policing	You may find the information or solution you are looking for through the pages of South Wales Police To find out about your neighbourhood police team visit www.ourbobby.com For complaints about the Police themselves see the website of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Post - Complaints	In the first instance you should make your complaint to the postal service provider. However, if you remain unsatisfied then you can contact Postwatch, the independent watchdog for postal services.
Rubbish Collections	See the waste management section of Bridgend Council's website. Further to that you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of council services like bin collections. You can find you who your local councillors are here.
Small Business	If you have a small business and are having difficulties due to the current economic climate, then do get in touch with me. You may also like to consult the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills' guide 'Real Help Now'.
Tax	I can try and help you with problems you may be having with tax, including HM Revenue & Customs. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork.
Tours of Parliament	I can arrange guided tours of the Palace of Westminster, tours of the Westminster Clock Tower ('Big Ben') and tickets for the public gallery. Further details, including dates and times of tours, can be found on the Parliament website.
Veterans Badges	Eligibility criteria, details of how to apply and the necessary forms can all be found on the Veterans UK Website.
Water - Bills & Service	The Counsumer Council for Water provides a voice for water and sewerage customers and can help with complaints against water companies.
Workplace Rights	You can call the Government's workplace rights helpline on 0800 917 2368. The helpline can help working people with queries relating to the National Minimum Wage, working hours and employment agency standards as well as many others.