We propose to tour the flood impacted locations with the National Flood Forum community support trailer. This will be staffed by members of the Flood Forum, who have a wealth of experience providing support to flood impacted residents and businesses all over the country. The NFF staff will be joined by representative from each of the main response and recovery agencies including the Environment Agency, the County Council, the District Council and Severn Trent Water. You are also welcome to drop into the tour if you wish.
The proposed schedule is work in progress but currently as follows:
Monday 14th March, 10.00 till 13.00 – Northwood Lane, Bewdley
Tuesday 15th March, 10.00 till 13.00 – Riverside, Stourport Town
Tuesday 15th March, 14.00 till 19.00 – Stourport Marina
Wednesday 16th March, 10.00 till 13.00 – Waterworks Road, Worcester
Wednesday 16th March, 14.00 till 19.00 – Diglis, Worcester
Thursday 17th March, 10.00 till 13.00 – Callow End
Thursday 17th March, 14.00 till 19.00 – Severn Stoke
Friday 18th March, 10.00 till 13.00 – Hanley Road, Upton upon Severn
Friday 18th March, 14.00 till 19.00 – East Waterside, Upton upon Severn
Flooded residents and business owners from everywhere along the river will be invited to attend the drop-in session at the location and time which suits them best.
We plan to roll out more drop-in sessions in April when residents’ and businesses owners support needs will probably have developed and become clearer – insurance being a common theme.
Your feedback about any aspect of this plan is extremely welcome.
Recovery support grants
In the meantime, the County Council is also rolling out a rapid recovery clear-up grant fund for residents and businesses and we’re planning to distribute a leaflet about it to impacted addresses along the River Severn.
The grants are £250 for an internally flooded residential property and £1,000 to a flooded business. Applicants will need to provide their full address, bank details and a photograph or photographs showing either the flood water or the remaining impact of it.
Finally, local County Councillors in whose division there have been flood impacts have access to a small amount of grant funding which can be deployed on local flood impact reduction measures. Please let me or, of course, your local County Councillor, know if you’d like to discuss any ideas you might have for this. I would also welcome ideas from parish and town councils anywhere in Worcestershire.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2022-03-02 14:13:302022-03-02 14:13:30Community support and advice drop-in sessions - Flood Forum Worcestershire County Council
Your monthly update from West Mercia Police on the latest Scams and Frauds
ROMANCE FRAUDS
Nearly 9,000 victims of dating scams were reported to Police in 2021 and the estimated loss to victims was nearly £100m.
More concerning is the fact that this is only the tip of the iceberg, as many victims do not report the scams through embarrassment or shame, or even do not realise that they are victims at all.
How does it work?
Romance frauds involve a criminal engaging in a romantic relationship with the sole aim of manipulating their target in order to devastate them financially.
Fraudsters will use any tactics they can to identify and exploit a victim’s vulnerabilities, hopes and romantic aspirations; engaging in emotional and psychological manipulation long before any financial exploitation takes place.
By the time the fraudster asks for money, the grooming process means that the victim is unlikely to recognise their intentions as criminal, and believe that they are in a genuine romantic relationship, despite often not having met their “partner”.
Many scammer approaches are happening outside of Dating Sites and Apps as well, including social media, poetry forums and even phoning wrong numbers to engage in conversation.
Criminals go to great lengths to use fake profiles in an attempt to build seemingly genuine relationships, before appealing to your compassionate side to ask for money.
Warning Signs
Criminals use fake identities to trick you into sending them money
Is their profile inconsistent with what they tell you?
Have they asked you for money before you’ve met in person?
They may claim to be stuck overseas or pretend to need money for a personal or family emergency
Take Five before making loans or giving gifts to someone you’ve never met
So beware of romance scams when looking for love online. Check if someone is really who they say they are by reverse image searching their profile picture (possible on the search bar of some image search engines).
Sources:
NFIB
TakeFive
Take Five To Stop Fraud
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
A new source of advice is now available online and is open to any persons interested in enhancing their knowledge, and understanding of the dangers of Fraud in the UK.
Please use the links below to sign up to any of these quarterly sessions.
New boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Wychavon District Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A 10-week consultation on the proposals will run until 21 March 2022.
The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Wychavon to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.
The Commission has published proposals for changes to Wychavon. It is proposing that there should be 26 wards, with 1 to 3 councillors per ward. Most wards are changing, four are staying the same. Proposed changes include:
Creation of a two-councillor Hartlebury & Dodderhill ward, to avoid splitting the village of Cutnall Green between wards.
Expansion of Harvington & Norton ward in order to ensure good electoral equality.
The Orchards area moving into an Evesham-based ward, at the suggestion of a local councillor.
The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards and their boundaries.
People can give their views by e-mailing or write to:
Review Officer (Wychavon), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth NE24 9FE
The current Intelligently Green plan was adopted in July 2020 and covers the period to 2030. It presents an overall vision to lead the Wychavon district to be carbon neutral as quickly as possible and by 2050 at the latest. The plan sets out what we will do during the next ten years to reduce our own emissions and how we will encourage businesses and residents to reduce their emissions. The plan is framed around four priority areas: energy, low carbon travel, natural environment, and policy and resources. Under each priority sits a number of specific actions that will contribute towards carbon reduction.
We monitor and report on the plan and produce an annual report at the end of the financial year which states the progress on the five key Intelligently Green targets, including: reducing our own emissions and those of the wider district, growing the size of the low carbon economy, increasing the amount of renewable energy produced in the district and capturing carbon through habitat restoration. The latest annual report can be read here.
The annual report also provides details of progress on key projects and workstreams, it includes:
Employing dedicated Carbon Reduction and Active Travel officers
Attracting significant Government funding to assist with home energy efficiency
Supporting business funding programmes to assist with energy efficiency
Making the council offices more energy efficient and reducing emissions
Planting more than 80 trees planted across our parks and open spaces
We have also recently set up the Intelligently Green Challenge which aims to help people create a plan for reducing their own carbon emissions. We are asking people to sign up, calculate their own carbon footprints and choose from a list of carbon reduction actions that they are interested in doing. We will send regular email with tips and advice on different themes to help people along the way.
All three of the latest Covid-19 Omicron grant application forms are live on the business pages of our website here. You will find full information about the qualifying criteria for each grant, and guidance on the application process. Please note that you will not automatically receive a payment as happened with previous COVID schemes, you must apply for this funding
Changes have been made to Wychavon’s top team as part of a renewed focus on customer service.
Cllr Bradley Thomas, Leader of Wychavon District Council, announced the changes to the decision-making Executive Board at a recent meeting.
Cllr Emma Stokes takes on a new role with responsibility for resident and customer services which includes waste and recycling collections, street cleaning, car parking and Wychavon’s Customer Contact Centres.
Cllr Martin King takes on responsibility for Wychavon’s finances and corporate projects, while Cllr Richard Morris keeps his role looking after the economy and tourism but will now also be focused on town centre regeneration and master planning.
Cllr Tony Rowley swaps planning for a new climate change, environmental policy and regulatory services role with delivering the actions in Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Plan top of his to do list.
Joining the board is Cllr Aaron Powell who takes charge of planning, infrastructure and urban design with the Review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan a priority.
Cllr Chris Day remains in charge of housing, health and wellbeing and Cllr Rob Adams keep his stronger communities, culture and sport remit.
The changes were prompted by the sudden retirement of Cllr Ron Davis from his role as Executive Board member for finance following a health scare just before Christmas. Cllr Davis remains on the council as a councillor for Eckington.
Land Drainage Enforcement
If you are aware of any issues with flow in ordinary watercourses that you believe may exacerbate flooding to properties in your parish, feel free to discuss with Ian White, our Land Drainage Enforcement Officer who works in Engineering Services.
We work with landowners to maintain proper flow where there might be an increased risk of property flooding (buildings rather than land). We prefer to do this informally where possible, but where it isn’t, we undertake enforcement action using powers under the Land Drainage Act 1991.
This is separate to problems of highway drainage/flooding from roadside gullies for example. If the road is adopted and therefore classed as public highway, enquiries relating to surface water flooding need to be referred to Worcestershire County Council Highways.
It may not also be appropriate to restore proper flow if the obstruction in the watercourse is holding back flood water and helping to alleviate property flooding downstream, as is the case with natural flood management interventions, but if there are any specific areas you believe require attention or if you have any queries regarding maintenance of ordinary watercourses, please contact Ian on 01386 565221 or
South Worcestershire Development Plan Review moves to final draft consultation stage
Progress with the review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) has been delayed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, work on the plan has continued over this time, and the three South Worcestershire Councils of Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon are now gathering the final evidence and formulating the draft version of the local plan. Subject to Council approval the final draft SWDP, or Reg 19 Publication document that identifies sites for housing and jobs, as well as policies for making decisions on planning applications, will be published for six weeks consultation from early July 2022.
The draft SWDP has been informed by responses to the last round of consultation in November 2019, as well as a series of updated evidence documents, including housing and employment requirements. Each of the three councils will take reports to Council meetings over June 2022, although the draft SWDP Review will be in the public realm late May 2022 the publication of papers to Worcester City Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee on the 6 June 2022. Once the consultation on the draft SWDP is complete the intention is to submit the plan and representations made to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in November. Over the course of 2023 the appointed Inspector will oversee the examination and report back on their findings. Once the examination is completed, and the Inspector’s report received, and if the plan is found to be sound, the intention is to adopt the SWDP Review by late 2023
Running in parallel the South Worcestershire Councils are also preparing a Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Policies and Site Allocations Plan. This document will be considered at the same Council meetings as the SWDP and the public consultation will also commence in early July at the same time as the SWDP and this plan sets out policies for making decision on planning applications and allocates sites across the plan area to meet the future identified needs of these communities.
More details on the upcoming consultation will be provided nearer the time to parish and town councils. Should you have any further queries on this please direct them to your ward member or officers in the Policy Plans team at Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon. Tel: 01386 565565; email:
Community Builder Vacancy
Do you enjoy working with people? Do you want to help build vibrant communities? Do you want to help find local solutions and empower communities to make a difference for themselves? Wychavon District Council are looking to recruit a Community Builder. The initial focus of the role is to research and establish a deep understanding of the area, working with local residents and existing organisations to uncover the key community assets and skills of local residents.
Following a recent government announcement, a new Household Support Fund has been made available to those most in need this winter and through until the end of March 2022.
£3.9million has been allocated to support people in need in Worcestershire and will help support those who may struggle with their bills this winter.
Up to 50% of the funding must be ringfenced to support families with children under 19.
In Worcestershire, support provided countywide is:
Food vouchers for those in receipt of free school meals which will be managed through the schools.
Support with energy bills and essentials linked to energy will be provided through Act on Energy for those residents meeting certain criteria. The online application form for support is now live on the website WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND – Act On Energy
In addition, local district councils have also set up a range of provision to provide support to vulnerable residents.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2022-01-31 12:21:452022-01-31 12:21:45Worcestershire Household Support Fund
Your monthly update direct from West Mercia Police on the latest scams and frauds
Welcome to the first monthly Bulletin highlighting current fraud trends in our area.
Please circulate to your members and contacts, as well as using it for your own information.
This month we are focusing on two types of Fraud about which we have had multiple reports from the public in recent weeks and how you can keep safe.
Romance fraud – What is it?
You are convinced to make a payment to a person you may have met through social media platforms, dating websites and Apps, or Gaming sites.
Fake profiles are used by criminals in an attempt to build a relationship with you – this is often known as “Catfishing”.
Criminals use information found on social media to create fake identities to target you with the scam, often looking for profiles saying you are single, widowed or divorced
They will go to great lengths to gain your trust and convince you that you have found a genuine relationship before appealing to your compassionate side to ask for money
Criminals use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise any alarm bells
These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit you from overseas
What to do:
· If you are speaking to someone online that you have not met in person, stop and think. It could protect your heart and your money
· Never give your bank details to someone online that you have never met, and if you are in any doubt about the person’s honesty, speak to a friend or family member. If they have tried to take money from you, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
NEW WhatsApp FRAUD
A rising number of similar Frauds using WhatsApp have been seen in recent weeks in our area which residents need to be aware of.
The suspect will send the victim a message via WhatsApp claiming to be their son/daughter/friend and that they have had to change their phone number
The suspect then asks for money for debt repayment / to buy a new phone/asking to pay outstanding bills
The victim then ends up sending money to the fraudster believing this is going to an actual relative or friend
This type of Scam is becoming more frequent
Always remember:
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
Wychavon residents are invited to take part in a fun and free cycling event at Westlands Community Centre next month.
Wheels 2 Rails, which runs between 10am and 3.30pm on Saturday 26 February, is encouraging safer cycling for adults and children.
The event features two-hour family cycle training sessions led by a qualified Bikeability instructor, starting at 10am and 1pm.
The sessions are designed to build cycling confidence in different situations, such as heading out on local roads or to the railway station.
Wheels 2 Rails includes safety check drop-in sessions, and the chance to get your bike security marked, so it can be tracked if it’s stolen.
Cyclists can also test their pedal power, and earn a tasty reward, on the GreenApe smoothie bike.
Wychavon has joined forces with Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership and Community Rail Network to offer the event, helped by the Integrated Sustainable Transport in Community Rail Fund.
Businesses affected by coronavirus, including the impact of the Omicron Covid-19 variant can now apply for new support funding.
Three new schemes have opened for applications and businesses are being urged to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is aimed at businesses in those sectors affected by the spread of the Omicron variant and the impact of Plan B measures to try and contain it.
Grants of between £2,667 and £6,000 are on offer depending on the rateable value of the business premises. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2022.
A discretionary funding scheme for businesses affected by the Omicron variant, that are not in the hospitality or leisure sector or do not have a business rates account, has also opened. Grants between £500 and £6,000 will be available. Demand for the scheme is expected to be high and funding is limited so support will be prioritised towards those businesses deemed most in need.
Businesses can also claim for the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) which is aimed at businesses affected by the pandemic but have not been able to claim help from existing support schemes linked to Business Rates.
Instead of cash grants, the support will be given to qualifying businesses in the form of a discount on their Business Rates bill for 2021/22. Applications must be made by 21 February 2022.
Businesses can find out more about the support funding available and apply by visitingwww.wychavon.gov.uk/businessand clicking on the link at the top of the page.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2022-01-19 09:48:422022-01-19 09:48:42New coronavirus support funding for businesses
Welcome to West Mercia Police first monthly Bulletin highlighting current fraud trends in our area.
This month we are focusing on two types of Fraud about which we have had multiple reports from the public in recent weeks and how you can keep safe.
Romance fraud – What is it?
You are convinced to make a payment to a person you may have met through social media platforms, dating websites and Apps, or Gaming sites.
Fake profiles are used by criminals in an attempt to build a relationship with you – this is often known as “Catfishing”.
Criminals use information found on social media to create fake identities to target you with the scam, often looking for profiles saying you are single, widowed or divorced
They will go to great lengths to gain your trust and convince you that you have found a genuine relationship before appealing to your compassionate side to ask for money
Criminals use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise any alarm bells
These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit you from overseas
What to do:
· If you are speaking to someone online that you have not met in person, stop and think. It could protect your heart and your money
· Never give your bank details to someone online that you have never met, and if you are in any doubt about the person’s honesty, speak to a friend or family member. If they have tried to take money from you, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
NEW WhatsApp FRAUD
A rising number of similar Frauds using WhatsApp have been seen in recent weeks in our area which residents need to be aware of.
The suspect will send the victim a message via WhatsApp claiming to be their son/daughter/friend and that they have had to change their phone number
The suspect then asks for money for debt repayment / to buy a new phone/asking to pay outstanding bills
The victim then ends up sending money to the fraudster believing this is going to an actual relative or friend
This type of Scam is becoming more frequent
Always remember:
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
More than £297,000 has been made available to community groups and voluntary organisations to continue to support people affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wychavon has used funding from the Household Support Grant to continue to make sure people who need help accessing food or paying energy bills and other essential costs can still get the help they need.
The funding includes more than £30,000 for Food Banks and community food programmes across Wychavon, over £34,000 to organisations providing welfare support and more than £33,000 to volunteer centres in Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore.
Almost £96,500 has been given to South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau to continue to support people with debt advice, particularly those on Universal Credit.
Housing associations have received £80,000 to continue to support the wellbeing of their tenants and those facing crisis this winter, while £10,000 has been made available to support children and young people affected by the impact of the pandemic.
Cllr Bradley Thomas, Leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Our voluntary and community sector has done an amazing job supporting people in need throughout the pandemic and this funding will allow them to continue that good work.”
Anyone needing help with their energy bills should contact Act on Energy on 0800 9882881 or email.
Anyone needing help with food and other supplies should visitwww.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2helpwhere they will be directed to the right organisation.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2021-12-22 11:29:592021-12-22 11:29:59Wychavon District Council announces - More than £297,000 to support households in need
