Kitelands Recreation Ground Lights - an update

This is the link to the post of 20th February 2011.

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/02/saga-of-lights-at-kitelands-recreation.html

The lights were switched off in December 2010 under threat of a Planning Enforcement Notice.

There was an article in the Biggleswade Chronicle on 4th March 2011 which trivialised the seven months of my trying to get Biggleswade Town Council to get the lighting working again within the terms of the planning consent. The comment from the Town Clerk at the time, was that "we are working hard to get the lights working as soon as possible, though it is less of a problem now as the evenings are getting lighter again"

Since that time, I have Councillor Steven Watkins to thank for pursuing the matter. This is a summary of progress to date:

23rd May 2011 - The lights will not be repaired until the evenings draw in again (I am not happy with this answer, the money is there and so again I will talk to the Clerk tomorrow evening)

23rd June 2011 - The lights are still not due to be repaired until August and it was not thought necessary to bring this forward by other councillors so it will just be a case of sitting it out.

19th September 2011 - With the Clerk being away I will speak to Cllr Mrs Smith as head of Public Land Open Spaces committee to look into the lights and equipment, since it appears that the information I have been given in the past has not been wholly reliable.

1st October 2011 - As you would have noticed at the last meeting, Cllr Smith is away on holiday so I will need a little time before I can update you on the problems.

29th October 2011 - Regarding the other queries I am awaiting a response from Cllr Smith which I anticipate any day now.

5th November 2011 - I understand that the lights have been dealt with but are awaiting connection. The electrician didn't know where they had been disconnected to and so had to trace this. A timer has been fitted and hopefully by the end of the week the lights will be off from 8 pm to 7 am. The times are a Planning condition that we have to comply with. If either of us notice that this doesn't happen do let me know and I'll chase Cllr Smith again.

26th November 2011 - on informing Councillor Steven Watkins the lights were still not working - I will chase it once again(!) with the clerk and Cllr Smith.

Ringmaster - Warning, Bogus Police Calls

 

Bedfordshire Police is warning residents to be extra cautious regarding the information they give out over the telephone after receiving reports of a bogus telephone caller.

So far six reports have been received over the last two days from residents in the Dunstable and Houghton Regis areas of the county.

A man has contacted the residents posing as a police officer and told them that a warrant is out for their arrest and their house will be raided.

Although confused and concerned about the threat luckily the residents have not given out any personal details and contacted the police who have confirmed the calls are a hoax.

Officers would like to urge other residents who have received similar calls to report the matter to the force so action can be taken to trace and stop the hoax caller.

Police are taking this opportunity to remind members of the public not to give out any personal information over the telephone or to anyone who calls at their home unsolicited.

Residents are also reminded that they should always check the identification of any caller who visits their home before letting them in, and remember, a representative from any bona fide organisation, including the police, will be happy for their credentials to be checked.

Anyone with information about these calls can contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 1 0 1 or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Be Scam Aware - Lottery / Prize Draw Scam

Central 

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team would like to take this opportunity to remind consumers to be wary of any letters, emails or phone calls they receive informing them of a lottery or prize draw win.

We have had a report from a consumer who has received a letter from "Euro Millions Lottery International" informing that they have won a large amount of money. The letter gives the following address: "10 King William Street, London, EC4N 7TW" and states that in order to claim the prize the addressee should call the following telephone number "02033 185277" (although please note, these details may differ on different letters). In this case, the consumer did phone the number out of interest and was subsequently asked to fax specific personal and bank details. Thankfully, they decided not to.

Based on the information provided we believe this letter to be part of a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such a letter, and emails or phone calls of a similar nature, whereby they are informing of a lottery or prize draw win.

Our advice to consumers would be that you can only win a prize if you have entered the competition. If you don't remember entering the lottery or draw, ask yourself how the sender has got your name and address - when was the last time you gave your name and address when buying a lottery ticket, for example!!!

If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether a letter is genuine, do not be afraid to throw it away. These types of scams are looking for you to make contact with the sender, so that they can either obtain personal or bank details or attempt to get you to buy a "cash voucher" or pay an admin / tax / release fee so that the prize can be "released". In reality, there is no prize waiting to be collected.

If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

Be Scam Aware - potential solar panel installation scam.

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of a potential solar panel installation scam.

We have received a report from a concerned resident in the Ampthill area, who has received a number of unsolicited telephone calls from two businesses attempting to sell and install solar PV (photo-voltaic) panels. The callers have claimed to be representing "My Blue Skies" and "Sunlight Solar Solutions" and that their businesses are working "in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council". The callers are said to be quite persistant in attempting to get a contract agreed.

We can confirm that Central Bedfordshire Council does not currently have a relationship or agreement with any business for the domestic installation of solar panels. Also, these two businesses do not appear to be registered installers of microgeneration technologies (used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources). Therefore, based on the information received we believe these calls bear the hallmarks of a scam and we would urge consumers who receive such calls from these businesses to proceed with caution.

Our advice would be, if you are interested in the installation of solar panels on your property, to shop around for a reputable business, never just accept what you are told by a cold-caller and always take time to check out any claims they make. Check to see if the business is a registered installer on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme's website (www.microgenerationcertification.org). Always think twice before making a decision to proceed with the offer being made and never feel pressured or intimidated into making a quick decision just because the offer is, apparently, only available for a limited period or the business is only in the area for a short while. Finally, never pay money or provide your bank account or personal details to any cold-caller unless you are sure of their intentions or have had an opportunity to check whether the call is genuine.

If you have information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities are notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

Be Scam Aware - potential advertising scam

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning small businesses to be aware of a potential advertising scam.

We have had reports from some small businesses that have received a letter and/or invoice, from a company called "CPA Media", for payment of advertising that the business has apparently agreed to. On some occasions the business is threatened with court action if they do not pay within fourteen days or call to dispute the invoice.

Based on the information received we believe that these letters / invoices bear the hallmarks of a popular type of scam aimed at small businesses.

Our advice to small businesses would be, if you receive an invoice for advertising work which you are unsure you have agreed to, or dispute ever agreeing to, request the sender of the invoice to provide proof of an agreed contract or a copy of the advertising in question. A legitimate company will always be happy to provide this information. Do not feel intimidated by any threats of court action - if you have not formed a contract or not agreed to the work, then you are not liable to pay!

If you have information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities are notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

Be Scam Aware - potential inheritance scam

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of a potential inheritance scam.

We have had some reports from consumers who have recently received a letter purporting to be from a Hong Kong Bank, claiming that the recipient is entitled to an inheritance which they need to claim. Although the letters state overseas telephone number(s) and postal address, they are also marked with a UK post-mark. The letters invite the consumer to contact the "bank" in order to claim the inheritance.

Based on the information provided we believe this to be a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such letters.

Our advice to consumers would be to think twice before contacting the sender of this letter and never give your personal and financial details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated or tempted into making a quick decision and always take a moment to ask yourself whether the claim sounds genuine. If you show any interest in the offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for future scam activity. If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether the letter is genuine, do not be afraid to throw it away.

If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

Central Bedfordshire Council - Councillors Allowance

Meetings of the Independent Remuneration Panel for the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2011/12 and 2012/13, were held on 3rd August, 20th October and 2nd November 2011. The final recommendations will go to the to Central Bedfordshire Council meeting to be held on 24th November 2011.

Below is a summary of the panel's final recommendations; the full document can be seen at:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/documents/s31559/241111%20IRPReport%20to%20Council%203.pdf

2% Reduction

Recommended that the 2% reduction in allowances introduced by the Council from 1 April 2011 be endorsed.

Basic Allowance

Recommended that the Basic Allowance paid to all Members of the Council remain unchanged at £10,995.60 and that it be frozen for the financial year 2012/13.

Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA)

Recommended that the SRA for the Leader of the Council be reduced from 300% to 285% of Basic Allowance (£31,337.40) from 1 December 2011.

Recommended that the SRA for Executive Members (excluding the two Executive Members without Portfolio) be reduced to £18,802.44, which is 60% of the recommended SRA (£31,337.40) for the Leader, from 1 December 2011.

Recommended that SRAs be paid to the two new posts of Executive Member without Portfolio and that the amounts be as follows:

Executive Member without Portfolio (Economic Partnerships) £10,654.72 which is 34% of the recommended SRA (£31,337.40) for the Leader, from 19 May 2011;

Executive Member without Portfolio (External Affairs) £6,267.48 which is 20% of the recommended SRA (£31,337.40) for the Leader, from 19 May 2011;

Recommended that the following SRAs (based on the percentage of the Leader as shown) be applied for 2011/12 from the dates shown:

Role	£		%age of		From
			Leader
			SRA
Deputy Leader of the Council	5,013.98		16		01.12.11
Deputy Executive Members	6,267.48		20		19.05.11
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairmen	10,654.72		34		01.12.11
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chairmen	2,506.99		8		01.12.11
Development Management Committee Chairman	13,161.71		42		01.12.11
Development Management Committee Vice-Chairman	2,506.99		8		01.12.11
Audit Committee Chairman	10,654.72		34		01.12.11
Audit Committee Vice-Chairman	2,506.99		8		01.12.11
General Purposes Committee Chairman	5,013.98		16		01.12.11
Standards Committee Chairman	5,013.98		16		01.12.11
Licensing Committee Chairman	2,506.99		8		01.12.11
Luton & South Bedfordshire Joint C’ttee	13,161.71		42		01.12.11
Vice Chairman (Committee ceases 31.3.12)
Minority Group Leader	2,506.99		8		01.12.11
Council Chairman*	10,995.60		n/a		01.04.11
Council Vice-Chairman*	2,748.90		n/a		01.04.11

 

* Civic allowances are outside the scope of the Members’ Allowances Scheme and not formally a matter for consideration by the Panel but it has been custom and practice for the Panel to make recommendations.

Recommended that SRAs for Overview and Scrutiny Vice-Chairmen and the Audit Committee Vice-Chairman be discontinued with effect from 1 April 2012.

Recommended that SRAs paid to each of the two new posts of Executive Members without Portfolio be reviewed by the Panel no later than 31 August 2012.

Recommended that all SRAs be frozen for the financial year 2012/13.

Recommended that the Council should work towards a position where no more than 50% of its Members are in receipt of an SRA (i.e. a maximum of 29 out of 59 Members).

London Road, Biggleswade - Stolen Vehicle plates



This is a Ringmaster message from Bedfordshire Police. Please pass the details of this message onto friends and neighbours.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to improve the security of registration plates, after a theft took place in London Road, in Biggleswade.

The offence took place on Monday the 14th of November, between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m.

The vehicle was a Blue, 0 2 registered, Vauxhall Corsa.

Both the front and rear registration plates have been taken from the vehicle.

No attempt was made to enter the vehicle.

Bedfordshire Police recommend using one of the following methods.

Replacing the plates with Anti Tamper plates.

Replacing the existing screws with non return screws.

For details of Free CrimeReduction Events in your area please visit

http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/tackling_crime/protecting_you/reducing_vehicle_crime/operation_caps.aspx

If you have any information about this crime or other suspicious incidents, please call the Force Control Room on 1 0 1, and quote crime reference, J D / 4 6 3 1 9 / 2011.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011

or email your message to chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on (0800) 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thank you for your support.

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Be Scam Aware - Potential Microsoft Scam

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is again warning residents and small businesses to be aware of a potential Microsoft scam.

 

We have recently received an increase in the number of reports from consumers who have been cold-called by telephone, with callers claiming to be from a range of non-specific companies working on behalf of Microsoft and that they have received an error message or "PC running slow" message sent from your computer. The caller then offers to resolve the problem for you by accessing your computer remotely and for a nominal fee, usually in the region of £70-100, payable by credit card.

The callers tend to use "Withheld" or "International" telephone numbers, although on some occassions numbers with recognised UK area codes have reportedly been used. However, reports received suggest the calls are originating from overseas. When challenged or asked further 'difficult' questions, the callers tend to promptly end the call.

In one report received, an unfortunate victim of this type of scam has discovered that a number of unauthorised transactions, totalling £2800, have taken place since they provided the caller with their credit card details. Therefore, we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls.

Our advice to consumers would be, do not allow anybody remote access to your computer unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. You may find that by allowing one of these callers access to your computer, it's security could potentially be weakened to allow future scam activity. Also, do not give your credit card details over the telephone unless you are sure the call is genuine. If you have any doubts as to whether a call is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up.

If you have information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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