Stoke Poges Parish Council

Census Email Scam Warning

ralphbagge — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:09:52 +0000

We are aware that an email entitled ‘Population Census: a message to everyone – act now’ is being circulated, allegedly in the name of National Statistician, Jil Matheson. This email demands individuals provide further personal information, supposedly for the Census and threatens fines for non-compliance.

This email is a scam and a hoax. It has no connection whatsoever with the National Statistician, the 2011 Census or the Office for National Statistics.

We believe the links in the email could download malware to any computer where the user clicks on the links. This could put your personal data, including financial information, at risk.

Anyone receiving this, or similar emails, should delete them, not open any links and certainly not provide any information.

For more information on how to protect yourself from this type of threat, please see www.getsafeonline.org

If you wish to, please report receipt of any such suspicious emails to www.actionfraud.org.uk

ONS takes the protection of personal census information extremely seriously. Collection of census data was completed last year and no further requests will be forthcoming from the Office for National Statistics relating to the 2011 Census.

Bells Hill rec. Consultation – Saturday 14 January

ralphbagge — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:36:50 +0000

The parish council’s plans to upgrade facilities at Bells Hill rec. continue with an exhibition and consultation on options for replacing the Portacabin changing rooms with a new community pavilion. The proposed scheme will also include additional landscaping and a nature area.

Alternative designs will be exhibited in the Lionel Rigby room at the Village Centre on Saturday 14 January between 11 am and 3 pm. This project is designed to make Stoke Poges a better place to live and the Parish Council would like to hear the views of as many people as possible, especially our younger villagers. Parents, please bring your family along to take a look and provide your comments.

Neighbourhood Police ‘Have Your Say’ meetings

ralphbagge — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:34:11 +0000

Our neighbourhood police team will be available to offer advice on crime prevention or dealing with anti-social behaviour at the following times and locations:

Tuesday 24 January, 2.30-3.00 pm, Langley Park car park, Billet Lane

Friday 3 February, 11.30am-12.00 pm, St Andrew’s coffee shop, Rogers Lane

Saturday 4 February, 1.30-2.00 pm, Black Park car park

Thursday 23 February, 2.30-3.00 pm, Langley Park car park, Billet Lane

Friday 2 March, 11.30am-12.00pm, St Andrew’s coffee shop, Rogers Lane

Suggestions wanted for the Community Gang

ralphbagge — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:58:12 +0000

Transport for Bucks has a team of operatives who visit our parish regularly to carry out minor beautification jobs to the public highway. Examples of their tasks include:

* Removal of fly posters and builders signs

* Sign and bollard cleaning

* Trimming short stretches of vegetation

* Cutting grips into drainage ditches

* Verge repairs and a small amount of footway siding out

* Cutting back obscured signage

If you are aware of any jobs that fall into the above categories please contact our Clerk, Julie Simmonds before 16 January, on 644803 or by email: the clerk@stokepogesparishcouncil.gov.uk

Note the Community Gang cannot repair potholes or carry out excavation work. These should be reported to Transport for Bucks by calling 0845 230 2882

Police Warning about gift packaging

ralphbagge — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:09:51 +0000

Thames Valley Police today circulated a community message warning of the risks of leaving empty gift packaging outside. They point out that it advertises to opportunist thieves what you have received for Christmas.

Police advice is to keep all cardboard boxes indoors and take it straight to a recycling centre once they reopen after the holiday.

Cut energy costs with Home Heat Helpline

ralphbagge — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:45:42 +0000

A website and freephone helpline are available to anyone worried about rising home energy prices. Operated by the Energy Retail Association, the helpline advises people worried about paying their fuel bills and keeping warm during the winter. It also helps low-income households in urgent need of heating help and advice. The helpline is free to call and open between 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday. Call 0800 33 66 99. The helpline also assists people calling on behalf of relatives, friends or neighbours.

The Home Heat Helpline website offers energy saving tips, case studies and fact sheets available to download.

Thames Valley Police drink driving campaign in progress

ralphbagge — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:44:51 +0000

Thames Valley Policed began a month-long campaign to target drink driving on 1 December. In the first 14 days, 141 people, including 44 Bucks residents, were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

The average age of offenders was 36 and the number of women arrested is up 25% on last year.

Sgt. Chris Appleby commented ‘We test any driver who has been involved in a collision, regardless of the time of day and whether they have been drinking or not. The message is simple – if you’ve been drinking, don’t drive.’

Schools Transport Charging Consultation

ralphbagge — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:35:56 +0000

Bucks County Council has published revised proposals to introduce charging on its school buses. The consultation document and questionnaire are available here. The proposals particularly affect families whose children don’t attend the nearest ‘eligible’ school.

The consultation is open until 31 January.

New Community Safety bulletin available

ralphbagge — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:15:44 +0000

South Bucks District Counil and Thames Valley Police have jointly published their winter bulletin covering the South Bucks area.

For the latest crime prevention advice, download the bulletin from the link below.

21 - Home Security

Community Safety Information November 2011 (pdf / 467.44 kB)

Home Insulation Grants Available

ralphbagge — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:57:20 +0000

Cavity wall and loft insulation are the two most effective energy efficiency measures and with temperatures dropping now is a great time to have it done.

Homeowners and private tenants living in South Bucks can now get cavity wall or loft insulation fitted for a standard price of £99* each (normally £150 to £500). At this low price, insulation soon pays for itself fast in reduced energy bills.

Anyone aged 70 or over, and those in receipt of certain state benefits, may qualify to have the work done free. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that householders can save £115 per year on their fuel bills by just adding loft or cavity wall insulation.

South Bucks District Councillor Jennifer Woolveridge, Portfolio Holder for Health and Housing says, “We are all aware of the increasingly high costs of heating bills and so we hope that many people will take advantage of this excellent offer. Good home insulation is essential to help reduce heating bills, making savings year after year and will also reduce the carbon footprint of the district making it a cleaner and environmentally friendly place to live.”

Anyone planning to take up the offer will be able to choose from a selection of approved local installers who will then carry out a no-obligation survey. However, funds are limited and work will be done on a first-come basis so do not delay in making your application.

The incentive is managed by USEA’s Cocoon service. To make an application, householders can contact the Cocoon website: www.cocoonyourhome.co.uk or call 0800 8048777 and ask for the South Bucks Area Special. Lines are open 8am – 9pm Monday to Friday.

*Further charges may apply, for example if your property is larger than average for the number of bedrooms, access to walls or the loft is restricted or if extra vents are required.