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Author: FVCA

Lunch Cancelled – January 2022

Due to the increased Covid transmission rates and as a precautionary measure, January’s Dining Group lunch has been cancelled. All being well, the next lunch will be on 21st February at The Gate at Bournheath

  • December 17, 2021 by

318 Bus Service Rumour Not True

Mr. Kevin Nind, proprietor of Kev’s Coaches, has contacted the Community Association say that one of his drivers, Justin, has told been told by some passengers that they have been informed that the 318 bus service is ceasing after Christmas. Mr. Nind says that there is no truth in this rumour.

  • December 16, 2021 by

Tools Theft

Recently, some tools have been stolen from an outbuilding on Dordale.

Please review your shed and outbuilding security, for advice visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/secure-shed-garage/

Mark all your tools – SmartWater property marking kits can be obtained Free Of Charge from FVCA for residents and businesses in Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge, for a kit email admin@fvca.org.uk Should items be recovered, SmartWater provides traceability of items back to the rightful owner and a 100% conviction rate.

  • December 7, 2021 by

Getting extra help with the Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations. Energy & Water suppliers and network operators offer it. Each keeps their own register. You need to contact your energy supplier or network operator to get on it, i.e. for our area Western Power by filling in their online form ( https://www.westernpower.co.uk/customers-and-community/priority-services/priority-services-register) or by telephoning 0800 9177953, or for Water contacting Severn Trent Water Priority Services register here.

What is the Priority Service Register?

The Priority Services Register (PSR) provides extra help and additional support during a power cut for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or those who rely on power for medical equipment.

Energy Companies

All energy companies, including gas and electricity companies, and network suppliers who deliver the power, work together to care for customers who need some extra help and support.

Help you can get:

  • Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.
  • Priority support in an emergency. Network operators could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
  • Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine.
  • Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.
  • Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
  • Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
  • Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.

Suppliers can offer free gas safety checks every 12 months. You can request a safety check if you get a means-tested benefit and either:

  • live with a child under five years old
  • live alone or with others and have reached state pension age
  • live alone or with others and are disabled or chronically ill
  • live with others who have reached state pension age or are disabled, chronically ill or under 18 years old.

You are eligible if you:

  • have reached your state pension age
  • are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
  • are recovering from an injury
  • have a hearing or sight condition
  • have a mental health condition
  • are pregnant or have children under 5
  • have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well).

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

Water companies

Water companies also offer similar support services for vulnerable people.

You can join the Severn Trent Water Priority Services register here.

  • December 4, 2021 by

Faster broadband for Wildmoor

Earlier this year, Openreach announced that (almost) all of Bromsgrove will be cabled with Fibre To The Premises (FTTP), as part of the national plan to phase out copper wiring for landline telephones and internet connectivity. 

Fibre brings substantially higher speeds, better reliability, and future-proofs the properties.  (Apparently, the second most popular question that house buyers ask is – how fast is the internet).

As part of the roll-out, most of Fairfield village has been cabled.  Catshill is also being connected, including the properties immediately past the motorway bridge on Wildmoor Lane. 

Sadly, most of Wildmoor was NOT included in the Openreach plan for Bromsgrove.   

At the Sandy Lane end of Wildmoor, a Community Fibre Project (CFP) proposal was put forward last year, in conjunction with Superfast Worcestershire (part of the county council).   This proposal, which was successful, means that grants are being made available from central government and the county council, to fund the costs for Openreach to install FTTP to the properties connected to the Rubery telephone exchange. 

This leaves approximately 70 premises – a mix of commercial and residential – in Third Road, Mill Lane, Swan Lane and Wildmoor Lane, excluded from any scheme.  A CFP proposal for these ‘forgotten’ premises was submitted to Openreach in March, supported by Superfast Worcestershire and by Councillor Shirley Webb. 

The outline costing has now been received from Openreach, and it is now down to the occupiers of the premises to decide if they want FTTP.  This requires a simple commitment to take an FTTP Internet package from ANY Internet Service Provider which offers FTTP, for a 12 month period.  The additional costs (i.e. for FTTP rather than copper-based internet) could be as little as £10 per month.

To obtain the grants, and therefore incur no individual installation costs, requires a certain level of uptake to succeed.  This is the best opportunity for Wildmoor to avoid being left behind as technology evolves!

If you are one of the residents in this group, or have a commercial unit in Wildmoor Farm business park, or on Wildmoor Lane, please contact Peter Hunt (peterhunt988@outlook.com, or 07970745487) for more information.

  • December 2, 2021 by

WhatsApp & Lottery Fraud

WHATSAPP FRAUD

There have been a significant number of reports of Scammers pretending to be a family member or friend on WhatsApp.

This was highlighted earlier this month and the warning is repeated here again this week.

The basic method they use is as follows:

• 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 number, having lost or damaged their phone

• The Scammer will then say they are now using a new phone number

• As a result of this, the Scammers will claim they are getting in touch in order to borrow money to purchase the new device or pay off a debt.

• After this, the Scammer will give their bank details so a payment can be made to them, with some coming back with further demands for money.

LOTTERY FRAUD

Analysis of reports to Action Fraud by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a dramatic increase in Advance Fee Lottery Frauds over the last six months.

Over £925,000 was lost by victims during that period. Victims reported losing an average loss of just over £1,500.

70% of victims reported to be aged 50 or over.

Fraudsters will contact the victim in the following way or similar:

• Lottery fraud occurs when criminals use fake messages and calls to convince a person that they have won a lottery or a prize draw

• The victim is then informed that they will need to pay an advance “fee” in order to receive the winnings

• Victims are commonly asked to pay these advance fees by purchasing gift cards, and relaying codes to the Fraudster.

• In some instances, victims have reported being asked for personal and financial information in order to obtain their “winnings”. Some victims reported providing their bank details thinking they would be sent a small payment to verify the account. In reality, criminals use these details to steal the victim’s money.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

• Stop – Taking a moment to stop and think can keep you and your money safe.

• Challenge – Keep your money and information safe from criminals by only purchasing items from authorised sellers and doing your research fully before making a purchase.

• Protect – if you think you’ve fallen for a scam contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

  • December 2, 2021 by

Planning Application – 3 Mount Road

The following planning application is available to view and comment on. Please use this
link to take you to the home page of Public Access
http://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ which is the tool for
viewing applications and making comment electronically.


• Click on the link above
• Type in the application number and click, this will take you to the summary page of Public
Access.
• When at the summary page
• To view the documents you will need to click on the tab, then
the .
• To make a comment click on the tab,
• Fill out your details and make your comment and press submit, this will go straight to the
relevant planning officer and be immediately viewable in the comments tab.
• If you have provided an email you can request a confirmation email.

APPLICATION REFERENCE :21/00291/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:06.11.2021
LOCATION:3 Mount Road, Fairfield Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 9LN
PROPOSAL:Replacment of garage and out houses with triple car garage.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:Bournheath Parish
WARD:Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:Nina Chana
TELEPHONE:01527 548241
EMAILnina.chana@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
  • November 15, 2021 by