General Information

Please speak to your elderly neighbours about what is going to happen

Landlines going digital: what you need to know

The technology that we currently use to make landline phone calls is due to be upgraded over the next few years. But what does this mean for you as a landline customer?

Landline phone calls have traditionally been delivered over the old telephone network – this is known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

BT has taken the decision to retire the PSTN by December 2025 and other providers plan to follow a broadly similar timescale. This means that in future, landline calls will be delivered over digital technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which uses a broadband connection.

Why is it happening?

The equipment used in the PSTN was developed and installed in the UK in the 1980s, and is becoming harder and more expensive to maintain. At the same time, telecoms providers are investing in new systems and networks such as full-fibre technology.

So, broadband and phone companies have decided to switch off the old network and deliver landline calls over new digital technology to make sure that our phone services continue into the future.

When is it happening?

Some of this migration to VoIP is already happening for some customers, such as people who have upgraded their home phone and broadband package, or who have moved house. Your landline provider will contact you to let you know when the process to migrate from your old landline to your new telephone service will apply to you.

What do I need to do?

You don’t need to do anything until your provider tells you your telephone service is changing, or until you decide to change your telephone service.

Once a home phone service is moved from PSTN to VoIP, the phone will generally work in the same way as it always has, but it will need to be plugged into a broadband router instead of into the phone socket on your wall. If you need any new equipment – for example, a new router – or if you need a new broadband service installed, your provider should arrange this. It’s important you talk to your provider about how the service will work for you.

This change will affect other devices that rely on a phone line, such as some fire and burglar alarm systems and telecare devices. So, you should mention those devices to your provider and check if these need to be replaced or reconfigured to continue working.

Do I have to have broadband to get the new landline service?

Once the PSTN is switched off, customers who wish to continue having a landline phone, and do not already have broadband, will generally need to have a suitable connection – this is the case even if they don’t use a broadband service.  We expect that providers will have a range of options for people in this situation, so customers should not be forced to take out a high-speed broadband package if they do not want to.

Will VoIP phones work in a power cut?

Unlike traditional phones, a phone connected to a broadband router will not work in a power cut, as the router gets its power from the mains.

If you rely on your landline – for example, you don’t have a mobile phone, you’re unable to use a mobile phone  or you don’t have mobile signal inside your home – your provider must make sure you are able to contact the emergency services during a power cut. This could be in the form of battery back-up so your landline will continue to work, or giving you a basic mobile phone to use in this situation.

How can I find out more?

If you have any queries or concerns about the migration to VoIP technology, contact your landline or broadband provider.  BT will also be holding an information event at Amphlett Hall, Bromsgrove, on Monday 5th August, 12.30pm to 4.00pm, to explain what is happening and to answer any questions you may have.

As the risk of flooding increases for many homes in the UK, it’s crucial that homeowners understand how to protect their property from potentially irreversible water damage. Since 2020, there’s been a 58% increase of weather-related property insurance claims, and with the government spending some £800 million on coastal defences alone each year, it seems flooding is a problem that’s not going away any time soon.

Installing preventative safety measures is a far more cost-effective way of dealing with torrential rain and unprecedented extreme weather than being unprepared and paying out to try and restore your home in the aftermath of a flood. And with many homeowners unaware that their properties are flood-prone, there’s no time like the present to start proactively safeguarding against flooding – especially if you live in coastal areas or near large bodies of water.

This detailed resource from Avrillo explores 30 key facts about flooding, with a focus on how flood risk can impact the housing market, both in terms of influencing property prices and demand. Whether you need tips and advice on how to safeguard your home against flooding, help after suffering a flood, or want to know more about how the value of your home may be affected – be sure to give this guide a read-through. With in-depth statistics about the impact of flooding on UK real estate and useful links to help those concerned, this is a great resource for anyone interested in future-proofing their home: https://avrillo.co.uk/30-facts-about-flooding-and-uk-property-market/ 

The guide covers: 

• In-depth statistics on the impact of flooding on UK real estate
• Tips on protecting your home from flooding 
• Advice on recovering from a flood
• Useful resource links on flooding in the UK, recovery, and community support

Their research has uncovered that:

• 67% of homeowners are scared of the impact of climate change; however,  23% have not checked to see if they lived in a high-risk flood area. 
• Although 57% of SMEs believe climate change will have an impact on their business in the next ten years, only 38% have a dedicated flood insurance plan in place–and only 18% have carried out flood prevention measures.
• The UK risks losing a total of 167 million homes in 20 years because of climate change.

Flooding is becoming a real issue in the UK, and not just in coastal areas. No longer a rare occurrence, climate change is making flooding a problem for many, including homeowners who never previously needed to consider it. Therefore, it’s important to understand whether your property is at risk of flooding, as well as what you can do to reduce the impact if the worst does happen.

This expert guide to flooding from Comparethemarket explains everything you need to know about contents and home insurance for flood damage, as well as sharing actionable advice to protect your property. For example, you may have considered stocking up on sandbags and pallets to protect your furniture, but have you looked at installing one-way valves that stop sewage coming back up your pipes in the event of a flood? Is your garden landscaped in such a way that it diverts water away from your property? Have you raised electric sockets so that they might be able to stay out of the water?

If not, then read this guide and get some top tips that can help protect your home. This is especially important as we head into the winter months, where the risk of flooding is greater due to winter storms. You’ll be glad that you’ve implemented these changes if water levels do rise – you can feel secure, knowing that you’ve done what you can to protect your house.

Source:

https://www.comparethemarket.com/home-insurance/content/i-live-in-a-high-risk-flood-area-will-this-impact-my-home-insurance/

There are a number of different organisations with an interest in drainage and flooding issues and knowing who to report a problem to is often confusing. With recent weather and the increased risk of flash flooding from thunderstorms and heavy downpours, we thought we’d remind you of who you need to contact for each type of flooding.

If you have any concerns please report it to the appropriate organisations:

• Worcestershire County Council highways on 01905 765 765 or https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/drainage-and-flooding-highway for highway flooding or blocked gullies.

• Severn Trent for sewer flooding or burst water mains on 0800 783 4444, or by using the online reporting tool here: https://www.stwater.co.uk/in-my-area/check-my-area/?iid:hp:report:pf1.

• The Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 9881 1188 for main river flooding.

• North Worcestershire Water Management on 01562 732191 for ordinary watercourse issues or surface water flooding.

If you need assistance from your local council outside of normal office hours over the weekend please contact you local council’s out of hours service:

Bromsgrove District Council on 01527 871 565

For useful advice to help project your protect your property from flooding, read our article http://fvca.org.uk/notices/what-you-can-do-a-guide-to-protecting-your-home-from-floods/

Avian Influenza confirmed near Bromsgrove: all livestock/bird keepers please read

3km Protection Zone includes part of Fairfield

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 26 November 2022 at a premises near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone were put in place around the premises. Affected birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled.

You can check if you are under restriction by using APHA’s interactive map which can be found here.

Details of the measures that apply in these zones can be found in the declaration here.

The NFU can provide their members with guidance on what to do if you are in a Disease Control Zone which includes information on disease control measures and licensing. This information is available here and please do get in touch if you need any guidance or support.

Please be aware, if you have any poultry on your farm, even just a few chickens in the garden (this makes you a poultry keeper) and if any part of your CPH falls within one of the Disease Control Zones then restrictions will also apply to the movement of ANY of your livestock (including cattle, horses etc). A general licence is now available on the government website which can be used to transport livestock as long as certain conditions are met, including ensuring there has been no contact between livestock and poultry or captive birds for 21 days prior to movement.

If parts of a single holding (with one CPH) are in different zones, then the whole of the site is considered to be in the zone with the highest level of restriction. If you have more than one holding and they have separate CPH’s, any holding with a single CPH where the entire holding is outside of the zone will not be subject to the additional restrictions that apply within the zones.

Licensing:

If your premises is in one of the Disease Control Zones, a movement licence will be required for certain activities. Specific licences can be obtained from the APHA by using their online licensing portal.

Please ensure you give the APHA as much notice as possible as it can take time to issue licences. Complex and high-risk movements will require extra time to assess and process.

There are general licences available for certain movements, more information on these can be found on the government website.

General information and guidance:

• Further DEFRA Guidance on Avian influenza can be found here.
• For all members with poultry please do follow good biosecurity practice. The NFU have biosecurity resources available here
• If you haven’t already please do register your poultry on the national poultry register here – registering means APHA can contact keepers with advice and latest news on disease outbreaks.
• To keep up to date on the latest information the NFU have an Avian Influenza hub which contains advice and information and can be found here.

A Dementia Friend is somebody that learns about dementia so they can help their community. Dementia Friends help people living with dementia by taking actions – both big and small. Actions do not need to be time-consuming. Anyone can become a Dementia Friend and it’s really easy. Volunteer Ambassadors are running in-person Information Sessions as well as virtual Information Sessions that you can book on to attend. Or you can watch our short online video to join. Click here for further information

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has teamed up with the British Burn Association (BBA) to warn families of the dangers of holding firework displays at home this Bonfire Night.

Between 2014 –19 there were more than 1,000 severe burn injuries involving fireworks in England and Wales, with 38% of these in youngsters under 15 years of age and the majority (67%) were sustained by males.

The NFCC advises that in order to hold a firework display, the space required depends on the type of firework and must be checked. The information for each firework will be printed on the side of the product so should be checked before purchase. In general, the distance required will range from five metres to 25 metres, this is equivalent to half the length of a fire engine to two and half times the length of a fire engine. So, spectators should be at least this distance away from the firework when it is set off. Therefore, the size of the garden will need to be greater than the distance shown on the firework.

If families do have the space in their garden, they must ensure that fireworks are bought from a licensed supplier or authorised retailer who can also provide appropriate advice. Fireworks must not be bought or used by anyone under the age of 18 and fireworks must have the CE safety mark printed on them.

Recently introduced government legislation gives police the powers to fine people who break the latest measures. Government restrictions on social gatherings – both nationally and locally – aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ease pressures on the NHS.