Archive for category: News

The police and Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service are warning residents to beware of phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be HMRC.

The bogus callers attempt to frighten residents by falsely suggesting that the Police are on the verge of arresting them for unpaid taxes. The fraudsters then ask the residents to pay the bogus ‘tax bill’ often using iTunes gift card voucher codes.

Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Whilst most people see through these scam calls and put the phone down, unfortunately some vulnerable people can and do fall victim to these frightening phone calls, losing thousands of pounds as a consequence.”

“If you have a vulnerable family member, neighbour or friend, make sure they are aware of this scam and how they can protect themselves.”

Warwickshire Trading Standards has seen an increase in the number of complaints in the past month relating to bogus HMRC phone calls, emails and texts. Many of the calls relate to demands for payment, but some also concern bogus tax refunds. In these cases residents are asked for personal and financial information that can then be used for identity theft and are normally asked to pay money in advance to receive their non-existent refund.

Be Aware

• HMRC will never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ask for payment using iTunes gift card voucher codes or similar.

• Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephone’s display.

• If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.

Protect Yourself and Others

• There are now a number of scam call blocking/filtering devices on the market that are very effective in reducing and in some cases eliminating bogus calls. These are particularly useful for vulnerable individuals who would struggle to spot a scam caller.

For more information and to report HMRC scams, visit:

• HMRC: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples

• Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

To receive scam alerts to your email inbox visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

There is a second vacancy for the position of parish councillor.  The public notice is currently being displayed on the notice boards stating ‘an election to fill the casual vacancy shall be held if notice in writing of a request for such an election has been given by TEN local government electors for the parish to the Returning Officer at Bromsgrove District Council.’

The address to send that notice is Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove B61 8DA and must be delivered by Friday 10th August.

If there has been no call by that date then the parish council will seek a suitable candidate to co-opt.

Here’s a copy of the application form and the co-option procedure: Co-option procedure 2017-09

Severn Trent Water have issued a note (see below) to Hewell Road premises advising that in order to improve the water supply in the area they need to carry out investigation works.

There will be a few small excavations, trial holes on the footpath near to Poplar Drive and Orchard Croft, and also in the road at Orchard Croft, outside Rosebank, near the Post Office and by Millennium Park.  The trial holes in the road will require traffic light controls.  The work is expected to take one week starting 16th July.

A new safety barrier is to be installed on sections of the M42 between junction 3a and junction 7a.

Start of works: Monday, 9 July 2018

End of works: Friday, 21 September 2018

Hours of work: 10pm to 6am Monday to Friday

To maintain a safe environment for workforce and road users, two lanes will need to be closed on the northbound and southbound carriageways in sections from 10pm to 6am.  One lane will be kept open for traffic. There will also be some overnight closures, which will be advertised in advance using signs at the roadside.

M42 J3a -J7a VRS letter_

Well done and thank you to everyone who took part in the Barnt Green Fun Run on Sunday 24th June.  Despite the heat and the lure of England winning a football game, over 100 participants ran, jogged or walked the 3 laps (5k) around the village.  We’ll be doing it again next year – date yet to be arranged.  Excellent work from the Barnt Green Chuggers and Chain Gang team who ran the event with support from the sponsor Provest and the Parish Council.