Archive for category: News & Information

View our final recommendations on our website Today we published our final recommendations for future electoral arrangements for Worcestershire. We have now completed our electoral review of Worcestershire. We are extremely grateful to the people of Worcestershire who took the time and effort to send us their views. We considered every piece of evidence we received before finalising our recommendations. As a result of our recommendations for new division patterns, we are making changes to the parish electoral arrangements for the following parish and town councils: ·        Belbroughton and Fairfield  ·        Droitwich Spa ·        Evesham ·        Kidderminster ·        Kidderminster Foreign ·        Malvern ·        Stourport-on-Severn ·        Wolverley and Cookley The changes we have proposed must now be approved by Parliament. A draft Order – the legal document which brings into force our recommendations – will now be laid before Parliament. The draft Order will provide for new electoral arrangements for Worcestershire to be implemented at the local elections in 2025.

 

 

COURIER FRAUD

Incidents of Courier Fraud continue to feature highly within reported Fraud Crime within our region, and so we have to continue to raise awareness of this type of crime.

Courier Fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victim by telephone usually claiming to be a police officer, bank official or other law enforcement official.

The caller may also be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The caller will try and build up trust with the potential victim before proceeding.

Their aim is to get the victim to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card and /or bank details, and more than often will target the elderly as potential victims.

How does it work?

• The scammer calls you claiming to be from your bank or as a police officer and will tell you either a fraudulent payment on your account needs dealing with, or sometimes that a person has been arrested using your details and cards
• You may be asked to call the bank back to convince you the call is genuine using the number on the reverse of your card. However, the Scammer has still kept the line open so you are still touch with the Scammer
• If you do try to call your Bank back, always wait at least 5 minutes for the line to clear or use another phone
• They will either ask you for your card PIN number or tell you to key it into the phone – you should never be asked for your PIN or pass it over on the phone
• The Caller then tells you they will send a Courier to pick up your card – they may often provide a “password” to give to the Courier to make it sound even more genuine

Once they have your card and your PIN they then have access to your money.

Other versions of this scam include:

• Asking you to withdraw a large sum of cash which the police will mark and return to the banking system in an effort to identify a corrupt banking person – once you hand over the cash to the courier – it is gone
• Scammers have also realised now that when a more vulnerable person goes into the Bank to withdraw large sums of cash the Bank staff become suspicious, so the Scammer may tell the victim to withdraw the cash in Euros from a Foreign Exchange outlet
• A person claiming to be a Police Officer and is investigating sales of counterfeit goods then asks you to buy an expensive item such as a watch or jewellery from a specific retailer. You are then asked to hand it over to the Courier to deliver to the “Police” and again that is the last you see or hear of it.
• A further common variation is to tell you your bank account has been compromised and you need to transfer all your money into a “Safe Account”. Once again you have delivered your cash directly to the Scammer.

Protect yourself

• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
• If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
• If you think you have been scammed use the dedicated “159” telephone number for direct access to your Bank

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED

OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

Take Five to Stop Fraud

• STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam

and report it to Action Fraud

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

Honeybourne Remembers

On Thursday, June 6 residents of Honeybourne, Councillors and the local school children came together to remember the tens of thousands of allied forces who gave service on D-DAY eighty years ago and helped secure the peace we in the United Kingdom enjoy today.

Children from Honeybourne Primary Academy read out poems that they had composed, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on this day eighty years ago. We then welcomed the Alcester Silver Band who entertained us with musical memories of wartime.

For those of us feeling a bit hungry our mobile fish and chip shop provided a top class hot meal.

For over 160 years fish and chips have been a firm favourite with the British  public, providing  nourishment for the nation. This humble meal was a vital ingredient of the war effort in both First and Second World Wars.  The British Government safeguarded the supply of fish and potatoes during both world  wars to ensure the dish remained a boost to morale and these foods were among the few not be subject to rationing during both world wars.

In common with many locations throughout the nation the beacon of peace was lit at 9.15pm by local resident Mr Simon Steward, who has served in the armed forces for 22 years and the International Tribute was read out by Cllr G Clelland.

The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who attended.

Good evening everyone and welcome to our Annual Parish Meeting.  The purpose of this meeting is to update you on what the Parish Council have been up to in the past 12 months.  It is also an opportunity for the various voluntary organisations within the village to report on all their activities over the past yea.

Honeybourne Sports Field

At last year’s annual meeting I reported that the PC were successful in their grant application to Wychavon District Council Legacy Fund, along with Section 106 monies, we were able to commence work on improving the grounds at the Sport Fields, providing a boules court, a trim trail and outdoor gym equipment.  The project was completed at the end of June 2023.  In October the Parish Council held an official opening of the new facilities at the Sport Field attended by our local MP Mr Nigel Huddleston. The Vice-Chair of Wychavon District Council, Cllr George Duffy officially opened the facilities on behalf of the Parish Council.

The local boules team gave a demonstration on how to play the game before the public and guests tried their skills.

In spite of the inclement weather this winter a good number of residents have braved the conditions and made good use of the new facilities. Two new benches have been located at the Sports Field and the existing picnic tables and seating were refurbished.  A secure container for storage was obtained and is located adjacent to the sports field car park.  Also, to improve security, a new CCTV system, covering the whole Sports Field, has been installed.

Annual Inspections

An annual safety inspection of the equipment at the Sports Field and The Leys were carried out by RoSPA Play Safety. The PC’s handyman continues to inspect the equipment on a weekly basis.

The Leys Playing Field

A new eight-seater picnic bench was installed next to the play area and two gabion benches were placed in the Wildflower meadow.  Our thanks goes out to a local resident who kindly donated one of these benches in memory of their grandparents.

 

A single junior goal post was erected which is being well used.

Defibrillators

Following requests from residents for an additional defibrillator to be installed at the top end of the village the PC would like to thank the proprietor of Ludify Automotive for allowing us to place the defibrillator on the wall of retail unit in Sycamore Drive. The defibrillator is registered with West Midlands Ambulance Services and was funded by the Department of Health and the PC.

VAS

The Parish Council is grateful to County Cllr Adams for his assistance in helping the Parish to obtain permission from WCC Highways to install a VAS on the grass verge by ‘The Fish’ sign, The Co-Op and Garden centre.  We’re now just waiting for the post be erected by Worcestershire County Council Highways department.  An application for funding for an additional VAS sign was submitted to the West Mercia Police Commissioner’s Grant.  Unfortunately we were not successful in our grant application due to over subscription from other parishes in Worcestershire so the sign has been funded by the PC.  There are now 3 VAS signs in Honeybourne which will hopefully remind people to adhere to the speed limit whilst driving through the village.
Training and equipment for PRoW (Public Right of Way) volunteers

The PC are supporting the volunteers with training in the safe use of their mechanical equipment as well as purchasing a strimmer, a hedge cutter and PPE.

Community Litter Pick

The PC held community litter picks in the spring and autumn in conjunction with the National Keep Britain Tidy.

GWR Poppies to Paddington Event

I had the privilege to be invited by GWR to represent Honeybourne Parish Council to participate in their Poppies to Paddington event on Friday 10^th November at 7:57am when the train passed through Honeybourne Station.  I handed a poppy wreath to the GWR team for the onward journey to Paddington Station.  Our wreath, along with dozens of other wreaths from across the GWR network, were then displayed at the War Memorial in the station for Armistice Day.

GWR started the Poppy Trains during the Covid lockdown when local memorial ceremonies were not always possible. The Poppies Trains have been so well supported, GWR have continued to run every year.

Remembrance Sunday Service

I also attended the Remembrance service at St Ecgwin Church. Following the service, I laid the PC’s wreath at the War Memorial in the church grounds.

Civic Service

The Chair of Wychavon District Council, Cllr Raphel invited the Chairs/Mayors from the District to attend his Civic Service at Pershore Abbey to celebrate 50^th Anniversary of Wychavon District Council which I attended together with my partner Mark.

Wychavon Community Roadshow

The Parish Council, in conjunction with the community safety team from Wychavon District Council, hosted the Property and Home Security Roadshow.  Their crime prevention trained officers offered free advice on how to better protect your home and personal belongings, to help you reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft or burglary.

The Civility and Respect Pledge

At the meeting on the 12^th March 2024, members of Honeybourne Parish Council unanimously agreed to sign up to the Civility & Respect Pledge.

The Civility and Respect Pledge is part of a project created and overseen by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations, to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a positive cultural change for the local council sector.

Poor behaviour, bullying or rudeness in public life should never be tolerated and by signing the pledge, we are again affirming our commitment to standing up for mutual respect and the pledge makes it clear exactly what that involves.

Honeybourne Parish Council Community Grants

The PC awarded the following voluntary groups grants to help support their activities;

• Honeybourne Indoor Bowls
• Honeybourne Village News
• Honeybourne Village Fete

Planning Applications

The Parish Council have reviewed 16 planning applications in the last year ranging from a landscaping application for the Owl Homes Development, to outline planning in the parish, domestic extensions and industrial applications.   Among the applications the PC, with the help of their planning consultant, Brodie Planning submitted objections to 2 outline planning applications for the development of 40 dwellings and erection of a self-build dwelling.  The PC would like to thank both Brodie Planning and our District Cllr Hannah Robson who successfully supported the PC’s objections for both applications at WDC Planning Committee meeting.  At this time I would also like to take the opportunity once again to say a massive “thank you” to the small but very dedicated team volunteers who devoted a significant amount of their own time of the course of two years supported by Brodie Planning to compile our Local Neighbourhood Plan.   It was due to the LNP along with the support from Bodie Planning and our District Councillor, that both these applications were refused by WDC Planning Committee.

General

Due to work commitments Cllrs Z Thorpe and C Steward resigned this year.  On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank them for their time in office and for all their help and support over the past year.  Cllr Balbur  Dubb was co-opted onto the Council during the year and the council now currently has 3 casual vacancies. If anyone would like to become a councillor please contact the Clerk.

Finally, I would like to thank our Clerk for all her great work, help, guidance and support over the past year and all my fellow Councillors, County Cllr Alistair Adams and District Cllrs Judith Ciotti and Hannah Robson for their support during the year.  Also thank you to all the volunteers and residents for your support to make Honeybourne better place for all.

Before I end my report, I would like to invite everyone to attend the 80^th D-Day Anniversary commemoration on 6^th June at the Village Hall from 6:30pm.  The PC will be holding a free Silver Band Concert, poetry reading by our local school children and the lighting of the peace Beacon at 9:15pm.  As it is also the National Fish & Chips Day a mobile food truck will be on hand to sell Fish & chips and there will be a pop a bar.

Cllr Heath Jobes

Chair of Honeybourne Parish Council