Piddington and Wheeler End Parish Council - News In Full

'For young people, by young people.'

Bucks Youth Bank is a grant-making panel for young people's projects that benefit the community. Buckinghamshire currently has 2 Youth Bank panels, one in Aylesbury and another in Wycombe.

The panels give out grants to local groups of young people or individuals aged 13-19. This funding may be for projects the young people want to start or which they are all ready involved in but want to develop.

The role of the Youth Bank panels is to look at application forms and decide on how the grant money should be spent - Young People Make The Decisions.

Projects that have previously been funded, dance, drama, music workshops, community safety, volunteering, drugs awareness, independent living, special music events.

The young people from Youth Bank panels regularly take part in fundraising events and activities to add to the 'pot' of funds they are able to distribute around the county.

Youth Bank are always looking for new people to be involved. Either to be part of a panel or to get stuck into fundraising, or both! If you are interested please give us a shout.

To apply, for funds complete an application form, for assessment by your local Youth Bank panel. A presentation will need to be given to the panel for grants over £3,000.

For more information call 01296 382543 or email bucksyouthbank@buckscc.gov.uk

You can download an application form from http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/youth/YouthBank.page

A campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse is being launched today (14/05) by Thames Valley Police in partnership with Domestic Abuse Co-ordinators and Crimestoppers.

The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness and promote early intervention in an attempt to break the cycle of abuse.

The majority of domestic abuse still goes unreported and the focus of the campaign is to encourage people to contact either the police, Crimestoppers or specialist support agencies.

The campaign is urging family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to come forward and let the police or other agencies know if they suspect someone is being abused.

A dedicated website speakouttoday.co.uk and video has been launched to provide practical information for victims and those supporting them, and includes vital links to national and local support services.

Further information on domestic abuse can be found on the Thames Valley Police website http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/

The Arrive number 40 bus service will be improved from Monday 11th June.The new timetable is available and shows that we wll have an hourly bus service into Wycombe on Saturday afternoons - there are buses starting at 8.14am through to 20.14 in the evening. Passengers will also be able to use the 40 service to get to High Wycombe Train Station - one bus per hour will travel to the train station before going to the bus station.

PARKING:
Over the past month three fixed penalty notices have been given to motorists parking on the yellow lines on the West Wycombe High Street. Two tickets have been issued to motorists who have parked on the turning circle at the junction of Chorley Rd and the A40, West Wycombe. These all relate to parents that are collecting children from the Primary school. Ideally we do not want to have to give out parking tickets. However we are concerned that if people are parking incorrectly then more drivers may be tempted to do so and a result there will be an increased risk of an accident at school pick up/drop off times. Parents have plenty of car park spaces available within the West Wycombe Garden Centre and we are pleased to see that the majority of parents are parking lawfully. A minority of parents have been parking in the private car park of Church Lane. Again we are concerned that an accident may occur as children walk across this car park to and from school. The team will be continuing to target drivers who park unlawfully.

SPEEDING:
Speeding is still a concern on the neighbourhood. The local neighbourhood team have numerous speeding operations planned for the coming weeks to enforce and educate drivers travelling over the speed limit. The Buckinghamshire road safety officer will be joining the team to complete speed enforcement patrols in Stokenchurch and Lane End. Fixed penalty notices will be issued to any motorist caught speeding. Motorists will then be given the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course where appropriate. If a motorist decides to attend the course they will not be given the penalty points for the speeding offence.

Theft from insecure Motor Vehicles
Overnight on 6th-7th April four offences of theft from a motor vehicle took place on Bolter End Lane and Finings Road. The vehicles that were targeted had all been left unlocked by the owners. Some of the vehicles were parked on drive ways. A series of similar offences have taken place over the past couple of months in Stokenchurch, Risborough, Marlow and Penn. These vehicles either had property stolen from inside or the vehicles interior was searched and nothing was taken. The majority of these vehicles were left insecure and basically provided an open invite to an opportunist thief.

To try and prevent further offences and to raise awareness to this current crime trend, Operation “Get the Message” has been created. This operation, which has been aptly named due to the local community not getting the message about car security, will involve visible patrols in the area, the distribution of crime prevention literature, the use of the media, intelligence gathering and engagement with the local community. It also involves officers physically checking vehicles parked on main roads and side streets to see that they are locked and secure. If a vehicle is found insecure or has tempting property left on show then attempts are to be made to find the owner of the vehicle and provide suitable crime prevention advice.

Anti-Social Behaviour
There have not been many reports of anti social behaviour over the past month. There does not appear to be a problem with anti social behaviour at all in Piddington and West Wycombe at this time. We have received a few reports of incidents in Lane End and a couple in particular have caused some concern. These relate to youths starting fires in Millennium Park. Two ten year olds have been identified as being responsible and have been warned by officers. It is alarming that they were in possession of lighters. Please can we request that if you have young children ensure that they do not have access to lighters or matches. We do not want this trend to escalate.

Partnership Activity and neighbourhood action group
Did you know that there is a Neighbourhood Action Group that represents the Stokenchurch, Lane End, Piddington and West Wycombe area? The NAG consist of a voluntary group of people who meet with the police on a regular basis to discuss issues that have an impact upon the local community and to try and find a joint way of solving them. Interested in getting involved? Then please get in touch. Please see the attached document for more details.
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/nagleaflet.pdf

Offenders brought to justice
A male from High Wycombe has been charged with Robbery following an offence in Stokenchurch.
A female from Stokenchurch has been cautioned for stealing money from a friend’s bank account.
A male from Stokenchurch has been reported to court for the offence of common assault following an incident that took place in November 2011.
A female from Slough was found to be in possession of cannabis in West Wycombe. They have been cautioned for the offence.

Have Your Say online
You can now send non-emergency messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-about-nh-pol/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n235-hys. Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we do check our mail box only at certain times of the day.


Have Your Say meetings:
Come and meet the team at the following locations and discuss any issues that concern you:Sunday 13th May 2012-1200-1230 hours Forgetts Rd, Lane End
Sunday 13th May 2012-1300-1330 hours Widdenton View, Lane End
Sunday 20th May 2012 1430-1500 hours Pigeon Farm Rd, Stokenchurch
Sunday 20th May 2012 1530-1600 hours Britnell Court, Stokenchurch
Monday 21st May 2012-1800-1830 hours- Blackwell Rd, Lane End
Wednesday 23rd May 2012-1800-1830 hours-Cater Road, Millennium Park Lane End

If you have anything that you would like to discuss with these officers then feel free to attend the surgery. If you cannot make these events then please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Neighbourhood Team using the Thames Valley Police non emergency number on 101.
Finally the team would love to hear from the public regarding any positive or negative feedback that you may have.

Pc 2272 Danny O’ Driscoll,
PCSO 9923 Penny Ling
PCSO 9635 Andy Seston
Stokenchurch, Lane End and West Wycombe Community Team

An essential resource for anyone going to the games or trying to avoid the congestion and road changes that will take place

http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/

The Neighbourhood Policing Teams of Wycombe have noticed an increase in the number of cases they are dealing with involving counterfeit bank notes. In particular there seem to be a number of counterfeit £20 notes circulating in the Wycombe area. Such notes are taken out of circulation as soon as possible, often resulting in an unrecoverable loss to small businesses and individuals.

During calendar year 2011, the number of counterfeit Bank of England banknotes taken out of circulation was around 374,000 with a face value of £6.3mn.
There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your business from falling victim to such fraud. Comprehensive guides on how to check Bank of England notes are available online or in print, free of charge, direct from the Bank of England by following this link: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/Pages/educational.aspx


If you have any information, or have been the victim of fraud, please contact us on our new non emergency number 101. If you want to provide information anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
 

We want to ensure that emergency medical services are available 24 hours a day at Wycombe Hospital. The PCT are suggesting that in future only Stoke Mandeville will have a 24 hour emergency medical service.
 

http://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=633&TPID=68288919

The Traffic Regulation Order to ban vehicles over 5 tonnes parking on either side of the entire length of the Old Oxford Road will come into force by the end of May. There will 32 signs along the road quoting the ban and a further 8 signs covering all the access points in the Old Oxford Road warning lorry drivers that parking is not allowed. Let us hope that this stops the continual problem of having HGV’s parked on our verges.

We have also asked Bucks County Council to highlight all the dropped kerbs and bus stops in our community to ensure that pedestrians and bus users have free and safe access and do not have to walk around cars and in the road when trying to walk along pavements or get on and off the bus.

We have one allotment plot spare at the moment, the hard work of clearing the weeds and tree roots has been carried out by the Parish Council and if someone would like to take on a plot please contact either Sylvia Storey on 881512 or the Parish Clerk at the address below.

We have been asked by Thames Valley Police to remind people to lock their cars and not leave valuables in their cars. Local villages have had a spate of car break ins and several of these have been made possible or been encouraged by cars being unlocked and tempting goods being highly visible.

We would like to thank County Councillor Frank Downes for making a donation of |£500 towards the Parishes celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee. The Parish Council has agreed to plant a total of 9 trees (3 oak, 6 fruit) within our parish and we will be working with local people and an arboriculturalist to ensure that we plant them in the best place for maximum growth and visibility.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on the 9th May – please come along to find out what the Parish Council has been doing for the past 12 months and what plans it has for the next 12. We would also like to hear from you with any ideas for improving the quality of resident’s lives in the villages of Piddington and Wheeler End.
 

The Community Right to Build gives communities new powers to build local housing, shops and community facilities.

It allows communities to create the buildings they want to see without going through the normal planning application process.

It came into effect in April 2012.

http://communityrights.communities.gov.uk/what-are-community-rights/community-right-to-build/

or the short link

http://t.co/Q2funyzz

For 5 to 9 year olds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ7N0nCymWo&feature=youtu.be

For all children:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10015786

A public ballot has opened today for UK residents to apply to be at the heart of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday 5 June.

Ten thousand members of the public will get the opportunity to enjoy the day’s events from free seats facing Buckingham Palace.

The day will be the culmination of the Diamond Jubilee weekend and will include a lunch at Westminster Hall, a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace and a balcony appearance and flypast.

Details of how to apply and other information about the ballot is available online.

The ballot will close at 23:59 BST on Friday 20 April 2012.

More information

Four thousand guests, will join The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, at the party to be held near Henley-on-Thames on the afternoon of 25 June. It is being jointly organised by the Lord-Lieutenants of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire as part of The Queen’s UK-wide Diamond Jubilee regional tour.

More than a quarter of the tickets will be available through the public ballot which will be drawn on 9 May by the Lord-Lieutenants of each of the three counties. The ballot is open to adult residents of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Each successful applicant will be allocated a double ticket so they can bring a guest.

They will join guests from all walks of public life including representatives of voluntary organisations and charities, together with civic, community and business leaders.

The ballot closes on 30 April. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of May.

Guests are promised a splendid afternoon to remember. A highlight is a river pageant themed around the Thames which celebrates the important role the river has played in the life of the three counties over a thousand years.

Closely associated with the event is a major Jubilee fund-raising appeal for the four Community Foundations in the three counties which exist to strengthen communities and enrich local life by inspiring and supporting philanthropy and charitable giving.

Click on the Application Form to print and send no later 30th April

Rate and comment on NHS services

You can share your experiences of almost any NHS service. Just search for the service below and give your feedback

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/HospitalCommentInput.aspx?servicetype=hospital&searchtype=hospitalcommentsearch

or the short link

http://t.co/RN5lz4c3

The State Pension profiler uses information you provide to quickly estimate how much basic State Pension you may get. This is based on your National Insurance contributions to date. It will also tell you the earliest you may get it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_184319

The e-marketplaces campaign is for people who are trading online through an online marketplace, sometimes referred to as an online auction or online market to sell goods and services as a trade or as a business but aren't paying the right amount of tax.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/campaigns/emarket.htm

Dentistry is one of very few NHS services you have to pay for. This section explains what you will have to pay for and when you may not have to pay.

http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/aboutnhsservices/dentists/pages/nhs-dental-charges.aspx

This maintenenace work will trigger the RSS Feed to list all the pages on the website and will cause temporary corruption of the "Last Page Updated" list for which we apologise.

The "Last Page Updated" list will regenerate as soon as new pages and documents are uploaded to the site.

Thames Valley Police are committed to involving the community in the policing of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes. We believe that by improving the flow of information between the community and its police we can all make a greater impact in the prevention and detection of crime and anti social behaviour.

To receive messages by email, text, phone or Twitter visit:

https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/

After two years of very low winter rainfall, parts of England are officially in drought. As a result, a number of water companies have announced temporary restrictions in water use from 5 April 2012.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_201641?cid=rss

The Parish Council has at last been advised that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Heavy Goods Vehicle restriction on the Old Oxford Road, Piddington will be sealed on the 3rd April 2012 and come into operation on the13th April 2012 after which Bucks County Council will be in a position to order the signs and programme their installation.

A soon as we are advised when the sign installation is due to take place, we will place the information on the Parish Council website. It is hoped that Bucks County will complete all the work by the end of May.

We started this process in July 2009 as the Parish Council had received a large number of complaints about the lorries which continually park along the Old Oxford Road and cause a nuisance for local people as well as the bus companies.

A TRO is a legally enforceable document and there are a large number of hurdles we had to jump to get the this final stage. Reports had to be written, the public had to be consulted - in the middle of this the person we were working with went on long term sick leave and Bucks County Council did not and still does not have enough people to take on someone else's work.

We were told that our TRO was being dealt with as an individual case which should have made the process slightly quicker however it would appear that it was lumped together with 4 others and these had contentious issues which further delayed the process.

We are now there - eureka.

http://www.ageukbucks.org.uk/

Some packs in one batch of co-codamol 8mg/500mg strength tablets manufactured by Wockhardt UK Ltd have been found to contain the higher strength co-codamol 30mg/500mg product. The issue seems to have been a result of a manufacturing error but this is still being looked into.

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON146829

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget/Budget2012/DG_WP201339

“Taking a low dose of aspirin every day can prevent and possibly even treat cancer,” BBC News today reported.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/03march/Pages/daily-aspirin-cuts-cancer-risk.aspx

Here is a list of frauds claiming to be linked with London 2012

http://www.london2012.com/about-this-website/stay-safe-online.php

Women concerned about French-made PIP breast implants can find all the latest NHS information about the issue on these pages.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Breast-implants/Pages/PIP-introduction.aspx

This consultation sets out the government's proposals to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage.

The key proposals of the consultation are:

to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage i.e. only civil ceremonies in a register office or approved premises (like a hotel)
to make no changes to religious marriages. This will continue to only be legally possible between a man and a woman
to retain civil partnerships for same-sex couples and allow couples already in a civil partnership to convert this into a marriage
civil partnership registrations on religious premises will continue as is currently possible i.e. on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content
individuals will, for the first time, be able legally to change their gender without having to end their marriage

Current legislation allows same-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership, but not civil marriage.

The full details of the consultation are included in the pdf version of the consultation document, which is available to download below.
Respond online

Please send us your comments by using our online form (Opens in a new window).

The consultation closes on 14 June 2012.
 

Protect yourself against online fraud:

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/TDIYD-your-personal-information-is-valuable-so-protect-it-Mar12

http://t.co/WS3w1OpW
 

Housing Minister Grant Shapps declared the NewBuy Guarantee open for business - a scheme that will enable an estimated 100,000 prospective and existing homeowners to buy their dream home with much smaller deposits than currently required.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/2104147

Driving licence rules will be changing from 19 January 2013. There will be many new rules for motorcycles, cars towing trailers, buses and lorries. Find out more about these changes and how they could affect you as an existing or new driver.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DG_201187

Stokenchurch, W Wycombe & Lane End Neighbourhood Police Monthly Update, March 2012

At the end of February there were five reports of thefts from motor vehicles in the New Road and Jubilee Road area of Stokenchurch. The vehicles that were targetted had all been left unlocked overnight making it easy for the offenders. Various items were stolen including sat navs, cash and Laptops. The vehicles were also all parked on the owners driveways so the offenders are willing to step onto your property. We would very much like to encourage you all not to become an easy victim of crime by leaving your vehicles insecure and also leaving possessions within them. We do not want criminals to see Stokenchurch as an area where it is easy to commit offences. Please make sure your vehicles are locked and secure to prevent an increase in crime on our neighbourhood!!!

You may have noticed that the team have put up a number of crime prevention posters around the village and! that crime prevention advice leaflets have been distributed. We plan to complete a campaign called "the clear car campaign" whereby we will attempt to identify vehicles that have left items on display that would appeal to an opportunist criminal. The owner of the vehicle will be given a crime prevention pack.

The team recently executed a search warrant at an address on Cater Rd Lane End under the misuse of Drugs act. Three persons were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The investigation is ongoing.

For more information please visit the Thames Valley Police crime mapping website at: http://maps.police.uk/view/thames-valley (opens new window) then search using your post code to see local figures.

Anti-Social Behaviour(ASB)
Reports of ASB have generally decreased across the area; however there have been a couple of reports of local youths in Lane End throwing eggs and stones at Grays Dormer o! n Thorne Rd. These youths have been identified and have been given war nings in front of their parents. Since then there have been no further incidents but should the incidents start up again then further action will be taken.

Offenders brought to justice
1.---A male from Northampton has been reported for the offence of Harassing a female in Lane End
2.---A male from Stokenchurch has been reported for the offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.
3.---A male from Lane End has been reported for the offences of riding a motorcycle without a licence and without insurance.
4.---A male from Stokenchurch has been charged with Assault after a domestic disturbance in the village.

Neighbourhood priorities

PARKING:
The problem with parking continues in West Wycombe whereby parents collecting their children from the school are leaving their cars on the grass land at the junction of Chorley Road with the A40 and also on the yellow lines on the High Street. Motorists ! have been asked to park legally by us and also by the school however there are a number of people that have not listened to our requests. Therefore we have had no choice other than to issue vehicles with parking tickets. Four tickets have been issued in the past week. This being a £30 fine to offenders.

SPEEDING:
PCSO Penny Ling recently arranged for a fixed speed indication device to be put up on Bolter End Lane, Bolter End. The speed limit here being 30mph. In January approximately 82.32% of vehicles were travelling over 30 mph. In February there were 75.66% travelling over 30 mph. There is clearly a problem with speeding at this location. The team attended this past month on numerous occasions with the speed gun and issued fixed penalty notices to those caught speeding. Over the next month we will continue to target Bolter End Lane at various times of the day.

Have Your Say meetings:
Come and meet the team at the following! locations and discuss any issues that concern you:

Thursda y 22nd March 1430-1500-Wycliff Centre, Horsley Green
Sunday 25th March 1500-1530-Queens Road Piddington
Sunday 25th March 1600-1630- Radnage Common Rd, Radnage
Sunday 25th March 1700-1730- Church Rd, Stokenchurch

Have Your Say online
You can now send non-emergency messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-about-nh-pol/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n235-hys. Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we do check our mail box only at certain times of the day.

Pc 2272 Danny O' Driscoll, PCSO 9923 Penny Ling & PCSO 9635 Andy Seston
Stokenchurch, Lane End and West Wycombe Community Team
 

Homemade cakes, bric-a-brac for sale and a raffle

Proceeds to Cancer Research and Florence Nightingale Hospice

Everyone is welcome - Please support these important charities.

Magistrates, also known as Justices of the Peace or JPs, are volunteers who hear cases in courts. They deal with around 95 per cent of criminal cases in England and Wales. Find out more about what magistrates do and how to become one.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/Volunteering/DG_195453

or the short link

http://t.co/CBMKay82

THINK BIKER car window sticker

http://shop.dft.gov.uk/THINKShop/product.aspx?ProductID=04cc108e-573c-43b8-bb46-21b1d27294d8

or the short link

http://t.co/XkkygkB6

Everyone has a story. So what’s yours?

Last year more than 8,000 young people took their story in a new direction with National Citizen Service. This year, you can too.

http://nationalcitizenservice.direct.gov.uk/

http://t.co/CXHQGMju

Developing reading, writing and spelling for five to 11 year olds

Reading with your child and helping them with writing and spelling can help boost their achievement. Certain skills, like reading and counting, are worth really practising at home because they're fundamental to your child's progress later on.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/HelpingYourChildToLearn/DG_4016579

or the short link

http://t.co/dTtTdNMB

Consumers have been warned to steer clear of pension offers that claim to be able to provide loans or release tax-free cash from people’s pension pots before they reach age 55.

http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/press/pn12-05.aspx

Buying a used vehicle is serious business. By making you aware of the following advice, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) can help you reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/AdviceOnBuyingAndSellingAVehicle/DG_4022402

or the short link

http://t.co/a1jtIGIy

Dogwatch is entirely staffed and funded by volunteers. We are proud to help the Police and RSPCA in the already excellent work that they do.

We circulate information regarding stolen dogs to our members; Police HQ; Beat Officers; Dog Wardens; and re-homing centres.

We circulate details of all snoopers on members’ property to members and Police Headquarters - helping to prevent rural crime.

We brief members on progress in the area by e-mail and hold regular meetings with the police.

http://dogwatchalert.com/

If you are being contacted about fines or charges for which you are not responsible it may be because someone is using your registration mark. It is possible that your vehicle may have been cloned. Find out what to do if you think your vehicle has been cloned.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/VehicleCrime/DG_10020050

We have seen a dip in our blood stocks and are looking for more O- B- and O+ donors. If you're eligible please call 0300 123 23 23

What you can earn & the taxes you pay

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/RentingOutYourProperty/index.htm

or the short link:

http://t.co/Bs1wFewP

If you have any ideas as to what extra piece of play equipment you would like the Parish Council to consider when discussing this subject , please let either the Clerk of any of the Councillors know what your thoughts might be.

Bucks County Council are involved in Bucks Business First an organisation to help small businesses with either small grants or loans or to encourage and help companies take on apprentices – if you would like to know more about this scheme please contact our County Councillor – Frank Downes on Fdownes@buckscc.gov.uk

The Traffic regulation Order has at last passed through all the Bucks County Council requirements and all the signs have all been ordered however we do not know the timescale for these to be installed.
 

The New Enterprise Allowance may help you if you want to start your own business. If you've been getting Jobseeker's Allowance for at least six months you could get a mentor and financial support to help set up your business. Find out more, including how to take part.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_198864

The Digital TV switchover for the London Region will start on 4th April, and if you don’t convert your TV to digital by the time of the switchover, you won’t be able to watch any TV programmes.

Community Impact Bucks is helping to cascade digital TV switchover information in the areas of south Bucks served by the London Transmitter group. In addition to our staff giving information and advice at local events and meetings we also have volunteers working across the area helping to spread the message to people who may need help in accessing the Switchover Help Scheme. We want to make sure no one is left with a blank screen.

The BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme can convert one TV to digital for you. You are eligible for the Help Scheme if you are:
- aged 75 or over, or
- live in a care home (for six months or more), or
- receive (or could get)
o Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or
o Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance or
o Mobility Supplement or
- registered blind or partially sighted

If you are eligible then the Help Scheme has already written to you. All you need to do is respond to the letter by sending back a completed reply form or telephone for free on 0800 40 85 900. If you receive a letter, please respond even if you don’t need any help.

The scheme can provide and install easy to use equipment to switch one TV. It includes an approved installer, aerial upgrade if needed and a 12 month aftercare service, with free helpline. Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the service but it can be free for those who receive certain income-related benefits.

Do you know someone who needs a helping hand switching to digital TV? Please talk to them and make sure they get the help they are entitled to by telling them about the Switchover Help Scheme.

If you are a community or voluntary group and would like to get involved in helping to cascade digital information to your members there is free help and support available to you. Please contact Carol Nutkins or Bridget Wythe at Community Impact Bucks on 0845 3890389 for further information.

For further information on the Switchover Help Scheme visit helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900. Textphone users can call 0800 40 85 936.

If you are not eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme, but need general switchover information or advice, visit www.digitaluk.co.uk
or call 08456 50 50 50.

http://www.set4sport.com/

Tuesday 5 June 2012

more details at

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

Are you paying too much for your broadband, phone or TV? Find out on Ofcom-approved price comparison sites

http://t.co/zYpQiudP

Find out about benefits and tax credits

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp

or the short link

http://t.co/Obj9FM81

If you’ve got a good idea of where you want to go with your career and like the idea of earning while you learn, an Apprenticeship could be for you. You’ll get top quality training, developing skills and gaining qualifications on the job.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/OptionsAt16/DG_4001327

or the short link:

http://t.co/IMsjMXYB

Directgov's Journey Planner offers a full range of information and route planning services for every journey. The Highways Agency offers live traffic updates, feeds and alerts, and information on weather conditions and planned roadworks on England's motorways and trunk roads. Get the information you need before you set off.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Usingmotorwaysandroads/Trafficinformationandjourneyplanning/DG_184637

or the short link:

http://t.co/52CovC2E

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions

UK consumers are achieving 22 per cent faster broadband speeds at home than they were 12 months ago, new Ofcom research reveals.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2012/02/jump-in-uk-broadband-speeds/?utm_source=DirectgovTwitter&utm_medium=Tweet&utm_campaign=bbspeedfeb

or the short link

http://t.co/Qdf8DWjy

Water regulator Ofwat publishes details of estimated rises in water & sewerage charges by region in Eng. & Wales

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressnotices2008/prs_pn0112bills

This website provides you with helpful information about crime and policing in your area.

And from May, maps will show action taken after a crime has occurred.

www.police.uk

Neighbour disputes and nuisances

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/NoiseNuisanceAndLitter/index.htm

See what's planned for June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

If you have an emergency situation; crime in progress, car accident with injured parties etc please ring 999, otherwise, call 101

Seen a dog that's dangerously out of control in England? Use Directgov to report it to your local dog warden.

http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=432&LGIL=8&ServiceName=Find%20out%20about%20the%20dog%20warden%20service

or the short link:

http://t.co/gFmjOLG4
 

Van buyers will be able to receive 20% - up to £8000 - off the cost of a plug-in van, Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today.

This is an extension of the Plug-In Car Grant which offers 25% - up to £5000 – to motorists buying a new plug-in car. Ministers have also re-confirmed there is funding secured for this grant until 2015.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-news-20120117

Check the radon map and see what you can do about it

http://www.ukradon.org/

If you have any ideas as to what extra piece of play equipment you would like the Parish Council to consider when discussing this subject , please let either the Clerk of any of the Councillors know what your thoughts might be.

Bucks County Council are involved in Bucks Business First an organisation to help small businesses with either small grants or loans or to encourage and help companies take on apprentices – f you would like to know more about this scheme please contact our County Councillor – Frank Downes on Fdownes@buckscc.gov.uk or frankdownes@westwycombe.org.uk

The Traffic regulation Order has at last passed through all the Bucks County Council requirements and all the signs have all been ordered however we do not know the timescale for these to be installed.

The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th February.

LIVE internet broadcasts showing meetings at Buckinghamshire County Council have begun.

The first webcast featured The Budget Scrutiny Challenge Group on Monday.

Meetings are recorded and can be viewed afterwards as well.

To view the Meetings or the recordings please visit:
http://www.buckscc.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

At the time of writing a poll on the Bucks Free Press website showed that 67% of readers would watch the meetings.

http://t.co/tSIyhaXr

NHS PIP breast implants to be removed for free.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/01January/Pages/government-review-advises-on-french-pip-breast-implants.aspx

or the short link:

http://t.co/lfwriwZp

The Government has decided to proceed with the development and delivery of a new national high speed rail network to provide the capacity that Britain needs to compete and grow.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/statements/greening-20120110

http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/high-speed-rail/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_073741

The current scams involve telephone calls from people pretending to be from the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) offering a refund on bank charges and emails pretending to be from the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) offering a tax rebate.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT

http://www.oft.gov.uk/consumer-advice/

Fahra Nawaz, aged 17, was last seen at her home address in Wingate Avenue at 5.30pm yesterday (2/1).

Fahra is Asian, 5ft 4ins, with a large build and long black hair. She was wearing traditional Asian-style clothing of blue trousers, a long purple top and black shoes.

Insp Glenn Jones said: "Fahra has learning difficulties and because of this she may be vulnerable to anyone who wanted to take advantage of her.

"I would urge anyone who has seen her, or who knows of her whereabouts, to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour Enquiry Line on 101.

Please don't leave it to someone else.

If you’re generally healthy and aged between 17 and 65, do something amazing.... Give blood.

http://www.blood.co.uk/

If we experience heavy snow this year please make sure any elderly, disabled or vulnerable neighbours are safe and warm.

We set our budget at £18,500, the same figure as the current year. It is planned to add a piece of play equipment to the Recreation Ground, have the names on the Wheeler End War Memorial re carved, sort out some of the overgrown allotments, contribute to the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations and to pay for the Traffic Regulation Order which should come into force in early 2012. At last!!

We are also planning to try to clear the remainder of the brambles on the top of the bank up Chipps Hill – this will not be easy but we want to encourage the wildflowers to grow and at the moment the top part is so choked with brambles that they are struggling to survive.

We have been advised by Thames Valley Police that there have been several burglaries on the industrial estate if anyone has seen anything please contact the police on their new non emergency number 101.
 

Would residents please note that the precept figure of £28,000 shown in the January issue of Contact is incorrect – it should read £18,500.

Do you have a question or view on:
Care for older people?
Reducing crime?
Services for those who are vulnerable?
Improving roads and footpaths?
Support services for children?
If so, come along to the Council’s scrutiny committees and have your say directly to County Councillors at the Public Platform slot at the meetings.
We welcome questions or views on any service delivered by Buckinghamshire County Council or the NHS in Buckinghamshire.
Complete an online form to submit your question or views and find out more information on our website:
www.bucks.gov.uk/scrutiny
Alternatively, call us on 01296 383604 or email us at
scrutiny@buckscc.gov.uk
Follow us on twitter at scrutinybucks

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38289.aspx

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200712

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/12/30/new-rules-will-make-it-easier-to-travel-with-pets/

Become a digital champion!

http://champions.go-on.co.uk/ways-to-be-a-digital-champion/inspire

The office is now closed for the Christmas Holiday and will re-open on January 4th 2011

WEST WYCOMBE’S NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK

Our annual walk will start at 1-30pm at
West Wycombe Village Hall

On the 1st of January 2012

We will walk for approximately one and a half hours then make our way back to the Village Hall for tea and home made cakes.

Everyone and their dogs are welcome

Please wear sensible footwear ( BOOTS!) because it is almost sure to be a hilly and muddy walk.

Any enquiries about the walk please contact Vicki Smith 01494 532239
 

Consultation Review

Timetable - 321

Timetable 275

Transport for Buckinghamshire Launch Service Information Centre Version Two.

It should be easier to get around the county in your car following the
launch of version two of Transport for Buckinghamshire's award winning
Service Information Centre.

Changes have been made to the site that give it a more user friendly feel,
as well as showing CCTV images of roads in the area and live car park data
for Aylesbury and Wycombe so that drivers can find available spaces.

Peter Hardy, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Planning and
Transport said, "These improvements create an enhanced experience for our
residents in Buckinghamshire. I am pleased that ongoing developments mean
that visitors to the site will benefit from all the new features that we
have added."

A single map now shows all works within Buckinghamshire and a map has also
been added showing disruption and congestion with live, real time
information. The new fresh look encourages users to share and discuss pages
using social media and via email and there are still more developments in
the pipeline.

To see the new site, visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/transport.

A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some vulnerable adults, cannot) consent to the marriage, but are coerced into it. The coercion can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure.

The Home Office are seeking views on whether making forcing someone to marry should be a criminal offence or whether current arrangements provide adequate protection. We are also interested in views on what more could be done to prevent forced marriage from happening. There are clear arguments both for and against making forced marriage a criminal offence. These arguments are presented in the consultation document.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/forced-marriage/

or the short link

http://t.co/DLguwnGj

he Christmas party season is nearly here, and if you are planning to party this year, think ahead, stay safe and know your limits.

Everyone enjoys a festive night out, but this is one of the busiest times of year for the emergency services who regularly deal with the fall out from Christmas cheer.

Almost half of all violent crime is alcohol-related, as are 80 percent of pedestrian deaths on a Friday and Saturday night so we are asking everyone who is planning to party this year to think ahead, drink sensibly and look out for one another.

Our message this Christmas is simple: plan ahead, drink sensibly, and look out for one another.

. Plan in advance how you will get home
. Save the number of a licensed taxi firm in your mobile phone
. Don't accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended
. If there's trouble while you are out, stay ! well clear of it
. Respect your colleagues when out together - don't overstep the mark
. Avoid walking alone through dark or unsafe areas
. Keep your belongings with you and valuables out of sight
. Don't drink and drive, and remember you may still be over the limit the morning after a big night out.

You can also get regular updates from the police through our Twitter channel @TVP_Wycombe and information from the Community Safety Partnership @wycombedcbesafe or www.nightsafewycombe.org

Many thanks for your support and best wishes for the festive season.

A specialist environmental crime taskforce which will blitz illegal waste sites in England and Wales over the next two years has been set up by the Environment Agency, it was announced today.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/135590.aspx?month=12&year=2011

or the short link

http://t.co/W8sfze20

You should only call this number if you have questions about your tax credits.

The exact cost of calling this number can be checked by calling your telephone service provider.

If you have hearing or speech impairments, the new textphone number is 0345 300 3909.

You will still also be able to use the old numbers (with the 0845 code), for about the next 18 months.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200423

Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded in 1986 following the disappearance
of the young estate agent. The aim of the Trust is to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.

They have created a special christmas safety list at http://www.suzylamplugh.org/personal-safety/personal-safety-tips/safety-over-the-festive-season/

and their website is full of useful and practical advice on personal safety for people from all walks of life.

www.suzylamplugh.org

Let us hope that this year we will not have to deal with major snow falls. If we do then the government have issued guidelines on how we can all help ourselves and our neighbours – if anyone is prepared to go on a Bucks County Council register as being able to help local neighbours who would normally have a carer visiting them every day or you have a 4 x 4 and would be able to help home carers travel to where they are needed please contact 01296 383409 or email locality-services@buckscc.gov.uk If you would like more information on the advice about snow clearance please go to www.direct.gov.uk and type ‘snow code’ into the search facility.

The Parish Council will be undertaking some clearance work on the allotments over the winter months so do not be surprised if you see bonfires and major work being undertaken. We are hoping to have 4 or 5 allotments ready for reallocation in early 2012. We have 8 people on our waiting list which means we will be able to cut the list by half.

We will be able to purchase red white and blue bunting in bulk from Bucks County Council. If you are interested the bunting will cost £1 per 10m run. Just let the Clerk know what your requirements are. We can also purchase flags at £7.45 for 50.

We have started to look at our budget for next year and if there are any projects you would like us to consider please submit your ideas to any of your Councillors or to the Clerk.

The next meetings will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th December. The dates for meetings and the names of all our Councillors are on the notice boards and can be seen elsewhere on the website.

Staying warm in winter

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health problems like pneumonia. Find out some simple things you can do to keep warm, stay healthy and make the best use of your heating at home.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/KeepingSafeAtHome/DG_10027755

or the short link:

http://t.co/4ogYn0hM

http://think.direct.gov.uk/video-drink-driving.html

you can choose to alert 4 people you are on your way home

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/press-release/22-nov11-am-i-safe-free-phone-app-allows-you-to-check-your-cab-is-licensed.aspx

Almost £1 billion will be spent over the next three years to provide unemployed young people with extra help as part of a new 'Youth Contract'.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200235

http://www.london2012.com/games/ceremonies/get-involved/casting-information.php

https://online.businesslink.gov.uk/hub/action/render?pageId=mynewbusiness&site=1000

or the short link

http://t.co/hYfd4LTS

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/index.htm

or the short link

http://t.co/Cf10XAIX

A study commissioned for consumer advice site knowthenet.org.uk suggests that, on average, only 44% of people were able to correctly identify illegal activities online.

Knowthenet.org.uk has now launched a free online test - which lets consumers test their own understanding of how the law applies online and check out advice on how to stay out of trouble.

http://accidentaloutlaw.knowthenet.org.uk/

Only 8% of women aged 26 to 35 have up-to-date anti-virus software on their computers, putting them at higher risk of fraud and computer crimes this festive shopping season.

http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/women-face-higher-online-fraud-risk-this-christmas-nov11

or the short link

http://t.co/OIQGk3ru

There is a wealth of information available online on the Wycombe District Council's My Wycombe service.

You can enter your own (or another) address and see information and links to district, county councillors and MPs, next bin collection dates, council tax band and charge, nearest parks, play areas and other community facilities, health and sheltered housing, planning applications and history, and planning policies and constraints.

You can also subscribe to email alerts for new and determined planning applications in your chosen area.

Try the My Wycombe website

Have you seen any suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour or criminal activity whilst out and about in this area?

If you’re out walking your dog, jogging, or just enjoying the countryside you could support the work of the police by reporting anything suspicious that you feel we should be aware of.

We are only as good as the information we receive and you could help us keep Wycombe District safe for those who live, work and visit the area.

You are reminded not to approach anyone who you suspect of committing a crime, or put yourself in any danger in anyway.

Instead, if you witness anything, please note details such as descriptions, locations or vehicle details.

Wycombe District is a safe place to be and we want to ensure it stays this way but need you to help us to do this.

If you see any suspicious activity in the area, contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
 

This document describes the main measures of the Localism Act under four headings:

new freedoms and flexibilities for local government

new rights and powers for communities and individuals

reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective

reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally

The document Decentralisation and the Localism Act: an essential guide also gives further background. It explains how the principles that underpin the Localism Act also inform other government policies.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismplainenglishupdate

You can read the Act and its explanatory notes in full, on the parliament website at:

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/localism/documents.html
 

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_031736

We have had one salt bin installed in Queen Street, and with help and permission from the Village Hall Committee we will be having another installed at the other end of Queen Street. We have also had a salt bin placed near the top of Chipps Hill.

If you have any ideas for improvements or extra facilities within in our parish please contact one of your local Councillors or send an email to the Clerk with your suggestions.

The groups of golden daffodils shining in the sunshine in springtime have been appreciated by everyone and therefore we have placed an order to have more bulbs placed along the remaining length of Piddington Green.

The hedge on the Recreation ground will not be cut this year and the Parish Council hope to be able to have an expert in to cut and lay it next autumn but for that we have to let it grow this year. We will be repairing the dip under the ‘chicken springer’ and in early spring we will be repairing the grass in the goal mouths.

An ambitious new strategy to tackle the housing shortage, boost the economy, create jobs and give people the opportunity to get on the housing ladder was announced today (21 November 2011) by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2033724

An era of Whitehall control has ended with a historic shift in power back to local people, as the Localism Bill becomes law.

The Localism Act will trigger the biggest transfer of power in a generation, releasing councils and communities from the grip of central government.

The flagship legislation, which late yesterday afternoon received Royal Assent, puts a raft of new rights and powers at the disposal of local people to take charge of their future, delivering on more than 30 coalition agreement commitments.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/2030130

or the short link

http://t.co/reaH0ogr

The government has launched this consultation to ask for views on how we can protect victims of stalking more effectively. The consultation incorporates a number of issues, including current legislation, the effect of police information notices, search powers, the work of existing organisations and alternative measures to tackle stalking.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/stalking-consultation/

or the short link

http://t.co/FUBClSsz

Thames Valley Police has gone live today (14/11/2011) with 101, the new national single non-emergency number, which will replace the 0845 8 505 505 number.

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/general/14nov11-thames-valley-goes-live-with-101.aspx

or the short link

http://t.co/qJ4GZkBU

Certain transsexual people can now apply for equal treatment rights for social security purposes. This could mean getting the State Pension paid early, or having some National Insurance contributions refunded.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200047

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has now started sending out tax calculations (on form P800) to show taxpayers if they have paid too little PAYE tax for 2010-11. The calculation will show the total income and personal allowances that are due. HMRC sends notes with the calculation to explain what it all means.

If you get a calculation you should check it to make sure you agree with the information included.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200065

If your child is eligible for free school meals, it's worth registering them even if they're not going to have the school lunch. This is because schools receive a 'Pupil Premium' - an extra payment for each eligible child which they can spend on useful services. Registering might also get you extra help for things like music lessons or school trips.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200057

or use the short link

http://t.co/t5nPCwGv

Find out what your rights are when buying a car, including when you can claim for a repair, replacement or refund

http://bit.ly/buy-a-car

Buying a car - your rights
 

Struggling with your mortgage payments?

Put together a simple action plan to help you keep your home.

There are several things you can do to make sure your home isn’t repossessed. It’s never too late to get advice, so don’t walk away or hand over your keys to your lender. Find out how to get help to keep your home if you are facing repossession.

What you can do to avoid repossession - a guide

Get Safe on Line has worked closely with the Rough Guide team to produce this downloadable useful guide to staying safe on line

Simply click on the link below for Your copy of “The Rough Guide to Staying Safe On Line”

Rough Guide (1,930KB, PDF)

Anyone who has served in the UK Armed Forces may be entitled to financial support. This also includes the widows, widowers and dependants of those who have served.

Find out what pensions or other payments may be available.

http://bit.ly/VeteranBenefits

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a bookmakers was robbed in High Wycombe on Sunday (6/11).

At about 10.15pm, two men forced their way into Coral's bookmakers, Cressex Road, through a side fire door. They forced the lone member of staff in the store to the floor, before taking her to the counter area where they stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe.

The member of staff, who is 20-years-old, was not injured in the incident.

The first man is white and was wearing dark clothing, a light coloured bandana and an over the shoulder bag. The second man is black, wearing a dark jacket with grey on the shoulders and inside the hood, Adidas trainers with white stripes, a light coloured scarf, and was holding a black holdall.

Anyone with any information about the incident or who recognises the description of the men, should contact Det Con Tom Gregory via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The threat of scam apps is very real. Some users have been landed with bills of hundreds of pounds after inadvertently downloading a scam app.

http://bit.ly/scam-apps

If you are due to work, volunteer or compete at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, or are attending in another official capacity, it's likely you will need an accreditation pass to give you special access to London 2012 venues and sites. Find out what the process involves.

http://bit.ly/GamesPass

Google has started to index Ajax/JavaScript content, so comments made on sites that use services such as the Facebook Comment Box or Disqus will now be discoverable via Google search.

http://bit.ly/rQzhqp

Wycombe Area Youth Council (WAYC) is a fantastic opportunity for young people in the Wycombe district to express their views and be consulted on issues affecting them.

Membership is open to all young people within the district aged 14 to 19 years. If there anything that you want to ask or say about services for young people, then contact the youth council on 01494 447 250 or email wayc@wycombe.gov.uk

http://bit.ly/rB7xeW

In heavy snow, our home carers can’t always reach vulnerable
people. Can you help?

• Can you help clear snow from a driveway or path when our home carers can’t reach someone?

• Or do you have a 4x4 vehicle and can help drive our home carers where they are needed?

If you can help, please let us know.

Please tell us your name, town/village and contact details and if you can help with simple snow clearance or whether you have a 4x4.

Email locality-services@buckscc.gov.uk
or telephone 01296 383409

Worried about clearing snow?
Don’t be.
The Government has produced advice on how to clear snow safely. The most important thing to remember is you won’t be in trouble for clearing snow sensibly (eg use salt and sand to melt snow, rather than hot water which will turn to ice).

Go to: www.direct.gov.uk and learn about the ‘snow code’

Would you know if your child was in a gang?

Learn to spot the signs and find out how to keep them safe

http://bit.ly/ParentsAndGangs

WDNHWA is pleased to announce that there will be a local Neighbourhood Watch meeting for Lane End, Stokenchurch, and nearby villages on Wednesday, 16th November, starting at 7.30PM. The location will be the Stokenchurch Methodist Church, The Common, Stokenchurch HP14 3TZ. The road is diagonally opposite The Kings Arms Hotel on the A40.

The invited speakers are:

Jay & Jade of Street Dreams re the work they do with young people to help keep them on the ‘straight and narrow’.

Your local police Neighbourhood Team.

Geoff Pegg, Chairman of WDNHWA re the new arrangements in the police support systems for NHW (messaging, database etc).

It is most important that the new police support systems, particularly re the messaging, be outlined to you and that you provide your own feelings about this. So, do please try to come along and do encourage others to attend as well. These meetings are not just for Co-ordinators – anyone interested can attend.

Find out what you're allowed to do to protect yourself.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Chief Constables have produced a summary of what people can do when faced with an intruder and the support offered by the law when householders defend themselves. The following is taken from that statement.

http://bit.ly/home-defence

The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of democracy, and it has a long, distinguished history in the UK. Here’s some basic information about protests, as well as a few other ways in which you can make your voice heard.

http://bit.ly/protest-rights

Local residents and Wycombe Sports Centre users are invited to an exhibition between Monday 31 October and Friday 18 November, to find out more about Wycombe District Council's latest proposal to redevelop the Wycombe Sports Centre site and build a new leisure centre.

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/press-release/26oct11-local-residents-invited-to-find-out-more-about-redevelopment-proposals-in-high-wycombe.aspx

or the short link

http://bit.ly/ulAqPX

With the clocks going back on 30 October everyone gets an extra hour. How you spend it is up to you, but that one hour could make a real difference to someone’s life. Why not spend it helping someone get online?

http://bit.ly/Give-an-hour

Is Britain beset by binge boozers? Will wine help you lose weight? Could six cans of lager help you live longer? The media pose questions like these on an almost daily basis, often using and abusing the findings of medical research to back up their headlines.

In this special report, Behind the Headlines analyses the media's relationship with research on alcohol, the science behind it, and what all this means for us when we consider raising a glass.

What's your poison: A sober analysis of alcohol and health in the media (PDF, 3Mb) is a must-read for anyone who wants the facts on whether the headlines are true.

Firework safety and the law

Fireworks often play a big part in celebrations – like Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage. Find out about firework safety and the law about their use.

http://bit.ly/firework_safety

Transport for Buckinghamshire are holding workshops across the county this
November to help prepare motorists for the challenge of winter driving.

Last year over 200 people attended either an evening workshop or a winter
driving event hosted by their employer.

Each workshop starts with a winter driving presentation on how to drive
safely in challenging conditions. The garage technicians will then take
attendees through the most common faults and basic vehicle maintenance
checks.

Peter Hardy, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Planning and
Transport, said "We have experienced some severe weather over the last
couple of winters so these workshops could be beneficial to those who are
not experienced at driving in these conditions."

Whether you're an experienced motorist, older driver or have just passed
your driving test, a winter driving workshop will help you understand how to
conduct basic vehicle checks to reduce the possibility of the vehicle
breaking down.

"I spoke to employees who went to the Winter Driving Workshop and all have
said how valuable it was. The comments included that much of it was down to
common sense and they would think more about their driving and vehicle
safety." Peter Gannaway, Health and Safety Manager Paradigm Housing Group.

"I went on the course with a limited knowledge of the effects the winter can
have on my vehicle, but two hours later I was up to speed. It's not rocket
science, but what you do learn is common sense that could keep your car on
the road in the cold and should make you a safer driver. I've still got my
sleeping bag in the boot, I've never used it, but it's great to know it's
there!!" Andy Holmes, Buckinghamshire County Council.

The evening workshops start at 7 pm and are held on the following dates:

STS Tyres Aylesbury on 8th November 2011

STS Tyres High Wycombe on 15th November 2011

Buckingham Ford on 17th November 2011

STS Tyres Chesham on 22nd November 2011 

To find out more about winter driving and to book a place on a workshop,
visit our web site
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/transport/winter_driving_workshops.page

Alternatively if you would like to host a workplace workshop please
telephone 01296 382450 or email roadsafety@buckscc.gov.uk

There is a new easy way for you to tell Ofsted how you think your child's school is performing.

Ofsted has launched Parent View, a 12-question online survey that lets you give your views on your child's school at any time.

http://bit.ly/ParentView

Share this with friends and loved ones to remind them.

Time to Test

http://bit.ly/firekillsclock

http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/jobs/

This is a reminder that the next in the sequence of popular town centre Crime Prevention Events, organised by Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association, will take place in The Chilterns Shopping Centre (outside Wilkinsons) between 9.00AM and 2.00PM on Saturday, 22nd October.

Subject to final confirmation, the participants will be:

- Thames Valley Police
- Trading Standards
- Addaction (a drugs agency)
- Wycombe District Council's Community Safety Team
- The Public Safety Team (re anti-social behaviour)
- Wycombe Watch (re pubs, shops etc)
- Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association

Please try to visit this event and encourage other members of your scheme to do so as well.

These events have always proved to be extremely useful and very well attended with valuable crime prevention advice being available from all of the key agencies that are involved in trying to reduce crime.

With the advance of the hours of darkness, there is always an increased risk of burglaries at this time of year. So, advice on preventing these and other crimes is very important.
 

http://talesoftheroad.direct.gov.uk/

or the short link

http://bit.ly/TalesOfTheRoad

Changes to tenancy and deposit laws

Tenancies with rents between £25,000 and £100,000 per year can now be assured and assured shorthold tenancies

Find out about changes to the annual rental threshold

Types of tenancies - private renting

Store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".

In an emergency situation, the police, ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's as simple as that, and for more than one contact name you can use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

all NHS hospitals have a complaints process.

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

Care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is responsible for monitoring the standards of most private, voluntary and local council care services. Learn more about standards of care and who to contact to make a complaint if you're not happy.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CareHomes/DG_10031520

This is a forensic crime reduction system that links criminals to crime scenes and provides an unbreakable chain of evidence in a court of law.

Furthermore, it enables stolen goods to be returned to their rightful owners.

Each batch of Selecta DNA contains a non-toxic liquid with a unique DNA code. This solution can only be seen under UV light - the police have UV arc-lamps in each of their local Custody Suites.

By displaying warning labels, window stickers, and other signage, it deters criminals, as they know the DNA will link them! to the crimes they commit.

As well as the DNA identifier, each bottle of the solution contains about 1,000 microdots and each microdot shows the manufacturer's secure database phone number and the unique code of the owner. This gives the police the ability to positively ID a recovered item on the spot.

These kits are ideal for such items as:
- Computers, IT equipment, and other electrical equipment.
- Jewellery
- Antiques and paintings
- Leisure equipment such as golf clubs, bicycles, motorcycles etc.
- Tools

The kits that are able to mark about 50 items can be obtained from WDNHWA at a cost of £23.00 and this includes the database registration cost with the manufacturer. Also included are warning signs and tamper-proof warning labels.

Please confirm your interest in the first place with Gemma Brooks at Wycombe District Council's Community Safety Department as follows:

- ph 01494.421117
- email : Gemma.Brooks@wycombe.gov.uk

Alternatively, talk directly to WDNHWA at the Crime Prevention Event on Saturday, 22nd October, from 9.00AM until 2.00PM in The Chilterns Shopping Centre, High Wycombe. The kits will be available to purchase there.

We want to hear from you on your priorities for council spending over the coming year. The consultation is live until 13 November 2011.

Your money - your choice

www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is reminding consumers to follow good hygiene practices when storing and preparing vegetables, following two recent E.coli outbreaks.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/sep/washveg

or the short link

http://bit.ly/nZX7th

Responsibility for sewers is changing on 1 October 2011.

Find out the difference between drains and sewers, and who is responsible for repairing and maintaining them.

Also, learn how to prevent a blocked drain and what to do if a blockage happens.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/Streetcleaninglitterandillegaldumping/DG_10026174

or the short link

http://bit.ly/sewer-pipes

A BUCKS hypnotherapist has hit out at internet giant Google after she was left 'helpless' when her email account was hijacked.

http://bit.ly/qSwyqv

Free services like gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo etc. are not secure use them at your own risk!

Facebook is making sharing even easier by automatically sharing what you’re doing on Facebook-connected apps. Instead of having to "Like” something to share it, you’ll just need to click “Add to Timeline” on any website or app, and that app will have permission to share your activity with your Facebook friends.

What activity, you ask?

It could be the news articles you read online, the videos you watch, the photos you view, the music you listen to, or any other action within the site or app. Facebook calls this auto-sharing "Gestures".

http://mashable.com/2011/09/28/new-facebook-feature/

I'm sure many people all over the world are begining to question whether Facebook is worth all the hassle?

Child maintenance is financial support towards a child's everyday living costs.

Separated parents can arrange child maintenance between themselves by making a family-based arrangement.

They can also ask the CSA or courts to get involved.

Find out about child maintenance and how to make an arrangement that works for you.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ChildMaintenance/Arrangingchildmaintenance/DG_199174

Adoption is where a child legally becomes a member of a new family and has one or two new parents.

If you are at least 21 years old and can provide a permanent, stable and caring home, your application to adopt will be welcomed.

There is no upper age limit.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Adoptionfosteringandchildrenincare/AdoptionAndFostering/DG_4019657

or the short link

http://bit.ly/ukadoption

Two cars were broken into in Grafton Street at the weekend and the number plates were stolen from Peugeot 306 in Tadros Court, yesterday (25/9).

Most thieves are opportunists and we want to make it as hard as possible for them to be able to offend. If you leave a jacket on the back seat, a thief might think there is something of value underneath or if you leave a mark from a sat nav on the windscreen they might break in to your car to see if the equipment is in there.

This might sound insignificant but to have your car broken into and know that someone has looked through your belonging can be distressing. It not only feels intrusive but can also result in an increase in your insurance premium.

Please don't make it easy for thieves, or you could lose more than some loose change.

. Do not leave valuables on display in your car - even loose change can be an incentive for a thief

. Remember to always lock your car and make sure your windows are shut when leaving it unattended

If you would like to find out more about what we are doing to help reduce crime in the area, follow the police on:

Twitter @TVP_Wycombe

We would also like to encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity to contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. If you don't want to speak to police and don't want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

It’s pretty amazing how Facebook can suggest friends for you based on the most ephemeral of connections. Or how about when you log in and see ads for services you were just searching for on Google? Or what about when Facebook synced all of your cell phone contacts to the site without you realizing you’d allowed it? What about the new API that allows apps to post items on your timeline without you even doing anything. Not to mention the frequent design changes that put your privacy settings under different menus and submenus.

Read the article/solution and comment at www.mh-p.info

Based on information supplied by www.securitymanagement.com

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid.

Find out what the current rates are and where to get help if you think you are being paid below the minimum wage rate.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/TheNationalMinimumWage/DG_10027201

or the short link

http://bit.ly/nmw-rates

When you buy something the law gives you certain rights that protect you if it’s faulty. You may also have extra rights depending on where you buy the item and how you pay for it. Find out what your rights are and who can help if things go wrong.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/index.htm

Tax-free children's savings accounts, known as 'Junior ISAs', will be available from 1 November 2011.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192028

To celebrate Walk4Life Day a national database of walks has been published:

http://www.walk4life.info/

The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) today launches a 12-week consultation on its initial proposals for new Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199450

or the short link

http://bit.ly/constituencies

Trustees are the people in charge of a charity. They play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity's work.

Trustees' Week is an annual event to showcase the great work that trustees do and highlight opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.

Trustees’ Week 2011 is 31 October – 6 November and this website will be regularly updated with news and information in the run up to the week.

http://www.trusteesweek.org.uk/

The government has announced that it will ban the payment of referral fees in personal injury cases. The current arrangements have led to high costs, encouraged a compensation culture and led to the growth of an industry which pursues claimants for profit.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199404?

The aim of Get Safe Online is to provide computer users and small businesses with free, independent, user-friendly advice that will allow them to use the internet confidently, safely and securely.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/index.htm

or the short link

http://bit.ly/planning-guide

Charity 20/20 cricket match in aid of Wycombe Hospital at High Wycombe Cricket Club this Sunday, 11 September.

Gates open for a BBQ at Noon and the match starts at 1.00pm.

Former Pakistan test cricketer Shakil Ahmed, will be playing along with former county players and rising young stars.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and include a prize draw ticket with the chance to win a children's coaching session with a former England test player.

Tickets are available on line at www.scannappeal.org.uk or by telephone at 01491 734 161.

All proceeds will go to Scannappeal’s HeartScan Appeal for Wycombe Hospital. This Appeal is for £125,000 for a state of the art 3D heart scanner to diagnose and treat patients with heart complications and to monitor the heart function of breast cancer patients, so helping many local patients including those in your area.
 

A leaflet has been produced for winter 2011/12 explaining how you can protect yourself against flu this coming winter and why it’s very important that people who are at risk have their free seasonal flu vaccination every year

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/09/seasonal-flu-vaccinations/

or the short link

http://bit.ly/oLhF0f

Postgraduate study offers a way of retraining as a teacher or social worker, or starting a career in healthcare. The application process is often different from that used for other postgraduate courses – and there may be alternative sources of financial help on offer.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/ChoicesAfterYouGraduate/DG_10012475

or the short link

http://bit.ly/teachtraining

Initial Teacher Training (ITT) undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for the same student loans, grants and bursaries as other undergraduate students. Find out what full-time or part-time courses you may get finance for and what finance is available.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Typesoffinance/DG_171531

or the short link

http://bit.ly/teachingfinance

Agency workers will be entitled to new employment rights from 1 October 2011 when new regulations come into force. When on an assignment you will get some of these rights from day one and some after 12 weeks in the same job.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199272

Relationship abuse can happen to anyone. It involves more than physical violence, it can be when someone puts you down, threatens you or forces you to do something you don't want to. Find out more about how to spot the signs, have your say on the issue and seek help here.

http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/

or the short link

http://bit.ly/thisisabuse

Find out why, and read about the #energyefficient alternatives

One of the ways you can save energy in your home is to use energy saving light bulbs. These can last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs and can save you money on your electricity bills. Find out how these bulbs work and how to recycle them.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_179919

or the short link

http://bit.ly/light_bulbs

Businesses up and down the country are being invited to contribute ideas on how the Government can cut red tape and regulatory burdens without affecting its responsibilities to protect the environment.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/09/01/red-tape-spotlight/

or the short link

http://bit.ly/rd9jGI

The warning, which the MHRA says is "precautionary" comes after reports that the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel XL has been found within some Nurofen Plus packets. Three defective packs have been found in pharmacies in London, but the affected batches may have been distributed across the UK.

The blister packs of the two different drugs look different, and should be easily spotted. The Seroquel XL 50mg tablets are large and capsule shaped and can be identified by their gold and black packaging; Nurofen Plus tablets are smaller and have silver and black packaging.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/08August/Pages/nurofen-plus-mhra-warning.aspx

Flooding can cause widespread damage to your home and belongings. Making plans in advance can reduce the chances of your home being flooded and also save your life. Find out how you can prepare for flooding and protect your home from flood damage.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/FloodingInYourArea/DG_10014599

or the short link

http://bit.ly/floodwarning

Cllr Hugh McCarthy, Wycombe District Council's Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability, commented: "Between 2 September and 14 October, we are inviting you to have your say on the bold and exciting plans that we have made for the future of the Wycombe district, which aim to improve local facilities and help to deliver new jobs and prosperity to the area by regenerating key sites and setting in place a strong framework for future development. We want the Wycombe district to continue to be somewhere people are proud to live, work, visit and shop in. So please, take the opportunity to review our plans and tell us what you think - there are plenty of ways to have your say and to get involved."

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/press-release/25aug11-have-your-say-on-shaping-the-future-of-the-wycombe-district.aspx

or the short link

http://bit.ly/nTyUnU

A door step promotion of the Councils Home Insulation Grant will be taking place across the Wycombe District area commencing on Thursday 25th August, in the Totteridge area, but will be expanding across the district over following weeks.

The promotion will be conducted on behalf of Wycombe District Council by one of the approved installers from a company called Baring, offering Cavity Wall and Loft insulation, as part of the Wycombe 500 Houses challenge.

Each of their representatives will be in possession of a laminated copy of a letter of authority issued by the council, together with an ID badge giving their name and displaying the Wycombe District Council Logo. If you are in any doubt as to the identity of the caller then Wycombe District Council's ! Environmental Co-ordinator, Mrs Lesley Stoner, can be contacted on 01494 421744.

You have a right under the Data Protection Act to see information about your results. Having access to information - such as a breakdown of their overall mark and examiners’ comments – may not lead to your grades being altered but it could help you make decisions that impact on your future, such as deciding to re-sit an exam or pursue a particular subject at college or university.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2011/students_can_request_examiners_comments_under_data_protection_laws_18082011.aspx

or the short link

http://bit.ly/nsObg1

Cooling your home without air conditioning and checking your risk of flooding are just two ways to get ready.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_179147

View the Poster and all the details

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/index.htm

or the short link

http://bit.ly/qSqkdM

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/RailTravel/index.htm

or the short link

http://bit.ly/UKrail

e-petitions is the best way for individuals to make themselves heard.

It only takes 100,000 signatures to get a petition debated in parliament and if your topic is not listed you can start your own petition.

One petition already has over 150,000 signatures.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/

With the recent announcements from the main energy providers of large increases in the price of energy, the cost of keep warm is rising. It is becoming harder for residents to keep their homes heated to the recommended temperatures of 21˚C (70˚F) in the living room and 18˚C (65˚F) in other occupied rooms. To help combat this, a free phone helpline has been set up to advise residents in Buckinghamshire how to cut their energy bills.

The service is offered by the United Sustainable Energy Agency in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council, the four Buckinghamshire District Councils and Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust.

If you are finding your energy bills unmanageable, you are not alone. Currently over 5 million people in the UK cannot afford to pay for the heat they need. Any resident in Buckinghamshire who is struggling with their energy bills can call 0800 107 00 44 for free, impartial advice on:

• Cavity wall and loft insulation including the grants available
• Grants and loans to help with heating system replacements
• Government and energy company payments
• How to switch energy suppliers to get the best deal
• Advice on fuel debt
• How to be more energy efficient in the home

Some of these improvements can take a few months to install; don’t wait until it gets cold to phone.

The helpline is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
 

Following small outbreaks of disorder in parts of the force area, Thames Valley Police has set up the following Twitter feeds to keep communities updated:

www.twitter.com/TVP_Slough

www.twitter.com/TVP_Reading

www.twitter.com/TVP_Oxford

www.twitter.com/TVP_MK

www.twitter.com/TVP_Aylesbury

www.twitter.com/TVP_Wycombe

You can also follow us on the main Thames Valley Police Twitter site:

www.twitter.com/thamesvp

If you have information about groups gathering or behaving suspiciously, please contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police, or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111

Thousands more police officers will be deployed on the streets of London tonight to help contain rioting that has affected parts of the city. Parents are advised to ensure their children stay off the streets as police move to tackle any signs of disturbance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198958

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/uk_riots

A 'demo' map showing 180,000 assets owned by public sector bodies has been published.

These include restaurants, pubs, an airport and even Swindon Town’s football stadium!

It is hoped that by publishing a national asset map billions of pounds of potential savings will be identified.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198888

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/asset_map

We have received a number of calls from concerned residents across the District who have reported suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be completing a crime survey and acting on behalf of Thames Valley Police.

Thames Valley Police have no knowledge of this survey and would advise anyone who receives such a phone call to advise them you are not interested and to not give them any personal information.

Please do let us know if you receive a call like this, including what was said, time and date of call, any phone number obtained, together with any other information you may obtain.

If you have any information in relation to this message, please contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505

To find out more about Thames Valley Police in your area - please go to our website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

Persistent 'neighbours from hell' will be evicted from their homes more quickly, under new plans to tackle anti-social behaviour.

While eviction will always be the last resort, the rights of victims to a peaceful life will be prioritised over the rights of offenders.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198838

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/neighboursfromhell

You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you haven't got a working smoke alarm.

A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you time to escape.

They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/FireSafety/DG_071751

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/edFzws

Enhanced rider scheme

Get more out of your riding and motorcycle by taking the enhanced rider scheme. You'll get your own trainer to help you make your riding more enjoyable. You can also get insurance discounts with most motorcycle insurance brokers. Find out how to find a trainer and get started.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022666

http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/media-centre/news-releases/2011/campaign-to-hunt-some-of-the-uks-most-wanted-fraudsters-launched-by-crimestoppers-45132985

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Companyandpersonalpensions/index.htm

1000 each year will die waiting as there are not enough organs available.

Register NOW!

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/Features/DH_128851

Telephone scammers claiming to represent the OFT

We are aware of consumers being contacted by people claiming to represent the OFT. Consumers are told that the OFT can reclaim bank or other charges for them, and that this service requires an upfront fee to be paid by money transfer. Some consumers have been asked to pay between £100 and £200.

The OFT is warning people not to pay money to bogus telephone callers claiming to be from the OFT. These callers have no connection with the OFT. The OFT do not ask people for money over the telephone.

If you receive a telephone call from the OFT asking for money, this is a scam and you should not pay.

For further advice contact Consumer Direct using the Directgov online form

http://www.oft.gov.uk/consumer-advice/

From 1 August 2011, householders could get government funding to help install renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers and solar thermal panels. Money will be available for up to 25,000 installations over the next year, with grants being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198244

Home improvements continue to top the list of complaints about doorstep rogue traders, according to new figures from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Complaints about home maintenance peak during the summer, so find out what to do if an uninvited trader calls at your door this summer.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198600

Millions of homes and businesses in rural parts of the UK could receive better value broadband services by the end of this year. This follows Ofcom’s decision to reduce significantly the prices that BT Wholesale can charge internet service providers (ISPs) in primarily rural, less densely populated areas.

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/07/20/better-value-rural-broadband/

The First

"Can I speak to the BT Account Holder" is generally how the first starts and although they are a competitor of BT they keep saying "BT" to instill in your mind that they are from BT.  They talk about saving you money when infact they're trying to move you to their service.

The way to test to tell if they are from BT is to ask them to tell you your account number (it's at the top of your phone bill) - they can't because they don't know it. Terminate the call.

The Second

This is more serious.

Again they claim to be a representative of BT.  He will tell you that he is about to disconnect you because of an unpaid bill and will demand a sum of money, probably about £30 or you will have to pay £118 to be re-connected.

He's not after your cash - he wants your credit card details.

If he thinks you're suspicious he will so offer to demonstrate that he was from BT by disconnecting your phone.  He will tell you to hang up and phoning someone - he would dis-connect my phone to prevent this call.

Your phone will be dead - no dialling tone, no engaged tone, nothing.

You hang up and then he calls you again.

The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back.

Don't get caught by this scam!

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened an investigation into websites that charge people for government services that are available directly from government, either at no cost or for a lower fee.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198585

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/do-it-online

Suitable for anyone with a business idea however early stage, the “Is it for me?” workshop covers everything you need to know about working for yourself and whether starting a business or going into self-employment is right for you. “Is it for me?” workshops are being held at the Holiday Inn, High Wycombe on the following dates:

27th July

19th August

16th September

7th October 

If, following this workshop, you decide to commit to starting your business and have already started your research, you will qualify for a second tier of workshops focused on getting the basics of your business right and developing your business plan.

Don’t delay – these workshops won’t be around for long. To book, call Business Link on 0845 600 9006 today. Please note that prior booking is essential for all Business Link events. Entry will not be permitted without an e-ticket.

West Wycombe Chamber Choir will be singing a selection from Carousel, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, South Pacific, West Side Story and other famous musicals.

Tickets: Adults £8, Concessions £6.

All funds to St Lawrence Church on the Hill

Tickets available from The Post Office and Paul’s Newsagents, West Wycombe and on the door or call 01494 536617

Information collected by the British Trust for Ornithology shows that the number of swifts breeding in Britain has declined considerably - by 44% in the South East between 1995 and 2008. Much of this decline is caused by the loss of nesting sites, due to building repairs or even simple re-pointing of brickwork, which means that swifts can no longer access a traditional site.

Your help in completing the questionnaire will be appreciated.

Swift Nesting Site Questionnaire 2011

.

http://taxcreditsvideos.direct.gov.uk/index.html

or use the short link.

http://bit.ly/isNS61

For further information please vist :

http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/funding.html

or the short link:

bit.ly/g1LTIY

Residents are asked to keep a close eye on their local playground following an attack on the Winchmore Hill play area.  The equipment, which was installed 13 months ago,  will now have to be replaced at a cost of £25,000, after it was wrecked by offenders trying to steal the metalwork.

The value of scrap metal and cabling is at a record high so please be vigilent.

It is now cheaper to use your mobile phone on holiday in Europe after new Eurotariff charges came into force on 1 July 2011.

The Eurotariff is an EU regulated price limit for call charges within Europe. The rules also cover charges to send a text message.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_188961

or the short link

http://bit.ly/mob-hols

From this date the UK's pet movement rules will be harmonised with the rest of the European Union (EU), making it cheaper and easier for owners to travel abroad with their pets.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198187

or the short link

http://bit.ly/pet-rules

The proposals to extend the Air Travel Operators' Licence (ATOL) scheme would mean that up to 6 million extra holidays a year could be covered by the consumer protection scheme.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_198011

or the short link:

http://bit.ly/atol-changes

The draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) below are subject to public consultation from Friday 24 June 2011 to Friday 19 August 2011.

The draft SPDs are:

• Draft Developer Contributions SPD Update and associated Developers Guide
• Draft Housing Intensification SPD Update
• Draft Community Facilities SPD

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/planning-and-buildings/planning-consultations.aspx

First-time buyers struggling to build up a large enough deposit to get on the property ladder are being urged to register their interest in the FirstBuy scheme.

Under the new scheme, the government and housebuilders will lend you the money for a deposit, with loans repaid when you sell the property.

For more information and to register for the FirstBuy scheme visit:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197938

or the short link

http://bit.ly/FirstBuy

The exceptions are:

• if you have made a SORN for the vehicle
• if your vehicle has been kept off-road since before SORN came into force on 31 January 1998 – unless it was brought back into use
• if your vehicle is recorded as stolen, passed or sold to the motor trade or between registered keepers
• if your vehicle is recorded scrapped or permanently exported by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing (DVLA)
  
   

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_186696?CID=Continuous_Insurance&PLA=DM&CRE=Furl

or the short link

http://bit.ly/m3xt85

Diversion Route: C94 Chorley Road (West Wycombe) - A40 Oxford Road (West Wycombe) - A40 Oxford Road (Piddington) - A40 Wycombe Road (Piddington) - A40 Wycombe Road (Studley Green) - A40 Wycombe Road (Stokenchurch) - C95 City Road (Stokenchurch) - C95 City Road (Radnage) - U591 Green End Road (Radnage) - U591 Hatch Lane (Radnage) & vice versa

As a juror you can't discuss the case on Twitter or Facebook.

Find out about jury service and your responsibilities

http://bit.ly/juror_uk

 

Fines will be introduced for people who don’t take care that information on their benefit claim is correct or don't tell the Department for Work and Pensions quickly about a change in their circumstances. These will be civil penalties, not criminal convictions.

http://bit.ly/claim_fine
 

The government has revealed plans for a zerowaste economy which includes the scrapping of bin fines and tackling illegal fly-tippers

http://bit.ly/0-waste

Please find below, a link to the ‘Your Neighbourhood’ page of the Thames Valley Police website, where you will find the latest updates for your area.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/

This link will allow you to enter your Post Code in the ‘Postcode Search’ box on the right of the page.

Once entered, click on ‘SHOW’, and you will be taken to the page which will give details of your local Neighbourhood Team, your local priorities, issues being tackled by the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) - made up of local residents and partner organisations, together with links to Neighbourhood updates, upcoming Neighbourhood meetings and Crime Statistics.

The Neighbourhood updates are produced on a monthly basis by your local Neighbourhood officers and give an overview of recent events, and Police related matters they have been involved with.

From the link you will also be able to access other areas of the Thames Valley Police website.

The Food Standards Agency have issued advice on the E. Coli outbreak in Germany.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/outbreak

or the short link

http://bit.ly/lDCQ3H
 

The roads in Buckinghamshire have suffered from a lack of proper maintenance
for many years. This has been due mainly to the previous Labour Government
changing the revenue funding formula for southern counties such as
Buckinghamshire and also importantly, removing all our so called 'supported
capital borrowing', which helped to fund road resurfacing.

This problem has been made worse by two long, hard winters. The result is
that our roads fall far short of the standard that you have a right to
expect. This situation cannot be rectified quickly but I am determined that
we should make a start.

I have therefore assembled a budget for a two-year programme to allow more
road repairs. I have done this partly by reprioritising spending within the
Transportation department. This has involved some difficult and
controversial decisions such as switching money from promoting walking and
cycling, removing the planned increase in locally spent budgets, postponing
the review of speed limits and much more.

Nevertheless, I believe that taking tough decisions is what you elect your
councillors to do and I stand by these changes in priority. In addition, I
am also asking the County Council to release £3 million from our reserves to
make a total road repair budget of £25 million over the next two years.
Whilst this sounds a lot of money (and it is your money as Council tax
payers), in reality it constitutes barely a tenth of what really needs to be
spent to upgrade most of our roads.

I am already receiving a number of e-mails from residents stating that their
particular roads should be given priority. I hope you would agree that it
would be completely wrong for money to be spent on the basis of who shouts
loudest or first.

Whilst Council officers will advise on which roads should be resurfaced, I
propose to devolve the final decisions to your locally elected County
Councillors as they should be most closely in touch with their local areas
and residents' views. Nevertheless, I must be very clear that, given the
size of the problem, even after this programme there will be roads in many
areas where residents' reasonable expectations will not be met.

My new Cabinet Member for Transportation, Peter Hardy and I will oversee the
programme and will do our best to ensure that we really are 'working on it'.

Yours faithfully

Martin Tett
Leader, Buckinghamshire County Council

The main programme will take place from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Further details of these events and of other national and regional Diamond Jubilee events will be announced in due course.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2011/AnnouncementofplansforthecentralDiamondJubileeweek.aspx

or the short link: http://bit.ly/jnpmLe

The Government have released further information including details of Bank Holidays, exhibitions, projects, school holidays and term dates.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197517

or the short link: http://bitly.com/dj-2012

Following the EU Directive and new UK Law we are pleased to offer advice through our Webmaster on how to manage cookies on your computer.

http://www.mh-p.info/?p=284

If you have a comment or question on this article or any others please leave a reply on the page.

We are looking for one person to come forward as a Parish Councillor. Six out of the seven seats were elected but we have one space – if you would like to be a Parish Councillor which is an entirely voluntary role, and look after the interests of your community, whether Piddington or Wheeler End, send in a letter or email giving a bit of background about yourself and asking for your name to be put forward; come to the June meeting and find out more about the activities of the Parish Council or speak to any Council members or the Clerk.

We have several local people on the Allotment waiting list. If you are a current tenant and feel that you cannot give the time and energy to keep it going please think about giving it up. The Parish Council has noticed that there are several plots which are not actively being cultivated and whose weeds are causing problems for neighbouring allotments. The rules and regulations do state that allotments must be cultivated – please bear this in mind. Inspections will be taking place in June to ensure that they are being looked after and actively worked on.

We have received complaints from residents about the continuous noise caused by dogs barking for lengthy periods of time. Please consider your neighbours – with the warmer weather and windows being open their continual barking can be really annoying.

We had 12 young people come to the Annual Parish Meeting where they gave us a list of play equipment which they would like to see added to the existing activities. The Parish Council are looking at their suggestions and plan to make a decision at the June meeting. We did point out to all the youngsters that we can only spend money on new equipment if we do not have to spend it on dealing with wanton vandalism – the picnic bench is gradually being destroyed by people using it to climb onto the top bar of the swings and then deliberately wrapping the swing around the top bar – this is dangerous, unfair on other people who want to use the equipment legitimately and is difficult to sort out. We have also seen quite young children climbing all over the bus shelter – we may have to take action to stop this happening.

Ofcom has published research into mobile broadband speeds.

Read the report and find out about 3G speeds across the UK

http://bit.ly/m-bb-s

The government, following an EU directive and through the Information Commissioners Office, has issued a new law governing the use of cookies.

All of the latest web browsers have the facility for the user to control cookies through the options menu but in a large number of cases refusing cookies can have a detrimental affect on the performance of the website.

You can read about the new law at http://bit.ly/law-cookie

You can read what our Webmaster and Statcounter (who manage the cookies on this website) have to say about this new legislation at http://www.mh-p.info/?p=274

Use My Wycombe to find out changes to your bin collection dates this bank holiday.

See http://mywycombe.wycombe.gov.uk/
 

Go back in time to 1642 on May 29 and 30 as 70 members of the English Civil War Society replay the skirmish between Royalists lead by Lord Wentworth as they burst from the woods to attack the Parliamentarian patrol under the command Captain Haynes encamped at West Wycombe House. The day lasts from 2pm-6pm.

on Father's Day there is a Vintage Car Day on June 19 where proud car owners will have their beautiful cars on display.

There is no extra charge for the entrance price for these events and National Trust members go free.

And to top this off there is an open air performance of Pride and Prejudice on August 28. Booking is essential for this and there is a ticket charge.

Direct.gov and the Police have issued these tips to avoid becoming a victim of cash machine crime.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197477

or the short link

http://bit.ly/cm-crime

Cllr. Bill Bendyshe-Brown, Chairman of Wycombe District Council, recognised the following for their contribution to the community at a small ceremony last evening.

Professor Peter Thomas - Bucks Sports Board

Pastor John Richards - The Oasis Project

Sheena Dykes - Wycombe Night Shelter

Sgt. Michelle Ryan - Thames Valley Police

SWO Ash Malik - Royal Air Force, High Wycombe

Seamus Doyle - Veolia Environmental Services

Amanda Foister - Longridge Activity Centre

Sharon Henson - West Wycombe / Piddington Parish Councils

David Griffin - Shopmobility

Dr. M Aslam - Sunday Cricket League

Sqdn. Ldr. Malcolm Maultby - Risborough Area Community Bus

Hilda Stern - Small & Medium Enterprises

We are looking for one person to come forward as a Parish Councillor. Six out of the seven seats were elected but we have one space – if you would like to be a Parish Councillor which is an entirely voluntary role, and look after the interests of your community, whether Piddington or Wheeler End, send in a letter or email giving a bit of background about yourself and asking for your name to be put forward; come to the June meeting and find out more about the activities of the Parish Council or speak to any Council members or the Clerk.

We have several local people on the Allotment waiting list. If you are a current tenant and feel that you cannot give the time and energy to keep it going please think about giving it up. The Parish Council has noticed that there are several plots which are not actively being cultivated and whose weeds are causing problems for neighbouring allotments. The rules and regulations do state that allotments must be cultivated – please bear this in mind. Inspections will be taking place in June to ensure that they are being looked after and actively worked on.

We have received complaints from residents about the continuous noise caused by dogs barking for lengthy periods of time. Please consider your neighbours – with the warmer weather and windows being open their continual barking can be really annoying.

The Adult Learning Free Taster Week runs from May 14th to 20th.

Why not see what's available in your area?

Visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_187560

or use the short link

http://bit.ly/a-l-w

You're never too old to learn!

Interested in holding a street party for the Big Lunch on 5 June. Find out how WDC can help -

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/events/street-party-for-the-big-lunch.aspx

or the short link

http://bit.ly/iFo0PR

The Government has launched a new website which explains the new student finance system which takes effect from 2012

http://yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/

We will not be having an election for Parish Councillors this year as only six names were put forward for the seven seats. We will be looking to Co-opt another person as a Councillor. If you are interested in taking on this voluntary role but would like to know more about what is involved please contact the Clerk .There will be elections for District Councillors and the National Referendum on Thursday 5^th May – please exercise your right to vote.

We will be holding the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 11^th May starting at 7.30 pm in Piddington Village Hall. Please come along and meet your Councillors, raise issues of concern, put forward any ideas you have to improve your community and socialise with a cup of tea and biscuits. Your suggestions may be things the Parish Council does not have the powers to do but usually we can find a way to move forward. Our next plan is to add another piece of equipment in the Recreation Ground and we are trying to find a company who can improve/re do the carving of the names on the Wheeler End Memorial.

Councillors and the Clerk attended the funeral of Mr Alf Plumridge at Cadmore End Church. Alf had been a Parish Councillor for many years and had been Chairman of the Parish Council as well as a District Councillor – he worked hard for this community and as a fount of all local knowledge he will be sorely missed.

The next meetings will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11^th May and then the 8^th June.  The dates for 2011 meetings and the names of all our Councillors are on the notice boards and can be seen elsewhere on the website.

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/events.aspx

The next in the sequence of the popular town centre Crime Prevention Events, organised by Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association, will take place in The Chilterns Shopping Centre (outside Wilkinsons) between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Saturday, 14th May.

Subject to final confirmation, the participants will be:

- Trading Standards
- Drugs agencies
- Wycombe District Council's Community Safety Team
- The Public Safety Team (re anti-social behaviour)
- Thames Valley Police
- Bucks Fire & Rescue Service
- Crimestoppers
- Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association

Please try to visit this event and encourage other members of your families to do so as well.

These events have always proved to be extremely useful and v! ery well attended with valuable crime prevention advice being available from all of the key agencies that are involved in trying to reduce crime.

With the advance of warmer weather, there is always the risk of burglaries at this time of year due to doors and windows being left open. So, advice on preventing these and other crimes is very important.

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/general/12apr11-council-services-over-the-bank-holidays.aspx

and specifically

http://maps.wycombe.gov.uk/mywycombe.aspx

This month’s Royal Wedding is a great occasion for national celebration, and street parties are a traditional way of doing this. Over the last few months rules have been relaxed and red tape cut to make it easier for people to organise a street party or fete.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP196814

or the short link

http://bit.ly/rw-s-p

Every few weeks the government will publish all the regulations affecting one specific sector or industry.

You tell them what’s working and what’s not, what can be simplified and what can be scrapped.

Based on your feedback, they will start getting rid of unnecessary red tape.

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/home/index/

or the short link

http://bit.ly/fMbniK

You can find all this information at:

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/forthcoming-elections.aspx

or the shortened link:

http://bit.ly/h74v1t

Census staff will carry an ID card

They will not ask for your bank or credit card details

You won’t be asked to leave your completed form on the doorstep

You can arrange a visit by calling the helpline number of the form

Census staff will only visit residents who have not returned their forms

Don’t let the caller in your house

If you’re not sure of the callers identity, keep the door closed and call the Census helpline (0300 0201 101)

For more information visit www.census.gov.uk  or call 0300 0201 101

If you would like to stand as a Parish Councillor you can now obtain copies of the relevant forms from the Parish Clerk or the Returns Officer at Wycombe District Council (01494 461000).

If you meet the criteria to stand for Election, forms have to be completed and returned to Wycombe District Council no later than noon on 4^th April.

If you would like to find out more about the role of a Parish Councillor, which is an entirely voluntary role, please contact the Parish Clerk via the website of on 01494 448048.

For more information about getting started with your #2011census online questionnaire please visit

http://help.census.gov.uk/england/help/help-and-information/Gettingstarted/Completethequestionnaireonline/Topics/Gettingstartedwithyouronlinequestionnaire_S0004A.html

or http://bit.ly/fd4oas

If you're planning or considering holding a street party to celebrate the forthcoming Royal Wedding, Wycombe district Council have issued guidelines.

http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news/events/street-party-for-the-royal-wedding.aspx

This is intended to permanently ban lorries in excess of 5 tonnes to park at any time in the entire length (both sides) on Old Oxford Road. Loading and unloading of goods at premises adjacent to this length of road will be permitted.

If you have any objections and the grounds on which they are made please send these to Trish Eastham, senior legal Assistant, Bucks County Council, Legal and Democratic Services, County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UA or email peastham@buckscc.gov.uk  by 8th April.

The Coalition Government has today launched the first stage of plans to give members of the public the right to comment on every aspect of new legislation, putting people at the heart of the legislative process.

Prime Ministers Introduction

Protection Of Freedoms Bill

You can now see faults that have been reported.

Report a new fault by street name or on a map.

Track problems that have been reported.

Visit the site to see all the things that can be reported direct.

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/transport/ea_report_problem.page

We are still working on the Traffic Regulation Order to ban HGV’s in Piddington and the document is now with Bucks County Council’s legal department – once they pass it we will all be consulted on the proposal. If you see the notices up, please send your comments to Bucks CC as soon as possible and then we will ensure it is implemented as soon as possible.

With the bad weather we will have more potholes forming, the Clerk will report them but it is always better if residents can report them to Bucks County Council on 0845 230 2882 – give the details they ask for and ask for a reference number – this means you will be able to follow up on the action being taken. Motorists who damage their cars in potholes cannot claim off the County Council unless BCC know about the problem – if you report it then there will be evidence to support a claim.

Cllr Bendyshe Brown, Chairman of Wycombe District Council attended the January meeting of the Parish Council and gave a short report on the work and plans for the District Council. WDC is the fifth largest District Council in the country. There are164, 000 people with 100,000 of working age. There is a lot of movement in and out of the District for work. The A4010 now has 18,000 vehicle movements per day as opposed to 10,000 per day several years ago. Wycombe is a good area for business start ups that last. He has hosted four Business Breakfasts in the area where business people are encouraged to talk about their concerns, network and let the District ‘know they exist’ and to be offered mentorship. In the last 15 – 20 years the District has gone from 80% manufacturing and is now 75% high tech , 9% of people are employed in the public sector compared to 67% in the North East and 3% work in the aero space sector.

There is an increasing level of unemployment - up to 8% with a lot of these people unemployable due to poor educational standards.

WDC has made a £5.6 million reduction in costs and needs to reduce by another £3million in the next 4 years which is a lot out of a £17million budget. WDC want the public to make suggestions where there is waste and savings can be made.

Bucks County Council have released their proposed budget for 2011/2012 for public consultation. Residents can make comments on this by going online – www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget

Thames Valley Police is urging people to protect themselves from burglars by reviewing and improving their garden and shed security to ensure their property is secure and less attractive to thieves.

The advice follows a spate of recent burglaries in the Wycombe area in which offenders have searched garden sheds for tools which they then used to break into the house. Between the beginning of December and the beginning of January at least 25 burglaries involving this method of entry were reported to the police.

All residents are being urged to heed the following advice:

Protecting your property’s boundaries

Consider your boundaries – These are the first line of defence against burglars. You should ensure that all gates, fences and walls are strong and kept in good repair to deter intruders from getting to the back and sides of your property. High fences are more difficult to climb, so consider attaching a trellis to your fence to add more height to it. If you have a side gate, ensure that it is positioned as close to the front of the house as possible. Would-be intruders will be put off climbing over it as they will be in full view of your neighbours. You should also ensure that the gate is kept locked at all times. Fitting motion-sensitive lights over the gate and in other key areas in your garden is another good way of keeping intruders at bay.

Shed security

Most garden sheds are not designed for the safe storage of expensive items such as power tools, mowers and bikes. If at all possible they should be stored somewhere more secure.  But if you do not have any alternative then you can increase your shed’s security by keeping it in good condition. The shed should always be kept locked.  You could also fit grilles or mesh to the windows and invest in an alarm.

After you have improved the physical security it is important to make everything inside secure too, as tools and equipment could be used to force entry into your home. Tools should be kept in a locked toolbox and ladders should be locked to a secure fixture so they cannot be used to reach the top floor windows of your house. Large items such as bikes should be chained together as it is much more difficult for a thief to carry away a lot of heavy items all at once.

Defensive planting

Another way of increasing security in your garden is by adding some defensive planting. This means using certain prickly plants, bushes and shrubs and planting them around vulnerable areas such as windows, fences, boundary walls and drainpipes to deter burglars. Popular plants include Berberis, Pyracantha and Rubus. However, defensive planting should be used to complement and not replace other security measures so do not buy prickly plants in place of lights, locks and alarms.

Budget Consultation Revenue and Capital Budget 2011/12 – 2013/14 Overview
This document explains the County Council’s spending proposals for 2011/12 - 2013/14 and invites views from residents, service users and stakeholders.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/about_your_council/budget_capital.pdf
 
Links to information on three individual consultations are provided below. I have provided more detailed information on the Youth Service consultation (below). At the foot of this email is a link to the survey where responses to the proposals can be made.
 
 
Youth Service Consultation
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/about_your_council/budget_youth_services.pdf
 
Additional information:
A workshop will be arranged in Wycombe District (venue and date to be decided) at the end of February/first week of March to  look at decisions/options on the future delivery of youth services in local communtities.
 
Views are being sought on:
 
•    How any negative impact could be overcome to ensure the best possible service and outcomes for young people in Buckinghamshire
•    Alternative ideas for supporting universal youth work delivery in Buckinghamshire
•    Whether people would be interested in taking over the running of a youth centre building in their local area. This could include
1.    Access to buildings and equipment
2.    Support for existing management committees and other interested parties to take over the running of youth centres and provide youth activities
3.    Training for volunteers covering a number of areas including health and safety, safeguarding, working with young people and others.
 
County Council facilitation
 
Youth Services budget will be reduced over three years from @ £760k present budget to probably zero.  There are proposals to use this to ease the transition to more locally based and delivered youth services by establishing a Community Youth Fund to assist the community to provide youth activities and manage youth centres. This fund could include existing assets (e.g. Council youth centres and equipment) as well financial support if a source of funding could be found.
 
The Youth Service, with the support of Action4Youth, will work directly with existing management committees and other interested parties to enable the takeover of youth centres and provision of youth activities. The Youth Service could make training available for volunteers covering a number of areas including health and safety, safeguarding, working with young people and others.
 
Options will be considered for the transfer of assets to communities or partnerships - there will be various options available depending on need (with options to potentially include the County Council continuing to maintain buildings, etc).
 
The consultation relates to the following youth clubs in the SW Chilterns and Marlow area: Lane End, Marlow,  Stokenchurch
 
Transportation budget consultation
Including street lighting (part lighting) and reducing the subsidy given for Sunday and evening bus services.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/about_your_council/budget_tfb.pdf
 
 
Adult Social Care consultation
Charges for non-residential services
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/about_your_council/budget_asc.pdf
 
 
Link to budget consultations survey: http://bucksconsultation.buckscc.gov.uk/bucksccp/KMS/elab.aspx?noip=1&CampaignId=394
 

A Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year to everyone.

At the December meeting the Parish Council set the Precept (the amount of money we run the Parish Council on) for 2011/2012. We agreed that we did not to increase it and have kept it at £18,500.

We plan to repair and carry out maintenance to all the Notice boards and Bus Shelters; possibly plant more bulbs in the Parish; add one other piece of play equipment and arrange to have the names on the Wheeler End War Memorial re carved and painted.

We are still working on the Traffic Regulation Order to ban HGV’s in Piddington and the document is now with Bucks County Council’s legal department – once they pass it we will all be consulted on the proposal. If you see the notices up, please send your comments to Bucks CC as soon as possible and then we will ensure it is implemented as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who reported the theft of the drain covers in Chipps Hill and Old Oxford Road – some could be replaced quickly others had to be ordered by Bucks County Council – these are all additional costs which the County has to bear – if you notice anything which may make it possible to identify the thieves please let the police and the Clerk know – this is the second time that some of the covers have been replaced and why should we all have to pay for someone else to benefit from their scrap metal value and more importantly why should our safety be put at risk for someone else’s greed.

The next meetings will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th January and February 9th. 2011.  The dates for 2011 meetings and the names of all our Councillors are on the notice boards and can be seen on our website
 

New approach to handling complaints of antisocial behaviour will be trialled by eight police forces.

http://tinyurl.com/39rbqcn

All collection crews are out and are endeavouring to service refuse and
recycling collections that are due today and those that were missed on
Monday and Tuesday.  Green waste continues to be suspended this week and
those crews are assisting refuse crews.

It is estimated that approximately 50% of refuse collections that were due
on Monday and Tuesday have taken place.  Slightly fewer recycling
collections have taken place as materials are picked up by twin bodied
vehicles and there are no spare vehicles to assist with this.

The Contractor reports that even when some roads are safe enough to drive
on, there are still some cars that are parked some distance from the snowy
kerbside, which still makes access for the large collection vehicles
difficult.

Where crews report that roads can not be serviced, Supervisors are advised
and are making an ongoing assessment of the situation.

Residents still need to present their bins and boxes on collection day - we
will be unable to return to service missed properties if containers have not
been presented.

We are hopeful that we will have made significant progress on catching up
with missed collections by the end of the week (weather permitting).
Residents will be advised that they will be able to present excess waste on
their next grey bin collection day and excess recycling on their next
recycling collection day.
 

The Parish Council would like to wish all parishioners a Merry Christmas together with a happy and heathy New Year

Christmas is a time for giving, so make sure you don't make it easy for criminals to use the festive season as a time for taking.

Although Buckinghamshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, the extra hustle and bustle in town centres combined with the high value of the presents we buy offers some easy opportunities for criminals to line their pockets with ill-gotten gains.

The festivities at this time of year mean people have a lot on their minds, but it's important not to forget about basic security measures. Just a few simple steps will reduce the chance of having your Christmas ruined by becoming the victim of crime:

Out shopping:
- Keep your wallet or purse close to your body and don! 't carry too much cash, just in case.
- When you're laden down with lots of bags make sure you keep your valuables closest to you.
- If you travel by car, park in a well-lit area and make sure you lock up. Try not to return to your car to drop off bags before continuing shopping, as thieves have been known to watch car parks for such a chance.

At home:
- Keep presents out of sight.
- Make it look as though there is someone home when you go out by closing curtains and leaving lights and the television or radio on.
- Remember that empty boxes outside your property only advertise what's inside. Dispose of packaging carefully.
- If you'll be away for several days, use timer switches for your lights and ask a neighbour to watch over your home and take in post. Don't forget to cancel the milk and newspapers.
- Always ask for identification from doorstep charity collectors. If you want to donate but feel unsure, ask for details on how ! to make a donation online or by post.

Out on the town:
- Always have a plan for how to get home, and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you'll be back.
- Stick with friends and avoid anything that looks like trouble on the street.
- Only take licensed cabs. Make sure you have numbers for a few cab companies and that your mobile is fully charged before you go out.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas
 

The walk starts at 1.30pm from the West Wycombe Village Hall.

The walk will take about 1.5 hours returning to the Village Hall for tea and home-made cakes.

Everyone and their dogs are welcome.

Please wear sensible footwear (boots!) because it is almost sure to be a hilly and muddy walk.

Any enquiries about the walk please contact Vicki Smith on 01494 532239

At the November meeting of the Parish Council the first of our Parish Councillor vacancies was officially filled. Fraser Swainston who lives in Piddington has now signed the Declaration of Acceptance and will be working with the other Councillors to ensure that the quality of the environment for the residents for Piddington and Wheeler End is looked after to the best of their ability.

Bucks County Council has created the scheme for the Traffic Regulation Order to prevent HGV ‘s parking in the old Oxford Road and we have been advised that we should all be consulted on this by the end of the calendar year and that it can be implemented within the budget of £3000 which we set.

The precautionary salting/gritting routes for the district include the Old Oxford Road however if we have days of continuous snow then only the main routes through the Wycombe area will be kept clear and in this case the Oxford Road will be kept clear all the way into Stokenchurch or Wycombe but not Chipps Hill. These maps can be looked at on the Bucks County Council website under Transport then go to Winter Maintenance.

We have started to look at the budget for next year. We have built back our reserves since creating the play area and we plan to carry out maintenance on the bus shelters and notice boards; have the garden around the War Memorial at Wheeler End professionally maintained and also have the names of the fallen of two world wars professionally re-painted; probably continue with bulb planting in the parish and consider adding another piece of play equipment or start building up a fund to do this.
 

At the October meeting of the Parish Council two people put their names forward as possible Parish Councillors and we will now invite them to join the Parish Council. It will be good to have a full complement of Councillors and it is always healthy to have new blood join an established group of people.

Bucks County Council has created the scheme for the Traffic Regulation Order to prevent HGV ‘s parking in the old Oxford Road – this scheme would have meant having warning posts every 36 metres and the signs alone would have cost £5,500. The officer working on this TRO has now presented the scheme to the Dept of Transport and asked if it could be handled in a different way making it unnecessary to have so many pieces of street furniture littering the Old Oxford Road – when and if he has approval from the Dept of Transport then the document will be issued for consultation to residents of Piddington. The Parish Council has allowed £3000 for this project and hopefully BCC will be able to deliver what we want within that budget.

We received several emails from both old and new residents of Piddington on the subject of street lighting – all of this correspondence stated that people moved to the area as they wanted to live in a village without light pollution; that the costs were very high and many local authorities were switching lights off and it would also discourage young children from playing in the streets during the long and dark winter nights. With this input from residents as well as verbal comments the Parish Council decided not to pursue the idea of installing lighting in Piddington.

The Parish Council meets once a month for about an hour and decide on projects and ideas to improve our parish and address concerns raised by residents. We are currently considering what works need to be carried out next year and if you have any ideas which we could costs and consider please contact any of your Councillors and the Clerk whose names are on the noticeboards and on this website

This is a Community Message from the High Wycombe watch office on Wednesday 10th November 2010.

A local building company is experiencing problems with a bogus company using their identity. The local company trades under the names of Lee Pave or John Lee Construction Servicing Ltd, both based in the Stokenchurch area. They are concerned that an elderly person may suffer loss or a person or company will be duped by the bogus company.

They have requested that if anyone is contacted or approached by anyone purporting to be from this company they contact the office to confirm identity, before agreeing to any work to be done - They can be contacted on 01494 482992

If you have any information in relation to this message, please contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505

Clearing Snow and Ice - New Guidance

Bucks County Council will be starting the consulting process on the Traffic Regulation Order to ban HGV’s from any section of the Old Oxford Road at any time of the day. If you see the Official notices up please take the time to read and them and if you agree with the document please write letters of support. Once that document is being processed – and it can take three months from beginning to end – they will start on the more difficult village parking consultation.

The Recreation Ground ROSPA inspection has taken place and that is why you will see two new notices fixed to the ball wall. We also have to make repairs to the boundary fence as a hole has been cut into the fence to allow access into the hedge where a camp has been made. The fence is there to protect children from the road and those children who have cut the hole are being very stupid – the fence wire is pretty hard and has been cut with proper tools – we will repair it as it will become weak and could eventually need to the complete fence replaced which would be totally unnecessary expenditure.

We had a request from a member of the public living in Wellfield Road to investigate the costs of street lighting. We believe that most established residents prefer the village without light pollution but we will undertake the exercise to find out what the cost implications are – at the moment we think that each lighting column would cost £1000 and a great deal of trenching would be required which is also very expensive. As the Parish Council would have to pay for this project it would be something that we had to save for. We would like your thoughts on street lighting – whether for it or against it – please contact the Parish Council via email or by letter and let us have your thoughts.

We have two vacancies for Parish Councillors. We meet once a month for about an hour and decide on projects and ideas to improve our parish and address concerns raised by residents. Please consider volunteering for this worthwhile role within the community. If you would like to know more please contact any of your current Parish Councillors or the Clerk whose names are on the noticeboards and on our website www.piddingtonandwheelerend.org.uk

Please get involved in the Bucks debate – there is a link on our website – budget cuts will affect all of us and we have the opportunity to contribute to the process – leaflets which can be completed and sent back to BCC can be found at libraries and other public places; an online form can be completed by logging on to www.buckscc.gov.uk/bucksdebate

The public consultation by Wycombe District Council on the Community Stadium project has started – they are looking for people’s thoughts and views on the two short listed sites – Wycombe Air Park and Abbey Barn. Please go to the WDC website and see what is being proposed. If you would like a copy of the newsletter they have produced on the project please contact the Clerk

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 13^th October at 7.30pm in the Piddington Village Hall.

As the clocks go back and the evenings get darker earlier, the Wycombe Community Safety Partnership are reminding residents of the simple steps they can take to help protect their home from thieves this Autumn

Top 10 points to consider for this time of year

1, Timer switches – The use of timer switches can deceive a potential burglar into thinking your home is occupied when it may not be. We recommend that you have one downstairs that comes on at dusk; and one in the bedroom that comes on later in the evening. Timer switches can not only be used with lamps but also radios, this then creates the impression that someone is at home.

2, Lighting – Make sure you have a light that covers your front door area; it is that time of year when it gets dark early and so you may have visitors when it is dark outside. To ensure you can see who is there; install a dusk to dawn light on the front door and motion detector lights in more vulnerable areas such as at the rear of your property.

3, Locks – A 5 Lever (or higher) Mortice lock is the standard lock that is suitable for a front door (this is the chucky key lock which is positioned half way down the door) to accompany a rim lock(which is the smaller rounded key lock, positioned a quarter of the way down the door). On PVC doors the locks are normally integrated. PVC doors are effective but make sure the lock is fully engaged and the keys are removed after it is locked. Keys should be placed out of view from burglars but in a place where everyone in the house knows where they are in case of an emergency such as a fire. Windows should also have locks on them and if in vulnerable locations such as a rear window that looks out on a flat roof an extra lock can be added for increased security. Patio doors can also benefit from extra locks and these can be purchased from DYI stores or from lock smiths. You must make sure the condition of the frame, hinges and any glass panels are to a good standard as this! also affects the security as a whole.

4, Chains/door bars – We recommend you use a chain or door bar when ever you answer the door; this enables you to feel safe behind the door while you question the visitor. A door viewer or spyhole is also a good idea for those who do not have a glass panel to see the person through before answering the door.

5, Property mark – Property mark all items of value with a UV pen or forensic security coding pack. To use the UV pen, simply write your house name or number and postcode on the item. Should the item ever be stolen in the future, and it comes into the possession of the police. We can then contact you to return it to you and it will also help us to complete our investigation. The forensic coding systems use a chemical solution that just needs to be placed on the item of value and left to dry (follow the instructions on the packaging), again if the item is found to have the solution on it when checking it with a UV light this will be sent to a laboratory for the solution to be checked to see what address the item is registered to. Contact your local crime reduction advisor for any further advice or to purchase a kit on: 0845 8 505 505.

6, Items on display - Don’t leave anything of value on display. If you get a new TV for example don’t leave it in full view in front of the window with the empty box displayed outside for the bin men to collect. Use blinds and curtains to stop persons seeing into your property from the road.

7, Trellis and garden security - Use Trellis on top of fencing and walls at the side and rear of your property as this is generally the point of entry for an offender as they think they are less likely to be seen. Prikka Strip is also an effective way to stop persons climbing your fence. This can be found in most security companies and at DYI stores. Warning signage should be displayed after installing this product. Anti Climb Paint is another product that can be utilised. This can be placed on walls or fencing at a preferred height of 2.25m or 7ft 4in to avoid any accidental damage. This also requires the purchaser to follow the product guidance and warning signage should be displayed. As a general rule your hedges and shrubbery should be low at the front to aid visibility and high at the back to deter a potential criminal from trying to gain access. Defensive planting such as Berberis (most kinds), Hippophae Rhamnoides, and Pyracantha are also good to line your fences wit! h for added protection.

8, Don’t leave your keys on display - Don’t leave items of value around the front door or leave your keys on display for potential suspects to target by gaining access to your property through the letterbox. Some offenders target nice vehicles and gain the keys by putting a hook through the letterbox and taking the keys. Keys should be in a safe place in case of a fire or emergency but not on display for potential offenders.

9, Looking out for each other - It is a known fact that some offenders do not like Neighbourhood watch areas and avoid them. Even if you don’t have a watch scheme look after each other and identify vulnerable people in your road/area that could be assisted by the local community. For example if a neighbour is having problems with their gardening, maybe you could help or direct them to a charity that could help with their gardening needs. Some offenders target properties where an elderly or vulnerable person may live. Watch each other’s properties while on holiday, as they can then repay the favour when you are away. If you are interested in joining Neighbour Watch or our free Community messaging system, which is a message service that sends you information on crimes that have occurred, then please contact Alan Clements on 0845 8 505 505 or visit the Neighbourhood Watch website www.mynhw.co.uk.

10, Burglar alarms – Research shows the biggest deterrent for a burglar is an alarm. If you decide to get an alarm, make sure you speak with at least 3 companies and quotes from each of them with details of the packages they are offering. Ensure the security company is regulated by either NSI or SSAIB and that they have an accreditation to show they are working to a good standard. A list of accredited companies in Wycombe District can be obtained from our Neighbourhood Team or Crime Prevention Advisor, call us on 0845 8 505 505 for a copy.

Thank you for taking the time to read advice.

If you have any information about burglaries or car crime offences please contact crime stoppers on:  0800 555 111 or the ThamesValleyPolice on: 0845 8 505 505

For further information on security there is also the following websites:

 www.wycombe.gov.uk/community

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk

everything connected with the proposal for new sporting and leisure facilities can be viewed online at www.wycombe.gov.uk/communitystadium  as well as the WDC offices in High Wycombe, Marlow and Princes Risborough and at any library in the district. An exhibition can be viewed in Wycombe Library on Saturday 25th September from 10am – 4pm and a discussion forum is being held on Thursday 30th September from 7 – 9pm at the King’s Centre, Desborough Road and Thursday 12th October from 7 – 9pm at The Town Hall.

Bucks County Council ,as all councils in England, are having to make major cost savings  at least 25% – a public debate will start on this in September – leaflets which can be completed and sent back to BCC can be found at libraries and other public places;  an online form can be completed by logging on to www.buckscc.gov.uk/bucksdebate where you can also book a place to attend events which are being held throughout the area – posters with all the dates, times and venues are on the notice boards and can be seen on the Parish Council website where there is also a link to complete the online forms.

This will affect all of us and we need to give the County Council an input if we want it to work. The local events are taking place at Wycombe Library on Monday 13th September at 10am, Great Marlow School on the 3rd September at 7pm and the 20th September at Princes Risborough School at 7pm.

There is also a link to a Waste & Recycling online questionnaire being run by BCC.

Please take a few minutes and complete them. Bucks County Council are trying to involve their residents – please provide them with answers to their questions.

 We now have two vacancies for Parish Councillors. We meet once a month for about an hour and decide on projects and ideas to improve our parish and address concerns raised by residents.

Please consider volunteering for this worthwhile role within the community. If you would like to know more please contact any of your current Parish Councillors or the Clerk whose names are on the noticeboards and on this website

We are still pushing Bucks County Council for the report and recommendations to improve the parking situation within Piddington and to have a legal recourse to prevent HGV’s parking in Old Oxford Road.

We have now been advised that a person has been appointed to look at the problem and the Clerk has been in contact – it will happen – we will not let it slip, but unfortunately we are in Bucks County Council’s hands and are limited as to what we can do. It will be a legal process and will take time but it will be worth the wait!

As from 1st June the Mobile Library timetable will be changing. We will no longer have the alternate Wednesday session. We will continue to have the alternate Thursday service from 15.40 – 16.15 at Piddington Village Hall (un changed)
 

You can obtain your free walk leaflet at the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Website.

Click on this link to visit their site and then enter Piddington in the Search Box.

http://www.chilternsaonb.org/places.asp?type=2