Safer Melbourn

cambridgeshire

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/safermelbourn/

Policing in Melbourn

Everyone who lives or works in the Melbourn area has the chance to get involved in setting the policing priorities for their neighbourhood. By attending your regular (usually quarterly), neighbourhood meetings you can raise any concerns or issues you have in your neighbourhood with police and local authority representatives.

Priorities set at the July panel meeting at the last meeting for the Bassingbourn and Melbourn panel, held on 19/07/2011 include, tackle anti-social behaviour associated with vehicle use and misuse of green and open spaces. Support South Cambs District Council in reducing ASB in Vicarage Close sheltered accommodation complex.

Over the next few months we will work with partner agencies and the community to tackle these issues as we work to make your neighbourhood a safer place. Priorities set during the previous period • Tackle anti-social behaviour associated with moped/motor cycle use in the High Street in the vicinity of the Car Park and in adjoining streets. • Tackle road safety issues including excess speeds, obstructive parking and use of mobile phones whilst driving.

We’ve been working hard to tackle the issues that you’ve told us are a problem in Melbourn. Below, you can find out more about what action has been taken.

Action taken to tackle these priorities includes • Implement Measures to Reduce Incidents of Theft of Metal across the Neighbourhood. • Neighbourhood officers conducted a survey of all churches across the panel to identify vulnerability, security and previous offences and liaised with our Community Safety

Team to assess the best way of utilising crime prevention support. • The most vulnerable churches were identified and given increased patrol attention. • Houses in these vicinities were visited in person to raise awareness which was supplemented by e-cops messages. • Neighbourhood officers developed a ‘Prevention Pack’ outlining protective options and these were hand delivered to a designated person at each church. • Heightened awareness in the communities increased the reports of suspicious vehicles which provided useful intelligence. However, none were found to be targeting churches or otherwise committing offences at the time. Potential sites for metal thefts, and those previously victims

•

of such offences, have received additional patrol attention.

Tackle Road Safety Issues to include Excessive Speed,

Obstructive Parking and Use of Mobile Phones whilst

Driving.

Speed enforcement and monitoring on Cambridge Road.

Safety Camera Van deployments took place on the A505 and on the A10 Melbourn. All available South Cambs NPT resources were deployed on a Speeding Day of Action across the area supported by the Special Constabulary.

The enforcement activity during this period saw in excess of 588 vehicles checked resulting in two drivers being reported for summons, forty-nine tickets being issued, nineteen drivers receiving words of advice and forty-nine warning letters being sent out.

Anonymous information was received regarding a delivery driver using his mobile phone was acted upon with the local company being very appreciative of being notified and promising to deal with the driver internally.

Visit your police by appointment

Would you be willing, if appropriate, to visit police by appointment? That’s our next question on the ‘have your say’ forum.

The force introduced an appointments system two years ago and in January this was extended to include police ‘surgeries’, inviting victims and witnesses to attend police stations across the county for non urgent matters that do not require police attendance at a crime scene. Feedback from those that have used the new system have been positive.

NON EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 0345 456 456 4

MINICOM helpline for the deaf and hard of hearing, anywhere in the force area: 01480 422493 RNID TypeTalk is a national telephone relay service which enables, deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate, to access the service dial: 0800 515152 Emergency 999

The purpose of the surgery system is to enable the public to visit police at a time convenient for them while at the same time saving operational hours for emergencies and crime investigation.

The intention is to make the service as flexible as possible to meet the needs of the public while reducing the amount of hours officers and staff spend travelling between jobs.

We want to know, if it was appropriate, would you be willing to attend a ‘surgery’ appointment at a time convenient to you at your local station or would you still prefer to wait for a home visit? Have your say – visit our website and add your comments.

Meet Police Officers

Bassingbourn/Melbourn Surgery: 16 September 2011 18:00–20:00 Location: Melbourn Village College. A chance to meet officers from your Neighbourhood Policing Team and discuss issues of concern in your area. Neighbourhood Panel Meeting: 18 October 2011 19:30–21:30 Location: Melbourn Village College, SG8 6EF. Come along to meet your Neighbourhood Policing Team and express your views on crime in your area. Bassingbourn/Melbourn Surgery: 18 Novemeber 2011 18:00–20:00 Location: Bassingbourn Village College A chance to meet officers from your Neighbourhood Policing Team and discuss issues of concern in your area.

Trading Standards

– a spotlight on energy

We all want to do our bit to save energy around the home – to be ‘green’ and to save money. However, at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service we have seen an increase in queries from residents about ‘cold callers’ selling energy saving schemes, particularly loft insulation and solar energy, so below we offer some advice to help you. Solar Energy Before you start it’s worth taking a look at the information provided by the Energy Saving Trust on www.energysavingtrust. org.uk or speaking to an advisor on 0800 512012.

For supplier/installer information, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme can provide a list of members online or by calling 0207 0901082. Membership is not compulsory, but you will need to use a member if you plan to use the Feed-in Tariff scheme (a government-backed initiative paying you for the electricity you generate).

Obtain three quotes to ensure the price and projected savings are competitive and realistic. Arrange a technical survey, rather than a sales visit, so the quote is accurate, and ensure all quotes are in writing, detailing what’s included. Once you’ve chosen your installer read the contract carefully and ensure their claims about savings and maintenance costs are included before signing so that you have evidence of what you were told.

Remember! If you sign an agreement at home for solar energy, you should be given 7 days to cancel. If you need advice on this, ring Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506. When it comes to insulation, the Energy Saving Trust can provide information on grants and offers that can help you cover the cost of it. They can also provide a list of installers. It is advisable to use a member of the National Insulation Association, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency or the British Board of Agreement, ideally who has signed up to a professional code of practice and provides a 25 year guarantee.

Reducing your energy bills

Start by checking with your current gas and electricity supplier that you are on their best rate. Then compare the prices of other suppliers in case you can get it cheaper – switching supplier could save you around £237 a year if you haven’t changed before. You can compare prices on Consumer Focus’s weekly pricing factsheets at www.consumerfocus.org.uk or by contacting Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506 for a paper copy. Also, most suppliers offer cheaper tariffs for ‘vulnerable’ customers, so it is worth enquiring about these ‘social tariffs’ if you are over 60, are on means tested benefits or are on low income. In addition, your District Council could offer you advice on how to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home by offering a home visit, or you can get tips by calling the Energy Saving Trust. Support if you are struggling to pay your energy bills If you are struggling to keep on top of energy bills, seek help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, either in person or on the phone on 08444 111 444.

Finally, if you feel that you have been mis-sold any product or service – energy or otherwise – or have any other kind of consumer issue, contact our partner Consumer Direct for advice.

Retuning TVs

Viewers will need to retune their Freeview set top boxes and TVs (and Top Up TV and BT Vision boxes) on 31 August, 14 September and 23 November to keep watching the full range of digital channels you currently receive, unless the set top box has auto-retune. You will see captions on-screen reminding you of the need to retune on the run up to these dates. Guidance on re-tuning is available from www.digitaluk.co.uk. If you are watching satellite or cable services, this does not affect you.

The set top boxes that the Helpscheme provided to eligible residents are auto retune so people shouldn’t have any problems with them but, if they do require help and went through the Helpscheme they can call the Helpline on 0800 4085900 and someone will talk them through what they need to do over the phone or they will send someone out as part of the aftercare they get. (There is no charge)

For those people that were not eligible or are already watching digital television and need help retuning the best advice is to call Digital UK on 08456 505050 who can talk people through how to retune their TV over the phone and their number is charged at local rate.

From a Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Bureaux offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice from over 3,500 locations. These include high streets, community centres, doctors’ surgeries, courts and prisons.

Our advice helps people resolve their problems with debt, benefits, employment, housing, discrimination, and many more issues. It is available to everyone.

Advice may be given face-to-face or by phone. Most bureaux can arrange home visits and some also provide email advice. A growing number are piloting the use of text, online chat and webcams. Search for your local bureau to see the full range of services it provides. Royston Citizens Advice Bureau Town Hall, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7DA Telephone 08444 111444 www.northhertscab.cabnet.org.uk Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau 66 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2BL Telephone Adviceline 0844 848 7979 www.cambridgecab. org.uk

Streamlined service to help bereaved relatives

People across the UK dealing with the difficult situation of the death of a relative will be able to check if they’re eligible for help with funeral costs or for other benefits in just one phone call.

In the past a grieving relative may have had to spend hours on the phone, often having to repeat the same information to different parts of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The new Bereavement Service at the DWP will help bereaved relatives with pensions and benefits advice at a time they need it most.

At the time of death, over 80% of people are on a DWP benefit or pension, and of those, over 60% are in receipt of more than one benefit from the Department.

The Service collects all the information the DWP needs to know about the deceased, carries out a quick eligibility check to find out which benefits the surviving relative may be entitled to and takes claims for Bereavement Benefit and Social Fund Funeral Payments over the telephone.

Under the service, notification of a death can be shared with several local and central government organisations, including DWP, which between them cover 24 different services such as DVLA, the Passport Service and HMRC.

Telephone 0845 606 0265. Textphone 0845 606 0285

Maternity Action Advice Line

Have you just found out that you are pregnant and want to know what your rights are at work?

Do you think that you are being discriminated against at work because of your pregnancy? To help pinpoint problems and find practical solutions to reduce anti-social behaviour in the village, Melbourn’s Practical Solutions Group (PSG) has recognised that a less formal and more inclusive approach is required to achieve its aims. This group remains multi-agency, and can work with and include Melbourn residents (young and old). If you are affected by ASB would like to be involved in this worthwhile project then please get in touch by using the contact form at; www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/ problemsolving or phone 01763 221323

Wondering what benefits you are entitled to whilst you are pregnant and once the baby’s born?

Maternity Action’s Advice Line provides expert advice and information to help you understand and take up your rights and entitlements throughout your pregnancy, maternity leave and return to work, including: • Maternity and paternity pay and leave • Health and safety at work during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding • Rights during maternity leave • Returning to work – requesting flexible hours and parental leave • Benefits and tax credits for pregnant women and new families • Entitlements to health care and benefits for women from abroad

Call the Maternity Action Advice Line on 0845 600 8533 to talk to our advisers. (Calls cost up to 4p per minute with a max 10p set up charge from a BT landline. Mobile and other network rates may be higher.)

The Advice Line is open Wednesdays 5pm-9pm; Thursdays 12–4pm; and Fridays 8am–12noon. Your call is confidential. Website; www.maternityaction.org.uk/adviceline.html

TaxAid

TaxAid is a charity that helps people on low incomes with their tax affairs.

TaxAid helps people on low incomes to understand the bits of the tax system that apply to them (safely ignoring the confusing 98% that don’t), pay only the right amount of tax and help them resolve crises when things go wrong.

TaxAid is unique as a charity providing free, independent, advice across the range of tax issues that impact on people on low incomes helps the most disadvantaged 20% of unrepresented taxpayers on low incomes who cannot afford

Next neighbourhood policing panel meeting 18th October at Melbourn Village College Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. All welcome

professional advice uses its unique experience in advising to influence government and HM Revenue and Customs in cases where the tax system is unfair, inefficient or reduces incentives to work trains high street advice agencies to recognise the problem, deal with the first step and appropriately refer.

TaxAid runs a national helpline, face-to-face services in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Plymouth and Shropshire (via Telly Talk), and also gives advice via email. Our website is designed to make tax understandable to any taxpayer. Helpline 020 7803 4959. www.taxaid.org.uk T.O.P. – TaxHelp for Older People is a service originally provided through the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (associated with the Chartered Institute of Taxation) but is now provided by Tax Volunteers, an independent organisation, to make free professional advice on personal tax available to older people who could not otherwise afford to pay for it.

If you have any queries, contact TOP on the helpline 0845 601 3321 or 01308 488066 or write to: TaxHelp for Older People Pineapple Business Park, Salway Ash, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 5DB. E-mail taxvol@taxvol.org.uk. Website; www.taxvol.org.uk

Money = Love?

There is so much more behind the meaning of money than simply, pounds, shillings and pence. It represents a feeling of being valued in relationship terms. It is one of the areas where couples and families can have the most arguments – it becomes a flashpoint because it is a symbol. Money is rarely discussed in some relationships and so develops into a source of tension. If one party is in debt and the other is unaware of this, it can become like a third person in that relationship, and a lot of time and energy is then spent in keeping the debt a secret.

In a lot of cases, issues over finances can become battles for power. When relationships break down this can be very apparent. You may want to cause hurt and pain by demanding money from your ex to make them experience the hurt and pain you have felt at losing them. Money as a symbol of love Our value system and how money matters should be handled is influenced by our childhood and family. Money can be used by members of the wider family network to underline their feelings of who does and does not belong inside the family. Giving money can be symbolic – there is always the fear that someone else is loved or more important than you. Gifts may be unequal or withheld, almost as a way of saying that a particular child – for example – does not exist. People then behave unfairly because they themselves have been subjected to unfair treatment.

Generosity can be just as much a weapon as meanness. Giving lavishly can mean overcompensating for guilt. Money is no substitute for care and attention, so throwing money at a situation to pay off obligations and clear a conscience means everyone tends to go on feeling loss and to go on making demands.

On the other hand, when overwhelmed with anger about another’s stinginess or if you feel you are not being given enough cash, what you could actually be saying is you have lost something that you value – love and affection. That is what you really want back and you could be trying to fill an emotional hole by asking for money. The cost of parenting Then there is the issue of becoming parents, which is an expensive business. Not only with the loss of one salary, but even without childcare, the costs could be as much as £20,000 per child. Just as adults use money, so do children. It can be a focus for children who need to find a place to make their anxiety and anger heard. Children may play their parents off against each other when all a child really wants, again, is proof of attention and love.

A survey conducted by Relate showed that most arguments about money come down to spending priorities. Differences will appear in a relationship but issues can be worked through. However, most people with a joint strategy and experienced help can work through their financial difficulties. If you suspect that money is an issue in your relationship, don’t bury your head in the sand, it is far better to confront this sooner rather than later.

What To Do If Money Is Becoming an Issue? If you suspect that money worries are becoming an issue in your relationship – don’t bury your head in the sand, it is better to confront this sooner rather than later.

Most arguments about finances come down to differences in your spending priorities.

Try to avoid discussions about money becoming a battle for power in your relationship.

Money cannot be used as a substitute for care and attention.

Don’t despair – remember that differences in value systems and spending priorities can be worked through.

Relate Cambridge offers confidential counselling for individuals, couples and families who are experiencing relationship problems. For further information please visit our website www.relatecambridge.org.uk or to make an appointment please phone 01223 357424.