News Updates

Dear customer, We’re writing to remind you about changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from today and what this means for you.   From 1‌‌ September HMRC will now pay 70% of usual wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 per month for the hours furloughed employees do not work. What you need to do now Continue to pay your furloughed employees at least 80% of their usual wages for the hours they do not work, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. You will need to fund the difference between this and the CJRS grant yourself. The caps are proportional to the hours not worked. For example, if your employee is furloughed for half their usual hours in September, you are entitled to claim 70% of their usual wages for the hours they do not work up to £1,093.75 (50% of the £2,187.50 cap). Continue to pay furloughed employees’ National Insurance and pension contributions from your own funds. Make sure your data is right It’s important that you provide all the data we need to process your claim. Payment of your grant may be at risk or delayed if you submit a claim that is incomplete or incorrect, so we want to help you get this right. We will get in touch if we see any employee data missing from your previous claims. Claiming for 100 or more employees: use our template It’s really important to use the right file type when uploading your data. The easiest way to ensure your file is in the right format is to use our template. To find it search ‘download a template if you’re claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌.UK. If your file is in the wrong format – for example, an incorrect file type or too many or too few columns – it may be rejected. If your file is rejected, you’ll receive a message to say it has not been accepted and your claim will not be processed. Fraudulent claims   We have started to investigate CJRS claims where fraud is suspected. We will be paying particular attention to claims that differ from the PAYE data we hold and where we have received reports of fraud. Employees are encouraged to report their employer if they have reason to believe that they are abusing the scheme. They can do this anonymously if they prefer. For more information go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘report fraud to HMRC’. More information Guidance and live webinars offering you more support on changes to the scheme and how they impact you are available to book online – go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’. Our phone lines and webchat are still very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you may need is on GOV‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most. Protect yourself from scams   Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic and unthreatening. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. I hope this information helps you and your business. We’ll continue to keep you updated on scheme developments over the coming weeks. Yours faithfully Jim Harra Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary – HMRC

 

Since the commencement of COVID-19 social events have not been possible and was reflected by all such events showing as “Cancelled until further notice” on our parish calendar.

As the lockdown is eased some events are returning gradually to our village halls and beyond.  Many, due to their nature will not be returning for some time.  The parish calendar is being updated to reflect those activities and events that are now taking place.

Currently numbers at events are restricted so do not just turn up.  Please contact the organisers to ensure you understand any special conditions of attendance, and to book your place.

Fraudsters are back in action claiming to be from the police, banks and fraud squads in order to extort money from the  vulnerable.

There have been a couple of incidents in Hereford where couples in their eighties have been targeted.
One man was conned into withdrawing an amount of cash from his personal bank account after being told his credit cards had been cloned. They then sent out two separate couriers to collect the cash from his home address.

In a second incident they asked for an amount of cash which has been collected by a “courier”. Before the individual was about to send over a much larger amount of cash West Mercia Police officers were able to step in and offer the support needed to the victim and prevent the transaction taking place.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright said: “This type of fraud often targets older and more vulnerable people and we would urge everyone to tell someone, by passing on the information about the bogus callers to relatives, friends and neighbours who may not have heard about the local telephone scam in operation.

“There are many alias’ that the imposters use but always remember that no police officer from any force or department will ever ask you to hand over money or transfer funds, regardless of their name or unit.”

The deception can also be carried out in several ways, such as –

• A phone caller pretending to be a police officer who is investigating unidentified activity/ fraud in their bank account and that they must cooperate with the ‘investigation’.
• The victim is then persuaded to withdraw funds and hand them over to the ‘investigators’, either by some remote means or in person to a courier.
• The victim is told that if the bank cashier queries the large withdrawal that they are to say it is for a large purchase e.g. work/repairs in the home.
• Alternatively the victim may be asked to hand over bank cards, vouchers or other valuable items. They may also be asked to transfer funds to another account, which is controlled by the fraudsters.

“These scams can be extremely convincing and manipulative. The fraudsters may give (alleged) crime numbers, investigation details, and job titles. They will always claim that the transaction must be done in secret. The fraudsters condition their victim not to trust bank branch staff, which can make it hard for those staff to help.”

“These calls are not genuine and payments should not be made. No legitimate bank/building society, police officer, or business will ever phone you to ask you to give them your card, your PIN, or your cash in the way we’ve described above.”

“Don’t trust anyone who calls you about your bank details. Always hang up and wait 10 minutes to ensure the call has disconnected.”

Stay Safe!

The Walford Community Support Scheme has really shown how a rural support group can make such a difference to its’ parishioners who maybe isolated or lonely especially during the recent months of Covid-19.

The scheme was established in 2016 and has developed a fantastic group of volunteers who support our service users with everyday tasks in their homes for example collecting medication, taking people to appointments and encouraging service users to engage in our regular social gatherings and outings.

For so many the reality of Covid-19 and lockdown caused anxiety and confusion; the thought of not seeing friends and family was devastating.

But the WCSS swung into action with volunteers offering to go shopping or deliver much needed medication. The service users were all supported by regular befriending calls to check on their health and wellbeing. For many elderly service users modern IT technology is still to be mastered but a few challenged themselves with becoming more familiar with the internet and were amazed at the results – Zoom calls were deemed to be incredible!!!!

During the crisis the scheme was successful in applying for a grant from Herefordshire Community Foundation. As lockdown restrictions eased, we were able to ‘lift the spirits’ of our services users through our volunteers making special deliveries to their homes. Miffy’s Teashop in Ross put together the most delicious afternoon tea box, Audrey’s Fish Bar replaced our usual Fish ‘n’ Chip lunch with a home delivery and a ‘Treat Box’ containing local produce from Wye Valley Produce, Lodge Farm Kitchen and Franks Luxury Biscuits was gratefully received.  Service users were also provided with a material face mask and hand sanitiser to ensure their wellbeing when venturing out.

As time moves forward the scheme is hoping that it will be able to resume social gatherings under new guidelines, allowing friends to reconnect and to embrace any new members of the community who wish to join the scheme. Our hope is to use the grant funding to enhance our social gatherings, introduce new ‘ IT drop in’ sessions helping support service users with virtual appointments and to encourage younger members of our community who may also require support to be able to meet and enjoy the invaluable help our volunteers can offer.

The WCSS is so grateful to everyone who has supported the scheme since it was founded but particularly to our local volunteers who have reached out to help so many throughout the Covid-19 period, allowing our community to take care of those who are isolated or lonely.

If you know of anyone in the Walford Parish who may wish to be supported by the WCSS or if you would like to volunteer please contact us on 07493171430 or by e mail community@walford-pc.org.uk

 

Be Mackintosh

Community Support Coordinator

A few parishioners have experienced difficulties joining and taking part in council meetings being held by video conference.  It looks like we are going to be continuing with video conferencing for some time so the information below may provide assistance.

It is impractical to provide advice that will suit everyone as there are more than a dozen ways to join a meeting depending on your equipment, operating system and the meeting system being used.

Walford Parish Council currently use the Zoom video conferencing system.

Details of meetings and their joining information are shown on the calendar, normally, if you are joining from a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone you just need to click on the “join meeting” button.  If you are joining by phone then dial the number and follow the verbal instructions.

• A few minutes before the meeting is due to start click on the link you have been
  provided with the next screen should show an option to Join a Meeting and you need to click it.
  You may then be asked to type in the Meeting ID and then the Password which you
  will have been given by the session organiser.
  You are nearly there now!
• The next screen will ask if you want to join with video this will allow you to see others in the session and for them to see you, this can be turned on and off during the session if you wish.
• You will then be asked if you want to join with audio this will allow you to hear others in the session and for them to hear you, again this can be turned on an off during the session if you wish.
  You should now have gained access to your session.

During the session

• At the bottom of the screen there are some icons of a video camera and a speaker, by clicking those you can turn the video or sound on or off.
• If more than one person is talking at once or there is background noise this can make the conversation break up and be a little frustrating. Try and take it in turns to talk rather than all at once.
• There are some other controls that you can explore the more you use Zoom but for now enjoy connecting with people.

Problem solving

• If you have not downloaded the Zoom app first and just click the link the session host has provided you may be prompted to download the Zoom app. Follow the instructions on your screen to do this. If this does not happen follow the instructions at the start of this sheet to download the Zoom app.
• If you can’t see or hear the other people in the session your video and/or your microphone is switched off. Find the video camera icon and/or microphone icon at the bottom of the screen and turn the relevant one on.
• If you are still unable to hear and/or see the people in the session there may be an issue with your settings. Here you will need to come off the session and open up the settings on your device. Find the apps option and find Zoom in the list of apps. Open this up and look for permission and ensure that camera and microphone are selected

There is a new service which is available for all members of Herefordshire Libraries, and it is called “PressReader”.  You can access all newspapers and magazines from the UK and beyond and IT IS COMPLETELY FREE.  If you are a library member just go onto the Herefordshire.gov.uk website go to Libraries and start reading, if you are not a member it is easy to join online.

The attached document provides COVID-19 guidance for community venues and village halls.

PDF DOCUMENT

Crime, including organised crime and anti-social behaviours are on the increase in rural areas across the country, and Walford Parish is no exception.  Even if you are not directly impacted by the devastating effects of rural crimes, you can still play a part in preventing the numerous instances that affect our communities.  Everyone can provide intelligence and work to help keep our countryside a safe and enjoyable place to live.

Keep your eyes and ears open, identifying suspicious or anti-social behaviour, and reporting anything that seems odd and unusual.  Do not intervene but take photos as evidence if it is safe to do so and/or keep a diary of incidents detailing the time, place, nature of, and descriptions of participants involved.

Not sure when to report?  Use the following steps to help:

·         If a crime is in progress: Dial 999.

·         If you want to report a crime: Dial 101.

·         To give information regarding a crime or report a crime anonymously: Use the charity organisation CrimeStoppers at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or 0800 555111

 

1.          Anti-Social Behaviours

Covers a multitude of crimes such as verbal abuse, excessive noise, vandalism, harassment, graffiti and fly posting, vehicle crime, substance misuse, trespassing,

abandoned vehicles, drinking alcohol underage, large groups using threatening or intimidating behaviour.

Such a wide range of behaviour means that responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour is shared between several agencies, particularly the police, councils and housing providers.

Who the matter should be reported to first will depend on what the matter is, how serious it appears to be and how quickly it needs to be dealt with.  As a rule, the more serious or urgent a matter is, the more likely it is to be a job for the police.

All crime should first be reported to West Mercia Police, call 101 (in an emergency always call 999). The police will then contact the council if it is a matter we can help with.

 

2.       Animal Welfare
Contact the RSCPA on 0300 1234 999 or follow the links to contact them on: https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus
Further information on animal cruelty can be obtained through the website: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ac/animal-crime/

 

3.       Burning of commercial or household waste (bonfires)
Please contact Herefordshire Council via https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200145/business/133/environment_and_pollution/2

Alternatively, ring the Environment Agency – Hotline: 0800 80 70 60, https://www.gov.uk/report-an-environmental-incident

 

4.       Misuse of or problem with a public right of way (footpath, bridleway or byway)

Please send an e-mail to the Clerk of the Walford Parish Council for the attention of the Footpaths Officer (Cllr Evans) and/or contact the Public Rights of Way Team at Herefordshire Council via https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200242/Public_rights_of_way

 

5.       Speeding traffic on bridleways, lane, or road
This is a matter for West Mercia Police.  Urgent matters call 999.  For non-urgent matters call 101.

Please inform the Clerk of Walford Parish Council for the attention of Police Liaison person: Cllr Jordan.

6.       Lack of compliance with Covid-19 measures

This is a matter for West Mercia Police.  Urgent matters call 999.  For non-urgent matters call 101.

Alternatively, follow the links via https://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

 

7.       Removal of Trees or Hedgerows or concerns about a breach in planning
Please send an e-mail to the Planning Enforcement Team on https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200142/planning_services/100/planning_enforcement/

For urgent matters, contact the Team on: 01432 260386

 

8.       Noise nuisance

Read the advice on the Herefordshire Council website before making a formal complaint via:

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200145/business/133/environment_and_pollution/4

 

Let’s stamp out crime and anti-social behaviours in Walford Parish!

Are you a business based in Walford Parish?  We are creating a free local business directory on the parish website to help promote local businesses and encourage parishioners to use local services.  Send your business details to the clerk via email at clerk@walford-pc.org.uk clearly marked as BUSINESS DIRECTORY and we will add an entry to our directory.  Initially businesses must be based in Walford Parish.

Thank you.