Trading standards is advising online consumers in Devon, Somerset and Torbay to only buy from ‘reputable’ traders, and to refer to a new advice video if they experience any problems.

The new advice video has been commissioned by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) ahead of ‘Black Friday’ (Friday 27 November) and ‘Cyber Monday’, (Monday 30 November), the two big pre-Christmas shopping days this month.

The COVID-19 lockdowns have led to a rise in consumer spending online and 87 per cent of UK consumers are estimated to have purchased a product online.

The public spends around £2bn a week on online purchases.

However, according to Citizens Advice Consumer Service the sharp increase in online spending has also led to a near doubling of complaints.

People are having a range of problems when shopping online, including issues relating to scams and defective goods, and concerns about parcel delivery.

There will also likely be a record number of electrical products purchased online this year, and Electrical Safety First warn that consumers should be extra vigilant when it comes to these kinds of products.

Janet Quinn of Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards, said: “With Black Friday next week and the Christmas shopping rush approaching, it has never been more crucial for the public to understand their consumer rights and the responsibilities of online retailers.
“The internet can provide buyers with great opportunities in terms of choice and convenience. However, at the same time, they must be wary and only buy from reliable sources to ensure quality and safety. Sub-standard electrical products can be hazardous, and Trading Standards advice to shoppers is to do their homework before buying; check a trader out online and read any reviews. If you’re not fully satisfied, don’t buy from them.”

You can find the Citizens Advice Consumer page here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/

The public can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

 

News Release

Sedgemoor District Council                                                                   Corporate Relations Manager:  Claire Faun

Bridgwater House                                                                                                               Direct Dial:  01278 435320

King Square, Bridgwater

Somerset, TA6 3AR                                                                                       e-mail: [email protected]

General Enquiries:   0300 303 7800                                                                                twitter.com/SedgemoorDC

 

Date:  17 November, 2020

 

Have your say on Bridgwater’s Brewery Field

 

Sedgemoor District Council is inviting you to have your say in shaping the future of Brewery Field, which lies alongside the Northgate Leisure Scheme.   Residents and visitors are now being asked to have their say on the future of this well-used and much-loved space.

 

The area has seen many changes over the past few years, which has seen a new Northgate Primary School, Blake Car Park and Aldi Supermarket, with an improved Northgate road junction.  So, the next phase to consider is the Brewery Field.    From now until Wednesday, 9^th December, Sedgemoor residents can comment on the proposals and share views so that the scheme reflects the needs and aspirations of the people who use the area.

 

Due to the current Covid conditions, we are unable to carry out the survey as we would in normal circumstances.   There is a survey online at

http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/breweryfield or  you can email us at [email protected]

 

Because of these unusual circumstances where face-to-face consultation cannot take place, Stuart Martin, Sedgemoor’s Project Manager for the Northgate project will be able to answer queries or take ideas on the following number 01278 435459.

 

The larger, ambitious Northgate leisure scheme has approval to proceed, with a start on site scheduled for early 2021.  This will see a 7-screen cinema, bowling alley along with bars and restaurant.

Sedgemoor District Council is pleased to announce that it will be offering free parking in all of its car parks for the three weekends before Christmas.

People will be able to park without charge in all eighteen of the Council-owned car parks across Sedgemoor on Saturday 5^th, 12^th and 19^th December.

Especially given the additional impacts of Covid-19 on the local economy, Sedgemoor District Council is keen to support our many local and varied traders in the towns and villages across Sedgemoor and give residents and visitors an added incentive to shop locally in the festive season.

There will be notices on the tariff machines in the car parks advising of the free parking.

Announcement by Somerset County Council The weekend’s announcement of a second national lockdown may prompt questions about impacts on Somerset Waste Partnership services, notably recycling sites which were closed during the first lockdown period earlier this year.   As things stand, the plan is that all 16 sites will remain open on standard opening hours. You may recall that the Government clarified near the end of the first lockdown that visits to recycling sites are considered ‘permitted journeys.’   Somerset’s sites already have measures in place to protect the public and staff and these include; no one with COVID symptoms or those asked to shield should visit sites strict social distancing must be followed visitors are asked to wear gloves and are limited to a maximum of two per vehicle from the same household masks are discretionary site staff are not able to give their usual assistance in lifting heavy or large items Collections, including garden waste and the roll-out of Recycle More, will continue as normal and we will be re-emphasising our messages about how people should dispose of personal waste if they, or someone in their household, has symptoms. SWP, SUEZ and Viridor will continue to monitor the situation, guidance and any impacts on staff and will make changes if appropriate.

Emergency Road Closure: ttro406879SE – Wembdon Hill, Wembdon

Please be aware that we have received notification of an emergency road closure at Wembdon Hill, Wembdon, which will commence on 3rd November 2020 and is expected to last until 7th November 2020 (the closure is between the hours of  00:00 – 23:59).

These works are for Wessex Water to replace supply pipe relay.

For any further information about this closure please contact  Wessex Water on (0345) 600 4 600, quoting reference: ttro406879SE – Wembdon Hill, Wembdon.

A map of the affected area (in red), together with the recommended diversion route (in purple) is shown below, along with the link to One.Network. https://one.network/?tm=119213068

Hinkley Point C November 2020 Look Ahead

We’re appealing for witnesses after a number of workshops were burgled near Bridgwater.

The units off Blackmore Lane, Cannington were broken into sometime overnight Monday/Tuesday (21/22 September).

A quad bike, a ride-on lawn mower, a pressure washer and a large number of power tools were stolen.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time, or who has been offered the items detailed in suspicious circumstances, is asked to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5220215162.

HPC Look ahead October 2020