From 22nd March 2021 our field census officers will be working across England and Wales, visiting households which have not yet completed their census.

All our officers will be carrying official identification cards. The card will have a photograph and the officer’s name. The officers will work through the day to make contact with residents but will not call before 09:00 or after 20:00.

Any member of the public concerned that the person on their doorstep is not a census officer can call the number on the critical workers letter that the officer can show them.

Census officers will never ask for any money or bank details at any point during the conversation with respondents.

Our staff in the field are classed as key workers. The law allows that where there is a lockdown people can leave their home for work if they cannot work from home. As their role cannot be carried out by working from home, they are allowed to carry out the duties of their role.

The health and safety of the public and the census field force is of the utmost importance to us. Field force routines in Census 2021 have been planned with the health and safety of both the public and field staff front and centre. All our officers will work in a socially distanced way; they will all be wearing PPE and they will not enter anyone’s home.

Jill Loader | Census Engagement Manager, Somerset |

Office for National Statistics | +44 07452 939451 |

[email protected]

www.census.gov.uk

Council Tax scams

Whilst no one likes paying taxes and with counci

l tax bills dropping onto doormats, a phone call that promises to lower your Council Tax banding for an upfront charge may sound like a great offer, but you can find out if your band can be lowered for free.

We have also been told by callers that they have been called by “someone” who says they work for the Council; that a lot of money  is owed and that if they do not pay, the Police will be called.  These are scam phone calls, but understandably very frightening for residents.

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill and need assistance, our Council Tax staff will be more than happy to offer help and advice on 0300 303 7801 or email please email the Council Tax team on [email protected].

Council Tax bands are set by the Valuation Office Agency and can only be changed under certain conditions. Details can be found at www.gov.uk/council-tax-appeals.   If you think your band is wrong, contact the Valuation Office Agency – you will not be charged for the service.

If you have a question in relation to Council Tax Support, please view Sedgemoor District Council website for more advice. In addition, it you have a question about what help you can apply for as you are no longer working, please go to the gov.uk website which has a lots of guidance to help you make a claim for help.

If you have given over personal details, we would advise you to call the Police straight away on 101 and report the matter as an identity theft scam. The Police will also direct you to the Action Fraud helpline on 0300 123 2040.

Press Release from Sedgemoor District Council

Vacancies have unexpectedly arisen on the board of Sedgemoor CAB, and the Trustees of this highly regarded and recognised charity are seeking to fill these.

Applications are welcome from anyone who believes they can work with the team to provide oversight of the finances, risks, and operational standards of the bureau and help steer it through changing times.

The board’s responsibility to clients and stakeholders is usually met via four board meetings a year. It would be expected that the postholder would also be involved in one or two staff and volunteer meetings/events during the course of the year.

This is a voluntary role, and it would suit a person wishing to become involved in charity work, if not already, and who is committed to seeing a successful bureau continue to give a first-class service to local people in need of free, impartial, advice.

Please, in the first instance, contact Elaine Allen, [email protected] for further information.

Fraud Alert COVID 19 Grant – Fraudulent texts claiming to be HMRC February 2021

Missed collections on 19th February 2021

These messages are shared as widely as possible on social media radio and on community Facebook groups or pages.  SDC retweet all SWP messaging and also have links on the front page of our website to the SWP website where there is full detail, down to road level and instruction as to what to do.    Thank you

Misseds today in / around Broomfield, Cannington, Fiddington, Keenthorne, Merridge, Nether Stowey, Spaxton.

FB post and link here:

https://www.facebook.com/SomersetWaste/posts/3795799487122769

Staff shortages have led to missed recycling collections today Friday 19 February in Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, and Somerset West and Taunton.

We regret that immediate return collections are not possible; if you are missed today, please re-present recycling next Friday, 26 February, from 6am.

Rubbish, garden waste, clinical and bulky waste collections are NOT affected.

In / around Broomfield, Cannington, Fiddington, Keenthorne, Merridge, Nether Stowey, Spaxton in Sedgemoor

Alexandra Road

Ashford Lane

Camden Road

Cannington Road

Charlynch Hill

Charlynch Lane

Charlynch Road

Church Road

Durliegh Road

Edbrook Lane

Farm Lane

Fiddington Road

Jacksons Lane

Meadow Close

Mill Close

Mill Lane

Mount Road

Oatley Lane

Pooles Close

Roobies Lane

Sandy Lane

Spaxton Road

Stradlings Hill

Waterpits

Watery Lane

Full details: somersetwaste.gov.uk/fri19feb21/

Please see below for latest update from SWP. Important note – waste collections will start from 6.00am on Monday 1st February 2021

SWP Briefing January 2021