Haswell Parish Council would like to inform all residents of a telephone scam that is currently being used across East Durham, and has affected several residents of The Haswells today (Tuesday 13th February 2018).

The telephone scam starts with a recorded message, allegedly from HMRC, that states:

“This is Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. We have been trying to reach you to let you know that we are filing a law suit against you.”

The recipient is then asked to phone 0161 850 8563 and press “1” to speak to the officer dealing with the case.

Do not to reply to this message as they will then try to extract money from you.

If you receive either of these scam calls, simply put your phone down and then report it on the Action Fraud website or call 0300 123 2040.

For those residents who have been affected by this, please try not to worry.  Even though this can be unpleasant to receive, be assured that this has not been specifically targeted at you.  This is an attempt to find ANYONE vulnerable enough to respond.  Please do not think you are being individually targeted – just follow the instructions to report it on the Action Fraud website or call 0300 123 2040.

Find your local JobCentre Plus including address information, opening times and contact details.

Jobcentre Near Me makes it easy to find your nearest jobcentre plus offices and information about benenfits, support and Universal Jobmatch.

The general Jobcentre Plus phone number is 0345 608 8545. It’s a free phone number and can be used to check on a benefits application, change your address, complain about a Jobcentre office or get general advice.

Find out more about benefits and support including: JSA, ESA, ESA, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

Search for jobs available through JobCentre Plus using the Universal Jobmatch website. Universal Jobmatch features jobs advertised by employers and recruiters.

All set for the first half-term of 2018?

Well if not, don’t forget that The Haswells February Fun-Fest is on from Monday 12th – Friday 16th February for the kids!

Brought to you by St Paul’s Church, The Lisa Dixon Centre, Giant Steps Nursery and Haswell Parish Council, all the events are free and children must be accompanied by an adult.

To download the full programme, just click on the poster below:

Haswell Parish Council will be holding an extra ordinary meeting on Wednesday 20th December 2017.  The meeting will take place at 6.30pm at St Paul’s Church Hall, Church Street, Haswell.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

See a copy of the agenda (PDF)

If you are aware of someone who needs housing advice, is homeless, rough sleeping, or at risk of losing their home it’s important they seek advice and support as soon as possible.  Winter can be particularly difficult for those struggling in their homes.

For example, if the person is:

• Homeless or rough sleeping
• Experiencing financial difficulty in paying their rent/mortgage
• Living in unsuitable accommodation that does not meet their health needs
• At risk of abuse or harm in the home
• Struggling to keep warm / pay winter bills

Please refer to Housing Solutions where help and advice can be provided via the Housing Advice Line: 03000 268 000 or by Email: housingsolutions@durham.gov.uk where a full assessment of housing options will be undertaken. You can also refer via the Advice in County Durham AICD portal if you are signed up to this service http://www.adviceincountydurham.org.uk/referral.shtml.

Their offices are open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday. If the offices are closed and you are aware of someone street homeless you can contact on the Out of Hours number 01388 722 538.

Alternatively, if, at any time you are aware of any rough sleepers in your area you can report them via StreetLink, a telephone line and website across England which enables the public to alert local authorities of rough sleepers in their area: www.streetlink.org.uk or 0300 500 0914.

Last winter the UK experienced several outbreaks of avian influenza – better known as bird flu. This highly contagious disease affects birds including chickens, ducks and geese, and can be fatal to them, devastating farmers’ livelihoods. It is just as much of a risk to those with a few chickens in a back garden as to commercial farmers and anyone who keeps chickens, ducks or geese needs to be aware of the risk and take steps now to address it.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is running a campaign asking anyone who keeps birds to take action to protect them against this devastating disease, and by doing so help prevent bird flu spreading and protect the livelihoods of farmers across the country.

Defra is asking local councils to share their advice on bird flu in their respective communities – for example on noticeboards, on social media, or in newsletters.

Download and print a poster outlining actions keepers can take

Find out more on bird flu

Haswell Parish Council are asking people from across The Haswells to help as we team up with our friends at Peterlee Town Council this Christmas time.

Santa’s Wish is a charitable giving project, aimed at bringing a little Christmas cheer to some people who are most in need.

Haswell Parish Council has now set up both a collection and referral point in The Haswells to provide a place for people to donate food and gifts to people who need it across the festive period. We can also refer families to receive packages of food and gifts to help their Christmas.

East Durham is one of the most deprived areas in the UK and has been hit hard by austerity cuts and more recently, by the introduction of the Universal Credit benefits system.  As a result, more people and in particular families with low paid and zero hour contract workers as well those on benefits will be reliant on food-banks to get them through to their next payday because they can’t afford to eat and pay their bills.

You can donate at:

The Lisa Dixon Centre, Burt Close, Haswell from 09:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Friday.