Your local Neighbourhood Police Team has been out and about over the last few days, I am sure many of you would have seen or spoken to us. We like you – have entered a very uncertain time with this pandemic and like you, we have a role to play in this. Please make yourselves aware of what the government have stated – this link will assist
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
We will continue to patrol in earnest that everyone plays their part by staying at home where possible apart from the few exclusions.
We have sadly come across pockets of young people in various areas around Basingstoke and Deane who are not complying with the restrictions and may be helping the spread of this awful virus. To parents and carers – please ensure that your child(ren) understand the importance of staying home, not going to their friends house or hanging around in groups in public areas. This will be a difficult time for you and them, but it simply is unforgivable that the legislation to protect us all is being ignored. Take advantage of the many ways they can contact each other – video calling – this can be done on many platforms as well as in some cases multiple people on one video call!
It is also great to see that the majority are being amazing! The community spirit is overwhelming and you are all pulling together helping where you can and observing the restrictions. This is a great town with a wonderful spirit.
There will be some changes in the way we operate, many of these around reducing contact and observing the restrictions placed on all of us for our own protection. We will of course in an emergency using the 999 system respond accordingly, alike any serious matters. We will however try where possible to resolve issues in other ways where the opportunity exists, without a face to face visit.
Please still be mindful of some of the many scams that are doing the rounds, these vary from text messages which appear to be from a reputable company asking you to click a link or reply to the text – my advice is do not respond or click the link, if you think the company in question genuinely wishes to speak to you – use the number for the company which you have and phone them. Treat emails the same way. Never give any private details to anyone on the phone or online, especially PIN numbers and alike. There are sadly people who will try and take advantage of the situation to obtain either your details or money from you.
I saw a post on social media today which simply read –
I am STUCK at home
Or
I am SAFE at home
Amazing the power of thought. Take care and look after each other,
PS Trevor Taylor
To safeguard the wellbeing of colleagues and customers using our shop we will be making some changes to the way that we operate:
Email & Collect Service
We will also be launching a temporary Email and collect service with details can be found by contacting the below on email. This will be a card only service and no cash will be accepted.
Thank you for your Co-operation at this difficult time.
Nisa Sunwood Drive
Hello and welcome to your latest Community Update.
Signs of spring are starting to appear, let’s hope the weather starts improving soon too. I am sending out this Hampshire Alert to bring to your attention a slight increase we’ve seen in theft from sheds (burglaries) within the town centre, it appears that outer buildings are being targeted i.e. sheds, outhouses, summer houses and garages. This is only a handful of offences but we wanted to bring this to your attention so residents can put the appropriate measures in place to secure their properties.
Please can you ensure that you are securing your back gardens, locking your sheds and securing your belongings inside your sheds/garages? We would recommend that you move any valuables, where possible into a more secure building.
Do not leave bins outside fences where people can easily use these to jump over into your properties, use flood lighting and CCTV where possible as these will assist in deterring people.
If you witness this kind of activity or have any CCTV/video footage then please call 101 or use the online reporting tool on hampshirepolice.co.uk and your assistance in this is most appreciated.
Don’t forget to register with your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme at www.ourwatch.org.uk/join where you can cut crime, help and reassure those in your area, encourage closer communities and receive further updates of what’s going on in your area.
Please follow our Facebook page for local news and updates, requests for information from you and important posts from our partners. You can follow us at www.facebook.com/Basingstokecops.
To report crime or suspicious activity, call us on 101 or report it online by going to www.hampshire.police.uk. You can also report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers instead of the police, on 0800 555111.
BDBC have now updated the Parish Council that there is a requirement for the additional LEAP (Local Equipped Area for Play) in the northwest corner of Sherfield Park and that Croudace have confirmed they will be submitting an application for the play area and will begin the process.
However, in light of residents comments and petition, Croudace will be looking to arrange a community involvement exercise so that all residents are engaged and informed and can comment before the application is submitted. As part of the planning application process, BDBC will carry out the normal consultation process too.
Any further details will be shared as soon as we receive them.
With the release of the government’s Coronavirus: action plan- A guide to what you can expect across the UK in addition to the increasing number of cases within the UK, BDBC are working closely with agencies across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum area, including Hampshire County Council and health partners to keep a close watch on the development of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak – with processes in place to respond if, and when required.
BDBC are focussing on precautionary planning well ahead by working through business continuity plans to protect key council services in the event of high levels of staff absence.
The council has set up a webpage at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/coronavirus to give easy access to the latest national and local advice and information. This directs to Government’s webpages, at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
The advice remains to focus on good respiratory and hand hygiene and specifically:
In the council offices, paper towels are being introduced into hand-washing areas to support good hand hygiene practice. The IT team is also warning to be aware of an increase in malware and ransomware linked to covid-19 and therefore please don’t click links from unknown sources which may suggest they can provide more information/ advice about the virus.
The message has to be to remain calm and follow the advice from Public Health England. At this stage there is no requirement to restrict gathering or social activities in any specific age ranges. To reduce pressure on the NHS, it is important that people with mild symptoms stay at home and follow the same treatment as ‘ordinary’ ‘flu or colds.
The Returning Officer at BDBC will be holding a Candidates’ and Clerks’ briefing for the Parish Council elections, details of which are listed below.
5:30pm, Tuesday 17 March 2020 – The Council Chamber, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke RG21 4AH
This session will cover the nomination period, the role of candidates, the campaign and expenses. It will also cover access to the electoral register and the security of data.
It is important that interested candidates attend the session.
Please contact the Electoral Services Team by Friday 13 March 2020 – electoral.services@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 845467 to confirm your attendance.
The 2020 election web page is now live on the BDBC website. The webpage contains important information for candidates and it will be updated frequently over the next few months as more information becomes available and notices are published. The website also contains a copy of the nomination pack. This also includes information around the timetable, spending and the nomination process. The nomination pack can be collected from the Clerk at the Parish Office or the BDBC Elections 2020 page.
Toads are starting to move to their breeding ponds, but unfortunately for some there are busy roads to cross in their journey. This little chap was lucky as it was a fairly quiet stretch when he was found crossing tonight. Others won’t be so lucky. Toad numbers in the UK have dropped by as much as 68% over the last thirty years and need a helping hand to cross our busier and busier roads.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile Group are coordinating volunteers at these crossings, usually between 6pm and 8.30pm every night when weather conditions are favourable to toads – roughly 8c+ and damp.
In this area there are two crossings near Basingstoke and a couple of crossings near Hook. The Basingstoke crossings are at Cufaude Lane and Wildmoor Lane, so if anyone in the Sherfield Park/Sherfield on Loddon area would like to help please contact pete.west.hiwarg@gmail.com or visit their Facebook group for updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/455730808110700/
Every person helping makes a huge difference.