Burnt Ash Library will "soon" have wi-fi

All libraries across the borough will soon be equipped with wi-fi facilities meaning that library users will be able to use the internet more easily.

The news will see four of the busier Neighbourhood libraries, Beckenham, West Wickham Chislehurst and Petts Wood, offering wi-fi for the first time.  In addition, the community libraries in Burnt Ash, Hayes, Shortlands and Southborough will also have wi-fi installed, with the project estimated to be completed by the end of March 2016.

Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal and Recreation welcomed the news and said, “It is now increasingly difficult to imagine a time without the internet and computers and smart phones and tablets are moving this on a stage further.  This necessarily changes library services and what is expected.  We are committed to improving our library services where we can and I am pleased that we have been able to do this and is further evidence of how we are shaping our libraries, keeping libraries highly relevant in this modern age.” 

The wi-fi installation project follows a successful funding application to the Arts Council who announced a £7.1 million fund in the summer to help install wi-fi facilities in libraries across the country as part of the wi-fi in Public Libraries in England project.  The funding is designed to ensure that libraries are fit for purpose now and in the future and to help unlock further opportunities to extend their services, tackling digital exclusion, leading to growth in digital skills and enabling the development of new partnerships that will benefit local residents and citizens.

Bromley Library Service has a growing online presence enabling customers to download eBooks and eMagazines onto their devices for free. The new libraries app gives quick and easy access to library services on-the-go, giving library users the freedom to renew books, find out about library events or search the catalogue from their mobile device. 

Bromley Central, Biggin Hill, Mottingham, Orpington, St Paul’s Cray and Penge libraries already provide free wi-fi and following installation in the other 8 libraries, this very popular facility will be available right across the borough.

Burnt Ash Drama Association

If you missed last night's performance there are two more tonight and Tomorrow

Future events include Cinderella on 10th to 12th December and On The Razzle 

Thursday 7th, Friday 8th & Saturday 9th April 2016

More details at http://www.burntashdrama.co.uk/

Fireworks displays in Bromley

In the run up to Bonfire Night it is important to consider how to stay safe, whilst having fun. The Safer Bromley Partnership suggests that it is always best to attend an organised firework display.If this is not possible the London Fire Brigade has some helpful advice for firework and bonfire safety.

Local events 2015

• Norman Park fireworks and funfair, Friday 30 October
• Beckenham Round Table fireworks and funfair, Saturday 7 November
• Chislehurst Rotary Club firework display, Saturday 7 November
• Crystal Palace Park firework display, Thursday 5 November
• Hayes Schools' family fireworks display, Saturday 7 November
• West Wickham fireworks display, Saturday 7 November

Changes to Bromley Library services

Bexley and Bromley councils are considering jointly commissioning their library services.

The approach to procuring the services has been agreed by Bexley and will be discussed by Bromley Council later this month.

The news follows ‘soft market testing’ and further consultation with library staff, library users and residents. Discussions with potential library service providers as part of the soft market testing showed that it might be possible to deliver library services in a way that protects front line services, while delivering essential savings. Both councils face serious financial challenges.

If the two councils agree to a joint procurement process, their Library Services will be tendered together, with each retaining the ability to specify different requirements, according to their priorities.

Councillor Peter Craske, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Environment and Leisure took a decision for Bexley to proceed with a tender exercise for the library service on 16 October. He explained: ‘We are going out to tender to find a provider that will deliver a great service to residents, that will continue to provide the services and activities that our customers currently enjoy, while also saving Council Taxpayers’ money.”

Councillor Peter Morgan, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal and Recreation said: “We must consider all the options carefully with the overall aim of protecting our library service. Our shared management service approach with Bexley has delivered savings whilst maintaining the frontline library service and now, we are looking to see how we can deliver further savings whilst maintaining this important service.”

If the tender exercise is progressed, both councils will need to take a further decision in late 2016 on whether to go ahead.

A range of council services in both boroughs have been delivered by contractor providers for many years. They include street cleaning, Council Tax, Housing Benefit and the management of leisure centres.

Biggin Hill Airport decision date in November

The application to increase operating hours at Biggin Hill Airport will be considered further next month in a special full council meeting, with an anticipated decision made by the Executive.

The special meeting of the council follows discussions with Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL) about their proposals which were submitted to the council in its official capacity as the freeholder, with Biggin Hill Airport, the tenant.  

The meeting is being held in public on Wednesday 25 November at 7 pm in the Great Hall, which is part of the Civic Centre campus.  Immediately after this, the Council’s Executive will then make a decision about BHAL’s proposal, with this meeting also being held in the Great Hall. 

Councillor Stephen Carr, Leader of Bromley Council said, “We are taking this relatively unusual step of publishing and publicising this report as part of our commitment to keep everyone informed and to give an opportunity for the information to be properly considered.  Whilst there has already been substantial opportunity to comment, not just as part of the council’s consultation, if people want to comment about the published report and the information contained in it, we would encourage them to do so over the coming weeks so that these views can be properly considered.”  

Comments received before the November 2015 meeting will be summarised and presented at the meeting so that they can be considered alongside all the other information, including the correspondence received by the council since the March Executive meeting.   

Comments can either be e-mailed to airport.consultation@bromley.gov.uk or alternatively, written correspondence should be addressed to Airport Consultation Group, Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH.  

Details about BHAL’s proposals, including a link to the published report, subject to amendment, are available by visitingwww.bromley.gov.uk/bigginhillairport

Further alert from Trading Standards

Trading Standards has issued an additional warning following further reports of rogue trader activity in Beckenham.

Officers were alerted to a vulnerable man who had gone to his bank to withdraw £12,000 in cash. This followed a previous withdrawal a few days earlier of £12,000 for what the man said was roof repairs. Bank staff became concerned and called the Trading Standards rapid response team who attended and discovered the man had been cold called on Tuesday 6 October by two men, both believed to have Irish accents and noticeable tans, who persuaded him that he needed £27,000 worth of property repairs. They were driving a white transit van and may have been using a trading name of Home Improvements or Home Maintenance.
 

Officers investigating this matter interviewed several neighbours and found a further victim who was elderly and had been pressured into having roof repairs by the same gang. 

Head of Trading Standards Rob Vale is urging all residents to be extra vigilant: “We have had a string of cases recently where consumers are being aggressively targeted by organised criminals. This case is even more upsetting as the man is particularly vulnerable which would have been apparent to anyone talking to him and these people have taken advantage in the most despicable way. We will do all we can to find these individuals.”  

Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety Cllr Kate Lymer added: “We have been promoting the ‘Adult Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business’ campaign for several months now and have seen an increase in referrals of this type of incident. We want to do everything we can to help protect more vulnerable residents so please report suspicious traders to the rapid response team on 07903 852 090.”   

Trading Standards Scam Warning

Two incidents have been drawn to our attention this week involving what appears to be a very similar bogus drainage repair scam.

Incident 1 - A Beckenham resident was cold called and told there was a problem with a neighbour’s drains.  He allowed men into his back garden to inspect a manhole cover and they told him work was needed to clear a blockage.  The resident paid a large deposit for machinery needed to do this work, was told he also had damp in his property and paid a further £10,000 to resolve both “issues”.

Incident 2 - An elderly resident in Orpington was cold called by a young male in shorts and told that there was a problem with a blockage in a neighbour’s drains.  The resident was asked for permission to inspect his drains and he agreed.  The male lifted the manhole cover and left.  The resident was then telephoned by a man claiming to be from a company attempting to sort out the problem.  He was told a deposit of £4,000 was needed to hire machinery to clear the blocked drain and was asked for a banker’s draft.  The resident refused and then received a call from someone claiming to be from the Council who applied more pressure in an attempt to obtain the funds. The resident again refused.  The resident then received a call from another male pretending to be one of his neighbours, again applying pressure and trying to appeal to the resident’s good nature.  Luckily, the resident knows his neighbours and did not fall for it.  When they continued to phone, the resident advised he had informed Trading Standards and the Police after which the caller hung up.

Trading Standards are investigating these incidents.

Meanwhile, please beware of cold callers offering property repairs or claiming to be from the Council.  Call Bromley Trading Standards Rapid Response team on 07903 852 090 if you are suspicious of anyone offering any type of property repairs and look out for any neighbours who may be vulnerable to this type of caller.

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association ​

Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk

Report Email Scams

Help disrupt fraudsters by reporting scam emails that you receive. People receiving scam emails are urged to report them.

The reports received by Action Fraud will be forwarded to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau run by the City of London Police for collation and analysis. This will enable crucial intelligence to be gathered and preventative action to be taken. The activity will seek to disrupt the fraudsters and close down the links between them and the victim.

What should you do if you’ve received a scam email?

• Do not click on any links in the scam email.
• Do not reply to the email or contact the senders in any way.
• If you have clicked on a link in the email, do not supply any information on the website that may open.
• Do not open any attachments that arrive with the email.

If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact your bank.

If you've been a victim of fraud follow this link to report it to Action Fraud.

Fake emails often (but not always) display some of the following characteristics:

• The sender’s email address doesn’t tally with the trusted organisation’s website address.
• The email is sent from a completely different address or a free web mail address.
• The email does not use your proper name, but uses a non-specific greeting like “dear customer”.
• A sense of urgency; for example the threat that unless you act immediately your account may be closed.
• A prominent website link. These can be forged or seem very similar to the proper address, but even a single character’s difference means a different website.
• A request for personal information such as user name, password or bank details.
• The email contains spelling and grammatical errors.
• You weren't expecting to get an email from the company that appears to have sent it.
• The entire text of the email is contained within an image rather than the usual text format.
• The image contains an embedded hyperlink to a bogus site.

Do you know someone who has dementia?

Plaistow and Sundridge Ward Panel survey

Hello everyone. The Plaistow and Sundridge Ward Panel via the local policing team are undertaking a short survey via e mail. Details are set out below if you would like to participate.

Thanks 

Stephen Hodges

LERA Chairman

The Plaistow and Sundridge Virtual Ward Panel is shortly going to be up and running. This is a short survey and will enable you to give your views at the Local Ward Panel meetings without the need to attend. This is being run by your local policing team who value your views and will present them to the relevant people at the meetings so any local problems you are having can be addressed. 

All you need to do is provide your email address to your local team via this link: Plaistow&Sundridge@met.pnn.police.uk 

When the survey is ready it will be sent out directly to you via a link. The results of this will then be collated and presented to the right people! We need and really appreciate your views!"