Power for People – July Update

~ admin

Last month our proposed legislation to enable growth in community renewable energy was debated by MPs on the Energy Bill Committee.

To recap, we are calling for community-run renewable energy schemes to be able to sell their clean power locally. In recent months we organised for this to be included as clauses in the Government’s Energy Bill, currently progressing through Parliament.

We have always said we are open to an alternative, if it would genuinely help community energy grow. The Government will hopefully bring forward an alternative proposal to empower widespread community energy sector growth and that full details will be announced before the next Parliamentary stage of the Energy Bill.

This is highly promising and, if genuine, could mean a big success But, rest assured, we are taking nothing for granted and await to see the detail of the Government’s proposal, expected in September after Parliament’s Summer Recess.

Years of campaigning to bring over 320 MPs on board have led to this. The BBC’s coverage of the recent letter that we organised to the Energy Secretary of State, Grant Shapps, asking him to support what we are calling for and signed by over 60 national organisations, will have helped too

The progress we have made is in no small part thanks to the tireless efforts of supporters like you who have repeatedly written to your MP, attended our events and shared our message. Thank you.

Our work, from giving people bespoke advice when writing to their MPs, to co-ordinating groups of MPs to speak in support in the Houses of Parliament, have all led to the imminent proposal from the Government. To see this over the line, we will need more of the same. And for that to happen, we need more funds.

To find out more and how to support their campaign, please visit the Power for People website.

Trading Standards – Microsoft ‘Pop Up’ Spyware Scam

~ admin

Scammers are impersonating Microsoft in pop-ups claiming your computer has been infected with spyware.

These pop-ups appear out of the blue on your screen and ask you to call a phone number for support. If you do this, you’ll be contacting a scammer who will encourage you to download remote access software, allowing them to take control of your computer.

If a pop-up appears on your screen, don’t call any phone numbers or click on any links!

Click on the link below to read the full article from Which? Magazine to find out how this scam works and for advice on what to do if your device is targeted.

Beware of fake Microsoft ‘spyware alert’ pop-ups on your computer – Which? News

If you’ve lost money to this scam, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card and report the scam online to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

Have your say on Croydon’s Housing Strategy 2023 – 2028

~ admin

Croydon Council’s draft Housing Strategy 2023 – 2028 priorities and objectives set out how we plan to deliver housing services in Croydon to meet the needs of our residents.

The context in which the council delivers housing services has changed a great deal in previous years whilst pressures on our housing services have reached unprecedented levels.

New legislation introduced by the government following the Grenfell Tower fire has given more responsibility to councils to improve building and fire safety for both social and private rented tenants. The government has also introduced legislation which requires local authorities to improve conditions in both social and private rented homes, particularly regarding damp and mould following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak. The increased cost of living and private sector rents means the council is also seeing growing numbers of residents needing support and emergency housing.

We’ve outlined five priorities, each with specific objectives:

  1. Listen to our residents and provide good housing services.
  2. Work with our partners, residents, and landlords to ensure that homes in the borough are safe, secure, and energy efficient
  3. Enable people to lead healthy and independent lives in their homes and communities.
  4. Maintain the supply of affordable homes that meets the diverse needs of residents in Croydon.
  5. Work with our partners and the local community to make best use of resources and manage the demand for housing related services.

We would like to hear your feedback on these priorities and their objectives – please tell us what you think in our survey.

This survey will close on 26 July. Feedback received will help us to develop a draft of the strategy that will go to cabinet in September 2023 for review.

Planning Report – July 2023

~ admin

To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Gladeside
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Round Grove
  • Shirley Road
  • Tower View
  • Wickham Road
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.

Trading Standards Warning – Employment Scams

~ admin


Are you being used?
Whether applying for full time work, or a part time role perhaps reflecting age or parental responsibilities, employment websites – such as Indeed and LinkedIn – are very popular. They allow you, from the comfort of your home, to place your CV or personal details on internet job sites, so that potential employers can see them and, hopefully, offer you a job.

However, fraudsters are always lurking – and job scams are more common than you might think. Recent data from Ofcom shows that of 43 million adults who have encountered scams or fraud online, 30% have come across fake employment scams.

These scams may come in two forms – someone purporting to be from the business contacts you to acknowledge your application; or someone claiming to be from a recruitment agent contacts you to say they are considering you for another position.

In the former, the person may tell you that the job you are now being considered for is different to the one you applied for. In the latter, the job you are being offered probably does not exist.

In either case, you will be invariably asked to divulge personal information including your bank details. You may be asked to pay initial application fees, with further payments for supposed travel or accommodation related to the promised employment.

So, if you are –

  • contacted by someone claiming to be an employer’s agent offering you a new job; or
  • asked to fill out a questionnaire or to give them personal information about yourself over the phone; or
  • asked to give money to them as an administration fee…

think very carefully as you may become a potential victim of employment fraud.

Further advice can be obtained by emailing
trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk

To report a suspected crime, or if you have fallen victim to fraud or cyber-crime, contact Action Fraud via its website or by calling 0300 123 2040