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The Vibe – your cultural guide to what’s going on in Gedling borough (23-29 September)

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The Vibe – your cultural guide to what’s going on in Gedling borough (23-29 September)

Friday, September 23

Sensation- ABBA Tribute Band, The Bonington, 7.30pm

PICTURED: Sensational

Sensation will transport you back to the golden days of ABBA, with stunning harmonies, costumes, choreography and a sprinkling of light-hearted humour.

This unique combination has turned them into one of the most sought-after ABBA Tribute Bands in the world. In fact – they even speak a little Swedish on stage, to add to the whole experience!

It’s an all ticket event so book here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67435&instances-id=4553

Saturday, September 24

Women and girls skateboarding sessions – Arnot Hill Park, Arnold – 2-5pm

Get down to Arnot Hill Park (a.k.a. Arnold Bowls) for an afternoon of FREE women and girls focused skateboarding sessions, with both female and male coaches.

Skate Nottingham will  be at the skatepark from 14:00 to 17:00, and will be bringing some curbs to add to the skatepark.

The sessions are for anyone ages 7+, starting with a beginner session for kids of all genders followed by a women and girls jam.

To find out more about the event, go to the Skate Nottingham Facebook page.

Giant – Richard Herrod Centre, Carlton –

Giant are a top personality pop duo with a vast amount of experience and vocal talent.

With all your favourite songs ranging from the 1970s to current chart hits, you’ll want to grab your dancing shoes and come along. Free entry. For more information call the Richard Herrod Centre on 0115 9612949

Paul Stapleton – The Crossing Club, Carlton – 7.30pm

The excellent vocal entertainer comes to the Crossing Club in Carlton performing some of the biggest chart hits from the last six decades.

Find out more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/crossingsocialclub

Mapperley Plains Dance Night – Mapperley Plains Social Club, Mapperley – 7.30pm

Listen or Dance to the sounds of The Tony Farrell Big Band

Numbers are limited to 100 to allow for a decent sized dance floor.

Tickets are priced at £10 + booking fee £1 in advance or £15 on the door if there are any tickets remaining.

Doors open at 7pm with Dancing from 7:30pm

You can buy tickets online here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tonyfarrellbigband/586407/#

Sunday, September 25

Rich Hallam and Christian Smith – The Pit, Newstead -3.30pm start

A belting afternoon of acoustic rock going off for you this Sunday at The Pit with not one, but two artists – both have appeared here before. Christian Smith will be coming to perform all the way from Cambridge and Rich ‘Stan’ Hallam is from ‘just around the corner’!
It will be an indoor or outdoor gig depending on the weather.

More details here: https://www.thepitatnewstead.co.uk/

Summer Tapas Event – The Woodlark Inn, Lambley – 1pm-7pm

Enjoy authentic Tapas while listening to the sounds of live acoustic music.

Find out more details on the pub’s website here: http://www.woodlarkinn.co.uk/events-festivals/

The Brace – The Nags Head, Carlton – 4pm start

Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with local acoustic duo The Brace, who are appearing at The Nag’s Head.

Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/271004095182464

Monday, September 26

Quiz Night – Bread and Bitter, Mapperley

Here’s your chance to test your general knowledge and win beer and cash prizes.

Entry to the quiz is only £1 per team

Quiz is followed by Sticky 13s

More details here: https://www.facebook.com/breadandbitter

Tuesday, September 27

ROH Live- Madama Butterfly (12A) – The Bonington, Arnold – 7.15pm

Madame Butterfly

A live screening of Puccini’s heart-rending opera about a young geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer.

With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ (‘One fine day’) and the ‘Humming Chorus’, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking. Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s exquisite production takes inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan.

OPERA
Company – The Royal Opera
Music – Giacomo Puccini

Tickets are available to buy here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67709&instances-id=4556

Man vs Woman – It’s Inn The Bank, Netherfield – 7.30pm

For this month’s competition the pair are cooking up Stroganoff. Customers are then given to the chance to sample both culinary efforts for free and then vote for their favourite.

Wednesday, September 28

RSC Live- Richard III (15) – Bonington Cinema, Arnold – 7pm (prompt)

Enjoy this live screening of the RSC production.

Young Richard of Gloucester uses the chaos of the Wars of the Roses to begin his unscrupulous climb to power in this classic Shakespearean history of a king in the throes of jealousy and murder.

Despite being manifestly unfit to govern, he seizes the crown, as King Richard III. But how does he do it?

Tickets are available here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67711&instances-id=4557

All listings correct at time of going to press

Councillors reject proposals to create ‘warm rooms’ in public buildings and libraries during winter months

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Councillors reject proposals to create ‘warm rooms’ in public buildings and libraries during winter months

Councillors have voted down a motion calling for the idea of ‘warm rooms’ to be investigated in public buildings and libraries across Nottinghamshire.

The scheme has been brought in by several other councils across the country in a bid to help people struggling to heat their homes amid surging energy costs.

Under the proposals, put forward by the Labour Group on Nottinghamshire County Council, public buildings like libraries would be open for longer during winter months to offer struggling residents warm places to go.

But the ruling Conservative Group voted the proposals down at the full council meeting on Thursday (September 22).

Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con), the council’s leader, said the policy would “not be the best use of limited funds”, and said different forms of support would be provided instead.

Ben Bradley
NOT IN FAVOUR:Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley said the warm rooms police wouldn’t be ‘the best use of public funds’

However, Labour and Independent Alliance councillors voted in favour of the proposal and spoke of the hardship some residents across Nottinghamshire are experiencing.

Cllr Paul Henshaw (Lab), who represents Mansfield West and who proposed the motion, said: “When we look at the number of people who are going to be affected by fuel poverty and the cost of living emergency, the figures are stark and frightening.

“Why haven’t we, at least, asked the council officers to look at this and report on whether a similar proposal might work here?

“That’s all we’re asking, let’s look at it and see whether we can do something.

“It’s effective action to support people. We need to accept there is a cost of living emergency and that we have – and I don’t use this word lightly – a moral responsibility to act.”

Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), leader of the Independent Alliance group, added: “Members of the public are pretty scared and I speak to people who are in work and are scared about the bills they’ve got to pay.

“They are completely in the dark about what may come to help them. They want to know, literally, what they can do to pay their bills.

“This motion comes from a good place, where people want to show that government of all levels are on their side.”

However, the Conservatives did not support the idea of ‘warm rooms’ and believed funding would be better spent on helping people with “direct action”.

They pointed to the Household Support Fund – a funding pot specifically for those struggling most with their bills – which will come forward for its third round of funding next month.

Within this, the authority is expecting £5.6m that it can use to offer vouchers and support for families – including low-income households and those with children on free school meals.

And Cllr John Cottee (Con), portfolio holder for communities, also believed the ‘warm rooms’ scheme was not required because it’s “already provided” through the county’s network of 60 libraries.

He said: “We already have these, but we don’t happen to call them ‘warm rooms’ because this would imply it’s their only purpose.

“Rather, we have open, free-to-use public buildings such as our libraries and we still have 60 libraries located in communities across the whole of Nottinghamshire.

READ MORE:

“We realised many years ago the future of our libraries was far more than just lending books.

“[They are] spaces where people can read, meet and socialise, and enjoy a wide range of activities while in a warm, well-lit and comfortable environment.

“We don’t need to rename facilities as ‘warm rooms’ for a few months, but if people want to use them as warm rooms then that’s what they can be.”

Councillors voted the motion down by 32 votes to 23.

Cllr Bradley added: “I have a huge amount of sympathy with the premise of the motion. Of course, we’re very concerned about the impact of rising prices but we’ve been doing everything in our power to support those residents.

“This is just as we did with Covid, through the recovery period and now with the cost of living.

“We are doing everything we can to try and support local people. Over recent years, £20m has been shared from here to fund residents, community groups and charities in direct support of the most vulnerable people.

“That continues this winter and, just this week, we’ve been finalising the next phase of the Household Support Fund.”

Carlton Foodbank makes plea for donations after stocks run low

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Carlton Foodbank makes plea for donations after stocks run low

Carlton Foodbank has this week issued a plea for donations with stocks of certain items now running low.

The charity issued the plea on Facebook and appealed to the public for donations of certain items.

They are running low on toilet rolls, coffee, sugar and multipack crisps and are hoping the generous public can help them out.

They are also struggling with a shortage of carrier bags so donations would be gratefully received.

A spokesman for the charity said: “If you’re able to add one or two of these items to your shopping this week we’d be really grateful. 

Stacked toilet rolls
NEEDED: Toilet rolls are one of the items wanted by the foodbank

“Maybe you’ve bought a crisp multipack recently and there’s a flavour that nobody eats at home; we’ll happily take them off your hands so long as they have a use-by-date on the packet.

“For coffee and sugar, the smaller jars and packets are better as we are able to put them in the one-to-two person food parcels and save the bigger packs for the families.

“Toilet roll gets given out in individual rolls so we will be grateful to get a four-pack or equally a 24-pack if you’re feeling generous!”

Those wishing to make donations can drop off items at the following places:

  • Carlton Tesco (bottom of Carlton Hill),
  • Second Chance charity shop (top of Carlton Hill)
  • Co-op on Westdale Lane

    …and of course directly to the foodbank when it’s open – which is on Tuesdays and Fridays 11am to 2.45pm.

The charity added: “If you have some items lurking at the back of your cupboards that you’re not going to use, we will be able to pass them on.

“Please just make sure that the items are not open or partially used and that they’re still in date. We hate having to throw away donations because they’re out of date but we can’t put out of date items in our food parcels.”

Gedling Borough Council issues update as serious concerns are raised over delays to opening of new £4m AMP market development in Arnold

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Borough Council issues update as serious concerns are raised over delays to opening of new £4m AMP market development in Arnold

Gedling Borough Council has issued an update after serious concerns were raised on social media around the delayed opening of the much-anticipated £4m AMP market redevelopment in Arnold.

The owners of Arnold Post Office were expecting to open their doors to customers yesterday (21) after taking up residence in the new centre but said they are still waiting for the site to be opened to the public.

Their previous branch on Worrall Avenue closed several months ago following the owner’s decision to move into one of the seven new units in the new centre based in the town’s market place.

But following this latest delay, the post office owners issued an update on their Facebook page.

PICTURED: Arnold Post Office has moved into the AMP and is waiting to begin trading (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
Michael Payne
‘FRUSTRATION”: Councillor Michael Payne, pictured, said he hopes the site will be opened in the coming days

It read: “Well, as you can probably tell we have not opened today. I am so sorry to inform you that we have no end in sight. As soon as I have a date I will let you all know.

“I’m so sorry. Our shop is ready but the building still hasn’t been handed over. As soon as I hear anything I will be posting information.

They added: “We all miss our customers and can’t wait to be back.”

Gedling Borough Council have responded, with deputy leader Cllr Michael Payne calling the ongoing situation ‘frustrating’

READ MORE:

“This is the biggest local high street investment for the borough in recent years and will soon become the home for several new business start-ups, as well as the new location for Arnold Post Office,” he said.

“As with any build on this scale there can be issues along the way and unfortunately a number of factors outside of the council’s control, including the need for Western Power to construct a new electricity sub-station on-site, have held up the development and had a knock-on impact on the planned completion date.

“We completely understand and share the frustration these delays have caused to businesses, including Arnold Post Office, and the residents who rely on them. As a gesture of goodwill, we will be offering financial support to Arnold Post Office to help compensate for the inconvenience and disruption caused.

Cllr Payne said he expected the site to open shortly.

He said: “Thank you to all our residents, new tenants, and local businesses for their patience whilst we work to cross the finish line and get this new addition to the borough open for the benefit of the local community.

“It’s hoped that the site will be officially completed and ready for opening in the coming days.”

Up to £4m has been allocated for the scheme, with funding for the project coming from the council’s capital programme budget and boosted by a successful bid for £1.25m from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

New £15.7m Top Wighay offices near Linby ‘on track and on budget’ but there is ‘potential’ for inflation-related cost rises, says council

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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New £15.7m Top Wighay offices near Linby ‘on track and on budget’ but there is ‘potential’ for inflation-related cost rises, says council

The new £15.7m council office building at Top Wighay Farm near Linby remains on track and on budget despite concerns over rising inflation.

However, Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con), the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, has conceded there is “potential into the future” for this sum to rise given nationwide difficulties in funding infrastructure projects.

The major new building, on the Hucknall-Linby border, was given planning consent in July and will be the Conservative-led authority’s first low-carbon office.

It came as part of the council’s ‘Investing in Nottinghamshire’ programme – a wide-reaching assessment of the authority’s property portfolio to assess whether it is getting value for money from its offices.

Initially, the project was expected to cost £14.7m but rose by £1m last year due to issues with rising construction fees and inflation.

Now concerns have been raised that the scheme could increase further as councils and businesses across the country battle with inflation and soaring infrastructure fees.

Many council projects have been impacted by inflation including the recently-completed Gedling Access Road, planned new outdoor facilities at King’s Mill Reservoir and the new primary school in East Leake.

It led to Cllr Dave Shaw (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall West, questioning whether the Top Wighay development could see its costs soar further.

Speaking in the full council meeting on Thursday (September 22), he asked: “Is Nottinghamshire County Council on track to complete work on time and within the original budget?”.

In response, Cllr Bradley confirmed a latest estimated costs document is being drawn up and will be reviewed by Cllr Keith Girling (Con), portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, at a later date.

However, he said the project remains “on track” and within the budgeted £15.7m.

He said: “The next stage of the process is to issue the latest estimated costs report for approval, though the project is currently on track and in line with its original budget.

“Of course, we can all see the potential into the future through the current economic market for challenges but, as it stands, everything is on track.

“We’re committed to ensuring we are delivering services from appropriate, modern buildings, and improving residents’ access to the county council and our services.”

In response, Cllr Shaw then asked what contingency plans the authority has in place to mitigate rising construction costs and soaring inflation.

“The original cost for this development was £14.7m and it’s already at £15.7m,” he said.

“England’s largest councils have recently warned they could make in-year reductions to services and cancel or delay repairs to local roads and infrastructure as spiralling costs add more than £1.5bn to the cost of councils.

“What contingency plans are we putting in place to fund any overspend of this white elephant?”

Responding, Cllr Bradley said the authority has already saved between £1.2-£1.3m by reducing its countywide building portfolio from 17 to nine.

And he said any cash spent on the Top Wighay building would be “worth that investment” in the long-term as the authority looks to save further on its building costs.

He said: “Even if you add in inflation and additional costs – which we intend to mitigate and have reserves and plans to do so – it’s worth that investment to save several millions in our revenue budget to continue providing services.

“That’s what the wider Investing in Nottinghamshire programme is about, we’ve already come down from 17 buildings to nine saving, I think, about £1.2-£1.3m per year.

“That means when we go into those very difficult conversations this autumn about the budget and how we tackle these inflationary pressures – which are significant – we’ve got more wiggle room.”

The Top Wighay building is part of a wider development on the land, next to the A611 Annesley Bypass, which also has approval for more than 800 homes.

Nottingham’s Goose Fair returns with special ten-day event

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Nottingham’s Goose Fair returns with special ten-day event

The world famous Goose Fair is set to return to the Forest Recreation Ground at the end of September for a special ten-day event.

It’s been two years since the fair last welcomed the crowds due to Covid.

And now for the first time in the fair’s long history, it will last ten days – running from Friday 30 September to Sunday 9 October.

With over 250 rides and attractions with thrills aplenty for all ages, the fair is one of the largest travelling fun fairs in Europe.

New rides to Goose Fair include the ‘Void Extreme’ as well as lots of returning favourites such as ‘Ice Jet Matterhorn,’ ‘Star Flyer’ and two ‘Giant wheels’ giving panoramic views across the fair and the city beyond.

All the Goose Fair classics will also be in attendance such as ‘Gallopers’ and the ‘Cake Walk’ – the only ride still operating that featured when the fair was still held in Old Market Square – plus of course lots of side-show games such as Hook-a-duck.

Food is always a highlight at the fair and along with the traditional fairground favourites of mushy peas, Grantham gingerbread and Cock-on-a-Stick, visitors will be able to eat their way around the world with a diverse range of food from Spanish Churros, handmade Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, Nigerian fried plantain and Hawaiian Poke bowls, to name but a few.

Visitors can get money off ride vouchers, that save 50p off participating rides and attractions Monday – Friday.

Vouchers are available as e-vouchers downloadable to your phone from http://www.whatsonnottingham.com

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “Goose Fair has a special place in the life of our city and it’s great to see it back this year, bigger and better than ever after two years away. We are very proud of its more than 700 year history and so many Nottingham people have a story to tell about it.  

“Whether you are looking forward to the big rides or just having a go at hook-a-duck, it’s great to welcome Goose Fair back to the city.”

Showman’s Guild (Notts & Derby branch) chair, William Percival, said: “Nottingham Goose Fair is one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe that welcomes over 400,000 visitors each year. 

“Members of the Showmen’s Guild are thrilled to be back in Nottingham, and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region and beyond during the specially extended ten-day fair.”

Opening times

Friday 30th 4pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 1st 12noon to 11.30pm

Sunday 2nd 12noon to 9pm

Monday 3rd 4pm to 10.30pm

Tuesday 4th 4pm to 10.30pm

Wednesday 5th 4pm to 10.30 pm

Thursday 6th 4pm to 11.00pm

Friday 7th 4pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 8th 12noon to 11.30pm

Sunday 9th 12noon to 9pm

New Nottinghamshire chief constable will make sure communities ‘feel safe and listened to’

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New Nottinghamshire chief constable will make sure communities ‘feel safe and listened to’

Kate Meynell has been confirmed as Nottinghamshire Police’s new chief constable.

She is the current Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary and is now set to return to work at the force where she began and spent most of her career.

Meynell was questioned by a special Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel hearing yesterday, before being officially and unanimously confirmed in the role.

The new police chief vowed to build on positive work to promote public confidence and teamwork.

“What is really important is making sure communities feel safe and listened to,” she said.

PICTURED: New chief constable Kate Meynell

“I want to make sure we have a service that is fit for the future, where we use data effectively and are evidence-led in the way we do our work.

“It is really important if we are to be successful as an organisation that the public have trust and confidence and we are seen to be legitimate.

“It is about putting the public first, working as a team with really clear standards so everyone is clear what Nottinghamshire Police is about.”

The appointment follows recommendations received by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel, following a special confirmation hearing held at County Hall yesterday.

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry named Kate Meynell as her preferred candidate for the role in August following a rigorous assessment and interview process.

She will take the helm from current Chief Constable Craig Guildford in December, after he departs to take up the top job at West Midlands Police.

Kate added: “I’m looking forward to coming back to Nottinghamshire. I grew up in Nottinghamshire and it’s a place I’m proud to call home.

“I have enjoyed my time working in Derbyshire alongside some great colleagues, but this is a dream job for me.

“Nottinghamshire Police has a positive, strong workforce and I do feel we have the opportunity now to continue the improvements that Craig Guildford has started. The force has moved a long way forward under his leadership.

“I genuinely care passionately about the force and want to build on the good work that has been done and build relationships with external partners and communities.”

Commissioner Henry said she was delighted Kate had been confirmed.

“Kate is an outstanding leader and I am looking forward to working closely with her,” she said.

“Craig Guildford has been an excellent Chief Constable over the last five years at Nottinghamshire Police, during which crime has fallen, officer numbers have reached their highest in over a decade and neighbourhood policing has expanded.

“I’m delighted that the panel agreed that Kate has all the qualities to succeed in this role. I believe Kate is the right person to take this work forward as we continue to Make Notts Safe.”

Kate Meynell’s career in policing

Kate joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1993, where she was posted to Bulwell. For the first few years she worked across Bulwell, Hucknall and Eastwood in uniform roles before joining CID, undertaking investigation roles in Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Divisional CID and Homicide Team.

Progressing through the ranks in both uniformed and detective roles, in 2011 she was part of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU): Major Crime Unit before becoming head of the unit in 2015, overseeing major crime investigations across the East Midlands.

Kate has performed the role of SIO (Senior Investigating Officer) on a number of homicide investigations, including the investigation into a fatal house fire, where the six Philpott children were killed, resulting in the conviction of both their parents and a family friend of their manslaughter.

In 2017, Kate transferred to Northamptonshire Police to the role of Chief Superintendent, Head of Crime. While there she was responsible for CID, Public Protection, Intelligence and Serious and Organised Crime.

In 2018 she returned to Nottinghamshire Police as Assistant Chief Constable, leading the force’s knife crime strategy, before leaving to become Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary in January 2021.

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy encourages prospective pupils to attend open days and discover what opportunities await them

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Arnold Hill Spencer Academy encourages prospective pupils to attend open days and discover what opportunities await them

A secondary school in Arnold is to throw open its doors to parents and carers so they can see what exciting opportunities are available for their children.

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy will hold two open days and a tour over the coming weeks.

An open evening will take place on Thursday, September 29 for future Year 6 students between 6pm until 7,30pm with no need to book.

Tours of the Academy for future students, parents and carers will take place between October 3-10. Places are limited and those interested will have to book a place using this form: https://forms.gle/9idXfe1hAphbqCrGA

A sixth form open evening has also been planned and will take place on Thursday, October 6.

The evening will run from 6pm to 7:30pm with two presentations from the Principal and the Head of Sixth Form.

These will take place in A Block Hall at 6pm and again at 6.45pm. You will have the opportunity to visit the many subject areas to find out about the different courses we offer, have a look around the Academy and see our fantastic facilities.

No need to book – just turn up on the night

An Academy spokesman said: “We look forward to welcoming prospective students and their parents and carers to the Academy.”

Patients will be promised GP appointments within two weeks, Coffey to say

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Patients will be promised GP appointments within two weeks, Coffey to say

Patients with non-urgent needs could get an appointment see a GP within two weeks under new plans to reform health care.

Health and Social Care Secretary Thérèse Coffey will announce the changes today (22) as part of her ‘Plan for Patients’.

NHS Digital figures show that 15% – 3.9 million – of the 25.9 million GP appointments made in England in August occurred at least two weeks after the appointment was made.

Patients who have urgent needs will still be offered same-day access.

PICTURED: Highcroft Medical Centre in Arnold was blighted by phone system problems several years ago (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
PICTURED: Health and Social Care Secretary Thérèse Coffey

Ms Coffey – who is also Deputy Prime Minister – will also try to help ease the 8am scramble for appointments as the NHS rolls out new telephone systems.

The systems, already used by some surgeries, will mean that patients are not automatically cut off if there is no-one available to take their call.

Patients will be told their place in the queue and maybe asked a few simple questions or offered information about practice opening times while waiting.

Ms Coffey will also outline plans for patients to be able to look at how local surgeries are performing compared to each other with regard to patient access.

Patients will be able to access data showing how their GP practice is performing compared to other local surgeries with regards to the number of appointments delivered and how long people need to wait for care.

But leading GPs have slammed the plans saying they will have “minimal impact” on patient care.

And publishing “league tables” of surgeries will not “improve access or standards of care”, the Royal College of GPs said.

Meanwhile Ms Coffey, will say the Government will “free up funding” for practices to employ more roles, including GP assistants and more advanced nurse practitioners, but officials have not outlined how much money will be made available.

Government officials have estimated 1.2 million appointments each year can be handled by other surgery staff.

People in Gedling borough ‘should be on high alert’ for energy-related scams, Which? warns

Gedling Eye Reporter
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People in Gedling borough ‘should be on high alert’ for energy-related scams, Which? warns

Consumers in Gedling borough should be on high alert for energy-related scams, consumer group Which? warns.

Over 40 million people have been targeted by scammers amidst the cost-of-living crisis. Out of this, 12% of scams are related to energy.

Scammers pray on vulnerabilities, such as financial worries. As more people are worried about paying their bills right now, more people are at risk of being scammed.

Luckily, there are some easy ways to protect yourself and the people around you from energy scams.

What are energy scams?

Energy scams involve people pretending to be energy companies or regulators to get your money or personal information.

They can use the availability of grants, promises of cheap energy, and energy efficiency claims as tactics to trick you.

Scammers can contact you in many ways:

  • By a knock at your door.
  • By phone call.
  • Via social media.
  • By email.
  • Via a pop up on a website.
  • By text message.

What are some common energy scams?

Ofgem energy scams

A scammer may contact you claiming to be from the energy regulator Ofgem. They may ask you to change your bank details or provide personal information to receive funding or cheap energy.

Ofgem will never ask you for personal information and you don’t need to do anything to receive £400 off your energy bills this winter. Ofgem will also never sell you energy or show up at your house.

Which? also warned earlier this month about bogus emails using the Ofgem logo and branding sent to consumers claiming to offer an ‘energy bill rebate scheme’.

Energy rebate scams

Recently, scammers have been using the £400 government energy bill rebate scheme to trick people into handing over their details. Other tactics have included promises of sums of money to people of pension age or with disabilities. 

Energy efficiency and home improvement scams

Another way a scammer might try to trick you is by telling you that your home is unsafe, and changes must be made immediately to prevent harm to you and your household. This can be extremely worrying, and it’s always best to put your mind at rest by calling Citizens Advice or checking with a qualified and accredited professional.

For more information, see this blog from Citizens Advice on common energy efficiency scams.

How can you spot an energy scam?

The best way to spot an energy scam is to stay vigilant and know what to look out for. Citizens Advice have provided a list of some key signs that a scammer is at work:

  • A deal looks too good to be true.
  • You’re being pressured to transfer money quickly.
  • You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way.
  • You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company.
  • You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords or PINs.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Fraudsters are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and unfortunately, the energy crisis is no exception.”

“It is important to remember that the energy discount will be automatically applied by your supplier and they will never ask for bank details. Customers on traditional prepayment meters will receive the rebate via vouchers.”

“Consumers should be on high alert for energy-related scams and if in any doubt, should verify the email directly with the company before giving any personal information.”

What to do if you think you’ve spotted a scam

If you think you’ve spotted a scam but haven’t yet given over any personal information or money, you can contact Citizens Advice for support.

If you’ve handed over any financial and personal information or made a payment, you should talk to your bank or card company immediately. You should also report the scam to Action Fraud and report it to Citizens Advice. By reporting scams, you can help reduce the chances of someone else getting defrauded.

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