​The Here2Help telephone line has changed to Monday-Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4.30pm.
 
It was 8am until 8pm each day including the weekend.

​Use of drones in the Kidderminster Area
Drones


The ICO recommends that users of drones - also called unmanned aerial
systems (UAS) or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - with cameras should
operate them in a responsible way to respect the privacy of others.


Are drones covered by the Data Protection Act (DPA)?
If a drone has a camera, its use has the potential to be covered by the DPA.


Is it OK to use drones with cameras?
If you are using a drone with a camera, there could be a privacy risk to other
people. Follow our tips below to help ensure you respect people's privacy
when using your drone.


How can I use my drone responsibly?
Tips on responsible use of drones:


• Let people know before you start recording. In some scenarios
this is going to be quite easy because you will know everyone within close
view (for example, if you are taking a group photo at a family barbeque). In
other scenarios, for example at the beach or the park, this is going to be
much more difficult so you'll need to apply some common sense before you
start.


• Consider your surroundings. If you are recording images beyond
your home, a drone may intrude on the privacy of others where they expect
their privacy to be respected (such as in their back garden). It is unlikely
that you would want a drone to be hovering outside your window so be
considerate to others and don't hover outside theirs.


• Get to know your camera first. It is a good idea to get to know the
capability of your camera in a controlled situation to understand how it
works. What is the quality of the image? How powerful is the zoom? Can you
control when it starts and stops recording? Drone cameras are capable of
taking unusual and creative pictures from original vantage points. Knowing
the capabilities of your camera will help you to reduce the risk of privacy
intrusion.


• Plan your flight. Your drone's battery life is likely to be short. By
understanding its capabilities you will be able to make best use of its flight
and it will be easier to plan how to avoid invading the privacy of other
people. For example, it may be more privacy-friendly to launch from a
different location rather than flying close to other people or their property.


• Keep you and your drone in view. You won't want to lose it, and if
you are clearly visible then it will be easier for members of the public to know
that you are the person responsible for the drone.


• Think before sharing. Once your drone has landed, think carefully
about who's going to be looking at the images, particularly if you're thinking
about posting them on social media. Avoid sharing images that could have
unfair or harmful consequences. Apply the same common sense approach
that you would with images or video recorded by a smartphone or digital
camera.


• Keep the images safe. The images you have taken may be saved on
an SD card or USB drive attached to the drone or the camera. If they are not
necessary, then don't keep them. If you do want to keep them, then make
sure they are kept in a safe place.


Other laws
Other laws that protect individuals from harassment may apply when using
your drone. It is worth checking which laws you need to be aware of before
you fly your drone to avoid any unexpected complaints or disputes.


The safe use of drones is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority. For
guidance about this, see UAS on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995


Can I use my drone for work?
As with personal use, if you are using your drone for a more formal,
professional purpose, then it is important that you understand your legal
obligations as a data controller as the situation will be different.


For more information, read the CCTV code (for organisations), which has a
section about drones (referred to as UAS in the code).


https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf


Information obtained from the Information Commissioners Office

​Open Water Safety


West Mercia Police encourage people to stay safe when in or near open water and highlight the hazards associated with it.
Drowning Prevention Week 12-19 June 2020. Download the RLSS UK's free water safety resources here https://www.rlss.org.uk/drowning-prevention-week. #EnjoyWaterSafely #BeALifesaver #DPW.

Every year, and in particular during the warmer summer months, the police receive reports of people jumping into rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries, and getting into difficulty.

Some people have been successfully rescued but tragically a number have lost their lives. According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) 85 per cent of accidental drownings happen in open water, often due to a lack of understanding or awareness of the dangers at such locations.

There is also a misconception that such tragedies usually involve people who are poor swimmers. In fact the shock of sudden cold water immersion or inhalation can cause instant death due to a condition known as vagal inhibition or 'reflex cardiac arrest'.

This has been attributed as a cause of cold water deaths and can affect the strongest of swimmers and the fittest of people.

However you don't have to go swimming or paddling to be at risk. The RLSS UK says that the largest proportion of drownings in the UK involve people walking or running next to open water.
The Dangers:

Anyone using open water or near it needs to be aware of hazards and other risk factors including:
• Injury if jumping or diving into water which is shallower than it appears
• Deeper water than expected, which can increase the risk of drowning if you get into difficulty
• Cold temperatures, particularly in deeper water, which can make swimming difficult and make it harder to get out
• Open water can be very cold even on a hot summer's day, leading to cramp and breathing difficulties
• River banks can be unstable and liable to collapse if you get too close to the edge
• If you are in the water the loose and slippery sides of quarries and banks can make if difficult to climb out
• There may be hidden obstacles or objects under the surface which could trap a person or cause injury
• Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away and they may be present even when the surface looks calm
• It is often difficult for the emergency services to access open water sites such as quarries and riverbanks off the beaten track.

Top Tips To Stay Safe:

It is clear from all of the above that everyone needs to take extra care when in or near open water and to adhere to the following safety advice:
• Take notice of warning and guidance signs - water conditions are constantly changing
• Swim parallel with the shore, rather than away from it, and avoid drifting in currents
• Get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
• Alcohol and swimming should never be mixed
• If walking or running keep away from the water's edge and supervise youngsters at all times
• Don't use airbeds at open locations where they may be carried into deeper water and may not stay afloat
• Don't swim near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices
• Only enter water where there is adequate supervision and rescue cover
• Wear recommended safety equipment - for example life jackets/helmets for canoeing
• Don't jump/dive into open water unless you are sure of the depth and that there are no submerged hazards
• Getting trained in first aid, rescue and resuscitation techniques could save a life
• Ensure children know how to swim and that they do not enter the water alone.
Water Safety Links:

Royal Life Saving Society UK
The drowning prevention charity is the UK's leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education. For more information about RLSS UK: Visit rlss.org.uk, follow on Twitter - @RLSSUK; visit Facebook page - facebook.com/RLSSUK or call - 0300 323 0096.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Funded by charitable donations the RNLI has saved at least 140,000 lives at sea since 1824 and is another good source of water safety information.

The Royal Society For the Prevention Of Accidents
More information on water safety can be found on the website of RoSPA, a charity dedicated to saving lives and reducing injury which was founded more than a century ago.

Due to a long period of unsatisfactory service provided by R&S Recycling the Parish Council along with MHDC have terminated their contract.  A legal letter has been sent asking for the recycling bins to be removed from the Village Hall car park, as this should have been done before Lockdown but was not carried out.  

MHDC have confirmed residents can leave their cardboard out for their bi-weekly collection.  

Any cardboard left at the current site in the Village Hall car park will be treated as fly-tipping and fines will be issued.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused but until a new reliable contractor can be found this site has been closed.

Thank you for your co-operation.
​

Monday, 18 May 2020, saw the launch of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) speed enforcement operation.
With the gradual relaxing of lockdown restrictions police forces throughout the UK will be taking part in a two phase operation to remind motorists of the importance of travelling within the speed limit. This operation is deliberately timed as travel restrictions start to ease, to keep people safe as the volume of traffic increases.
In phase one from 18th May, forces will be sharing messages across social media and other platforms encouraging the public to slow down and save lives, in addition to normal speed enforcement activity.
Phase two from the 25 May will see forces step up visible speed enforcement activity for the following two weeks, focussing on roads and areas where speeding is known to be an issue or there is a history of serious collisions.
Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, Roads Policing Lead for NPCC, said:
"With the gradual move out of lockdown and with traffic volumes starting to increase, this national operation is an important way of highlighting the dangers of speeding, particularly when so many people have not been out on the roads for quite some time.
"Unsurprisingly, the lockdown saw very quiet roads. Many forces reported increased speeding in a general sense and some forces reported instances of very excessive speeding. It is also of particular note that we have seen an increase in pedal cyclists at this time, many of whom may be unfamiliar with busier roads. Pedestrians and runners have also got used to empty roads.
"Put this together with better weather, lighter evenings, motorcyclists itching to ride out across our country roads and you have the concerning combination of factors for a significant increase in people being killed or seriously injured. I am determined for this not to be the case."
Police want to remind motorists of the devastating impact speeding can have, not only increasing the risk of a collision but the severity of the impact at higher speeds.
Figures show that on average 17 people are killed and 126 are seriously injured every month in the UK, where speeding is believed to have been a significant factor.
At 30mph, vehicles are travelling at 44 feet or about 3 car lengths each second. Even in good conditions, the difference in stopping distance between 30 mph and 35 mph is an extra 21 feet or 6.4 metres, more than 2 car lengths, this could make all the difference in avoiding a collision. The distance required to stop safely, significantly increased at higher speeds.
Chief Constable Bangham went on to say, "Speeding kills, and driving within the speed limits makes our roads safer. Please slow down and save lives."


**End of message**
(Circulated CMS all communities West Mercia).

​The Police and Crime Commissioner is keen to make you aware of a Worcestershire based foundation that may benefit residents in your community during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Worcestershire Community Foundation (WCF) are in receipt of funding from the National Emergency Trust. The group is looking to support charities and voluntary organisations across the county who are doing great work in response to the health crisis.
 
The funding is also available to services supporting victims of rape and sexual abuse, and as they are yet to receive any requests for funding in this area, WCF would particularly welcome any applications.
 
Below is the basic criteria outlined for grant giving by WCF :
 

• Groups that support the ongoing needs of vulnerable people to ensure that their health and wellbeing is maintained
• Organisations in support of activities that relieve pressure on local statutory services, particularly emergency or health and social care provision, or compliment their responses
• Groups and activities that support vulnerable people self-isolating (the elderly, people with pre-existing medical conditions etc)
• Support for foodbanks and organisations working to combat hardship caused by the pandemic including child hunger
• Community response coordination
• Groups that have been specifically established to respond to the crisis
• Volunteer costs for new and existing organisations responding to the effect of the pandemic.
• Additional costs of working remotely and adapting services delivered in the wider community
• Additional support as required for emotional support, mental health and bereavement support

 
I would be grateful if you could pass this opportunity on to any voluntary organisations or charities within your community that you think may benefit. If you would like any more information or to make a grant application please contact:
 
David Shaw
Chair
Worcestershire Community Foundation
COVID-19 Response Board
 
07961 565978
dshawtri@live.co.uk
 
Best wishes and take care,
 
Ellie Giles
Communications Intern
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

 

ReplyForward

.Please find below an update on the reopening of a number of our Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s) from Monday 11 May.

We will be communicating the following information to the public at 12pm today and I would like to ask that you do not communicate this information until then.

We will be opening 7 of the 11 sites and these are:


  *   Bromsgrove (Quantry Lane)
  *   Malvern (Newlands)
  *   Pershore (Hill & Moor)
  *   Redditch (Crossgates)
  *   Stourport (Bonemill)
  *   Tenbury
  *   Worcester (Bilford Road

This recognises the additional resourcing required to operate the sites in line with the new requirements, e.g. social distancing.

It is important to note that journeys to HRCs must only be undertaken if your waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means.

I need your help to try and get the message to residents that this means they should only be visiting if the waste cannot be stored at their home without causing risk of injury, health or harm. There is no other reason the journey will be considered a legitimate purpose for travel.  If the waste can be temporarily stored, recycled or disposed of in a way that does not pose a risk to safety or human health, then this should be done.

We are encouraging residents to check the website for full details of the social distancing measures, opening times and other restrictions before they visit the HRC. These measures include a ‘one in, one out’ access policy, no staff assistance to remove items from vehicles so those visiting need to be able to remove their own waste, and additional services such as compost sales and charity reuse points will be closed until further notice.

We expect the sites to be very busy so residents may have to queue for a long time before they are able to access the site as only a limited number of cars will be allowed at any one time . We will have traffic management in place where possible and will monitor this to try and keep disruption to the network to a minimum. We also have included at the bottom of this email the detail that we will be putting on the website, www.letswasteless.com<http://www.letswasteless.com>, at 12pm. This will give you a good overview of what we have put in place.

If you have any questions,  let me know.  Please communicate this to your Parish Councils.  Your Borough and Town councils will be informed.

Thank you for your assistance throughout this very awkward time.    Keep safe – Keep well.

Tony Miller


  1.  Do not visit the HRC unless it is ESSENTIAL for you to do so.
     *   Essential means you must only visit if your waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means.

§ By this we mean the waste cannot be stored without causing risk of injury, health or harm. There is no other reason the journey will be considered a legitimate purpose for travel. If you can temporarily store your waste or recycling in a way that does not pose a risk to yours or others safety or human health, then you must do so.

     *   DO NOT visit the site if you or a member of your household are unwell, as you should be following the Government guidance on self isolation.


  1.  Social distancing measures will be put into place at each of the sites:

  *   Only a limited number of residents will be allowed on site at any one time.
  *   A ‘supermarket style’ system will be implemented, with a ‘one out, one in’ access policy.
  *   No assistance will be provided on site so only load items you can unload yourself.
  *   No walking in of waste will be allowed.
  *   No soil improver / compost sales.
  *   No reuse charity drop off points.
  *   Alternate parking spaces / bays will be blocked off.
  *   Access to each skip would be by one resident at a time.
  *   The deposit of some materials may not be possible if the re-processor is unavailable as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak – check individual HRC webpages for more details
  *   The Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Permit scheme will remain in operation.



  1.  We are expecting the sites to become very busy and we would like to ask residents to:
     *   visit the website for more information on restrictions BEFORE you travel and to check opening times at www.letswasteless.com<http://www.letswasteless.com>
     *   Keep to the 2 metre distancing rules AT ALL TIMES
     *   Ideally come alone and wear gloves and suitable footwear (no open toe sandals)
     *   Stay in your vehicle while queuing to aid with social distancing and wait to be directed to a parking bay by staff.
     *   Please be patient. Remember that going to HRCs will be different from the way the system operated before lockdown, that safety is paramount and that it will be a while before social distancing restrictions are lifted.
  2.  Please act responsibly towards other visitors and staff:
     *   Severn Waste Services, who run the sites our behalf, will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards its staff and will take action against offenders
     *   If you do not comply with social distancing guidance, you will be asked to leave the site and the site may have to close temporarily.


Tony Miller

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment

Democratic Services

Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP

Tel:  01905 846756

Email:   tmiller2@worcestershire,gov.uk<mailto:tmiller2@worcestershire,gov.uk>

Applications for an Independent Lay Member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel are invited from members of the public. Closing date: 5pm on Monday 18 May 2020.
 
The Panel covers the geographical areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire with support for the Panel provided by Worcestershire County Council.
 
The Panel is part of the governance arrangements for policing in the West Mercia area and its role is to maintain a regular check and balance on the performance of the directly-elected West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.
 
Information on Police and Crime Commissioners can be found via this link: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20078/community_safety/861/police_and_crime_commissioners along with additional information on the recruitment process and an information pack.
 
Should you wish to apply, please download and complete the application form http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/downloads/file/12481/independent_lay_co-opted_member_-_application_form  and return to Sheena Jones, Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager by 5pm on Monday 18 May 2020 either by email: sjones19@worcestershire.gov.uk or by post: Sheena Jones, Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager, Legal and Governance, Worcestershire County Council County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP
 
In addition to the Worcestershire County Council website, details of this position can also be found in the CALC newsletter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
​