Welsh Water: 'Don't be caught out by bogus callers'

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is urging customers in south Wales to be vigilant, following an increase of bogus calls in the area.

The water company is issuing the warning, after concerned customers called its contact centre to report suspicious phone calls from someone claiming to be from Welsh Water.

Welsh Water’s communications manager, Helen Smith, said: “We are aware that some customers have been told that their water will be off for three to eight days.

“We would like to assure customers that we always communicate planned water interruptions by posting information through the door but we would not ring them to let them know. If anyone is concerned we advise they call 0800 052 0130 to check if there is any planned work in their area.”

More than half of bogus caller related crimes committed in the UK are carried out by criminals pretending to be from a water company – and Welsh Water is also reminding customers about the measures they should take to reduce the chance of falling victim to bogus callers. If you are unsure about the identity of a person claiming to be from Welsh Water, don’t let them into your home.

Customers can ring the company on 0800 281 141 to confirm the caller’s identity and Welsh Water also operates a password scheme to help customers verify the identity of a caller from the company.

Information on this is available on the website www.dwrcymru.com, or by contacting the publications helpline on 0800 052 0138. Just ask for a copy of the ‘Additional Services’ booklet.

A short film about bogus callers can also be viewed at: http://www.dwrcymru.com/English/library/movies/boguscaller/movie.asp

NEW SUPERSTORE CONSTRUCTION STARTS

Work is under way at the site of Sainsbury's landmark 'Gateway to Wales' in Crindau.

The new superstore will be just two minutes from the M4 with its own designated slip road linking the dual carriageway (Heidenheim Drive) with the site. Sainsbury's acquired the former Gas Works site from the National Grid in April 2008.

A new bridged road access is being built from the A4042 Heidenhiem Drive to connect with a new roundabout on Albany Street.

This new access from the A4042 will serve the Sainsbury’s store and the wider Crindau area. A dedicated access route to the store is formed from this roundabout. An 8 pump petrol filling station (PFS) complete with jet and car wash is located from a mini roundabout on the access road. The access to the customer car park passes through a box culvert bridge to face the main entrance elevation to the store.

The store will comprise the following:

● A sales area of 7063 sq m incorporating general merchandise and food sales

● Back of house facilities extending the full length of the store with general goods delivery at one end and goods on line (GOL) at the other

● The main entrance lobby facing on to the car park

● Public WC and baby change facilities located near the John Sainsbury's Restaurant (JSR) - A new Goods Online delivery facility to serve the surrounding area is also provided in a dedicated service enclosure. - In total 670 parking bays are provided including 29 disabled bays and 28 parent & child bays all with safe and easy access to the store.

COUNCIL TAX TO RISE BY 3.95 PER CENT

Newport's Council Taxpayers face a rise in their charges of 3.95 per cent.

The Revenues Budget for 2010/11 before the City Council Cabinet on Tuesday proposes the increase, is significantly ahead of the rate of inflation - currently 2.4 per cent.

Despite the increase in funding from the central taxpayer Newport continues to be affected by a fall in come from capital receipts and the downturn in the property market.

The current administration argues that it is trying to improve the financial position of the Council and is reducing reliance on reserves.

BIG INCREASES IN COUNCIL LEISURE FEES

The cost of using City Council leisure facilities is set to rise significantly following the decision by the Conservative-Liberal coalition to implement a new charging structure from April 2010.

Most of the increases proposed are ahead of inflation, thought to try and reduce the council's budget deficit.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• a 20 per cent increase in the cost of adult swimming sessions at the new Active Living Centre from £2.40 to £2.90
• a 15.4 per cent in swim instruction classes for adults up to £45 from £39 (for 10 weeks) on the premise that 'price differential to grow to work towards adults paying 100% more than children'
• a 63 per cent increase in pitch hire (with changing facilities) for Newport and District Football League clubs
• a 73.64 per cent for the same clubs (without changing facilities)

• Charges for wedding receptions at Belle Vue Park will rise from £395 to £44

The Council's Fitness Solutions membership will increase to £32 placing it ahead of Torfaen and Cardiff. The Council argues it must find budget savings towards its £9 million deficit.

The decision has been criticised by Labour Councillor Mark Whiticutt.

He said "Charges are being increased when facilities such as those at Lliswerry, which are needed by the community are being closed. In other words ordinary people are being asked to pay more for less at a time when people need to use these facilities more to cope with the stresses and demands of the recession. I call for a reconsideration of the increase in these charges."

DRUGS GANG JAILED

The last seven members of a twenty-strong drugs gang who conspired to transport heroin with a street value of £700,000 into the Newport area have been sentenced.

The men were charged as a result of an 18-month police operation codenamed Rebus. Between July 2007 and September 2008, Gwent Police recovered 7kg of heroin brought from Birmingham to Newport. Supt Julian Knight of Gwent Police told the BBC it was "an excellent result" for "a complex operation".

In last of three trials at Newport Crown Court, Garry Rabjohns, 21, and Benjamin Brown, 26, both of Newport, were given prison sentences of six years and six and a half years respectively. Ofe Ahmed, 31, of Birmingham, was sentenced to five years and Tariq Hussain, 37, of Newport, was given four years. Abdul Mohib, 23, from Birmingham, received 15 months in prison. Shah Hussain, 27, of Birmingham, and Amir Ali, 31, of Newport, were both given nine months suspended sentences and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid community work.

GET MARRIED IN THE MANSION?

The Mansion House in Stow Park Circle will be converted to become a new Registry Office for Newport within the next few months.

Originally built as a private home, planning permission granted today will see the historic building converted into a new public building.

It was used for many years as the official residence of the mayor, but a decision was made in 2008 to cease using it for that purpose and a number of different proposals were put forward.

After an in-depth investigation by the overview and scrutiny forum for resources, which included asking the public for their views, the favoured option was to relocate the present registrar service from Goldtops to the Mansion House.

Councillor Peter Davies, cabinet member for resources, said: “I’m delighted that the proposal has been approved and I hope that work might be able to start later this month.”

UNIVERSITY BEGINS TRANSITION TO NEW CAMPUS SITE

University of Wales, Newport has started to address the transition of several thousand students to the new City Centre campus site. University managers recently met with students affected by the move.

Immediately, students have been made aware of severe constraints relating to parking at the new Campus site. Only 18 disabled spaces will be available with the possibility of subsidised parking at the nearby Kingsway Car Park and a park and ride scheme from Newport Stadium.

The lack of parking will act as a planning incentive as the University demonstrates its 'green' credentials in order to facilitate the extension of the campus to include a new research facility on adjacent land between the current site and Castle Bingo, subject to negotiations over the land with Newport City Council. Students have been advised that security will be paramount with swipe cards enabling access to lecture theatres and other facilities, but public access to the open main area of the building will also be encouraged. (We are grateful to a first year student for supplying this information).