PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2021 ELECTIONS 2021 Local elections are scheduled to take place across the country on Thursday 6 May. In Bassetlaw, there are the following elections: • Nottinghamshire County Council • Nottinghamshire Police & Crime Commissioner • others includ ing Tuxford & Trent Ward District Council By-election , and Ranskill Ward District Council By-election (the latter if requested by electors) • South Leverton Parish Council By-election • Neighbourhood Plan Referendums for Blyth, Everton, Hodsock & Langold, Rampton & Woodbeck, and Walkeringham. Many of the measures people have become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, social distancing signs, and wearing face masks, will all apply to polling stations – including voters taking their own pen to write with. There are also the options to vote by post or by proxy. Those already registered to vote do not need to apply to register again. The Electoral Registration Officer recently sent a letter to all households in Bassetlaw confirming who is registered to vote at that address. Further information on the elections that are taking place in Bassetlaw can be found on the Bassetlaw District Council website at: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/council-and- democracy/elections-in-bassetlaw/ Any residents who have questions can also contact their local elections team at the Council at 01909 533 252 or by e-mail: [email protected] To find out more about alternative ways to vote, and to download an application form, go to www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections-in- bassetlaw/how-to-vote/ COUNCIL WARNS RESIDENTS ABOUT COVID-19 SCAMS Bassetlaw residents are being reminded to be wary of a number of Covid-19 scams that are using the pandemic as a way to trick them into handing over money or their financial details. In one of the latest scams highlighted by Neighbourhood Watch, a convincing- looking text message claims that people are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. Scammers have also been phoning people directly and impersonating NHS or pharmacy staff to target their victims. The NHS will never: • ask for a payment (the vaccine is free) • ask for bank details • arrive unannounced at a home to administer the vaccine • ask residents to prove their identity by sending copies of personal documents (such as a passport). There are several ways to report a Covid-19 scam. Suspicious text messages can be sent to the National Cyber Security Centre by forwarding the text to 7726; e-mails should be sent to [email protected] . If the scam is by phone, residents are urged to hang up and block the number. Victims of fraud or identity theft should report them directly to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or via telephone on 0300 123 2040. Information relating to vaccine fraud can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline at covidfraudhotline.org online, or phone 0800 587 5030. FUNDING BID FOR SKILLS HUB Bassetlaw District Council hopes to learn this month if its funding bid to D2N2’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ has been successful, which could pave the way for the creation of a Skills & Education campus in Bassetlaw. Earlier this month, the Council put its final business case forward to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Board for a share of the £44.4m fund that, subject to approval, would be used to create the Worksop Access to Skills Hub. Bassetlaw District Council began the process of purchasing Bridge Court, a prominent Worksop town centre building, in 2019, with the completion of the deal taking place in March 2020. Since the summer of 2019, the Council has been working with its partners, the RNN Group, which includes North Notts College, and the University of Derby, to turn the ambition into a reality. The Skills & Education hub will enhance the further education provision at North Notts College and create the potential to work with local businesses, which have specific training needs, including social care providers and the NHS. But the funding could bring benefits beyond the investment in skills and training. The hub has the potential to create around 50 jobs and could also directly support the town centre. COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS TO OFFER COVID-19 ADVICE Bassetlaw District Council has been awarded £169,400 to work with partners and engage with local communities to spread information about the importance of the Covid-19 health messages, encourage vaccination and overcome any barriers. Through the Community Champions, councils and voluntary organisations will deliver a wide range of measures to protect those most at risk - building trust, communicating accurate health information, and, ultimately, helping to save lives. Working with the Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service (BCVS), the District Council has developed plans to use the funding to reach groups, such as disabled people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who, according to the latest evidence, are more likely to suffer long-term impacts and poor outcomes from Covid-19. BCVS can be contacted at www.bcvs.org.uk or on 01909 476 118. SURGERIES No physical surgeries are planned until we return to normal working. But residents can contact me in one of the following ways: • phone (01427 891376) • e-mail ([email protected]) • via my Facebook page (Hazel Brand BDC) • through the Council Members’ Support Unit (01909 533 116). MISTERTON SURGERY – E-MAIL ADDRESS Last month, I gave an e-mail address for the Misterton surgery, unaware that there is a Contact Us form on the website. So, go to riversidehealth.co.uk – the contact form is listed on the home page. COUNCILLOR COMMUNITY GRANT At February’s Cabinet meeting, the 2021/22 budget was discussed and it was agreed that councillors would again have £1000 to be distributed to local groups and organisations. The money will not be available until May – and has been dependent on councillors completing mandatory training. .