VE Day Celebrations. A message from the Team

We have seen the plans and social media comments in relation to the VE Day celebrations around our area and it is obviously understandable that all the public events have been sadly cancelled or postponed. It is great though that you will still have the opportunity to commemorate from home. There are no issues with people sitting in their own front gardens to mark this special occasion as long as they are complying with the current government guidelines and are considerate to their neighbours.

People must remember that there are very limited reasons for travelling and going out, such as exercise, shopping, caring for the vulnerable or work (where this can’t be done from home). Bearing this in mind we would like to remind people not to travel to places just to take part in celebrations. Please do not be tempted to join friends and family at their houses or on land nearby. Hopefully when the current restrictions are lifted the postponed commemorations can take place.

We hope that you have an enjoyable and safe day Bank Holiday and VE Day. For more information on the current guidelines on travelling and social distancing, visit – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Doorstep Crime and Rogue Traders

Doorstep crime includes traders cold calling at your door and claiming that work needs doing to your home or garden. They may prey on insecurities by saying there is a safety risk if you leave the work undone. If you agree to let them go ahead, the work is usually badly done and the price is put up because they pretend to have found extra things that needed doing.

Common types of cold calls include:

• Your roof or guttering is damaged – when in reality it may not be
• Trees on your property are unsafe and need attention – they may or may not be unsafe, but consult a qualified tree surgeon to find out
• Your roof has moss on it which needs cleaning – the National Federation of Roofing Contractors advises that moss on a roof is not a problem and that this service is completely unnecessary
• Your driveway needs cleaning – if you agree then the trader may persuade you to have other areas cleaned too, pushing up the price from the original estimate

If you think your home or garden needs work, please:

• Use a recommendation from friends/neighbours or contact the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 to find a good trader on the Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ list
• Obtain three quotes to check if the price is competitive and if the work really needs doing – never rely on the word of a single trader
• Remember that any contracts over £42 that are agreed in a consumer’s home are subject to a 14 day cooling off rights. The homeowner must be given written information about their right to cancel, about the identity of the trader who is doing the work and the total cost of the work to be carried out. The consumer must authorise the trader in writing if the work is to start within the 14 day cooling off period. Just having a statement on a flyer or business card that there is a 14 day cooling off period is not enough.

Keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours who may be approached by cold callers. If someone has agreed to work from a cold call and there is no paperwork, it is likely that there will be a problem.  For further advice, visit the Warwickshire County Council Trading Standard website – https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consumeradvice