Hosepipe ban
South West Water is introducing temporary restrictions on hosepipe use that will come into effect for all customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly from 00.01 on Saturday 8 August. This follows one of the driest periods in recent years, with rainfall across the South West remaining well below seasonal averages over many months, which has led to the Environment Agency declaring half of England, including the South West, in drought.
Under the new restrictions, people should not use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats, hot tubs or filling swimming and paddling pools. Water can still be used as normal for drinking, hygiene, washing and cooking. There is a dedicated area on South West Water’s website that provides full details of the temporary restrictions, exceptions and advice on saving water: www.southwestwater.co.uk/hosepipe-ban
As the cost of living crisis continues to affect us all, local Launceston based Charity - Community Money Advice are able to help those in need of support. Are money problems and debt getting you down? Are you struggling with your household budget? Would you like help filling out forms? Community Money Advice Launceston is a team of volunteers, including trained money advisers, who offer free and confidential advice to anyone who is experiencing problems with managing their money.
CMA also continues to work closely with colleagues at Launceston Foodbank and Launceston Job Centre so – to both existing and new clients – please get in touch if you think they might be able to help you. 01566 777407 www.launcestonmoney.co.uk
Share the care - don't leave it spare
We’re asking residents to help us return unused community loan equipment like crutches, walking frames, commodes and more.
These items are loaned by us and the NHS to help people recover at home. But many are never returned - sometimes they’re forgotten, or people don’t realise they’re on loan.
Returning unused equipment helps others in need and saves money for local services. It’s easy, and there are no fines - even if it’s old or damaged.
How to return equipment:
Visit the Medequip website for information on options for returning different types of equipment.
Drop it off at Medequip Roche Depot, Unit 12, Victoria Business Park, Roche, PL26 8LX (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm).
Or call 01726 210477 or email cornwall@medequip-uk.com to arrange a free collection for larger items.
Scam alerts for Cornwall
Fake unpaid parking fine notices
Scammers are continuing to send fake texts claiming people have been issued with a parking penalty notice (PCN) using spoofed mobile numbers and email addresses. The text tells you that you must pay a £20 parking fine and says that this is your final notice.
Winter Fuel Payments DWP
After the recent Winter Fuel Payment announcements, scammers have been busy impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions. Fake messages include scam links to websites designed to steal your personal and financial information. DWP will never contact you by text to apply for payments that are part of the Winter Fuel Payment. If you receive a scam text message, you can forward it to the National Cyber Security Service on 7726
Fake QR codes
QR codes across the country are being tampered with in an attempt to scam motorists. Vandalised QR codes take you through to a fake website and ask for your bank details. If you scan a QR code in a Cornwall Council car park, please check that it redirects you to BuzzPay, Cornwall Council’s express payment provider. There have been no reports of this occurring in Cornwall at this time and Council teams regularly check all signage in Cornwall Council car parks to ensure it is safe to use.
This has also been seen in a Boots Pharmacy across the country where the NHS QR code had been replaced with a fake QR code placed over it to steal personal details and acquire bank details for prescription services.
See The Little Book of Big Scams for more scam prevention advice.
Need help getting to your medical appointment?
If you’re going to a healthcare appointment for non-emergency tests or treatment, you’ll normally be expected to make your own way there - but there are patient transport schemes that could help you, and you may be eligible for NHS funded transport.
We provide information on volunteer transport schemes (including accessible vehicles). Call TAP Cornwall 01872 223388 or visit Community Transport.
You can also find more information through Age UK by calling 01872 265300 or visiting Book transport - Volunteer Cornwall.
NHS-funded patient transport is available for eligible patients meeting the clinical and financial criteria for support or assistance. Advice is available from the booking service on 01872 252211 and online.
Rogue roofers targeting vulnerable residents
Cornwall Council Trading Standards is urging all local councils to be on high alert following a surge in reports of rogue roofing traders operating across the county. These individuals are targeting residents – particularly the elderly and vulnerable – with overpriced, poor-quality, and unnecessary roofing work.
What’s happening
Residents are being approached via flyers offering roofing or home improvement services.
Traders claim to find serious issues and pressure residents into agreeing to costly additional work.
Vulnerable individuals are being pushed to start work immediately – often before the legally required 14-day cooling-off period has passed.
In one case, a resident was persuaded to pay £30,000 for a re-roof, when all that was needed was a repair to some broken tiles.
How local councils can help
Please share this warning with your communities and remain vigilant, especially for residents who may be more susceptible to pressure or deception. Encourage them to:
Avoid cold callers or unsolicited flyers.
Seek recommendations from trusted friends or family.
Use approved traders from schemes like Buy With Confidence.
Get multiple quotes and insist on written agreements.
Never rush into decisions. Genuine traders will respect the 14-day cooling-off period.
Be sceptical of sudden claims of serious damage, especially if there were no prior signs.
How to report concerns
Contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. They can escalate the matter to Trading Standards if needed.
Join our mission to help people stay independent at home.
Are you a skilled technician with a passion for helping others?
We're seeking stairlift installers to join us via the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and bring mobility solutions into homes across Cornwall.
Click here for more information or call 0300 365 4050.
Act early if you, or someone you know, is at risk of homelessness
If you, or someone you know, may be of risk of homelessness, don’t wait until it’s too late, please urge them to get in touch with us now.
Our Housing Options team can
Help you stay where you are
Negotiate with your landlord
Support you in finding alternative housing
Call us today on 0300 1234 161 or visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/housing
Explore Tamar Valley with Free Guided Walks
This autumn, Tamar Valley National Landscape invites you to join their free, weekly guided walks. These walks offer a fantastic opportunity to explore scenic routes while enjoying the health and social benefits of walking in nature.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning, groups meet at various locations to discover beautiful trails like Churchtown Farm Nature Reserve, South West Coast Path, and Meavy Circular. Most walks include a coffee stop part way round or at the end, and many walkers agree that the social aspect of their walk gives them a real lift, in addition to the physical benefits.
No booking is required, so just turn up with appropriate footwear, a drink, and a snack. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and all walkers participate at their own risk.
Don't miss out on this chance to connect with nature and your community.
Do a home fire safety check - it could save your life
Did you know there are around 35,000 house fires and over 300 fire related deaths in Great Britain each year?
You can now carry out a free online home fire safety check using your phone or tablet. It only takes 15 minutes and could save a life.
If you have vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours you can do the survey for them.
Developed by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Kills and Safelincs, the survey takes you through the home one room at a time. The simple questions will help you spot fire risks as you go.
If the property is identified as high risk, you will be offered a free home fire safety check by a member of staff from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
Reduce your risk of developing dementia
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, so throughout the month we’re sharing some top tips for reducing your risk.
There are a whole range of things you can do to lower your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia in later life.
In this video Dr Vicky Brown, shares her top tip to avoid loneliness and isolation.
New chatbot to help you get information fast
Residents in Cornwall will get help from a new and improved chatbot which has just launched on the Cornwall Council website.
The chatbot nick named ‘Ker-Know' can answer questions on all the services offered by the council, from waste to education, and do tasks by responding to messages in real time.
It does this by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to search the website on behalf of residents, intelligently responding to their inquiries.
Ker-Know can now resolve almost three quarters of enquiries received by the council daily.
New online tool for finding out care costs
Unlike health care, adult social care services are not free. We can work out a personal budget for the support you need.
If you have less than £23,250 in capital, you may be eligible for some help with the cost of your care. The amount you pay will depend on your:
capital
assets
income
savings
benefits
You may have to pay for all of the costs, or you may be able to apply for financial help.
There's a new online eligibility checker to find out if you may be able to receive financial help.
£3,900 for five minutes of your time?
Could you, or someone you know, be entitled to Pension Credit and be missing out on an average £3,900 extra a year?
Before bills go up this winter, spend 5 minutes using the government's online 'can I claim Pension Credit?' checker tool and find out.
You might be allowed to claim even if you:
have savings
own your own home
are working
are getting a small occupational pension
have been turned down in the past
Borrow a blood pressure monitor with your next library book
You can now borrow a blood pressure monitor free of charge from your local library, just like you borrow a book - all you need is a library card.
Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many don't realise it.
Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms but, if left untreated, increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The borrow a blood pressure monitor scheme launched as part of this week's Know your Numbers Week - the national campaign encouraging people to check their blood pressure at home.
Free Move More classes for over 65s
People in Cornwall aged 65 and over now have access to free classes aimed at helping them to build strength and balance and reduce the risk of falling.
Called Move More, the programme is provided by Falmouth-based company iCareiMove and funded by Cornwall Council's Public Health team.
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