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We continue to receive reports of this type of text message fraud. Typically, the potential victim will receive a text or email message from a recognised company to say that they have tried to deliver a parcel and that there is now a delivery fee for it to be resent. These “phishing” messages are sent to thousands of phone numbers, in the hope that someone is actually expecting to get a parcel and that they’ll click on the link without thinking. If you click the link the fraudsters will request personal and bank or card details in order to rearrange delivery. The details you provide are then used to commit identity fraud or make fraudulent transactions. The link may also be used to download spyware or a virus onto your phone or computer. You may then be contacted a short time later by the fraudster who will claim to be from the bank to say that there is a problem with your account and that your money is at risk. Using the information that they got from the initial phishing text, they will then try to get you to move your money into a “safe account” which is one belonging to the criminal and you are simply handing them your money. They may even contact you to say that they are police officers and that your money is at risk  and needs to be moved urgently or you’ll lose it. Unfortunately, these criminals are very good at panicking people into believing their lies. Why is Fraud a priority for Avon and Somerset Police? Fraud now represents a third of all crime reported in the United Kingdom. It costs the UK economy an estimated £210 billion a year Only 20% of frauds are reported to the police One in three people have been a victim of fraud Fraud can affect people’s mental health as they feel too embarrassed to reveal they were a victim The attached document has a couple of scam examples. Attachments: failed-delivery-scam.pdf

Community Consultation Survey

Somerset Council would like to highlight an important consultation launch. Help us pick our top three Equalities Objectives to carry forward for 2024-2026. Equality Objectives 2024-28 – Somerset Council – Citizen Space

Your views are extremely valuable to us, as are the ideas and opinions of all our Somerset residents, communities, and businesses.

You’ll find some explanatory text (below) and also attached as a word file, for your convenience.

A link to all our current consultations can be found here: Somerset Council – Citizen Space

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

The Equalities Team

 ____

 Consultation on the Equality Objectives for the period April 2024 to April 2026

 Consultation closes 17 Nov 2023

Somerset Council has adopted the Joint Equality Objectives for the year 23/24 on the basis that during the first year, there will be a review.

The current objectives are:

1. Work with communities to improve the opportunities for integration and cohesion
2. To improve public understanding of mental health
3. Work with the Gypsy and Traveller community to improve relationships
4. Create an Equality Working Group for staff in the Public Sector in Somerset
5. Implement and review the Accessibility Information Standard to create consistency around its implementation

Taking into consideration the data that is available as well as research, and work going on within the Council and the outcomes from the current objectives, the revised long list of objectives has been drafted as follows:

1. Work across council services and with external partners to deliver a minimum of 2 initiatives that will improve people’s access to information and services who are otherwise digitally excluded by December 2025
2. By 2025, and by working with partners from across the County, improve access to, and information about, public amenities and services for those residents who are otherwise excluded by disability
3. To create a viable solution to the delivery of accommodation (transit and permanent) for Gypsy and Traveller community by September 2025
4. A reduction of 15% in the number of cases of school-based peer-on-peer discrimination by April 2026
5. To improve reporting by the LGBTQ+ community of all incidents of hate against them, with improvement seen every 6 months from 1^st October 2024
6. To work with council colleagues and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector to improve knowledge and understanding about the county’s diverse communities and any tensions and integration issues that exist, delivering innovative solutions by June 2025

The equality objectives will be subject to consultation up until 17 November 2023. The results of the consultation will determine what objectives are taken forward.

As the council continues its work to become a single cohesive organisation through a process of transition and transformation, it has been agreed that the council will take forward the top 3 objectives following consultation for the period April 2024 to March 2026.

Consultation Survey:

https://somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/communities/equality-objectives-2024-28

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ENDS

Ally Laing

Communications Lead – Members and Stakeholders

Somerset Council

+447989 078188

ally.laing@somerset.gov.uk

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Water Aid collection at the Harvest Service in St Petrock’s on 1st October 1st where a wonderful £180 was raised for this important work. Our collection last Sunday 8th was given in support of the DEC Ukraine Appeal when Anthony Knight played the violin beautifully after the service, which raised £166. We wish him well in his endeavour to raise funds for this appeal by completing 100 performances!

It was a great first get together for the sewing group last night. I didn’t expect so many of you to turn up- what a wonderful surprise and so exciting to hear so many ideas and plans.

The community box full of sewing goodies will be available in the church every day from next week and at every Wednesday meet up. If anyone can spare any material-buttons-lace-felt-beads-thread-needles and pins that would be amazing.

Timings of the Wednesday evening get together have been altered slightly to cater for everyone. I will be at The Lion from 6pm until 9pm so come in when you’re ready and able and stay for however long you wish!!!! Malcom has a new coffee machine in The Lion so make the most of it – I can say from experience that the hot chocolate is good! 

Once again thank you to everyone for the support and for turning up – I was so nervous but hope I hid it well!

Adele

Museum Quiz
Are you a wiz at a Quiz? Or, just like some fun?
Friday November 10th
Social Club, North Road
Quiz starts at 7-30 prompt!
£4 per person. Come as you are or bring a team. Max. team size 6. Help support your local museum.
Numbers will be limited so why not book your tickets in advance at mineheadmuseum@btconnect.com
Registered Charity no. 1169355