Archive for category: News

SODC has grant money available to firms affected by coronavirus.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses required to close)

This scheme is for businesses which pay rates and have been forced to close due to the national lockdown. This grant is also available to businesses that have closed their main operations, but who are currently offering take-away or click and collect services. A maximum of £3,000 is available depending upon the individual business’s rateable value.

See southoxon.gov.uk/businessrates

Additional Restrictions Grant

This scheme is for business that aren’t eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant, including those that haven’t been temporarily forced to close, but have been severely impacted by the current restrictions, and those that do not pay any business rates. This is a discretionary fund with £2,000 available to support individual businesses. Deadline for applications is 4 December.

See svbs.co.uk

Thames Valley Police has received an increase in reports of theft from motor vehicles from beauty spot car parks across the local police area. Due to the current lockdown restrictions, the police have seen an increase in people meeting up to exercise, and leaving more vehicles in the car parks. This has created opportunities for criminals to take advantage.

Please remain vigilant and follow the below advice to help reduce your chances of becoming a victim of this type of crime. Report any suspicious behaviour, and call 999 in an emergency.

• Always keep your vehicle locked. Close all windows and the sun roof, if your vehicle has one.
• Do not leave anything in your vehicle – take all your personal possessions with you and don’t leave anything on display.
• Consider security marking any valuables that you regularly take in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the vehicle’s documents inside the vehicle.
• Park with care – try to park in a well used area.
• Use a steering lock, electronic immobiliser or alarm.
• Secure number plates with security screws.

According to Neighbourhood Watch, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime. In other words, you could be more at risk than you might think.

If strengthening your passwords is something you keep putting off, or you feel overwhelmed by the sea of online security information, you’re not alone.

As part of the Neighbourhood Watch Cyberhood Watch initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Avast, it has launched a PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd campaign that targets both the overwhelmed and complacent, providing everyone with three easy steps to be more secure online.

In summary, Neighbourhood Watch recommends individuals:

1. Create a separate password for their email account;
2. Use three random words; and
3. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

To find out more about each step visit the Password Protection page on the Neighbourhood Watch website .

Peter Tinson, chairman of Aston Rowant Parish Council:

As we enter the second lockdown in England, there will be some within the parish who need assistance because they are self isolating or in quarantine. The parish council has developed a network of volunteers who can help with shopping, collecting prescriptions or just being there to talk to.

The list is downloadable from the link below.

 

SODC is presently consulting on changes to parking in the district. It is seeking the views of residents.

The detail is available online and the consultation runs until Thursday 19 November.

You can find out more at southoxon.gov.uk/parking.