Local residents are being asked to enjoy Solihull’s parks responsibly following new government guidance which now permits the use of parks for relaxation as well as exercise.

Visitors to Solihull’s parks and open spaces will see new signage asking them to observe the two metre social distancing guidance if they are with somebody that they don’t live with.

Car parks and tennis courts will also reopen. Courts can be booked at – https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/TennisInSolihull

However, outdoor gyms, play areas, multi-use games areas and other equipment will remain closed as there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces contaminated with COVID-19 in these spaces.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways Cllr Ken Hawkins said: “We welcome the new Government guidance which allows people to enjoy our parks for both exercise and relaxation.

“Our beautiful parks have become even more important for people’s physical and mental health but please enjoy them safely and sensibly.

“You can visit with people you live with or one person that you don’t live with. If you’re with someone you don’t live with, remember to observe the two metre social distancing guidance. So no team sports apart from members of your own household.”

For more information about all Council Services during this period please visit www.solihull.gov.uk

Stay alert, control the virus, save lives

Phishing email scams have been around for a very long time, but the fraudsters who send them often use current events such as COVID-19 to make them appear genuine. 

Latest phishing COVID-19 phishing scams include: 

•  Emails that encourage recipients to provide their bank details in order to receive coronavirus related Government payments  
• Emails designed to look like they have been sent from the NHS or other Government bodies. These emails might falsely claim to link to a list of coronavirus cases in your area 
• Emails that offer purported medical advice, tests or treatments to help protect you against the coronavirus.  
• Emails targeted at businesses and specifically those working from home. These scam emails may appear to come from the company IT department or personnel department and contain fake policy document attachments which the recipient is asked to download and read 
• Scammers are also seeking to exploit the increasing use of online communication platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft teams by sending out phishing emails carrying these platforms names. 

Phishing emails sent by scammers will typically contain links to scam websites or virus laden attachments. Following links in suspicious emails or opening or downloading attachments may increase the recipient’s exposure to malicious websites, computer viruses, spamware and ransomware.  

Report/forward phishing email scams to: report@phishing.gov.uk

Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will reopen on Monday 18 May – but residents are being warned to expect significant queues and are asked to think very carefully about whether a trip is really essential.

In order to follow social distancing guidance, only five cars will be allowed in at a time and only one person will be allowed to leave each car to remove waste. Site users should also ensure that they can unload and carry their waste themselves as the site staff will be unable to provide assistance.

Nobody should visit the site if they are showing symptoms of Covid-19, are self-isolating or belong to a vulnerable group. A trip to the site should only be taken when waste cannot be stored safely at home and presents a public health risk.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways Cllr Ken Hawkins said: “We have restored bulky waste collections and by Monday 18 May all our residents will have had a garden waste collection which we hope will minimise the need to visit our HWRC. In reopening the site, we’re asking people to think very seriously about whether they really need to make the trip and to behave responsibly.

“Reopening the site is not a signal to start spring cleaning. Producing additional waste at this time will add significant pressure to the service which is already under strain during the pandemic and unnecessary visits could pose unnecessary health risks for front line staff at the site.”

A visit to Bickenhill HWRC should only be made when storage of excess household waste cannot be done safely at home and all traffic management and social distancing instructions should be adhered to.

Holders of HWRC vehicle permits should wait for further guidance about times to visit the site.

For further information – https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Resident/Rubbish-recycling/recyclingcentres

Coronavirus-Scam-Alert

COVID 19 and VE Day

Friday 8 May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (commonly known as VE Day). This year the Government moved the May bank holiday to VE Day to allow the nation to remember the sacrifice so many made in the fight against fascism. Given the restrictions due to COVID-19 here are some ideas to help you get involved safely –

• The link below has some useful online resources including tips for hosting a tea party at home, colouring, bunting and creative challenge for children.
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• You can also share stories about your family’s connection to WW2 by posting photos and stories on social media using #VEDay75.
• Lastly, why not catch up with Dan Snow’s creative challenge for children at https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/dan-snows-ve-day-challenge/

Council Car Park Charges Suspended

Solihull Council has suspended parking charges in Council-operated car parks and on-street parking bays in Solihull town centre, Knowle and Shirley until further notice.

This decision was approved virtually by the Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways.

People can still access Council-operated car parks – please check the website for opening/closing times.

Ticket machines will be covered over and signage put in place to inform motorists of the changes.

Civil Enforcement Officers will continue to be out and about, checking that facilities remain safe and that motorists park sensibly.

For more information about the Council’s Transport and Highways Traffic Management service please visit: www.solihull.gov.uk/transport

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Coronavirus Update – Changes To Our Service and How You Can Help

Changes to our serviceThroughout these changing times, one thing which will never change is our commitment to keeping you safe. We want to reassure you that we’re still here to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need. However to minimise the spread of the virus means that we have fewer team members in our contact centres as some people need to self-isolate. Our staff are helping out as much as they can from home, however it may take a little longer to get in touch, especially if you try to call us.How you can helpIt’s really important we keep our phone lines free so we can prioritise 999 emergencies and help those most in need. We’ve found that many of the calls we’re receivingcould be resolved online. This stops us from helping someone who really needs us right now. Help us so we can help you. For all non-emergencies we ask you to visit our website first. Here you can:Search for advice on a range of issuesReport crime such at theft, criminal damage or burglarySpeak to us on Live Chat between 8am to midnightYou’ll find that everything you can do over 101 you can do on the website and Live Chat. CoronavirusNo one ever said that these restrictions were going to be easy to follow. We understand it’s difficult but we all have a part to play in protecting each other by following the advice. We are enforcing the social distancing measures, which the majority of you are following. It’s a minority who are putting others at risk. Where we’ve had reports online of people not following the rules, we’ve used this information to target our patrols. As you’d expect our priority will always be to continue to respond to crime and prioritise the most serious of crimes. You can trust that we will use our powers to stop significant breaches when we can. Visit our coronavirus specific page to see how we’re supporting you through this health emergency and how to report anyone not following the guidelines. Keep following the government advice by staying at home and only going outside for essential food, health and work. Stay home, save lives, protect the NHS. If we help each other out, together we can get through this. West Midlands Police https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/ https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus