Madley Parish Council

03/06/2026

The Fraud & Scam Bulletin JUNE 2026

Your monthly update direct from West Mercia Police on the latest
scams and frauds

HOLIDAY FRAUD

Whilst people increasingly use the Internet as a marketplace to book their holidays, at the same time fraudsters and criminals are also ready to jump in and exploit this marketplace with fraudulent offers and deals

These offers are many and various, and range from fake caravan or motorhome listings, to the “too good to be true” offers for holidays, villa rentals and holiday lets.

Criminals use a variety of methods to trick the public into handing over their money and personal information.

ALWAYS REMEMBER
• Be suspicious of any “too good to be true” offers or prices – if it’s at a rock bottom price ask yourself why
• Do your research before making any purchases by reading reviews of the site or person you’re purchasing from. Before booking accommodation ask what checks the agent makes on both the landlord and advertised property.
• Verify that the address exists through web searches and online maps. Use Google images to check where else an image has been used, as it may have been copied from a genuine website.
• Where possible, book directly with an established hotel, or through a reputable travel company/agent that is a member of a trade body such as ABTA, ABTOT or ATOL.
• If you do decide to book independently, establish if you’re dealing with the property owner, a letting agent or via the local tourist information desk.
• Ensure you read the terms and conditions before making any bookings to confirm exactly what you’re being sold. Double-check both your travel and accommodation information, particularly if there is a long gap between making the booking and arrival.
• Always use the secure payment options recommended by reputable online travel providers
• Where possible, use a credit card when making purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 as you receive protection under Section 75 rules.
• Always access the website you are purchasing from by typing it into your web browser, and be wary of clicking on links in unsolicited emails. The website should use the padlock symbol to indicate that the site is secure.
• You can check if a website is genuine or not by typing it into
www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite
• Never click on links or attachments in social media posts or emails.
• Question uninvited approaches and also contact organisations directly to confirm requests using a known email or phone number.
• You may be offered the chance to go on a free holiday in return for watching a presentation; this may be a Holiday Club Fraud
• Only give out your personal or financial information to services you have consented to and are expecting to be contacted by
Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

If you have fallen for a fraud,
Report it to Report Fraud (formerly known as ACTION FRAUD) on 0300 123 2040 or via
reportfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudulent caller’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to [email protected]
If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most UK banks.

Report Fraud UK is the place to report, prevent, and learn about cyber crime & fraud

16/04/2026

News Release



16 April 2026



Herefordshire residents encouraged to get ready for changes to home phone lines



Telecare and Technology Enabled Care users may be affected by the digital switchover



Herefordshire Council is reminding people that home phone lines across the UK are changing, and all old‑style landlines will move onto a new digital network system in January 2027.



The UK Digital Switchover means all phone calls will be made over the internet instead of the old analogue landline network, which has become difficult to maintain and breaks more often. The upgrade will be by the phone companies, on a gradual 'area by area' basis. Residents don't need to do anything yet – they will be contacted by their phone company.



Cllr Pete Stoddart, Herefordshire Council's Digital Champion and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, said: "Most people won't see much change, but we want to make sure everyone is aware, especially those using telecare and other Technology Enabled Care services which are vital to helping people live safely and independently at home."



Herefordshire Council's Technology Enabled Services (TECS) team has already made sure the 3,000 households using its 'Lifeline' telecare devices are ready for the digital switchover.



However, some residents using different suppliers may need extra support because older alarms and devices were designed to work with the old analogue phone system and may need upgrading by the provider, particularly if they:

Use a medical alarm or pendant alarm
Rely on a landline for essential communication
Have hearing aids that work with your phone
Use assistive technology connected to your phone line
Have mobility issues that make phone access crucial
Live alone and depend on your home phone for safety


Cllr Stoddart added: "If you're unsure about how a device in your home or business might be affected, please contact the equipment supplier or device manufacturer to find out whether it will still work on a digital phone line. Although we've already ensured Council TECS users are digitally-ready, we want to ensure everyone who uses this technology is aware."



"For most residents, the switch will be simple, and your phone company will guide you. We're advising anyone using a private telecare to contact their provider to confirm their equipment is compatible and act early if any updates are needed. We want everyone in Herefordshire to stay safe, connected, and supported during this change."



Further information:

Your phone provider will contact you before anything changes.
More information is available at: www.digitalswitchover.com
Support Openreach: https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/support-for-vulnerable-customers


Ends

Find out how Openreach supports vulnerable customers, including priority services, accessibility help and how to get extra support from your provider.

15/04/2026

Please note that the Parish Council meeting due to take place tonight (15th April) is unlikely to start before 19.15hrs as the hall has been booked by another user from 18.00hrs until 19.00hrs.

04/03/2026

WHATSAPP SCAMS

As with so many Features and Apps on the Internet, WhatsApp was set up so users could freely contact friends and family at home and abroad, with the added benefit of the use of video, audio
and images in your messages.

However, Criminals have also seized on an opportunity and made use of WhatsApp as a vehicle to defraud unsuspecting victims for several years now. The commonest fraud recently has probably
been the “Hi, Mum/Dad” message. Fraudsters have also made use of WhatsApp as a Dating App by contacting victims out of the blue with messages of friendship and longer term relationships.

Other messages used by opportunist criminals have included:

• FAKE GIVEAWAYS – these may appear to be tempting offers of vouchers and free products and apparently from well-known high street brands simply by completing a “survey” – never
click on these links in messages from unknown sources

• EXCLUSIVE GROUPS – usually used to set up fake profiles in a Group then sending over a Passcode which let’s them take over the victim’s account, impersonate them and scam other Group members
• VERIFICATION CODES – once a criminal has sourced your phone number, they can use the log- in page to send a text message from WhatsApp with a verification code. By persuading
the victim to pass on the code they will be able to take over their account

• WHATSAPP JOB OFFERS – Fraudsters contact users offering non-existent jobs with tempting salaries and appearing to come from genuine companies. They sometimes ask for up-front
payments or may ask for personal details to steal your identity. So only use recognised recruiters and check back on their genuine websites first

Another current WhatsApp scam to be wary of is the WHATSAPP GOLD UPGRADE message. This is a non-existent upgrade supposedly offering enhanced features and security and may even
claim a celebrity endorsement. If you follow the “sign up “message there is then a danger that you will download malware onto your phone, and then the criminals can steal your personal data.

Always treat unexpected messages on WhatsApp with caution and beware of:
• Too good to be true offers
• Messages from unknown contacts
• Pressure to act too quickly
• Requests for money or personal details

And finally, never click on any links in these suspect messages. You can report a message by selecting it in your conversation and tapping “Report”. Suspect Senders can be reported by opening the chat, click on the sender details and select “Block
and Report”

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

16/01/2026

Notification of Upcoming Roadworks

Surface Dressing Preparation Works – C1098 Bridge Sollars

As a result of a multimillion pound investment, the selected road within your ward/parish has been programmed to benefit from surface dressing preparation ahead of the surface dressing at a later date.

The length of road has been identified for such works following detailed and comprehensive surface and structural condition surveys that help us to objectively prioritise where we need to invest across Herefordshire’s highway network. Surface dressing is an important part of our maintenance programme and helps to extend the life of an existing surface, reduce further deterioration of the road’s condition, improve the skid resistance of the road surface and seal the road against water preventing potholes forming in winter. Please visit https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/herefordshire-road-investment/4 for more information regarding the surface dressing process.



Signs will be displayed on the road informing of the intended dates of the works. If there are any changes to the programme of works in your road, we will make sure the signs are updated.

A fully signed diversion route will be displayed locally. We will do all we can to provide vehicular access to properties, although there may be times when we are not able to do so safely or there may be delays.



We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but we will do all that we can to minimise the impact of our work whilst this work is undertaken.


The programme of work may change in certain circumstances, such as bad weather. This may happen at short notice and without further written notification. All changes will be highlighted on the advance warning signs, which you’ll find onsite at the roadworks. For the most up to date information on roadworks across the county, please visit https://one.network.

About road surface dressing and how we complete it

13/01/2026

Preferred provider of Herefordshire Council's new Public Realm Services contract

Following Cabinet approval in December, M Group Highways Ltd has been selected by Herefordshire Council as the preferred provider to deliver public realm services across the county, replacing the current arrangement with Balfour Beatty Living Places.

These services include the maintenance of roads, green areas and public spaces, street cleansing, highway drainage, street lighting and winter gritting.

Contracts have not yet been formally signed and final checks are still under way. Once this process is complete, further details will be shared.

Looking ahead, the new arrangements are expected to begin in June and will see the council take back day‑to‑day control of public realm services, with the contractor being paid pre‑agreed rates for individual items of work. This approach is designed to support high‑quality services and value for money.

In the meantime, the council and Balfour Beatty Living Places continue to work together under the current contract to ensure services continue as normal and to support a smooth transition for residents.

We will continue to engage with you as we move forward with mobilisation during this important period of change.

08/12/2025

Madley Parish Council is beginning the process of procuring a new website. The site will provide an improved platform for communicating Parish Council business and will also showcase the activities of community groups operating within the parish.

As part of this project, councillors would like to include a selection of vistas and scenes from across the parish. If you have any photographs you would be happy to share, please send them to the Clerk at [email protected]

Please ensure that any images you submit comply with copyright law. To avoid issues, photographs taken by residents themselves are preferred.

28/11/2025

S106 OPEN SPACES - MADLEY RECREATION GROUND – UPDATE

Following the Parish Council S106 Open Spaces (Recreation Ground) Community Consultation in May 2025, several priorities were identified and some of these have already been actioned. Other requested items have either been commissioned or are awaiting release of funds from Herefordshire Council prior to being ordered.
• The defibrillator has been re-sited at the tennis club, to provide level access and lighting.
• The path to the children's play area has been improved and resurfaced.
• The new noticeboard has been installed at the Recreation Ground.
• The wildflower area will be planted in March 2026.
• A teen shelter, open-sided, with seating, trapeze hoops and basketball area has been commissioned and will be installed in early Spring 2026.
• An outdoor table tennis table will be ordered and installed.
• A level access, in-ground trampoline will be ordered and installed.
• Benches and picnic tables will be ordered, for installation by the newly appointed Parish handyman, Paul.
A cycle pump park and a bandstand were two other most requested items and would have cost approximately £90k and £65k. Unfortunately, the costs could not be met from the S106 funds, and the Parish Council was not able to attract grant funding for these projects.
Looking ahead, there will be differing delivery dates for the items being commissioned, and the Parish Council anticipate that all will be installed by early Spring 2026.

Madley Parish Council
28 November 2025

20/11/2025

STATEMENT MADE BY MADLEY PARISH COUNCIL AT THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2025.

The Parish Council cancelled the 2024 fireworks display at the meeting held on 25 September 2024 because the majority of members present had grave misgivings over the organisation of the event and were not prepared to accept the risk.
At the meeting held on 25 September 2024 the Parish Council were advised by Councillor Hiscutt-Blackmore that there would be no financial implications for cancelling the event.
Councillor Hiscutt-Blackmore and Mr Julian Morris subsequently issued a Small Claim jointly against the Parish Council in respect of the fireworks.
Deputy District Judge Neave sitting at the County Court at Hereford on 19 September 2025 ordered Councillor Harris to be removed from the Claim Form.
The Parish Council considered the Small Claim should be defended because public funds were at issue.
The Parish Council maintains that it did not enter into a contract with Mr Julian Morris. This was because only the Clerk has the legal authority to enter a contract on behalf of the Parish Council in accordance with paragraph 5.16 of the Financial Regulations.
Regardless of the defence put forward by the Parish Council, Deputy District Judge Mitchell determined at the trial held in Hereford County Court on 22 October 2025 that Mr Julian Morris proved a contract was in place.
A copy of the Parish Council’s defence which was submitted to the court along with a copy of the claim form will be appended to the minutes.

14/11/2025

https://www.herefordshirecf.org/funds/small-sparks/

The Small Sparks Fund is a new microgrant scheme designed to support hyper-local, community-led projects, that strengthen connections and build...