Local News and General Items of Interest
Please click for an update on the Suffolk Better Broadband Programme
A message from Suffolk County Council
The Suffolk Better Broadband Programme is gathering pace, and we hope to start work on improving services in Suffolk in Autumn this year. Before we start work, we have to go through a public procurement process to select a provider to develop the Suffolk network.
In order to make this contract as attractive as possible to bidders, as well as to provide evidence to use as leverage during negotiations, we are asking households to register their demand for broadband. This will make our case as strong as possible. Not only will this aid the procurement process, but it will also inform us of where the areas of particular need exist across Suffolk. Your input via this survey will be critical to improving broadband in Suffolk.
The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and can be found at
www.suffolk.gov.uk/broadband.
Please complete this survey to show there is demand in Cockfield, I really think we need to be near the top of the list to have our exchange upgraded not the bottom.
Thank you
The Editor
A New Way to Contact Suffolk Police
Suffolk Constabulary has introduced a new telephone number for people who want to talk to the police about non-urgent issues.
Instead of ringing the current switchboard number of 01473 613500, people should dial 101.
The introduction of 101 in Suffolk is part of a nationwide initiative which will see all forces adopting the number by the end of the year.
It is designed to offer one easy way to contact your local police force to report non-emergency crimes, disorder or anti-social behaviour or to speak to your local police officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Marshall said: "Everyone knows to ring 999 in an emergency - but research shows that only half of the public know how to contact their local police if they want to talk to them about less urgent issues.
"The introduction of an easy-to-remember, three-digit number should help address this.
"By the end of the year, people will be able to use 101 to contact their local police force's non-emergency service, wherever they are in England and Wales.
"It is also hoped that the introduction of 101 will help divert more non-urgent calls away from the 999 system, freeing up call handlers to deal with genuine emergencies."
The new number should be used to report issues which don't require an emergency response. For example, people should ring 101 if:
- their vehicle has been stolen
- their property has been damaged
- they suspect drug use or dealing
- if they want to give the police information about crime in their area or
- if they would like to speak to a local police officer.
101 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When calling 101, the system determines the caller's location and connects them to the police force covering that area.
A recorded message announces which police force the caller is being connected to - and gives them a choice if they are on a boundary between two or more forces.
Police call handlers in the local force contact centre will then answer the call and respond appropriately.
There is also an option of speaking to an operator, if the caller wishes to contact another force.
Calls from landlines and mobile networks cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day or the duration of the call.
People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can textphone 18001 101.
The new 101 service is not for emergencies. In an emergency, people should always ring 999 for immediate police assistance. An emergency is where:
- life is in danger
- a serious offence is in progress
- a suspect is at a scene
- an alleged offender is identified at any location
- there is an imminent likelihood of violence/damage to a person's property
- there is a serious road traffic collision
Catey Breakfast Club
Police Notice: Safer Neighbourhoods
baberghwest.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
SmartWater Campaign
Join our SmartWater Initiative
SmartWater is a forensic liquid that assigns your valuables their own unique forensic code, allowing them to be traced back to you.
Because the Police regularly check for SmartWater and actively raise awareness of it, SmartWater is known throughout the criminal fraternity. Because of SmartWater’s infrastructure within Police Authorities criminals will statistically avoid anything that bares the SmartWater logo and will not risk challenging their 100% conviction rate.
By displaying SmartWater deterrent stickers on your windows and doors you are sending out a powerful warning to any would-be thieves.
SmartWater is a generic system and can be used to code virtually any household item – from a wedding ring to an LCD TV, garden ornaments, lawnmowers and other vulnerable tools in your shed or garage.
If you are from Cockfield or the surrounding area, you can participate in the scheme to make the SmartWater 'value pack' available at a preferential price.
For further details on the SmartWater system, please see www.smartwater.com
Oil Co-operative
A Cockfield Oil Co-operative?
We are trying to put together two Oil buying co-operatives in Cockfield. One is a very localised approach for the Cross Green area and currently has 16 households interested. The other has cast the net wider and already has 45 households in the rest of Cockfield with another 6 bordering Cockfield.
We are confident that we can achieve real discounts with the oil suppliers. We have had quotes as low as 5p below the normal minimum price per litre on an order of 5,000 litres and even managed to shave over 2p per litre off a relatively small delivery of 3 drops totaling 2,700 litres. Much better discounts are achieved if the total order exceeds 10,000 litres. Minimum order per household is 500 litres. The two co-operatives fully intend to liaise and work together if necessary to achieve a better price.
Both co-operatives are open to adding members, so if you want to save money on your oil bill please email
oil.co-operative@cockfield.org.uk
with your expression of interest, your address and email and we’ll get back to you!!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Jeremy Webster