Get Protected - Issue 24, September 2007

The free newsletter of Tameside MBC Environmental Health and Consumer Services

Providing help and advice for consumers and businesses of Tameside

Download a copy of Get Protected - Issue 24 346.63 KB

• Consumer Challenge Quiz 2008 - Samuel Laycock’s School Does it Again
• Hear, Hear!
• Bhaji’s, Balti’s and Bhuna’s
• House to House
• Loan Sharks
• Illegal Money Lending Team
• Register Your Business!

Consumer Challenge Quiz 2008 - Samuel Laycock’s School Does it Again

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Steve Smith attended the Greater Manchester event of the Consumer Challenge Quiz 2008 held at the Civic Hall in Ashton under Lyne on the morning of the 22nd April 2008. 

This is the second time the event has been hosted by Tameside MBC. This is a Consumer Quiz, developed  by Trading Standards especially for youngsters with  moderate learning difficulties. The Quiz tests them on their knowledge of consumer issues in a broad sense and uses an interactive format to make the competition fun as well as educational.

Dave Meakin, head of Trading Standards opened the event by announcing that this was the tenth year the Quiz had been running and that earlier this year the Quiz was entered by the UK for an award in the European Commission. So it was competing against entries from all over Europe and the ceremony took place at Brussels.

He was absolutely delighted to say that the Consumer Challenge Quiz won an award ‘for the most original idea for a consumer campaign and it was praised for its innovation and the way it targeted young vulnerable persons. The Quiz then got under way with teams from Salford, Rochdale, Trafford, Blackburn, Bolton and of course Tameside taking part.

Each team consisted of four students. The main aim of  the day is for them to go away with the attitude ‘I can do it’. There are no losers as everyone (including the audience) goes away having learnt something and can see the achievements of those taking part.

Answering questions about consumer’s rights, organisations logos, food labelling, credit and whether Trading Standards were the right body to deal with certain issues, the Quiz got under way and was very close throughout the morning. There were spot prizes awarded when the audience was challenged on certain questions and everyone was seen to be having a wonderful time. As the Quiz came to a close, Samuel Laycock School from Tameside emerged as this years winners of the Consumer Challenge Quiz by one solitary point. This is the second year running that they have won this Quiz.

The Deputy Mayor then presented them with their Winners Cup and they now go forward to represent Greater Manchester at the national finals at the Trading Standards Conference held at Bournemouth in June later this year. They also take with them £100.00 spending money for their two-day outing.

Every team member received a medal from the Deputy Mayor and also a goodies bag for participating in the Consumer Challenge Quiz.

Blackburn’s team received a further award for having the best Mascot with them on the morning of the Quiz.

And finally to round off the morning the Deputy Mayor launched a number of balloons from the Town Hall steps and the balloons that travel the furthest distance will win the competitors some further prizes.

Further information (including photographs) can be obtained from Dave Meakin on 0161 342 3481.

Hear, Hear!

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on 6th April 2006, except for the music and entertainment industry sectors where they came into force on 6th April 2008. The aim of these regulations is to ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989.

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risks to workers health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels. There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking into account any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.

The full text of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 can be viewed online at: www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm

Guidance on the 2005 regulations can be found in the free HSE leaflet Noise at Work (INDG362 (rev 1)) and in the HSE priced book Controlling Noise at Work’ (L108) (ISBN 0 7176 6164 4) .

Under the requirements of the new regulations managers of business are required to identify the noise exposure of staff within a premises. A risk assessment should be produced relating to noise exposure together with information relating to any specific noise problems which have been identified and control measures in place.

Further information on this subject or any other health and safety related matter can be obtained by contacting 0161 342 3467.

Bhaji’s, Balti’s and Bhuna’s

The heat is on and has been turned up high again for this years Tameside Curry Chef Competition.

As part of the Tameside Food and Drink Festival, the competition has been a resounding success in recent years, enthusiastically supported by the food sector and local businesses.

The competition has again been organised jointly by Tameside Environmental Health and Tameside College and will be held on Tuesday 1st July at Tameside College, Ashton under Lyne.

The competition this year has been designed specifically to test the flair and imagination of Tameside chefs and has been based upon the style of the popular television programme, ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’

There will be two winning categories of ‘best restaurant’ and ‘best take-away’, with prizes and trophies for each. All finalists will receive a certificate and goody bag.

For more information of how to apply, please contact Environmental Health on 0161 342 3467 and ask for Charlie Schofield or Shelley Kieran.

House to House

Most of us will be approached at one time or another by someone collecting for a charity and it is important that we know which of these are legitimate so we aren’t conned into parting with our hard earned money to a dodgy cause.

The Licensing section issue permits for charitable collections that prove the collection is legal and above board. So if an organisation or person wants to collect money, from door to door for a charity then they will have to obtain a House to House collection permit.

A House to House collection permit allows for collections to take place from house to house, pub to pub or shop to shop for a charitable purpose. These collections can be of various forms including clothing collections, direct debit collections or collections of money in a sealed box. You are probably familiar with many different organisations who collect in this way. For example when someone from a local children’s group knocks on your door and asks for change towards their funds.

It is a legal requirement for anyone collecting on behalf of a charity to hold a valid permit granted by Tameside Council. It is an offence for anyone to collect without a permit. They must also have in their possession a prescribed certificate of authority and a badge these are both issued by HM Stationary Office and must be made available for your inspection upon request.

The purpose for this legal requirement is to ensure collectors are properly authorised and that money/goods are collected in a secure way. It is also of utmost importance that the proceeds collected are appropriately accounted for and that they go to the charity and the public are not being defrauded.

So if you are approached either at home or when you are out and about, don’t be afraid to ask the collector to show you their permit and badge.

Some charities depend on house to house collections and it is important that the process is regulated to support the legitimate groups and prevent illegal collections.

So if you are thinking of collecting for charitable purposes, contact the Licensing Office where we will be pleased to help you out. Applications for House to House collections must be received at least 28 days prior to the proposed collection start date.

The Licensing Office,
Ash Road, Droylsden, M43 6QU
0161 301 3021
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/licensing

Loan Sharks

What is a Loan Shark?

A loan shark is an unlicensed moneylender. Licensed moneylenders are regulated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and must follow the OFT's codes of practice.

Because they're not licensed, loan sharks operate outside the law. If you borrow from them it's likely you'll:

• get a loan on very bad terms
• pay an extortionate rate of interest
• be harassed if you get behind with your repayments
• be pressured into borrowing more from them to repay one debt with another

How to Find Out if a Lender is Licensed

The Consumer Credit Public Register lists everyone with an OFT licence. It's free to get basic information from the register, including trading names and the activities for which a business is licensed. To search the public register, telephone 020 7211 8608 between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If a lender isn't listed as having a current licence, don't borrow money from them.

What to do if You Have Borrowed From a Loan Shark

If you have borrowed money from a loan shark you are under no legal obligation to repay the debt. You should contact Trading Standards on 0845 4040506 for advice.

What to do if You're Being Harassed

Any lender - licensed or unlicensed - who harasses you is breaking the law. You should report the matter to Trading Standards or to the police if they threaten you or use violence.

Other ways of Borrowing Money

If you need a loan, always go to a licensed lender. You should still shop around for the best deal as there is no standard interest rate. If you're on a low income and you need to borrow a small amount for a short time, look into borrowing from a credit union. Credit unions encourage you to save what you can and only borrow what you can afford to pay back. The most you'll pay in interest is one per cent a month, so interest on a £100 loan won't be more than £1 a month.

Where to Get Help and Advice

Many organisations offer free help and guidance on money matters. Always get free, independent help before you pay a commercial service.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Your local CAB is a good starting point for free advice. They provide free information and advice on legal, financial and other problems. You can find your local CAB in the phone book or on the CAB website .

National Debtline

National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent help over the phone for people in England, Scotland and Wales. You can call their helpline on 0808 8084 000 between 9.00 am and 9.00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays (24 hour voicemail). You can also write to them.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)

The CCCS has a helpline providing free and impartial advice to people with debt problems. You can call their helpline on 0800 1381 111 between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm from Monday to Friday.

Illegal Money Lending Team

A Loan Shark is someone who lends money without the appropriate licence issued by the Office of Fair Trading. Loan Sharks rarely, if ever, give any paperwork and if payments are missed they often use intimidation and violence to get money from their 'clients'.

The Illegal Money Lending Team is here to help. If you have any information, however small, on loan shark activities we can help.

• Have you been offered a cash loan?
• Have you been threatened when you couldn't pay?
• Has your bank card been taken from you as a security?
• Does what you owe keep growing even though you are making payments?

If you can answer yes to any of the above then you may have been bitten by a loan shark. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing any of the above or has any knowledge of loan shark activities then contact our team in confidence.

We can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0121-693 1122

Or by e-mail at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk

Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

Although we are based in Birmingham we cover the whole of the North West, West Midlands, the North east, the South East, West Yorkshire and the East of England. No matter where you live if you contact us we can put you in touch with the team in your area. 

Register Your Business! 

Is your business registered with the local authority for the purposes of health and safety?

Did you know that registering with the local authority for your business rates, refuse collection or any other council service will not automatically register you with the health and safety section?

Not only do you as a business have a legal duty to register, but your business could be missing out!

The health and safety section carries out advisory visits to premise, inspections and provides training for managers and staff.

Is your business missing out?

By not registering, your business is not only breaking the law, but could be missing out on receiving vital information regarding legislation changes, awareness raising campaigns, promotions and special projects.

What are you waiting for?

Register your business, comply with the law and get a step ahead of your competitors!

For more information contact Environmental Safety and Hygiene 0161 342 3467.