Hale Independent Issue 169

AUGUST 2024 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US PEOPLE across Greater Manchester have been urged to be on their guard against the rising threat of QR code fraud. Greater Manchester Police say they received three reports of offences in one week and the force’s economic crime team is out in commu- nities across the city-region daily giving out fraud preven- tion advice. QR (quick response) codes work when a user scans them on a digital device, this is most commonly smartphones and the QR codes are used to direct people to websites, log- ging into devices or ordering food and drinks. QR codes are a quick and easy way to get to a website quickly. After the pandemic, there has been a steep rise in the use of QR codes. However, GMP say cyber criminals also use this technology as a new way to defraud people out of money. A force spokesperson said: “QR code fraud is more likely to happen in open spaces, such as car parks or park- ing meters. “With this type of scam, fraudsters will put a fake QR code sticker over a real QR code on a parking meter and the fake QR code will take users to a genuine looking payment site to steal personal information and in some instances finan- cial information.” When scanning QR codes in public spaces, check for tampered QR code stickers. If something doesn’t look right and the sticker looks out of place, type in the URL manually to ensure you are getting to the correct website. When you are scanning a QR code, make sure that you are using the QR scanner that comes with your phone, rather than using an app that’s downloaded on an app store. Preview the URL, on some latest updates on mobile phones, as you start to scan the QR code, a URL will come up – if this URL code doesn’t look right, stop scanning. If you feel as though you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report to Action fraud by calling 0300 123 2040. A TEAM of independent specialists is conducting a financial check-up of Trafford Council to help the local authority con- tinue to balance its budget in the future. The council has asked the Chartered Institute of Pub- lic Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to conduct the review to make sure it is managing its finances well and to help identify any further savings that could be potentiallymade. The process, which is now underway, comes in the wake of more than £306mil- lion of budget pressures that the council has faced in recent years. In a statement the coun- cil said: “Trafford is one of the lowest funded councils in the country and finance chiefs continue to look for transformative savings, but this is becoming increasingly difficult given the council’s already low levels of spend. “Meanwhile the authority’s cost base continues to rise, with a significant increase in need for services especially in children’s and adult social care. In the last four years the council has had to use £35m of reserves to support the budget and only £8m remains available.” Council leader Tom Ross said: “We made it clear when we set the last budget that we are being tasked to do more with less money. I believe we have managed our finances well in recent years but we have little resilience in reserves to sustain a balanced budget in the future. “We also made clear during the last budget setting in Feb- ruary that we planned to ask CIPFA to look at the way we have managed our budget. “And we have commissioned this check-up as a prudent way of making sure we are maxim- ising the use of our money and ensuring we will be financially resilient for the future.” CIPFA, which is the only UK professional accountancy organisation dedicated to pub- lic financial management, is recognised as independent of any sectional or political inter- est within local government. Cllr Ross added: “Like so many of our public services, councils are facing severe financial challenges. “We’re committed to deliv- ering a balanced budget and this review is one of a num- ber of initiatives that will help support the budget set- ting process. “Trafford Council also requires a change in fund- ing so we can be on financial parity with similar councils and we will be making our case for fairer funding to the new government.” A CELEBRATION event was held at Urmston Pri- mary School to mark the one-year anniversary of its School Streets programme. Funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, the ini- tiative involves road closures on Newton Road, Hereford Grove and Wycliffe Road around school drop-off and pick-up times. The aim is to make journeys to school safer, the air cleaner, and encourage families to get to school by walking, cycling or wheeling where possible. The programme inUrmston has been backed by volunteers, who include parents of children at the surrounding schools and nurseries, people living in the area and local councillors. Over the 34-week academic year, volunteers have contrib- uted more than 1,120 hours of their time. The celebration was also attended by visitors from Urmston Grammar School, English Martyrs’ Primary School and Tiny Feet Nursery. They were able to access free bike maintenance, as well as take part in fun activities like a pedal-powered jukebox bike and the opportunity to ‘bling’ a bike, scooter or backpack. Simon Parker, head at Urmston Primary, said: “Before School Streets, we were having problems with dangerous driving and idling, which of course is not good for the environment. “We actually measured air quality in term time versus during the summer holidays, and the difference was marked. “Now it’s so much calmer and the vast majority of fam- ilies seem happier. I’m really glad we have adopted the School Streets programme – thanks to the volunteers who help make this possible.” THE Golden Guernsey goats living down on Tatton Park’s rare breed farm have been given a rare royal accolade. It is the first time in recent history a livestock breed has been selected to receive a special royal title. The goats were officially renamed Royal Golden Guernseys by the King at a ceremony during his visit to the Channel Island. Tatton’s rare breed farm plays a vital role in protect- ing these animals, having Approved Conservation Centre status from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Jayne Chapman, farm manager, says she will be minding her p’s and q’s Council finances under the microscope Alert as QR code fraud is on the rise School Streets work is celebrated No kidding! Royal accolade for Tatton’s goats around these special VIGs (Very Important Goats). She said: “We are delighted that the Golden Guernsey breed has now received the title of Royal Golden Guern- sey, we only hope we don’t have to curtsey every time we go in to feed them!” The farm recently her- alded the birth of two new Royal Golden Guernsey goat kids, named Rose and Ivy. The new additions to the family not only increase the population but also enhance genetic diversity, crucial for the breed’s long- term viability. Visitors to Tatton can help with rare breed conservation through its animal adop- tion scheme. Adopters receive a gift package for £35 which includes an official adoption certificate, VIP tickets for two guests to attend a spe- cial adoption day event, a cuddly toy goat, shire horse or pig – depending on your adopted animal – a fact- sheet, sticker, photocard and regular e-newsletters. The adoption pack is also available to buy online from the Tatton Park Charitable Trust’s new website tatton- parktrust.org