255 December 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

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26 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk Experienced Personal Assistant Now an Independent Contractor providing ALL PA/Admin services to clients, accommodating your business needs. Let me manage your diary/ calendars - travel - emails - events - letters - accounts - expenses to free up your valuable time. Contact Kim on 07843 627584 or Email: mclarenva3@gmail.com Next Issue January 2016 Deadline Wed 9th December with Colin Fyfe of Colcom With Christmas coming, it seems to me from firsthand experience that the activity in telephone scams is increasing. I may be wrong, but it is like they might think we actually have more money at this time of year?! Here are some bullet points to copy down and place by your phone, or perhaps give to anyone you think may be particularly vulnerable to these. To be perfectly honest, if caught unaware we are all vulnerable to these as they get more convincing every time I encounter them. Telephone scammer’s top traits include - • They will display an extreme sense of urgency • They may appear to be calling from the UK • They will say they are phoning from Microsoft or your I.S.P. • They will know your name, maybe your email address and your actual address. • They will tell you that your computer is sending E-mail or viruses or that it is broken • They will ask tell you to allow them access to your PC • They will sound VERY authoritative. • They will show you some stuff on your computer to underline their point. unknown caller • They will repair the non-existent problem and ask you for money. • On refusal of payment they will break your computer. • You can expect them to call you back again and again if you hang up. • They will offer you their employee number, their name and contact details or even their manager’s details for your credence. If you do encounter one of these calls over Christmas then don’t be tempted to allow them access to your computer. My best advice is to hang up the phone then take it off the hook for half an hour while you boil the kettle and make yourself another turkey sandwich. Merry Christmas.
250th Anniversary www.advertizer.co.uk december 2015 27 27 of the Founding of the Kilbarchan General Society Saturday 14th November saw Renfrewshire Council hosting a Drinks Reception at Johnstone Town hall for the Kilbarchan General Society prior to the Societies 250th Anniversary Dinner. Provost Anne Hall was the guest of honour; the Reverend Ian Millar and Councillors A and A Doig joined current Preses (President) Andrew Connell and Vice- Preses Norman Kerr and there wives at the top table. photo: Norman Kerr presenting the special bottle to Ian Mac photo: Anne Hall and Preses Andrew Connell Many former Preses, members and guest of the society were in attendance and stood for a minutes silence in remembrance of the victims of the Paris Massacre before dinner. As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations a specially blended bottle of whisky had been commissioned and was raffled. Mr Ian Mac of Salford won the prestigious bottle. The evening was a great success and a considerable sum was raised for local projects. Action on Hearing Loss: Last month I was visited by the charity Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, who shared their top tips with my staff and I to help us become more aware of the individual communications needs of constituents who are deaf or have hearing loss. One in six people in Renfrewshire have some kind of hearing loss – including more than half of people aged over 60. The key thing I learned is that deaf awareness is about good communication and taking the time to consider whether you can do or say something differently to make it easier for someone who is deaf or hard of hearing to take part in conversations. I had great fun learning some basic BSL and fingerspelling, which we’ll need to keep practising to welcome visitors from the Deaf community. The hearing loop in my office was also tested to ensure it is working, and I want all constituents who have a hearing aid to know my office is equipped and able to help. Carers Allowance: Carers make a huge contribution to our society, however, the support they receive in carers’ allowance is the lowest of all working age benefits - this is simply unacceptable. I was therefore delighted last week when Nicola Sturgeon announced that once the Scottish Government has the power to do so, the SNP will begin to increase the allowance to bring it to the same level as jobseekers’ allowance. This will be welcome news for carers’ across Renfrewshire, who for too long have been given an unfair deal by Westminster. Underground Coal Gasification: The Scottish Government have always ensured a cautious, considered, evidence-based approach to unconventional oil and gas. I therefore welcome the announcement last month that a moratorium has been placed on offshore underground coal gasification in Scotland. I have been contacted by dozens of constituents regarding this issue, and I know that the considered approach being taken by the Government will be welcomed by them and also by communities across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. Finally, as this is the last edition of 2015 may I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2016 when it arrives. Financial Blog by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd Bank Failure Protection Limit set to fall If a UK Bank goes bust, savers with cash are protected up to £85,000 under European Law. However, this will to fall to £75,000 on December 31st 2015, the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority has confirmed. The level of protection offered to savers is set by a European directive at €100,000 and is recalculated every five years. Due to the strength of Sterling against the Euro, the sterling equivalent of €100,000 for British savers is now £75,000. Following the banking crisis in 2008, the risk of a bank going bust is very low. However, what measures can you take to ensure your savings are working hard for you while remaining protected? You could consider the following; • Don’t keep all you savings with one bank if you have more than £75,000. Consider using different providers to hold your cash to keep your money protected. • Interest rate - check the interest rate on your savings. If you currently receive less than 1% annual interest, you may get a better deal elsewhere. You can compare best buy accounts online. • Access - check how easily you can get your cash. If you don’t need instant access, you may get a better interest rate if you are prepared to give notice. • Service is important – a good rate is welcome but not if you have to spend ages in call centre telephone queues. We have had low interest on cash savings for nearly ten years, so it is worthwhile checking your interest rate frequently, as rates change over time. When new accounts are launched, the high rates offered to new savers are subsidised by the low rates paid on old savings accounts. Call for a FREE financial review on 0871 702 9490 or pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk
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255 December 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

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