05.01.23 – Trading Standards Health Warning, Stoke Waste Centres Consultation

With many people hoping to improve their health or lose weight in the New Year, some may be tempted to turn to fad diets, bogus health foods or non-prescribed slimming pills.

Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service wants consumers to make informed decisions about food and diet and to get reliable advice and support, such as that from the NHS.

Officers are also keen to warn people about bogus or misleading claims for food supplements and products. This area of law is tightly regulated to protect consumers.

Non-prescribed slimming pills can contain harmful chemicals and people should be cautious.  These, along with other similar non-prescription items are also a common target of subscription traps.   This is where consumers find themselves unwittingly signing up to continuous payment authority to scammers. People should always check the small print and contact their bank immediately if they believe they have been signed up without their permission.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: “New Year is a time when many people resolve to become healthier, and scammers exploit this.  Social media is great for sharing your get-fit journey, but it can be an unreliable source of health advice.  People should always get that from dependable sources such as the NHS.

For more information about what to do if caught up in a subscription trap, or to report bogus health claims or scams, visit Citizens Advice at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or call 0345 4040506.

____________________________________________________

Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to have their say on the opening times of the city’s two Household Waste Recycling Centres.  Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking views on the opening times of Burslem and Hanford tips.

Currently, the Hanford site is closed on a Monday and Tuesday and the Burslem site is closed on a Wednesday and Thursday. However, a review of their operating days and times has found these may not be the peak operating times. The city council has been monitoring traffic volumes at both sites to determine the peak operating times and this information will be used to ensure residents can still conveniently dispose of their waste five days a week while maximising recycling rates.

A consultation will now run until Tuesday 31 January to gain residents feedback on the proposed changes.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for environment and housing has said: “Our Household Waste Recycling Centres should be open at times most convenient to our residents and so our teams are able to work effectively across both sites to manage the needs of the business.

“I encourage residents and users of our two Household Waste Recycling Centres to have your say in the consultation. The proposed changes will allow the sites to be staffed more efficiently, reducing operating overheads and costs without affecting service levels.”

Residents can have their say on the proposed changes by visiting: www.stoke.gov.uk/hwrcconsultation