Found an even better offer on the Rapira blades. 400 blades for £20, post free from Turkey. That would last about 3 years. Just think what would have been spent on over priced cartridge blades. They are a complete rip off. These Rapira's are just 5p a blade. I told you it could be cheap. You could also consider giving a cheap shaving set and blades as a Christmas present by buying some things over the course of the year. Guys, this method of shaving will stop the missus from pinching your current razor for her legs and under arms, as she will not be tempted to use this set up.

Initials relating to a company and the name of an employee of that company have been mentioned in this thread. I strongly advice they are deleted as this can lead to identification as employers can access consumer/ social media sites and identify cases and individuals. That does not help. I suggest you contact a member of the site team who can delete these details.

I thought I asked you in an earlier post if there was any CCTV footage, either when the cash collection with the sealed envelope which was passed to you or at the payment office. It now seems that CCTV footage has been examined given your post I have quoted. What CCTV coverage was investigated and by whom? That becomes part of the investigation and you will have a right to see it.

That is not quite what I said. Maybe it got lost in translation. Harrow have confirmed in writing that the continental plate should not have been put into their own PCN system at the outset as identified by CCTV photo and they acknowledge an error in doing so. They then compounded that first error by forwarding papers to TEC for legal enforcement action. I was unaware this was happening as I was told they had cancelled it, but they had not. So I did not know a case was proceeding and hence missed any appeal process as I challenged the PCN as soon as I received it and provided the necessary evidence. Harrow input YYYY YYY when the continental matching plate was configured YYY YY YY and photographed as that. The person who viewed the real time image should have known it was a continental car and not have input it into the Harrow PCN system as a British registration plate. TEC admitted that they themselves should never have input the information they received from Harrow into the TEC system due to my Scottish post code and that they had made an error and it should not have happened. They would not comment on anything that happened at Harrow. I asked them about that and they declined to comment. TEC did not blame Harrow and only listened to what I said about the actions of Harrow, the continental plate, cloned plates, cancelled charge and a Scottish post code. So I assume that Harrow issue paperwork to TEC who then input that into their own system. IE I don't think that Harrow or any other council submits electronic data into TEC's own system. It is also TEC's responsibility to check for a Scottish post code before inputting and raising action. So, I am left with the distinct impression that both TEC and Harrow are at fault as regards this part of the PCN process. Getting late so will pursue tomorrow. Thanks tomtubby.

Yes, she can ask for a home visit. She should not be be asked to do anything which will/ might damage her health. Hence, do not do allow your sister to do this visit at home on her own. Make sure someone is there as a witness and to answer the door etc, (don't allow her to get up and do that or make tea etc). She sits down entirely during the home visit as she should not walk about during the home visit. This evidences her limitations etc. She can be in her bed if she wants if that is necessary due to her medical condition. If she is asked for copies of prescriptions or bottles of medicine she takes, the witness should go and get them. Do the same for anything like that. You can also ask for the meeting to be recorded. ATOS contract allows for all assessments to be recorded although they might find it difficult to comply with in her home. But that is their tough luck. Remember and get her to focus on what her worst days are like, not the individual one of day she might have when she feels slightly better. Answers should be framed in that way, linked back to the stated application form. She can be prompted by the witness to assist answers when required. She does not need to answer on her own, as she might get upset etc.

So you have been in this job for about 6 months. Is that correct? You cannot focus solely on this one manager as the scope of this is wider than him. It appears from what you have said that he has only been employed there for a couple of months and that money had gone missing before he arrived. The answers lie in what action the company has taken to stop money going missing given that it has happened before, from what you say. So: How long ago did he start working? How many complaints regarding money shortage have been made roughly (that you are aware of) and were those folk sacked ie what happened to them? Has this just started happening since the new manager started working, or did it happen before? If the company knew there was a problem with money going missing, have they introduced any new procedures for collectors ie you or the folk working in the pay point? They should have tried to introduce new working practices. This can be used later. Have they involved the Police in any of these cases? Was there a CCTV camera overlooking where the cash was counted? (it's a long shot but just in case you both made a mistake). However, I think you are inferring it has happened elsewhere within your company at the pay point/ counting office. So, is that area covered by CCTV? If not, it should be, particularly given past problems. I asked this before but it was not answered If you can't get that just now don't worry as you can demand it now. They need to keep to their guidelines as well as ACAS. It is good that you have someone to assist you.

I am sorry I upset you by suggesting that as you obviously had to cancel these types of things. You will not be in a good place just now and we appreciate that. I have however known people fortunate enough to have household insurance cover with legal cover win cases of gross misconduct/ unfair dismissal entirely funded by the insurance and win their cases. It does depend on the assessment of the case however as they view it similar to a no win, no fee type of legal action. Can you access a copy of the companies disciplinary procedures, perhaps a work mate can do that? Could you/ they obtain a copy of the cash procedures/ policy of the company? Was the firm that handed in the sealed envelope and you signed for, and that was found to be £50 short, a reputable firm? Upon investigation, it may be found that they have a £50 surplus. Do you know if the manager or anyone in your company has made investigations with that company about the amount put in it, ie it was £50 short? You must be given ful access to that and all required information before any hearing. Every bit of information they depend on must be supplied to you in advance of the hearing. Has this type of thing happened to you before or anyone else in the company? If so, what happened in those cases? This type of information will be needed and you can ask questions about it and be supplied with copies of all communications/ correspondence relating to this investigation. It seems the envelope was properly secure from what you have said. How is the envelope sealed though? What is the envelope made of? Is it just a normal postage type envelope or is it more secure than that? This sounds like a procedural accident waiting to happen. If it's just a paper envelope stuck down then serious questions need to be asked about their working practices.

Yes, you are quite right, it must happen. The case with Harrow involved continental style plates, the new numbering that we have, but the spacing was different ie 2 gaps as opposed to our 1 gap, and it may have been foreign and legitimate or cloned. I don't know as the police down there refused to investigate. But, the info Harrow got from the DVLA would have shown that the car was a different series/ model and colour. It should also not have been input as they are on record to me that they do not input foreign plates. Presumably because it is near impossible to pursue. I also have recorded proof of a red astra van with my number plate and another BMW in another borough that was cancelled correctly with minimal fuss.

I only recently discovered this, as no-one from the various organisations we deal with ever mentioned it, so I hope it helps someone else. It will have been mentioned before on CAG, but this may act as a reminder. I act as carer for my mother in law who is pretty badly disabled and gets higher rates of DLA. Last year she was diagnosed with dementia, officially, although we knew there were problems before that. There are 3 people in the house. I have now submitted a signed statement from her GP confirming her lack of mental capabilities and my role as a carer. This gives further information: http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/finance/Pages/council-tax-discounts.aspx She also requires space in the house for wheelchair to get about, zimmer on occasions, etc and has a specially adapted bathroom. We have made one room downstairs her bedroom so we can't use it. There might be the possibility of a lower Council Tax banding than we are currently on. I will keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully someone else might benefit and remember, back dated claims can be made. There are 3 of us in the household.

I have previously contacted Sky and cancelled movies and sports. Better weather is coming and we can get out more. My team is no longer in Europe, my team has won the league already and I honestly don't see why I should contribute to the massive income of the EPL and Championship when Sky give disproportionately les to Scottish footballer per subscriber. I only ever watched my team and am not interested in other sports. Today, I called to say I was cancelling broadband and phone. That discussion and deleting virus protection and 3D which I don't have or need meant a saving of 50%. Just for a phone call and threat of leaving. I still have unlimited free calls and download, except 0845, which thankfully will cease shortly as that was a major [problem] and disgrace. Mobile numbers will be phoned on pay as you go with Tesco which has free calls to nominated numbers.

My mum used to use beer and egg.

A typical pack of 4 cartridge blades costs about £12- £16, sometime you get an offer including a razor which ties you to that make. The more blades you have in a cartridge the more they get blocked up with gunk ie shaving foam and beard hair. It is almost impossible to clean them when a single blade is cheaper and easier to use. Here is how I started Double edged safety razor- basic razor and 10 Wilkinson blades for £8.99 (see, saved money already). Better made and more costly razors are of course available ie Muhle, Merkur, Parker, etc. Cheapest razor I have seen is £1.99 from China, and they make razors for a lot of the main sellers in Europe and USA. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-DOUBLE-EDGE-SAFETY-RAZOR-10-WILKINSON-SWORD-SHAVING-BLADE-FREE-/121234615634?pt=UK_Health_HairRemoval_RL&hash=item1c3a256d52 You can buy 100 Rapira blades for £7.89, post free from Turkey. (not many DE blades are sold in UK although Boots, Asda, Tesco etc have them and Home Bargains also sometimes have Persona which is another excellent blade). Those blades work out at 8p per blade. What does a cartridge cost you? You can afford to throw these out (safely disposing of them of course) after 5/6/7 shaves dependent on how strong your beard growth is. The Rapira blades are a good all round blade, made to high standard. Give up on tins of shaving soap gunk made by Gilette or Wilkinson. They are expensive and damage the environment. You pay for advertising and they are full of chemicals. One of the products I use is a Turkish soap called Arko. This costs £3.65 (post free) and is what Turkish barbers use: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARKO-SHAVING-CREAM-SOAP-WITH-BOWL-CASE-90-GRAMS-FREE-UK-DELIVERY-/201002518265?pt=UK_Health_HairRemoval_RL&var=&hash=item2eccaf06f9 Next you need a brush. This Omega one is excellent and under £8 (you can get synthetic ones if you don't want to use animal products) ie badger etc. : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-10077-SHAVING-BRUSH-NATURAL-BOAR-BRISTLE-GREEN-BLACK-HANDLE-/190952230390?pt=US_Shaving_Hair_Removal&hash=item2c75a3cdf6 That is you equipped with blades that will last a year and the basics needed, which I bet will save you 50% on what you currently pay in the first year alone, with even bigger savings in future years as the capital cost of the razor and brush are already paid for. Then all you need is some guidance on how to use a safety razor and there is plenty of that available on youtube.

I take it you hopefully have household insurance and other forms of insurance. Please check these policies to see if you also have family/ legal cover which may cover employment issues for legal advice under such a policy. You might even have been sold it by your bank as part of a new account you opened.

Thanks for the contribution, advice and comments- keep them coming, please. I can discuss harassment at my meeting with CAB. They have this information: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/discrimination_e/discrimination_taking_action_about_discrimination_e/ge30_taking_action_about_harassment.htm and http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/debt_e/debt_action_your_creditor_can_take_e/harassment_by_creditors.htm See above post re British Gas. Harassment: some limited background: http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/privacy/harassment-unwanted-letters-and-telephone-calls/protection-from-harassment-act-1997.shtml Harassment can also be a criminal matter, so there are possibilities there to consider.

For information, concerns were raised in Westminster during the Harrow issue process for profit/ kickback arrangements with bailiff companies: From Hansard, a question asked by Harrow MP Bob Blackman and a reply by the Leader of The House, Sir George Young, from Hansard: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110915/debtext/110915-0002.htm So, I wonder what answer was given by The Department for Communities and Local Government, which brings us back to our friend, Eric Pickles? A follow up letter to him is required further to my earlier correspondence with him.

As mentioned previously, What Do They Know is an excellent web site which allows individuals to make direct FOI requests to certain statutory/ regulatory bodies, etc within the UK, covered by The Freedom Of Information Act. The cool thing about this site is that the responses from those bodies are also supplied, where provided, within the relevant threads. If you search the http://www.harrow.gov.uk site ( https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ ), in respect of FOI submissions and answers subsequently provided it will return a very limited number of responses. The What Do They Know web site search reveals a far higher number of FOI requests, how Harrow responded and what replies were given. Here are the results of a search on Harrow borough- note their failure on numerous occassions to supply relevant information within required timescales. (although please note not all cases are one's for which Harrow Borough are actually responsible. Many relate to other services and statistics within Harrow for which that Council has no responsibility): https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/search/harrow%20borough/all FOI requests have previously been made through this web site to Harrow relating to it's bailiff contract. Here are a couple of interest, one of which is long overdue. I wonder why? :lol: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/harrow_borough_councils_lying_po#comment-39970 Note how Harrow state, Replevin is explained here: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/replevin That last statement, which is publically recorded is quite amazing. Does Fern (Fernando Silverio) the person responsible for issuing and agreeing a profit share and kickback contract tender with bailiffs approved by Harrow Borough on his recommendations really say this? It simply further compounds the financial problems of complainants really expect debt burdened people who may be vulnerable to have the resources and be required to seek redress within the Courts? The Council is responsible for the actions of their bailiffs who are contracted by them and act on their behalf. There is no prospect of body swerving that legal obligation and there are monitoring arrangements which Harrow should enforce within it's contract agreement to ensure that all actions comply with guidance/ best practice and the various laws which govern such matters. Note the complainants reply, which includes the following statement, This is confirmed from a quick search: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70420w0001.htm I wonder what Baroness Scotland of Asthal comments would be in respect of the issues raised in my case? Some of her comments are debatable.

In respect of PCN's issued by local council's/ authorities, can anyone please confirm and provide links to further information in respect of: What exact details are requested by them from the DVLA to ascertain the details of the registered keeper of the vehicle that has been the subject of the traffic violation? ie is it just name and address or does it extend to include vehicle make, model, colour and VIN? What details are actually received by local authorities from DVLA? ie is it just name and address or does it extend to include vehicle make, model, colour and VIN? Are there any protocols/ financial agreements in place which allow local authorities to request this information and what the DVLA provides? Obviously, the Data Protection Act covers such information, but is there anything else? Does anyone have documentary evidence in respect of any of the above which they can post here please?

I'll trump you. Three Words Bye Bye Rangers.

I got fed up with the high cost of cartridge type razors which started of with one blade and suddenly had 5 blades and started vibrating and taking countless £'s out of my pocket every time I went to the supermarket. Consumerism gone mad and paying for high cost advertising. Switched to a double edged safety razor and save pounds. Bought a brush and use natural products which are more environmentally friendly, sometimes cheaper and can be lighter on he pocket. More importantly, it gives a far superior and improved shave, stops the possibility of ingrown hairs and is more relaxing than a cartridge razor. It makes shaving fun in this fast paced world. Electric razors. Don't get me started on them. I have several in drawers that never get used, never delivered on their promises and cost a fortune. If anyone wants suggestions or assistance, I am happy to oblige.

I discovered this sad news the other day. My sincere, belated condolences to his family, his many friends, everyone who worked with him on CAG and everyone who benefitted from his knowledge and humour here on CAG and in life elsewhere. An amazing person and a tragic loss. Very hard to comprehend when someone leaves so early in life, but he left a huge imprint and will be fondly remembered. Requiescat in Pace.

This was a brilliant win for a consumer involving harassment and a successful claim for damages for debts that did not exist. British Gas appealed and lost. Sets a precedent. LISA MARIA ANGELA FERGUSON v BRITISH GAS TRADING LTD http://www.solicitorsjournal.com/case-reports/lisa-maria-angela-ferguson-v-british-gas-trading-ltd

Link to the Audit Commission detailing published reports in respect of Harrow Borough Council. http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/?s=harrow&start=1&src= Contact details for The Audit Commission: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/about-us/contact-us/

If you think you might qualify, it is in your best interests to make an application asap. People approaching retirement age need to be particularly careful as they cannot apply for it after retirement age. If you receive it before retirement age, assuming you still qualify, it will continue to be paid after retirement.

Although I emailed my local CAB earlier today, I was passing it as I had to take my mother in law to a day care center. As I mentioned, she has dementia, so the activities provided socially make it a good day for her. So I popped in and discussed the issues and complaints in general fashion. I outlined my intention which was to use them to facilitate this being raised officially with The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and to make contact with the Harrow CAB. They will also have a caseload of cases similar to mine which my local CAB might be able to access outline details of, without breaching data protection. They will also be able to provide examples of inappropriate bailiff action within Harrow in respect of the kickback/ profit share contract. Harrow CAB were involved in recent discussions with Harrow Council in developing the following policy: Consultation process- note involvement of bailiff companies. http://harrow-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/corporate_debt_revovery_policy/corporate_debt_recovery_policy with these comments which is at odds with a profit/ kickback agreement with the profit motivated bailiffs who are actively encouraged to step up harassment of vulnerable people if they are to maintain profit levels, given that they now pay 8% of profit back to Harrow. (These guys running that Council do not have a clue) http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/council-advise-debt-collectors-chasing-6505878 leading to this policy being approved on 15/1/2014- a full 2 years after it was first discussed. Strange how it was not in effect prior to the profit share arrangement with bailiffs! Me thinks that pressure is being exerted on that Council, perhaps by the District Auditor, as mentioned above, by tomtubby. http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=60834 Agenda items approved: http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111962/Review%20of%20Corporate%20Debt%20Policy%20-%20Main%20Report.pdf http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111963/Appendix%20A%20-%202009%20Debt%20Managmt%20Overarching%20Policy.pdf http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111964/Appendix%20A%20to%20Corporate%20Debt%20Recovery%20Policy%20Enforcement%20Options.pdf http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111966/Appendix%20B%20to%20Corporate%20Debt%20Recovery%20Policy%20Enforcement%20Options.pdf http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111967/Appendix%20C%20-%20Corporate%20Debt%20Policy%20Consultation%20Booklet%20F1.pdf http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/documents/s111969/Appendix%20E%20-%20Review%20of%20the%20Corporate%20Debt%20Recovery%20Policy%20EqIA%20version%209%2015%201%2014.pdf

I have just finished a telephone conversation with The Local Government Ombudsman in respect of any possible complaints made to them by anyone else eg Bob Blackman or a local Harrow Councillor or anyone else in respect of the tender by Harrow Borough Council for the provision of tender services and their subsequent agreement of that contract and it's performance to date or any other issue related to it. She was unable to provide this information over the phone but agreed that the information would be provided if I submitted a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to them. I will now carefully consider the structure and wording of this FOI request to them. I also discussed my own case with her. I said that I would allow Harrow Borough to comply with it's own complaints procedure (which are still within timescale), before submitting a request to the LGO for my complaint to be investigated. Any decision made by the LGO can be founded upon in court, if I go down that road. I can also include within that complaint reference to the kickback/ profit share bailiff contract which Harrow entered into, as I was subject to "services" provided by that contract provided by Harrow. It can also be done separately, as a UK citizen, affected by the "service", although resident in Scotland. I cannot go to court and then seek action/ assistance or investigation by the LGO, obviously.