This week’s news from around the council

Weather warning issued

With a very high risk of freezing conditions and prolonged periods of fog across South Staffordshire in the coming days, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather.

The Met Office is warning that the West Midlands will experience cold weather from now until 9am on Monday (Jan 17).

Click here for more information

Council news

Codsall Community Hub update

Foyer handover

This week at Codsall Community Hub, Seddon has handed over the main foyer, so it is no longer a hard hat zone. This means people can now walk through the space to access office space and meeting rooms. Importantly, it means access to the Council Chamber is now from inside rather than needing to take the external paths.

Car parking

Please be aware that the car parking will be limited towards the end of January. Where the site cabins used to be located, this area is being levelled, tarmacked and line painted. As a result, the access road running to the new car park at the front of the building will be closed off for a few days. Please park at the back of the building and use footpaths to access the Wolverhampton Road entrance next to the library.

Russell House Surgery

The Codsall Community Hub is welcoming Russell House Surgery over the coming weeks. The surgery will be opening to patients on February 21. Letters are going out to all patients confirming the change of address.

Council job vacancies

Swimming Instructors – Codsall, Penkridge, Wombourne and Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centers. Open application deadline. Click here for application information  Biffa Class 2 Driver – Municipal Waste Collection. Click here for application information Covid-19 Support Officer – Open application deadline. Click here for application information  Planning Graduate/ Assistant  (full time) and part-time Technical Support Officer – 30 hrs per week, closing 5pm on January 18. Click here for application information  Solicitors  (planning and property) and Legal Services Team Manager – closing 5pm on January 27. Click here for application information   Street Scene Operative Level 5: Tree Surgeon – closing 5pm on February 4. Click here for application information

Covid update

Weekly Covid updates bulletin

New isolation regulations come into force from Monday, January 17. This will mean people with Covid-19 in England can end their self-isolation on their sixth day, as long as they test negative on day five and day six. For more information on the latest regulations, local walk-in vaccination centres, and testing, please sign up to our weekly Covid bulletin. Simply input your email address when prompted and select Covid Updates. Sign up here

Leisure News

Helping you to improve your Health and Fitness 

Walking football

The new 3G pitch development at Wombourne Leisure Centre is progressing well and on schedule to open before the spring. The leisure centre is excited to be able to increase more opportunities and make this new facility available to the local community in the near future. For updates, follow Wombourne Leisure Centre on their Facebook page.

Partnership updates

Nominate a Batonbearer for the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

You can now nominate a Batonbearer for the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay, until the closing deadline of February 14.

Simply describe how they are a figure of inspiration and how they take on challenges in the community.

They should be someone who meets one or more of the following:

• Always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story.
• Has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity.
• Is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best.
• Has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community

For more information, click here

Coronavirus pandemic: How have you been affected?

Healthwatch Staffordshire is urging residents to get in touch, so the group can better understand how the pandemic has affected them.

The group is looking for responses to two surveys: one on mental wellbeing, and another on hospital appointments and treatments delays or postponements.

The feedback is anonymous and is open to all Staffordshire residents.

See the links below for each survey:

• Mental wellbeing
• Hospital appointment / treatment delays or postponement

New year, new financial support to help your business grow

The pandemic has been really tough on most small and medium businesses – but there is cash ready and waiting to help you if you’re looking to dust yourself down and commit to rebuilding your business and grow. It’s time to thrive, not just survive. If you’re an eligible small business, now’s the time to stop crossing your fingers and get a grant of up to £5,000 from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business Scheme to help you to regroup and grow. Funding is on a first come first served basis, and has now been made available to businesses based across Staffordshire. For more information, click here

Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England that have been impacted by Omicron are now able to access grants of up to £6,000 as a one-off support payment. In addition, other businesses that have been affected, such as those that supply the hospitality and leisure sectors as well as personal care services, are also able to apply for grants. Find out if your business is eligible here.

Become a Care Reserve and make a difference today

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Health and Care People Hub is searching for people to join as Care Reserves during this crucial winter period and beyond.

They are seeking kind, compassionate people who can step in and support the NHS and social care teams at critical times. There will be opportunities to work across a range of settings.

No experience of care work is needed, as full training is provided. Applicants should be aged 18 or above, ideally with access to a car (although this is not essential). 

For more information and to apply, visit NHS Jobs for the application process or visit the campaign landing page.

Great Crested Newt Conservation Scheme expands across Staffordshire

NatureSpace is now offering developers across Staffordshire the opportunity to join an established scheme providing a quick, simple, and certain solution for meeting their legal obligations to great crested newts – whilst delivering real conservation benefits at the same time.

Great crested newts are a protected species in the UK but often come with a reputation for causing significant delays to development. NatureSpace runs a ‘district licensing’ scheme, legally authorised by Natural England, which removes risk and uncertainty for planners and developers and dramatically speeds up the licensing process.

For more information, click here