Karen Daker

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Council News 186

This week’s news from around the Council.

  • LEPs visit to i54 South Staffordshire

Work continues on the i54 South Staffordshire business park extension and Chairs of two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have been checking on progress. Find out why they view it as essential to their regions in this video.

  • Superfast Staffordshire

This month, Staffordshire County Council announced that it is adding funding to top up the funding available from the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which grants an extra £2,000 per premises with broadband speeds of less than 30mbps, taking the maximum support to £3,500 per resident and £5,500 per business. This scheme will run until March 2021 or until the funding becomes fully allocated.

Gigabit-capable broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available, and the Government is committed to a vision of a digitally connected Britain. Homes and businesses in rural areas of the UK may be eligible for funding towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband when part of a group scheme. Rural premises with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps can use vouchers worth £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small to medium-sized business (SME) to support the cost of installing new fast and reliable connections. Attached are frequently asked questions and for further information, email superfast@staffordshire.gov.uk or visit www.gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/Staffordshire. 

  • South Staffordshire Review Magazine

This week, the latest issue of the South Staffordshire Review Magazine started to be delivered to all households in district. This issue includes community news, information and advice about coronavirus and where you can get support if you need it, and planning and business news.

  • COVID-19 – new measures introduced this week

This week saw the introduction of new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down. Click here to view FAQs about what you can and can’t do.

  • From Monday 14 September in England, the Government introduced the rule of six. This means that people cannot meet socially in groups of more than six people. This applies in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub. It does not apply to schools and workplaces and COVID-Secure weddings and funerals are exempt as are organised team sports. The ban will be set out in law and will be enforced – for those that don’t comply there will be a £100 fine and fines will double on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
  • Hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants now need to legally record the contact details of a member of every party and record and retain these details for 21 days and provide them to NHS Test and Trace without delay when required. Fines will be issued against hospitality venues if they don’t do this and if they fail to ensure their premises remain COVID-Secure.
  • COVID-19 essential information
  • Wash hands, cover face, make space

Please remember the ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule. This means that where it is not possible for people to stay two metres apart, they should stay one metre apart and take additional measures to protect themselves such as wearing a face covering, increased use of hand sanitiser, sitting side by side rather than face to face, or meeting outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.

  • Face coverings – In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings – click here for more information. Please remember that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering so in settings where face coverings are required, there may be people who are not able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. The reasons for this may not be visible to others. Always #BeKind.
  • NHS test and trace – click here to find out more.

If you develop symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Do not wait. To get a test, you will need to apply online on www.gov.uk or call 119. Depending on how many days have passed since you started to develop symptoms, you will either take a home test or be tested at a test site. The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.

The NHS test and trace service is a vital tool and helps control the spread of coronavirus. In England, you will be contacted by the service if you test positive for COVID-19 and you will be asked where you’ve been recently and who you have been in close contact with. This will help the NHS contact anyone who may have caught the virus from you. All information you provide is confidential and no one who is contacted will be told your identity. Anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be told to stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.

Remember – the NHS test and trace service will not ask you for bank details or payments, ask for details of any social media accounts, ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone, or ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

  • National fitness day next week

Wednesday 23 September 2020 sees the return of National Fitness Day, which encourages the nation to celebrate the fun of fitness and physical activity across the UK. It’s a day when people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to celebrate the fun of fitness and the Council’s four leisure centres in Codsall, Cheslyn Hay, Penkridge and Wombourne will be joining in and helping celebrate the role that physical activity plays in the UK and encouraging people from all walks of life to celebrate fitness. This year’s theme is ‘Fitness Unites Us’ and the recent reopening of the leisure centres following the easing of lockdown restrictions means that now, more than ever before, we want to encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to be active.

Take part and be part of the conversation using the hashtags #Fitness2Me and #FitnessDay to tell us what fitness means to you.

www.facebook.com/NationalFitnessDay

www.nationalfitnessday.com

  • Leisure Centres update
  • Codsall Leisure Centre – The sports hall is reopening from Wednesday 23 September 2020. Bookings are being taken from today and you can view the new protocols in place on the Leisure website.
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre – Active Youth gym sessions started this week and will run every Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm for 13-16 year olds and cost £2 per session. Booking is essential and places are limited. The leisure centre is also restarting its Youth boxing fitness class on Mondays from 4.45pm to 5.30pm for 10-16 year olds. To book, call 01902 898202.
  • Staffordshire History Festival

The annual Staffordshire History Festival continues its two-month celebration of local history and cultural heritage in Staffordshire and beyond. This year’s festival is a virtual programme of informative posts, quizzes, videos, live online events, crafts and activities for children and families and information about how to participate is being posted on Staffordshire Libraries Facebook page during the festival. History days in October include:

  • The Staffordshire Hoard – Thursday 1 October 2020.
  • The Home Front and the 1940s house in the Second World War – Thursday 15 October 2020.
  • Staffordshire History, Heritage and Legends – Thursday 29 October 2020. 
  • Together we win!

Now more than ever, good causes in South Staffordshire need your support. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in our weekly Community Lottery and as well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000. To buy a lottery ticket, simply register on the website www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213777. The next super draw also takes place on 31 October 2020 so there’s a chance to win a family forest staycation voucher worth £500 too, redeemable with Forest Holidays.

Closing date – Friday 25 September.

Closing date – 25 September 2020.

Closing date – 5 October 2020.

Closing date – 9 October 2020.

  • Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
  • Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Tuesday 22 September 2020 – 6.30pm – virtual meeting on Teams.
  • Standards and Resources Committee – Thursday 24 September 2020 – 2.30pm – virtual meeting on Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams – links can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Council News 185

This week’s news from around the Council.

  • COVID-19 – new measures announced this week

This week, the Prime Minister announced new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of injections down. The full speech can be found here and the slides accompanying the presentation made by the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Chris Whitty, can be found here.

Click here to view FAQs on what you can and can’t do.

  • From Monday 14 September in England, the Government is introducing the rule of six. This means that people cannot meet socially in groups of more than six people. This applies in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub. It does not apply to schools and workplaces and COVID-Secure weddings and funerals are exempt as are organised team sports. The ban will be set out in law and will be enforced – for those that don’t comply there will be a £100 fine and fines will double on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
  • Hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants will need to legally record the contact details of a member of every party and record and retain these details for 21 days and provide them to NHS Test and Trace without delay when required. Fines will be issued against hospitality venues if they don’t do this and if they fail to ensure their premises remain COVID-Secure.
  • The Government will boost the enforcement capacity of local authorities by introducing COVID Secure Marshalls to help ensure social distancing in town and city centres.
  • The Prime Minister also announced an alternative plan based around mass testing. The current practice of using testing to identify people who are positive to allow for self-isolation and to protect the community and high-risk groups will continue to be a priority. Future testing will be based around using testing to identify people who are negative i.e. those who do not have COVID-19 and are not infectious This will allow people to behave in a more normal way, in the knowledge they cannot infect anyone else with the virus. New testing is being developed using swabs/saliva that can be processed between 20 and 90 minutes. This approach is being trialled and, if successful, will be rolled out nationally.
  • Community Hub news and information

Click here to read the latest update about the Community Hub in Codsall, which contains news about the start of construction work and a contractor hoarding line and vehicle movements plan.

 

  • World suicide prevention day

This week, World Suicide Prevention Day took place on Thursday. Every year, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, it’s important to tell someone. Help and support is available and you do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

Samaritans – for everyone                                                            Call 116 123

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men                 Call 0800 58 58 58

Papyrus – for people under 35                                                      Call 0800 068 41 41

Childline – for children and young people under 19                     Call 0800 1111

www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/

Locally, we are all working together to help prevent suicide and Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, local hospitals and NHS community services have developed a #TalkSuicide prevention campaign. Click here to find out more.

  • Leisure Centres update 
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre – Swimming pool access has been increased by opening up family bubble swims to non-members and by increasing lane capacities to three swimmers per lane. The sports hall has also opened to clubs this week and the leisure centre plans to open up for general badminton bookings from Monday 14 September.
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – The sports hall is now open to clubs and the leisure centre is planning to open up for general badminton very soon. Unfortunately, the air handling system for the swimming pool has broken and it is anticipated that replacement parts will arrive at the beginning of October. It is hoped that members will be able to access swimming by the middle of October.  The roller-skating club is planning to return shortly and the badminton mash-up session restarted on Wednesdays, 7pm to 9pm, but is limited to a maximum of 12 players.
  • Penkridge Leisure Centre – The Toning Suite opened last week and the leisure centre is planning to reopen the sports hall later this month. Work on the replacement of the roof of the swimming pool has been delayed and will start in mid-September, taking around four to six weeks, so it is hoped to reopen the swimming pool mid to late October.
  • Codsall Leisure Centre – Staff training is continuing over the weekend and the leisure centre is opening their swimming pool to adult members from Monday 14 September. It’s planned to reopen the sports hall at the end of September, initially to clubs and then to members, and the leisure centre hopes to resume outdoor netball in the next couple of weeks.
  • New children’s play area helps boost income

This year, car parking ticket sales at Baggeridge Country Park were up by nearly 4,000 visits and income increased by over £10,000 in comparison to figures in Summer 2019. The park has attracted visitors throughout the coronavirus pandemic and a new outdoor children’s play area which opened at the beginning of August has proved a huge success. Click here for more information on this great new facility, which was created and installed by leading playground equipment supplier, KOMPAN.

  • Challenge Academy shortlisted for award

Challenge Academy, the outdoor adventure experience based at Baggeridge Country Park, has been shortlisted in this year’s Midlands Enterprise Awards, in the ‘Best Outdoor Leisure Attraction – West Midlands’ category. The winners will be announced on Monday 19 October 2020. For more information about Challenge Academy visit www.challengeacademy.co.uk.

  • Staffordshire History Festival

The annual Staffordshire History Festival, a two-month celebration of local history and cultural heritage in Staffordshire and beyond, is taking place online during September and October 2020. This year’s festival is a virtual programme of informative posts, quizzes, videos, live online events, crafts and activities for children and families and information about how to participate will be posted on Staffordshire Libraries Facebook page during the festival. Click here to follow on Facebook.

There will be focused history days too on Thursdays in September and October including:

  • The Battle of Britain, for the 80th anniversary – Thursday 17 September 2020.
  • The Staffordshire Hoard – Thursday 1 October 2020.
  • The Home Front and the 1940s house in the Second World War – Thursday 15 October 2020.
  • Staffordshire History, Heritage and Legends – Thursday 29 October 2020.
  • COVID-19 essential information
  • Wash hands, cover face, make space

Please remember the ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule. This means that where it is not possible for people to stay two metres apart, they should stay one metre apart and take additional measures to protect themselves such as wearing a face covering, increased use of hand sanitiser, sitting side by side rather than face to face, or meeting outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.

  • Face coverings – In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings – click here for more information. Please remember that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering so in settings where face coverings are required, there may be people who are not able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. The reasons for this may not be visible to others. Always #BeKind.
  • NHS test and trace – click here to find out more.

If you develop symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Do not wait. To get a test, you will need to apply online on www.gov.uk or call 119. Depending on how many days have passed since you started to develop symptoms, you will either take a home test or be tested at a test site. The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.

The NHS test and trace service is a vital tool and helps control the spread of coronavirus. In England, you will be contacted by the service if you test positive for COVID-19 and you will be asked where you’ve been recently and who you have been in close contact with. This will help the NHS contact anyone who may have caught the virus from you. All information you provide is confidential and no one who is contacted will be told your identity. Anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be told to stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.

Remember – the NHS test and trace service will not ask you for bank details or payments, ask for details of any social media accounts, ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone, or ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

  • Funding still available – Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund

It’s never too early to prepare for winter and South Staffordshire Council is urging residents to register for the Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund that could save them money on their heating bills. The funding scheme is aimed at residents who are struggling with their heating bills and using expensive electric heaters and open fires. Ten households in South Staffordshire have already benefited from the scheme, which allows residents to switch to gas central heating and funds first time gas connections and the installation of central heating and radiators. Click here for more information or visit www.staffordshirewarmerhomes.co.uk.

  • Next week’s Council Committee meetings
  • Cabinet – Tuesday 15 September 2020 – 2pm – virtual meeting on TEAMS.
  • Planning Committee – Tuesday 15 September 2020 – 6.30pm – virtual meeting on TEAMS.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams – links can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

  • Council job vacancies
  • Solicitor – click here for more information. – Closing date – Friday 25 September 2020.
  • Enterprise Manager – click here for more information.  Closing date 5 October 2020.
  • Win a family forest staycation

Good causes in South Staffordshire need your support and the South Staffordshire Community Lottery is raising funds to help the district recover from the impact of COVID-19. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in this weekly Community Lottery and 60p from every £1 ticket will support local good causes and charities. As well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000. Our next super draw on 31 October 2020 is coming soon and the prize is a family forest staycation voucher worth £500, redeemable with Forest Holidays. To buy a lottery ticket, simply register on the website www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213777.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Council News 184

This week’s news from around the Council.

  • Staffordshire History Festival

September sees the start of the annual Staffordshire History Festival, a two-month celebration of local history and cultural heritage in Staffordshire and beyond. This year’s festival is taking place online and a virtual programme of informative posts, quizzes, videos, live online events, crafts and activities for children and families will be posted on Facebook during the festival.

There will be four focused history days too on Thursdays in September and October including:

  • The Battle of Britain, for the 80th anniversary – Thursday 17 September 2020.
  • The Staffordshire Hoard – Thursday 1 October 2020.
  • The Home Front and the 1940s house in the Second World War – Thursday 15 October 2020.
  • Staffordshire History, Heritage and Legends – Thursday 29 October 2020.

Click here to follow on Facebook.

  • Helping people back into employment webinar

If you need help to get back into work, take part in our free online webinar on Friday 11 September 2020 from 10.30am to midday and find out what support is available from South Staffs Work Clubs. Click here to register.  

  • Online behaviour workshops

Click here for the latest information regarding online behaviour workshops in September in South Staffordshire run by the Family Support Service by SCTSP (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project) in partnership with Staffordshire County Council.

  • Video showcases new play area

The new outdoor play area at Baggeridge Country Park is proving a huge success with youngsters. Take a look at the new facilities by watching a short video created by the park and leading playground equipment supplier KOMPAN – click here to view.

  • Leisure centre update
  • Schools returned this week and the Council’s four leisure centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne have adjusted their classes/timetables and classes have now returned to their normal studios. This has resulted in class capacities being slightly reduced.
  • After the successful re-opening of the swimming pool at Wombourne Leisure Centre, the swimming programme has increased to introduce additional evening swims and family swims. Staff have all undergone training and this will be rolled out to more staff. We hope to reopen the swimming pools in the other Leisure Centres over the coming weeks and months as more staff undergo training and once refurbishment and maintenance work is completed at the swimming pools at Cheslyn Hay and Penkridge Leisure Centres.
  • We hope that swimming lessons will return at the end of September and it would be appreciated if all Swim Academy members would complete a short survey to help us prepare for your return – click here for the survey. 
  • Please support the Teenage Cancer Trust

Many of you may know Sam Paign, who is one of the class instructors at Wombourne Leisure Centre. Sam and other members from the Black Country Triathletes will be taking part in Outlaw X, a 70.3 mile triathlon on Sunday 27 September 2020 to raise funds for the Teenager Cancer Trust. The charity is a cause close to Sam’s heart because last November his son, Morgan, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Morgan is now in the maintenance phase of his treatment, which all being well will last until April 2023. Good luck Sam, Claire, Carolyn, Louise and Matt in the triathlon. They would very much appreciate the support of donations for this event so if you would like to donate, click here.

  • Win a family forest staycation

Good causes in South Staffordshire need your support and the South Staffordshire Community Lottery is raising funds to help the district recover from the impact of COVID-19. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in this weekly Community Lottery and 60p from every £1 ticket will support local good causes and charities. As well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000. And this week, the prize for the next super draw in October has been revealed! Buy a lottery ticket and you could win a family forest staycation voucher redeemable with Forest Holidays. This amazing prize is worth £500 and the draw takes place on Saturday 31 October 2020 at 8pm. To buy a lottery ticket, simply register on the website www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213777. 

  • COVID-19 essential information
  • Wash hands, cover face, make space

Please remember the ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule. This means that where it is not possible for people to stay two metres apart, they should stay one metre apart and take additional measures to protect themselves such as wearing a face covering, increased use of hand sanitiser, sitting side by side rather than face to face, or meeting outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.

  • Face coverings – In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings – click here for more information. Please remember that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering so in settings where face coverings are required, there may be people who are not able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. The reasons for this may not be visible to others. Always #BeKind.
  • NHS test and trace – click here to find out more.

If you develop symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Do not wait. To get a test, you will need to apply online on www.gov.uk or call 119. Depending on how many days have passed since you started to develop symptoms, you will either take a home test or be tested at a test site. The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.

The NHS test and trace service is a vital tool and helps control the spread of coronavirus. In England, you will be contacted by the service if you test positive for COVID-19 and you will be asked where you’ve been recently and who you have been in close contact with. This will help the NHS contact anyone who may have caught the virus from you. All information you provide is confidential and no one who is contacted will be told your identity. Anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be told to stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.

Remember – the NHS test and trace service will not ask you for bank details or payments, ask for details of any social media accounts, ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone, or ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

  • Coronavirus support and advice for businesses
  • Workplace action cards are now available from Public Health England, which provide instructions to anyone responsible for a business or organisation on what to do in the event of one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in your organisation. Click here for more information.

These quick reference guides provide key steps to help you quickly identify, report and respond to any potential COVID-19 outbreak within your local community. The action cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

The range of action cards includes:

  • Small and large gathering action cards for entertainment and holiday resorts, places of worship and tourist attractions.
  • Residential workplace action cards for campsites and caravan parks, domestic abuse refuges, homelessness accommodation, and hotels and other guest accommodation.
  • Workplace action cards – including, but not limited to, arts venues, cinemas, food and drink establishments, food processing, construction and outdoor work, shops, and hair and beauty.

NEW – This week, a second tranche of action cards was released for the following settings:

  • Education action cards for early years, primary, secondary and special schools, alternative provision for schools, residential settings in education, further education and higher education.
  • Commercial workplace action cards for contact centres, offices and operations rooms.
  • Industrial workplace action cards for working in factories, plants, warehouses and waste management and storage sites and laboratory and research facilities.
  • Food and drink action cards for food delivery, food to go and mobile catering, food truck, kiosks, stands and open-air markets, and food contract catering.
  • Institutional action cards for approved premises, armed forces and defence, detention and immigration removal centres and youth detention centres.
  • Small and large gathering action cards for business event venues, community activities and other hobby clubs, children’s community activities, holiday clubs, after school clubs, tuition and other out of school provision for children, libraries, grassroots sports, gyms/leisure facilities, and sports grounds and venues.
  • Travel action cards for airports, seaports, stations and terminals, harbours and marinas, ships, ferries, aircrafts and other vessels, taxis and hire cars, trains, trams, tubes, buses and coaches.
  • Pavement licence guidance

Pubs, bars and restaurants can now apply for a temporary licence to place tables and chairs on the highway to extend their outdoor space. The licences are being introduced to help businesses with social distancing. For more information, visit: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/licensing/pavement-licence.cfm

  • Funding still available – Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund

It’s never too early to prepare for winter and South Staffordshire Council is urging residents to register for the Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund that could save them money on their heating bills. The funding scheme is aimed at residents who are struggling with their heating bills and using expensive electric heaters and open fires. Ten households in South Staffordshire have already benefited from the scheme, which allows residents to switch to gas central heating and funds first time gas connections and the installation of central heating and radiators. Click here for more information or visit www.staffordshirewarmerhomes.co.uk.

  • Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
  • Full Council – Tuesday 8 September – 7pm – virtual meeting via Teams.
  • Asset Scrutiny Panel – Wednesday 9 September – 2pm – virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend both meetings via Microsoft Teams – links can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

 

Council News 183

This week’s news from around the Council.

  • Super bin crew to the rescue

Not all heroes wear capes… some wear hi vis tops! Three of our bin collection crew – Andy, Rhys and Malcolm (click here to view) – came to the rescue when a man took a fall outside of his property in Coven last week. All crew members immediately exited the bin truck to go and assist Mr Francis. They helped lift him up and took him back inside to his armchair. The crew then administered basic first aid, made cups of sugary tea, and sat and waited until paramedics arrived. Mr and Mrs Francis have since been in touch to pass on their thanks for the support on that day. The team at South Staffordshire Council and Biffa Municipal Ltd would like to send their well wishes to Mr Francis for a speedy recovery. 

  • Helping people back into employment webinar

If you need help to get back into work, take part in a free online webinar on Friday 11 September 2020 from 10.30am to midday and find out what support is available from South Staffs Work Clubs. Click here to register.

  • Benefits calculators

If you’re unsure what benefits you’re entitled to, you can use an independent calculator to find out what benefits you could get, how to claim and how your benefits will be affected if you start work. These are free to use and anonymous.

www.entitledto.co.uk

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

www.betteroffcalculator.co.uk/free

Click here to find out more.

  • Support Staffordshire update
  • Click here for more information about the online training Support Staffordshire has been delivering on behalf of Staffordshire County Council.
  • Members of the South Staffordshire End of Life Care Alliance have also reflected on the impact of coronavirus on the community and bereavement. For more information and to find out how to help and become involved, click here.
  • Guide to reopening village and community halls – click here to view.
  • Guide to community transport – click here to view.

 

  • Community safety – call for vigilance

Staffordshire Police is calling on people to stay vigilant following a rise in catalytic converter thefts across the county. The warning comes as intelligence shows many of these crimes take place in broad daylight and in full view of members of the public. Click here to find out more.

For further security advice, please visit www.staffordshire.police.uk. To report a crime or suspicious behaviour, call 101, or send a direct message to Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • COVID-19 update

For the latest advice and information, please visit:

www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.sstaffs.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

  • Wash hands, cover face, make space

We’re approaching the last bank holiday of the year so please enjoy the long weekend but remember the ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule. This means that where it is not possible for people to stay two metres apart, they should stay one metre apart and take additional measures to protect themselves such as wearing a face covering, increased use of hand sanitiser, sitting side by side rather than face to face, or meeting outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.

  • Face coverings – In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings – click here for more information. Please remember that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering so in settings where face coverings are required, there may be people who are not able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. The reasons for this may not be visible to others. Always #BeKind.
  • Local Outbreak Control Plan – Staffordshire County Council has plans in place to swiftly identify, contain and stop any local outbreaks across the county. The County Council will work with Public Health England, the NHS and District and Borough Councils to manage any outbreaks. Click here to view.

 Local outbreaks have been linked to the Silverdale Working Men’s Club from 16 to 21 August 2020, and the Bush Pub and The Vine in Silverdale and the George and Dragon in Newcastle between 20 and 22 August 2020. People who visited these premises on these dates are advised to get tested, even if they don’t have symptoms. Click here for more information. To book an appointment to get tested, visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus 

  • NHS test and trace – click here to find out more.

If you develop symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Do not wait. To get a test, you will need to apply online on www.gov.uk or call 119. Depending on how many days have passed since you started to develop symptoms, you will either take a home test or be tested at a test site. The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.

The NHS test and trace service is a vital tool and helps control the spread of coronavirus. In England, you will be contacted by the service if you test positive for COVID-19 and you will be asked where you’ve been recently and who you have been in close contact with. This will help the NHS contact anyone who may have caught the virus from you. All information you provide is confidential and no one who is contacted will be told your identity. Anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be told to stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.

Remember – the NHS test and trace service will not ask you for bank details or payments, ask for details of any social media accounts, ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone, or ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

  • COVID-19 survey – Live in Staffordshire? Complete this COVID-19 survey to share your thoughts on what the county council’s proprieties should be. Click here to complete the survey. Closing date is Sunday 13 September 2020.
  • Coronavirus support and advice for businesses 
  • Small business grants and discretionary grants

Applications have now closed to local businesses wishing to access small business or discretionary grants. The schemes were set up at the beginning of April to compensate local firms and businesses for losses incurred due to COVID-19 and to date over 1,500 local businesses have received grants through the small business scheme. More than 100 who did not qualify under the initial scheme have applied for discretionary grants.

This work has involved an immense cross team effort and numerous teams and individuals across the Council have been involved in this project. Feedback from recipients has been extremely positive and more than 100 businesses have taken the time to express their thanks to the teams administering the grants.

  • Workplace action cards are now available from Public Health England, which provide instructions to anyone responsible for a business or organisation on what to do in the event of one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in your organisation. Click here for more information

These quick reference guides provide key steps to help you quickly identify, report and respond to any potential COVID-19 outbreak within your local community. The action cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

The range of action cards includes:

  • Small and large gathering action cards for entertainment and holiday resorts, places of worship and tourist attractions – click here.
  • Residential workplace action cards for campsites and caravan parks, domestic abuse refuges, homelessness accommodation, and hotels and other guest accommodation – click here.
  • Workplace action cards – including, but not limited to, arts venues, cinemas, food and drink establishments, food processing, construction and outdoor work, shops, and hair and beauty – click here.

 

  • Pavement licence guidance

Pubs, bars and restaurants can now apply for a temporary licence to place tables and chairs on the highway to extend their outdoor space. The licences are being introduced to help businesses with social distancing. For more information, visit: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/licensing/pavement-licence.cfm

  • Funding still available – Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund

It’s never too early to prepare for winter and South Staffordshire Council is urging residents to register for the Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund that could save them money on their heating bills. The funding scheme is aimed at residents who are struggling with their heating bills and using expensive electric heaters and open fires. Ten households in South Staffordshire have already benefited from the scheme, which allows residents to switch to gas central heating and funds first time gas connections and the installation of central heating and radiators. Click here for more information or visit www.staffordshirewarmerhomes.co.uk. 

  • Super Draw for Community Lottery this Saturday

Good causes in South Staffordshire need your support and the South Staffordshire Community Lottery is raising funds to help the district recover from the impact of COVID-19. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in this weekly Community Lottery and 60p from every £1 ticket will support local good causes and charities. As well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000.

And this Saturday there’s a super draw with five £100 B&Q vouchers to be won! The draw will take place on Saturday 29 August 2020 at 8pm and to be in with the chance of winning, buy your lottery tickets before this date. Simply register on the website www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213777.

  • Council Committee/Panel meetings

Next week, there are no scheduled meetings.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

What LSWA PC has achieved

Since May 2019 LSWA PC has achieved and implemented the following:

  • Renovated Lapley Green.
  • Began the process to add Lapley Green to the Register of Village Greens, including considering what activities should and should not be permitted. A meeting with the legal team at SCC has been postponed due to Covid-19 and will highlight what can/can’t be permitted so this can be fed back to residents for a fully informed decision.
  • Renovated the phone box at Lapley Green and turned it in to a defibrillator house
  • Installed six defibrillators in the parish and working with St Marys First school to install a seventh.
  • Created a great working partnership with the Community First Responders.
  • Working closely with St Marys First School and the Church to enable the annual Christmas Event.
  • Strengthened links with St Marys First School and already engaging with how we can make a virtual Christmas event work so that the children don’t miss out this year.
  • Working hard to find alternative ways to hold the Christmas
  • Christmas event this year and support all of the community groups to still raise funds with online raffles and tombola.
  • Installed a commemorative VE75 bench at Lapley Green, two more or on order to replace benches at Stretton and Marston Field.
  • Replaced the play sand and bark at Marston Field.
  • Replaced wooden framing on the play equipment bases.
  • Carried out any repairs required at the play areas.
  • Completed a two-year schedule of tree works highlighted in the latest survey and are committed to another survey being carried out this year. We are paying particular attention to the wonderful Oak at Primrose and intend to keep it as healthy as we can for as long as we can.
  • Held regular PC/PCSO surgeries before the full PC meeting for people to attend and raise any concerns. These haven’t been well attended but served a great purpose when we needed a forum to work with the WASP group around the Christmas period.
  • We secured a reduce cost for Ring door bells, there wasn’t enough of a demand so we applied for Smart Water instead
  • Rolled out Smart Water in the parish and installed signage to advise.
  • Responded to the Covid-19 crisis effectively and implemented any polices required swiftly to enable the continuation of work and meetings.
  • Due to construct a ‘board walk’ at Marston Field copse to make it more accessible
  • Applied under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 14 to the Secretary of State for a direction requiring the authority to determine the application to add Birkenshaw Lane to the Definitive Map.
  • Lobbied issues with the A5.
  • Arranged for a new MPAN to be added for the CCTV and defibrillator at Lapley.
  • In the process of creating a map of walks of the parish to be installed at the green in Wheaton Aston after a request to help provide more dog walks.
  • Installed SID posts.
  • Brought a moveable SID (speed indicator device)
  • Developed a close working relationship with the local Community Speedwatch Team.
  • Had work used as an example by SSC for other parishes to use as guidance.
  • Implemented a climate and biodiversity policy (possibly we are the first PC locally to do this) We have considered what we can do as a PC.
  • Installed bird and bug boxes at the play areas – some of which were vandalised within days.
  • Purchased tablets for the councillors to use so we don’t have a need to print meeting papers for meetings and information for councillors, to aid our climate change policy.
  • Began (and hope to continue) writing articles for the News and Views on how residents can make small changes with big impacts on climate change.
  • Ensured that the PC business can continue in the long term absence due to sickness absence of the Clerk and Assistant Clerk
  • Liaised with an SCC and part funded work to be carried out along the highway outside Lapley Cemetery to make it more accessible.
  • Assisted Support Staffordshire with volunteer groups.
  • Agreed to part fund and aid Support Staffordshire to hold a thank you celebration for the volunteers in the parish.
  • Made donations to voluntary groups such as Community First Responders, local car scheme, Monday lunch club at the village hall.
  • Agreed to support SCC in a new project to support volunteers by acting as a mutual contact point for both parties.
  • Taken over the maintenance of the WA village green and the land at Primrose Close owned by SSC.
  • Made a planter for Stretton and replaced broken ones in Lapley.
  • Installed signs so people are aware we have defibrillators in the parish.
  • Secured funding to reduce the cost of the smart water for parishioners.
  • Installed new notice boards at Lapley and Stretton, we hope to have a new one for Wheaton Aston by the end of the year.
  • Assisted the police with ASB issues.
  • Installed new estate fencing at Marston field.
  • Heard concerns that people felt worried to use the dog walk due to ASB.
  • Completed a DPIA and installed CCTV at Marston field which has reduced ASB.
  • Chased and reported numerous highways issues to Staffordshire County Council.
  • Liaised with St Mary’s church to hire the church to offer wellbeing sessions.
  • Welcomed and supported training of 5 new councillors.
  • Worked closely with the church and school to hold a community Christmas event
  • We are considering the future of Broadholes Lane as the area is under used.
  • In the process of developing a new website to meet accessibility requirements.
  • Implemented numerous policies to improve services.
  • Currently investigating a request for a MUGA. A discussion with St Marys School has been opened about using facilities on their site.
  • Working with St Marys School and other local business and the Woodland Trust to plant a tree for every child at St Marys on school grounds.

Council News 182

This week’s news from around the Council. 

  • More facilities reopening at the Leisure Centres

The Council’s four Leisure Centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne are now well into phase 2 of their reopening plans.

  • Wombourne Leisure Centre reopened its Toning Suite on Monday 17 August and this facility has run very smoothly so far.
  • The 3G pitches at Cheslyn Hay, Codsall and Penkridge Leisure Centres also reopened this week and everything is working well. 
  • Swimming update
  • Last Monday, Wombourne Swimming Club began trial sessions in the pool at Wombourne Leisure Centre. This has been successful and the swimming pool will now reopen to adult members only from next Monday. Initially, the swimming programme will offer daytime swimming only, with evening swimming planned to be introduced in September.
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre is opening its swimming pool on Monday to Chase and Phoenix Swimming Clubs. If everything goes smoothly, then the leisure centre plans to reopen their pool to adult members at the beginning of September.
  • The swimming pools at Codsall and Penkridge Leisure Centres will reopen in the weeks that follow.

Work is underway finalising swimming lesson operations and timetabling. All Swim Academy members will be contacted shorty to confirm changes to swimming times and procedures and the leisure centres hope to begin swimming lessons in October.

  • COVID-19 update
  • Latest figures

In South Staffordshire, the incidence of COVID-19 remains low with the seven day rate at 0.9 per 100,000 people. Currently, there are no outbreaks in high risk settings in the district that the Environmental Health team needs to investigate. The team is continuing to undertake monitoring of many types of business including pubs, restaurants, hotels and car boot sales to ensure compliance with national guidance on hygiene and social distancing. If you have any concerns relating to non-compliance, please email env.commercial@sstaffs.gov.uk.

  • Wash hands, cover face, make space

Remember the ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule. This means that where it is not possible for people to stay two metres apart, they should stay one metre apart and take additional measures to protect themselves such as wearing a face covering, increased use of hand sanitiser, sitting side by side rather than face to face, or meeting outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.

  • Face coverings – In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings –  Click here for more information on face coverings. Please remember that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering so in settings where face coverings are required, there may be people who are not able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. The reasons for this may not be visible to others. Always #BeKind.
  • Eat out to help out – If you dine out from Monday to Wednesday in August you can get 50% off the price of meals, up to the value of £10 discount a head. There is no minimum spend and the discount cannot be claimed on alcoholic drinks or service charges. Available at participating restaurants only.  Click here to find out more about Eat out to Help out.
  • Local Outbreak Control Plan – Staffordshire County Council has plans in place to swiftly identify, contain and stop any local outbreaks across the county. The County Council will work with Public Health England, the NHS and District and Borough Councils to manage any outbreaks. Click here to view the County Council Outbreak Control Plan  
  • COVID-19 survey – Live in Staffordshire? Complete this COVID-19 survey to share your thoughts on what the county council’s proprieties should be. Click here to complete the covid-19 survey. Closing date is Sunday 13 September 2020.
  • Funding still available – Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund

It’s never too early to prepare for winter and South Staffordshire Council is urging residents to register for the Staffordshire Warm Homes Fund that could save them money on their heating bills. The funding scheme is aimed at residents who are struggling with their heating bills and using expensive electric heaters and open fires. Ten households in South Staffordshire have already benefited from the scheme, which allows residents to switch to gas central heating and funds first time gas connections and the installation of central heating and radiators. Visit  the warmer homes website for more details.  

  • Annual Canvass

Every year, the Council is required to undertake an annual canvass of all households in the district between July and November to confirm that the details we have on the electoral register are correct. This month you will receive a canvass form from the Council through the post containing details of all the people in the household who are currently registered to vote.

The government has made some changes to the canvass this year and now you only have to respond if:

  • You’re told to do so.
  • You need to make any changes or additions to the information provided on the form.

You must read your letter carefully to check whether you need to respond or not. If you need to make any changes then it is a legal requirement to let us know. Please respond quickly when you receive your form as it saves you time and the council money as canvassers will have to visit any properties where a form has not been returned. Click here for more information about the Annual Canvass.

  • Super Draw for Community Lottery

Good causes in South Staffordshire need your support and the South Staffordshire Community Lottery is raising funds to help the district recover from the impact of COVID-19. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in this weekly Community Lottery and 60p from every £1 ticket will support local good causes and charities. As well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000.

And this August there’s a super draw with five £100 B&Q vouchers to be won! This draw will take place on Saturday 29 August 2020 at 8pm. To be in with the chance of winning, buy your lottery tickets before this date. Simply register on the Staffs Lottery website or telephone 01902 213777.

  • Council Committee/Panel meetings

There are no meetings next week.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

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