Jess Shulman
Posts by Jess Shulman:
Council News 196
This week’s news from around the Council.
- COVID-19 update
There have been lots of announcements this week about recent and upcoming changes including:
- The COVID-19 Winter Plan.
- New tiers from Wednesday 2 December 2020.
- UK-wide Christmas arrangements from 23-27 December 2020.
Find out more about these announcements here.
- The COVID-19 Winter Plan
This week, the Government published its plan for managing COVID-19 through the winter, setting out its programme for suppressing the virus, protecting the NHS and the vulnerable, keeping education and the economy going and providing a route back to normality. Scientific advances such as vaccines are at the centre of the Government’s plan to ensure life can return to as normal as possible and reduce the need for economic and social restrictions in the spring. Until then, the Government must continue to use other tools to suppress the virus and the plan sets out the Government’s approach to lifting national restrictions on Wednesday 2 December, when England will move back into a regional, tiered approach.
Regardless of tier, across all of England:
- The stay at home requirement will end, with travel being permitted again subject to guidance in each tier.
- Shops, personal care services, gyms and the wider leisure sector will reopen.
- Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume.
- People will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public spaces – the rule of six will now apply outdoors as it did in the previous set of tiers.
- New tiers from Wednesday 2 December 2020
On Thursday, new tiers were announced and it was confirmed that Staffordshire will be placed in Tier 3 COVID-19 Very High Alert Level when the four-week national restrictions lockdown in England end on Wednesday 2 December 2020. Read a response from Staffordshire County Council here.
Postcode checker – find out the coronavirus restrictions in your local area.
The Tier 3 Very High Alert measures include restrictions on where households can meet up.
- You can’t mix socially with other households indoors unless part of your support bubble.
- The rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces so you can meet in a group of up to six people in public parks but not in private gardens.
- Hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants must remain closed but they are permitted to continue sales by delivery or takeaway.
- Gyms and non-essential shops may reopen.
- People are advised to work from home if they can and avoid non-essential travel in and out of the area. Overnight stays are not allowed outside the area.
- Wedding receptions are banned.
Tier allocations will be reviewed by Wednesday 16 December 2020.
Until Wednesday 2 December 2020, national restrictions continue to apply and information about the lockdown measures can be found here.
Remember – you may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.
- For work which cannot be done from home.
- For education.
- For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble.
- For medical reasons.
- To shop for food and essentials.
- To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.
You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. However, individuals may meet one other person from another household outside in an outdoor public place such as a park or playground. Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful but people are not being asked to resume shielding (guidance for clinically vulnerable) and children can move between homes if their parents are separated.
Although the rate is starting to fall in South Staffordshire, there is still more that needs to be done to get the rate levels lower. Please stay at home and protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s important that if you have symptoms you self-isolate and get tested. Staffordshire is one of 66 local authorities taking part in the roll out of rapid COVID testing for people without symptoms and testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district. Please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.
- UK-wide Christmas arrangements from 23-27 December 2020
Over Christmas, the Government is changing some social contact restrictions for a short period of time between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December 2020. You will be able to form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households so you can spend time with others over the Christmas period, while limiting the risk of spreading infection. Read more about how to make a Christmas bubble with friends and family here.
Please keep the festive period as safe as possible and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This includes ensuring indoor spaces get as much fresh air as possible during a visit and after any visitors have left, washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds, keep socially distanced from anybody you do not live with as much as possible, and by following the rules on self-isolation if you develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.
- Extra support this winter
Early in November, the Government announced a package of financial support for those in need over the winter period. Children and families will get extra support this winter, with councils given new funding to ensure vulnerable households do not go hungry or without essential items. Find out more about the package of financial support here.
This includes:
- A £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme to support children, families and the most vulnerable over winter.
- Expansion of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, covering Easter, Summer and Christmas in 2021.
- A rise in Healthy Start payments from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021.
- A suite of measures to help tackle poor health, hunger and education.
The new £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme will be available in early December and will be run by county councils and unitary authorities, covering the period until the end of March 2021. The grant will be used to support those most in need across England with the cost of food, energy (heating, cooking, lighting) and water bills and essentials. South Staffordshire Council will be working closely with Staffordshire County Council to provide support to residents and ensure the funding meets its objectives. Find out more about the COVID Winter Grant Scheme here.
- Other useful COVID-19 links
- Information about face coverings.
- Information about meeting others safely.
- Information about what you can and can’t do.
- Information about NHS test and trace.
- Information about the NHS COVID-19 app.
- COVID-19 Support Officers
COVID-19 Support Officers are now out and about in the district and focusing on high risk areas, including around schools, to ensure local villages within South Staffordshire are COVID-secure. Whilst they themselves do not have any enforcement powers, they will be helping to remind people and businesses about the importance of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and the need to wear face coverings, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and to maintain a safe social distance. These measures are vital to ensure people feel safe and to slow the spread of coronavirus in the district.
- COVID-19 business update
During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops have had to close. Understandably, many businesses are concerned about this second national lockdown. If your business has been required to close or has been severely impacted by the new restrictions in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020 you will be able to apply for a new grant scheme to assist businesses financially.
The grants are now live and are known as the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant and the Local Restrictions Support Grant. Eligible businesses can apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) at this website – https://www.grantapproval.co.uk/
More information is available on the Council website here.
National guidance:
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant here.
Find out more about the financial help for businesses during COVID-19 here.
If you wish to subscribe to direct emails from the Council regarding business advice and support, please email your name, business trading name and phone number to [email protected]
For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:
www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at
https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount
- Business webinar coming up
In partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, South Staffordshire Council is holding a free business webinar on Zoom in December.
- Funding – What is new and how can you access it? Click here to register.
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
- NHS test and trace support payments
Applications for NHS Test and Trace support payments are open. People who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self- isolate who on low incomes and unable to work from home can claim a support payment of £500 to compensate for their loss of earnings if they meet certain criteria. Local authorities are administering the payments for self-isolation and residents in South Staffordshire are now able to submit an application for this support and the application form is now live.
- Leisure Services
- Leisure Centres to reopen
Following this week’s announcement from the Government, we are pleased to be able to reopen the swimming pools and gyms at the Council’s Leisure Centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne on Wednesday 2 December 2020. More details will be available shortly on the leisure website and the leisure centres’ Facebook pages. You can also sign up to receive regular e-bulletins to help stay up to date with the latest news in leisure.
- Online exercise classes – book your free trial
Our new online exercise classes are proving popular with members. You can access our live exercise classes here and non-members can enjoy a free trial and receive their first class free. Find out more about our online classes here.
- Baggeridge County Park – Both the park and play area remain open. However, a number of restrictions have been introduced. Please only visit the park on your own, with the people you live with or in your support bubble, or one person from another household. The car park is open but restricted to 100 cars at any one time and normal car parking charges apply. The children’s play area is open but restricted to 30 people at any one time. Play is limited to 30 minutes during busy times. Adults are encouraged to use the Test and Trace QR Code scanning and to wear a face mask when in the play area with their children. The tea shop is open (takeaway service only) and the toilets are open. Challenge Academy is closed.
- Help Us, Help You – Accessing NHS Services
COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services and the NHS is here for your mental health, even during the pandemic. Services have remained open and you can still access care and professional advice for your mental health.
- COVID-19 and lockdown have impacted our mental health. You are not alone. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, NHS Talking Therapies can help.
- NHS Talking Therapies are a free, effective and confidential way to treat common mental health issues. They can help you by working through feelings of anxiety or depression with a trained therapist.
- If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, please do come forward: it’s easy to get help. Ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer and find out more about NHS Talking Therapies here.
- NHS Talking Therapies are conducted in confidence and help is available face to face, by phone or online. For those whose first language is not English, Talking Therapies can be delivered through multi-lingual therapists or through confidential translators.
Remember the five steps to 5 steps to mental wellbeing:
- Connect with other people.
- Be physically active.
- Learn new skills.
- Give to others.
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness).
- Safer home learning
Did you know the Home Learning Hub contains a free library of resources to support parents and carers who are taking the time to help their children be safer online? Visit the Home Learning Hub website to find out more.
- Council job vacancies
- COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.
- Planning Officer (Grad/Assistant – Senior) – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Administrator (Environmental Health and Licensing), 12 month fixed term – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Customer Services General Advisor, fixed term until end August 2021 – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
- Cabinet meeting – Tuesday 1 December 2020 – 2pm – virtual meeting via Teams.
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link 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: [email protected]
Council News 195
This week’s news from around the Council.
- COVID-19 update
The four-week national restrictions lockdown in England continues and South Staffordshire is still experiencing high levels of coronavirus cases in the district. Please stay at home and protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s important that if you have symptoms you self-isolate and get tested. COVID-19 testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district – please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.
National restrictions apply until Wednesday 2 December 2020 and information about the lockdown measures can be found here.
Remember – you may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.
- For work which cannot be done from home.
- For education.
- For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble. Unlike the last lockdown in March, you can take unlimited exercise.
- For medical reasons.
- To shop for food and essentials.
- To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.
You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. However, individuals may meet one other person from another household outside in an outdoor public place such as a park or playground. Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful but people are not being asked to resume shielding (guidance for clinically vulnerable) and children can move between homes if their parents are separated.
- Other useful COVID-19 links
- Information about face coverings.
- Information about meeting others safely.
- Information about what you can and can’t do.
- Information about NHS test and trace.
- Information about the NHS COVID-19 app.
- Enforcement news
Last week, a South Staffordshire pub – The Red, White and Blue public house in Featherstone – was issued with a prohibition notice by South Staffordshire Council after police officers visited the premises following a tip off that people were inside drinking. Click here to read more. Also last week, the Himley Country Hotel, School Road, Himley, on the outskirts of Dudley, was ordered to close by Staffordshire County Council for coronavirus regulation breaches deemed to pose an imminent threat to public health. Click here to read more.
- COVID-19 Support Officers
The first COVID-19 Support Officers started work this week and they will focus on high risk areas, including around schools, to ensure local villages within South Staffordshire are COVID-secure. Whilst they themselves do not have any enforcement powers, they will be helping to remind people and businesses about the importance of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and the need to wear face coverings, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and to maintain a safe social distance. These measures are vital to ensure people feel safe and to slow the spread of coronavirus in the district.
- COVID-19 business update
During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops have had to close. Understandably, many businesses are concerned about this second national lockdown. If your business has been required to close or has been severely impacted by the new restrictions in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020 you will be able to apply for a new grant scheme to assist businesses financially.
The grants are now live and are known as the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant and the Local Restrictions Support Grant. Eligible businesses can apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) at this website – https://www.grantapproval.co.uk/
More information is available on the Council website here. Information about the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses) and the Additional Restrictions Grant will be added shortly.
National guidance:
Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant here.
Find out more about the financial help for businesses during COVID-19 here.
If you wish to subscribe to direct emails from the Council regarding business advice and support, please email your name, business trading name and phone number to [email protected]
For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:
www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at
https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount
- Business webinar coming up
In partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, South Staffordshire Council is holding a free business webinar on Zoom in December.
- Funding – What is new and how can you access it?
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
- NHS test and trace support payments
Applications for NHS Test and Trace support payments are open. People who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self- isolate who on low incomes and unable to work from home can claim a support payment of £500 to compensate for their loss of earnings if they meet certain criteria. Local authorities are administering the payments for self-isolation and residents in South Staffordshire are now able to submit an application for this support and the application form is now live.
- Supporting those in need
The Council has a variety of support mechanisms in place to help residents and this week, the Customer Services team at the Council has been busy contacting high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) residents. This has included arranging food delivery slots and transport to medical appointments as well as talking to residents who have been isolating for some time. Well done to the team, who have received a number of compliments from residents thanking them for calling and for all their help. If you need help or someone to talk to, please call 01902 696000. Although people are not being asked to resume shielding, clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful – you can view the updated guidance for clinically vulnerable here.
- Leisure Services
- NEW – online exercise classes now available
This week, the Council’s four leisure centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne launched their online exercise classes. As a thank you for their ongoing support, all leisure centre members have been given free access to the online exercise classes until the end of the year. In order to get started, you should have received an email with a unique URL link which you need to click on in order to register. Once you’ve registered, you can then access the online platform where you can book classes and manage your bookings. Here’s a short video on how to get started. If for any reason, you haven’t received an email containing your unique link, please email us at [email protected]
Non-members can also take part in the online classes on a pay as you go basis for £4 per class. Click here to view the class timetable, book and pay for your classes. Alternatively, non-members can take out an online class membership for just £12 per month giving you unlimited access to 20 classes per week. To sign up, complete the membership form and direct debit form and email your forms to [email protected] where we will activate your online membership.
- Baggeridge County Park – Both the park and play area remain open. However, a number of restrictions have been introduced. Please only visit the park on your own, with the people you live with or in your support bubble, or one person from another household. The car park is open but restricted to 100 cars at any one time and normal car parking charges apply. The children’s play area is open but restricted to 30 people at any one time. Play is limited to 30 minutes during busy times. Adults are encouraged to use the Test and Trace QR Code scanning and to wear a face mask when in the play area with their children. The tea shop is open (takeaway service only) and the toilets are open. Challenge Academy is closed.
- Vote for Baggeridge Country Park!
As a Green Flag winner, Baggeridge Country Park has been entered into the annual People’s Choice Award, where the public vote for their favourite park. Please consider voting for Baggeridge as your favourite Green Flag park – you can vote here. Voting closes on Wednesday 25 November 2020.
- Help Us, Help You – Accessing NHS Services
COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services and the NHS is here for your mental health, even during the pandemic. Services have remained open and you can still access care and professional advice for your mental health.
- COVID-19 and lockdown have impacted our mental health. You are not alone. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, NHS Talking Therapies can help.
- NHS Talking Therapies are a free, effective and confidential way to treat common mental health issues. They can help you by working through feelings of anxiety or depression with a trained therapist.
- If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, please do come forward: it’s easy to get help. Ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer and find out more about NHS Talking Therapies here.
- NHS Talking Therapies are conducted in confidence and help is available face to face, by phone or online. For those whose first language is not English, Talking Therapies can be delivered through multi-lingual therapists or through confidential translators.
Remember the five steps to 5 steps to mental wellbeing:
- Connect with other people.
- Be physically active.
- Learn new skills.
- Give to others.
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness).
- Alcohol Awareness Week, 16-22 November 2020
This week is Alcohol Awareness Week, an annual campaign coordinated by the charity Alcohol Change UK. This year’s theme is focusing on the issues around alcohol and mental health and the best way you can look after yourself and those you love during this year of great change and uncertainty. When things get tough, people can turn to alcohol to cope. But drinking too much and too often can make our mental health problems worse – such as anxiety and depression – and prevent them from being properly addressed. Being in control of our drinking can improve our mental health, and there are plenty of techniques out there for taking control if your drinking has got a bit out of hand.
One way is the free Try Dry app. Download the free Try Dry app here to help you meet your goals, whether you want to take on Dry January (or another dry challenge), cut down on your drinking, or go totally alcohol-free.
Another way is the Every Mind Matters ‘Your Mind Plan’, a digital tool that enables you to create a practical plan to maintain and improve your mental health. Over two million people have created mind plans so far to find out what personalised steps they can do to protect themselves and prevent problems escalating, just as we do with our physical health. Click here to download the mind plan.
For more information about Alcohol Awareness Week, visit:
www.alcoholchange.org.uk/alcoholawarenessweek
- Council job vacancies
- COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.
- Planning Officer (Grad/Assistant – Senior) – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Administrator (Environmental Health and Licensing), 12 month fixed term – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Customer Services General Advisor, fixed term until end August 2021 – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
- Overview & Scrutiny Committee – Tuesday 24 November 2020 – 6.30pm – virtual meeting via Teams.
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link 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: [email protected]
Covid-19 Latest News
For the latest news on Covid-19, please follow this link to the Government website
Keep up to date with the latest news and how Covid-19 is affecting where you live or work bu following this link for Staffordshire County Council Coronavirus news
If you need assistance, please follow this line for details of the South Staffs Council Covid-19 hotline
16.11.20 – Staffordshire will be Tier 3 on 2nd December after Lockdown 2
18.11.20 – Latest Figures for the locality
03.11.2020 – 2nd Lockdown
For those struggling with their mental health, please seek help. (See numbers below)
22.10.2020 – Covid Testing
13.10.2020 – Calls for Staffordshire Residents to Redouble Efforts after Prime Minister Confirms New Covid Tier System
Residents and businesses are being called on to redouble their efforts against Covid-19, after a new three tier system of Covid-19 restrictions was announced.
The three tiers of “medium, “high” and “very high” will see restrictions tighten with each tier. Only the city of Liverpool is currently classed as “very high” with pubs, gyms and leisure centres closing from Wednesday. Staffordshire is in the “medium” tier.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said: “Covid-19 is tightening its grip everywhere, including in Staffordshire where cases are rising fast in parts of the county.
“We have worked hard as a county to protect the vulnerable and we continue to act swiftly to contain outbreaks to help reduce the risk to both lives and livelihoods.
“But the situation in Liverpool is a stark reminder of what could happen here if we don’t act now, so we are asking people of all ages to redouble their efforts to help keep Staffordshire safe.
“Complacency is Covid-19’s biggest friend and the consequences of not sticking to the rules are now in our own hands.”
While Staffordshire as a whole remains below the national rate, Newcastle-under-Lyme is running at a rate of 146 per 100,000 population, above England’s rate of 141.1, the West Midlands rate of 109.8 and Staffordshire’s rate of 104.8.
This is in part due to an outbreak among Keele University students and staff, which has seen almost 70 people test positive in the last couple of weeks.
As Staffordshire is in the “medium” tier this means no extra county-wide guidance is in place. Local county council advice remains in force in parts of Burton only.
The national guidance for the Medium Tier includes:
Good hygiene and social distancing: Wash your hands regularly and keep your 2m distance
Meeting with friends and family: Limit your contact. If you do need to meet up, limit this to no more than six from multiple households. There are exceptions, for example if your household or support bubble is larger than six
Going to work: You should work at home if possible
Education: Schools, nurseries and universities are open
Leisure: Pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm
Face coverings: Must be worn in shops and on public transport
Test and Trace: You must stay in and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus if you have symptoms. If positive you must stay in for 10 days. Anybody who you have been in close contact with must self-isolate for 14 days.
Keep up to date with the latest news and how Covid-19 is affecting where you live or work at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
08.10.2020 – Testing in South Staffordshire to help curb rise in cases
People in South Staffordshire with symptoms of Covid-19 are being urged to step forward and get tested in a bid to help curb an increase in cases in the district.
The drive-through Mobile Testing Unit has been deployed in response to a rise in cases in the area and will be at South Staffordshire Council Building on Wolverhampton Road in Codsall.
Testing will take place today (Wednesday), Thursday and Friday of this week between 9-4pm. Booking is via the national portal at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119. Residents are urged not to turn up without an appointment.
Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: “There has been a high number of Covid-19 cases in South Staffordshire, so this testing has been put together to encourage as many people as possible with symptoms of Covid-19 to get a test.
“Testing helps us see how the virus is spreading and where people should be self-isolating to contain the virus.”
The county continues to work closely with South Staffordshire District Council, Public Health England and local communities in the call for people to follow national guidance carefully.
The guidance is to:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Limit your contact with people not in your household and keep to the “rule of six”
- Stay at home when you can. If you do need to go out keep your distance – 2m ideally
- Wear face coverings on public transport and in shops
- Self-isolate for ten days and book a test if you have symptoms
Self-isolate for 14 days if you have been contacted by the NHS Test & Trace Service and told you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Happy at Home
Introducing ‘Happy at Home’ – A brand new campaign from Staffordshire County Council, designed to help our residents across the county lead healthier, independent and happier lives and to support them to be able to live well at home for longer.
Since summer a significant amount of work has been undertaken by Staffordshire County Council to update our Assistive Technology (AT) offer.
A new interactive online tool has launched this week as part of a countywide campaign to raise awareness about the massive range of simple and low-cost assistive technology equipment available to people who may be struggling with everyday tasks around the home.
You can explore the ‘Happy at Home Interactive House” at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/happyathome
- The interactive ‘Happy at Home’ house allows users to visually identify rooms and locations around the home where they may need some help with day to day tasks, and then be presented with a range of ideas and solutions that they can then easily compare and acquire.
- As well as the interactive house, the new online service includes a range of independent living gift ideas, a library of video demonstrations of assistive technology products, and an opportunity to compare a wide choice of solutions
How you can help
From November 2020 until January 2021, we will be running an online campaign to promote Assistive Technology to help people stay independent at home, and in the run up to Christmas we’ll be promoting buying Assistive Technology and Daily Living Equipment as a wonderful gift idea and linking this back to our Happy at Home webpages.
We would encourage you all to please interact with the campaign and retweet or re-post so that it reaches as many people as possible.
- Keep an eye out on social media for the #HappyAtHome hashtag
- We also have issued a press release here which you can share on your own websites, newsletters and networks.
- We also have a range of digital graphics, fact sheets, posters and other promotional resources available on request.
To request promotional materials please contact Russel Gethings by email [email protected]
For more information about the campaign please contact Jonathan Topham [email protected] or Lee Owen [email protected]
Council News 194
This week’s news from around the Council.
Codsall Community Hub
Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, the Leader of South Staffordshire Council, was joined by representatives from Russell House Primary Care Practice, Codsall Library and Seddon at a ground breaking event to mark the start of construction work on the Community Hub, which is expected to open in early 2022. You can see a photograph and find out more here.
- Council introduces COVID-19 Support Officers
South Staffordshire Council is recruiting a number of COVID-19 Support Officers to provide guidance and advice to members of the public and local businesses where there are actual or potential breaches of COVID-secure regulations and guidance. The first COVID-19 Support Officers will start work next week and they will focus on high risk areas, including around schools, to ensure local villages within South Staffordshire are COVID-secure. Whilst they themselves do not have any enforcement powers, they will be helping to remind people and businesses about the importance of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and the need to wear face coverings, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and to maintain a safe social distance. These measures are vital to ensure people feel safe and to slow the spread of coronavirus in the district.
- Local hotel closed for coronavirus breaches and reports of anti-social behaviour
This week, the Himley Country Hotel, School Road, Himley, on the outskirts of Dudley was ordered to close by Staffordshire County Council for coronavirus regulation breaches deemed to pose an imminent threat to public health. The hotel has been ordered to close for 28 days until Thursday 10 December 2020. You can read more about this story here. The same hotel was also issued with a temporary closure notice by South Staffordshire Council and Staffordshire Police using the powers available to them within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. You can read more about the story here.
- Staffordshire to take part in mass roll out of rapid COVID-19 testing
Staffordshire is to increase testing of residents in a bid to identify more cases, reduce the spread of infection and protect lives and livelihoods. The county is one of a number of local authorities to sign up for the roll out of the rapid turnaround lateral flow tests – which can give results in under and hour, without the need for laboratory processing. You can read more about this story here. COVID-19 testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district – please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.
- Construction work to commence on new extension for Telling Architectural
Following on from last week’s good news that construction work will recommence to complete the expansion of the Four Ashes Enterprise Park on Monday 16 November 2020, further positive news to report is that construction work will also begin on the same day for another of the Council’s commercial development projects, the extension of Unit 4e Station Road on the wider Four Ashes Industrial Estate.
Unit 4e is already the Council’s largest single commercial unit and is home to the Head Office of Telling Architectural, a multi-national cladding company. Telling has seen significant growth in the business since moving into Unit 4e when the Council acquired the unit in 2016. The extension will allow them to continue growing their business at the same location without needing to move elsewhere. The extension is due to be completed in April 2021 and it will add a further 1275 sqm to the property. It means Telling can employ up to a further 25 people and this is excellent news at a time when the wider economy is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.
- COVID-19 update
The four-week ‘national restrictions’ lockdown in England from Thursday 5 November 2020 to Wednesday 2 December 2020 continues and information about the lockdown measures can be found here at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.
You may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.
- For work which cannot be done from home.
- For education.
- For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble. Unlike the last lockdown in March, you can take unlimited exercise.
- For medical reasons.
- To shop for food and essentials.
- To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.
You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. However, individuals may meet one other person from another household outside in an outdoor public place such as a park or playground. Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful but people are not being asked to resume shielding (guidance for clinically vulnerable) and children can move between homes if their parents are separated.
- COVID-19 business update
During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops have had to close. On Thursday 12 November 2020, the Business Secretary the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP made a statement on the response to coronavirus and outlined levels of support for businesses and an update on the Kickstart Scheme and Vaccines Taskforce. Click here to view the statement.
Also yesterday, the Government published data showing the amount of funding that councils have received and distributed to support small and medium businesses in England during the coronavirus outbreak. This data covers three coronavirus grant schemes which closed in August 2020: the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF), the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund (RHLGF) and the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF).
Understandably, many businesses are concerned about the second national lockdown. If your business has been required to close or has been severely impacted by the new restrictions in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020 you will be able to apply for a new grant scheme to assist businesses financially. We are awaiting further clarification on the new scheme and this will be published on our website shortly, along with an application form for the new grant scheme. This information is in the process of being updated.
If you wish to subscribe to direct emails from the Council regarding business advice and support, please email your name, business trading name and phone number to [email protected]
For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:
www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at
https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount
Other useful links:
- Information about face coverings.
- Information about meeting others safely.
- Information about what you can and can’t do.
- Leisure update
- Leisure Centres – The leisure centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne are now closed until the end of the national lockdown on Wednesday 2 December 2020. But take look online!
NEW – launch of online exercise classes
This week saw the launch of online live and on-demand exercise classes. As a thank you for their ongoing support this year, all members of the Council’s four leisure centres will receive free access to the online exercise classes until the end of the year. Members will receive a unique URL to access the online platform.
If you’re a non-member and would like to access the online exercise classes, you can access them here, and view the class timetable, book and pay for your classes. Non-members can access classes on a pay as you go basis at a cost of £4 per class. Or you can join as an online class member for just £12 per month. To join, simply complete the membership form and direct debit form and email your completed forms to [email protected]
- Baggeridge County Park – Both the park and play area remain open. However, a number of restrictions have been introduced. Please only visit the park on your own, with the people you live with or in your support bubble, or one person from another household. The car park is open but restricted to 100 cars at any one time and normal car parking charges apply. The children’s play area is open but restricted to 30 people at any one time. Play is limited to 30 minutes during busy times. Adults are encouraged to use the Test and Trace QR Code scanning and to wear a face mask when in the play area with their children. The tea shop is open (takeaway service only) and the toilets are open. Challenge Academy is closed.
- Vote for Baggeridge Country Park!
Since 1998, Baggeridge Country Park has been awarded Green Flag status, an award that recognises well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world. As a Green Flag winner, the park has been entered into the annual People’s Choice Award, where the public vote for their favourite park. During this challenging time, the park has remained open, thanks to the tireless work of the rangers and volunteers. Please consider voting for Baggeridge Country Park as your favourite Green Flag park – you can vote here. Voting closes on Wednesday 25 November 2020.
- Business webinars coming up
In partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, South Staffordshire Council is holding two free business webinars on Zoom in November.
- Bids and Tenders: The impacts of COVID-19.
Tuesday 17 November 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
This webinar will focus on what businesses need to do to increase their chances of winning bids and tenders in a COVID and post-COVID business environment, concluding with some top tips to ensure you maximise your chances of winning new business.
Click here to register for Bid and Tenders.
- Funding – What is new and how can you access it?
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
Click here to register for Funding – What is new ad dhow can you access it?.
- NHS test and trace support payments
Applications for NHS Test and Trace support payments are open. People who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self- isolate who on low incomes and unable to work from home can claim a support payment of £500 to compensate for their loss of earnings if they meet certain criteria. Local authorities are administering the payments for self-isolation and residents in South Staffordshire are now able to submit an application for this support and the application form is now live.
- Reminder to dispose of fireworks safely
South Staffordshire Council and Walsall Council issued a reminder to residents not to dispose of unused fireworks in their recycling bins following a fire in a recycling collection vehicle last Monday on the A461 Lichfield Road, Walsall. The Biffa vehicle had just finished its rounds collecting recycling waste from households in South Staffordshire and was on its way to a materials recovery facility when the fireworks ignited and caught fire in the back of the vehicle during the journey. Click here to read more and click here to see some pictures.
- Tree planting taking place at council cemeteries
South Staffordshire Council has been awarded 500 trees from the Woodland Trust through their free trees for schools and communities scheme. The tress will be planted over the coming weeks at Sytch Lane Cemetery in Wombourne and Strawberry Lane Cemetery in Great Wyrley.
The current COVID-19 restrictions have stopped our original plan to involve the wider community but the Council is working with local schools and groups from forest schools to set up planting events onsite. For more information, contact Ryan Taylor ([email protected]).
- Community safety – ditch the blade campaign
This week, Staffordshire Police is supporting a national week of crime prevention and education activity around knife crime. The #DitchTheBlade campaign encourages young people not to carry knives and to instead choose a different path for their lives, one without the risk of prison, serious injury or death. For more information on the campaign, or if you are worried about a child and think they are involved with knife crime visit:
www.staffordshire.police.uk/ditchtheblade
- Help prevent suicide
#TalkSuicide is a new campaign developed by Staffordshire County Council working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, local hospitals and NHS community services. The campaign aims to bring individuals, organisations and businesses together to help prevent suicide in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Find out more about the campaign here.
- Council job vacancies
- COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.
- Planning Officer (Grad/Assistant – Senior) – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Administrator (Environmental Health and Licensing), 12 month fixed term – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
- Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
- Planning Committee – Tuesday 17 November 2020 – 6.30pm – virtual meeting via Teams.
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link 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: [email protected]
Council News 193
This week’s news from around the Council.
- COVID-19 update
A second national lockdown for England is taking place from Thursday 5 November 2020 to Wednesday 2 December 2020. Information on the new national restrictions can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november. The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December 2020, when it is hoped that the country will return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.
You may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.
- For work which cannot be done from home.
- For education.
- For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble. Unlike the last lockdown in March, you can take unlimited exercise.
- For medical reasons.
- To shop for food and essentials.
- To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.
You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. However, individuals may meet one other person from another household outside in an outdoor public place such as a park or playground. Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful but people are not being asked to resume shielding (guidance for clinically vulnerable) and children can move between homes if their parents are separated.
During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will be closed but unlike the restrictions in spring, schools, colleges and universities can stay open.
Businesses and venues that must close include:
- All non-essential retail, including, but not limited to clothing and electronics stores, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
- Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.
- Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, concert halls, zoos and other animal attractions, botanical gardens.
- Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs. However, they can still provide takeaway and delivery services although takeaway of alcohol is not be allowed.
- Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture, and tanning salons.
Businesses that can remain open include:
- Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services. Although non-essential retail shops are closing once again, they can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect shopping, where customers order products online and go to pick them up.
- Dentist, opticians, chiropractors and osteopaths and a number of public services including the NHS and medical services like GPs, Jobcentre Plus sites, Courts and Civil Registrations Offices.
- Construction sites and manufacturing workplaces.
Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes. Places of worship will be closed, unless they are being used for funerals, to broadcast acts of worship, individual prayer, formal childcare or where part of a school, essential voluntary and public services, such as blood donation or food banks, and some other exempted activities. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people and ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:
www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at
https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount
Other useful links:
- Information about face coverings.
- Information about meeting others safely.
- Information about what you can and can’t do.
- Information about NHS test and trace.
- Information about the NHS COVID-19 app.
COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district – please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.
- Leisure update
- Leisure Centres – The leisure centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne are now closed until the end of the national lockdown on Wednesday 2 December 2020. Memberships are suspended and all payments are frozen so members do not have to do anything and do not need to cancel direct debits. During lockdown, please continue exercising, keeping active and staying healthy. Get outside, enjoy the fresh air and look after your mind and keep an eye on our Facebook pages for exercises and advice. For more information, visit our website or subscribe to sstaffs.gov.uk/alerts.
- Baggeridge County Park – The lockdown guidance allows parks and play areas to stay open and Baggeridge County Park will remain open. However, a number of restrictions have been introduced. Please only visit the park on your own, with the people you live with or in your support bubble, or one person from another household. The car park is open but restricted to 100 cars at any one time and normal car parking charges apply. The children’s play area is open but restricted to 30 people at any one time. Play is limited to 30 minutes during busy times. Adults are encouraged to use the Test and Trace QR Code scanning and to wear a face mask when in the play area with their children. The tea shop is open (takeaway service only) and the toilets are open. Challenge Academy is closed.
- Vote for your favourite Green Flag park!
The annual Green Flag Award People’s Choice is now underway so please consider voting for Baggeridge Country Park as your favourite Green Flag park – you can vote here.
- UK terrorism threat level raised to “severe”
This week, the UK’s terrorism threat level was upgraded from “substantial” to “severe”. The move is precautionary and means security chiefs believe that an attack is highly likely but there is no specific intelligence of an imminent incident. The move follows the recent attacks in France and Vienna.
Please be vigilant when out and about in South Staffordshire. Here is some guidance about the terror threat as well as advice about what to do about suspicious packages and information about the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ initiative.
- Business webinars coming up
In partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, South Staffordshire Council is holding two free business webinars on Zoom in November.
- Bids and Tenders: The impacts of COVID-19.
Tuesday 17 November 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
This webinar will focus on what businesses need to do to increase their chances of winning bids and tenders in a COVID and post-COVID business environment, concluding with some top tips to ensure you maximise your chances of winning new business.
- Funding – What is new and how can you access it?
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 2pm to 3pm.
- Free online employment support session
South Staffs Work Clubs and the Council’s Welfare Support team will be sharing their expert knowledge at a free online employment support session to help individuals discover what help is available to get them back into work. The online event takes place from 11am to 12.30pm on Friday 13 November 2020 – further information about this online event is available here.
- NHS test and trace support payments
Applications for NHS Test and Trace support payments are open. People who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self- isolate who on low incomes and unable to work from home can claim a support payment of £500 to compensate for their loss of earnings if they meet certain criteria. Local authorities are administering the payments for self-isolation and residents in South Staffordshire are now able to submit an application for this support and the application form is now live.
- Scam alert – warning over fake COVID-19 Marshals
There have been reports that scammers are pretending to be fake COVID-19 Marshals and medical professionals so they can gain access to people’s homes. Please be on your guard and look out for vulnerable friends and relatives who could fall prey to opportunist scammers. COVID-19 Marshals do not have the power to enforce social distancing, issues fines and do not have the right to enter homes.
A variety of scams are happening both online and over the telephone. Fraudsters are always trying to find new ways to dupe unsuspecting residents out of their money and you can find out more on Age UK’s website at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/barnet/our-services/latest-scams/.
If you think you have been a victim of a scam or a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news.
- Community safety – theft of catalytic converters
Catalytic converter theft is an area of crime increasing nationally and here are some steps you can take to help prevent this happening. The South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership is working to reduce crime in the district and to reassure residents that although crime does take place, South Staffordshire is one of the lowest crime areas in the UK. For further advice or to report a crime, call the non-emergency police number on 101 or visit https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.
If a crime is taking place, call 999.
- Protect against flu
With COVID-19 still in circulation, it’s important that as many people as possible get vaccinated for flu this autumn to protect the most vulnerable and reduce the number of people needing flu treatment from the NHS. This year, the flu vaccination programme has been expanded and more people are eligible for free flu jabs. The flu can be a serious disease and by getting the vaccine, you will be protecting yourself as well as your loved ones. Visit the NHS website to find out more about the flu vaccine and visit your GP practice website or speak to your pharmacy about booking a flu vaccination. High street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.
- Doing our bit – community fund now open
A new grant fund to help community groups who are doing their bit to support vulnerable children or older people in our communities opened this week. Groups and organisations can apply online for grants of up to £2,500. Find out more here.
- Council job vacancies
- COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.
- Street Scene Operative – Level 2 – application information. Closing date 12 November 2020.
- Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
- Standards and Resources Committee – Thursday 12 November 2020 – 2.30pm – virtual meeting via Teams.
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link 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: [email protected]