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: [email protected]