This week’s news from around the Council.

• COVID-19 update – Key Messages
  • We’re still in a national lockdown. It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. It’s really tough, but if we all follow the rules we can help reduce the spread and save lives.
  • We all need to continue to follow guidance on Hands. Face. Space. This will help to keep you and others safe – even if you’ve had the vaccine.
  • If you are making essential visits to places where there are other people, get rapid tested regularly.
  • If you’re worried about getting tested for Covid-19 and having to self-isolate, you may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace support payment scheme.
  • You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes (such as for a picnic or a social meeting).
  • The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines.
  • Stay at home and if you do need to go out for essentials, remember, Hands. Face. Space. Test.
  • Did you know that you must still follow guidance around #HandsFaceSpace even if you’ve had your Covid-19 vaccine? Wear a face covering, keep your distance and wash your hands regularly.
  • Click here for more information on #doingourbit to stop the spread.

• Staffordshire Police is inviting residents and businesses to take part in a new survey
  The ‘Your police. Your voice.’ survey, which is open until Monday 8 February provides the public with an opportunity to share their views on crime and policing locally. This survey will assist the police force to achieve its vision of a safer Staffordshire and will result in a better understanding of the issues which matter most to local communities to ensure that services and resources are being delivered in the best way to address people’s concerns. As this is the first public confidence survey for a number of years we’d be grateful of your support in sharing this survey with your audiences.
• #CountyLines campaign
  A County Lines campaign is running between Monday 1 February and Sunday 14 February to support the aim of reducing criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults in Staffordshire. South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership is supporting the Staffordshire Police campaign to highlight the signs of County Lines.

Are your children, or are you aware of children, spending more time online during the national lockdown? At the moment, there are far less opportunities for face-to-face grooming of children and young people so instead criminal are using online methods. Children can be recruited to distribute drugs in return for money, mobiles, credit, expensive clothing, jewellery, or other items. Please find more information on the #CountyLines campaign here

Please help by sharing their #CountyLines posts on their Facebook: @Staffordshire Police and Twitter: @StaffsPolice

• Star Count and the AONB Dark Skies Project
  This February the AONB, together with the countryside charity CPRE, are inviting everyone to take part in Star Count 2021, a fun and easy way to enjoy the wonders of the universe. If you live in or around Cannock Chase AONB, we need your help to count the stars. The project is due to Cannock Chase having the highest levels of light pollution of all England’s 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Find out more information on the Star Count here. 

• New online exercise classes
  Additional live online classes have started this week. Classes are currently free to leisure centre members.  The classes are, however, also available for non-members on a pay as you go basis or an online class membership is available. 
• On Demand classes now available
  In addition to providing 33 live exercise classes per week, we are delighted to be able to now offer users access to lots of ‘On Demand’ workouts which everyone can do at their own convenience. The on-demand classes are available for leisure centre members and online class members.  Access the on-demand sessions here. 
• Be kind to yourself

It’s more important than ever that during lockdown we interact with people, keep positive and look after our minds.  For more information about how you can help to stay positive and lift your mood, visit Every Mind Matters 

• The benefits of Meditation

Meditation has so many benefits:

• Reduces stress
• Helps to cure headaches
• Boosts energy levels
• Increases creativity
• Helps to boost self-esteem and positivity

South Staffordshire’s Leisure Centres provide some live and online classes which incorporate meditation:

• Stretch and Meditation with Yvonne – Wednesdays 6.45-7.25pm
• Yoga and meditation with Hansa – Fridays 5-5.40pm
• For more information on our online classes here
• CCU Recruitment Opportunity
  The Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit is currently recruiting for a Civil Contingencies Officer. It would be appreciated if you could help by circulating the opportunity. The closing date for applications is the 14 February 2021, advert and full details for the CCU Recruitment Opportunity are available online.

Regular information

• Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
• Cabinet – Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – 2.00 pm – public virtual meeting via Teams.
• Audit & Risk Committee – Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – 4.00 pm – public virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams – in the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website, you will find the relevant news item that will include a link to enable you to join. 

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: [email protected]