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Council News 224

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Council News

  • Community Safety – Counter Fraud Partnership
    Stoke Council are leading on a Staffordshire Counter Fraud Partnership (SCFP) which includes all the Staffordshire district councils, Staffordshire County Council and two housing associations. The partnership will work together to:
  • Breakdown boundary silos.
  • Share local knowledge and best practice.
  • Identify savings from ‘new’ fraud types.
  • A more accurate assessment of LA fraud risk.
  • Build a county-wide anti-fraud culture.
  • Have a consistent message that fraudsters are not welcome in Staffordshire.

We will be working together with joint publicity under the SCFP banner, using Stoke Council’s award winning ‘Spot the Cheater’ awareness campaign and have a central point for all allegations of fraud.  

  • Envirocrime – Preventing Fly tipping

Envirocrime had their latest RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) authorisation approved in court last week, which allows them to operate covert cameras to tackle fly tipping. So far, 9 cameras have been installed which will hopefully help to identify people responsible for envirocrime at these locations.

  • Community Lottery 

In Saturday’s lottery draw, one lucky supporter won £250 by matching 4 numbers in a row. This win brings the total number of cash winners to 396 and the value of cash prizes to £25,450. If you would like to be in with the chance of winning a weekly cash prize, lottery tickets cost just £1 a week. In return you will also be providing essential funds to good causes, charities and community groups across South Staffordshire.

  • Boundary Review – New Ward Boundaries Public Consultation
    The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 41 councillors in the future. They are now drawing up a new pattern of wards to accommodate 41 councillors and asking local people and organisations for their help to draw up the new ward boundaries across South Staffordshire District Council. 

Please share this information on the Boundary Review and the Commissions dedicated consultation section on its website https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/27826, to local people and organisations. The Commission also has a dedicated section on its website to keep you up to date as the review progresses.

The Council is also responsible for producing a Warding Pattern Submission to the LGBCE, which is being led by Members through the Your Council Challenge Panel.

  • Next week’s Council Committee meetings

No Committee meetings will take place during week commencing 28.6.21
Members of the public can virtually attend meetings via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section on the Council’s website

Leisure News

  • Codsall Couch to 5k 

Codsall Leisure Centre are holding their very own Couch to 5k starting 6 July, The 9 week course is open to adults and children and bookings are now being taken. To book call 01902 844032

  • Leisure secure HAF funding
    Leisure submitted a bid to Staffordshire County Council and are delighted to have be granted funding to provide activities as part of the HAF scheme (Holiday Activities and Food).  The leisure centres will be working in partnership with Aspire sports to deliver a school holiday activity programme throughout the summer with a number of places allocated everyday to provide local children in receipt of free school meals with FREE access and a food bag each day.  The holiday programme is not yet ready to book but plans are well underway and it’s planned to open booking lines at the beginning of July.  

Good News Stories

  • Cannock and South Staffs Volunteers awarded for outstanding community work in 2020
    Support Staffordshire are delighted to have held the prestigious 2020 Support Staffordshire Volunteer Star Awards virtually this week, recognising the work of many outstanding individuals and businesses who have given their time freely during what has been the most challenging of years. The Volunteer Star Awards press release can be found here.

Information and Resources
Please note: A Helpful Resources webpage on the Councils Website is coming soon. The Council News Round Up will briefly update you on new resources that have been added to the webpage each week. 

  • Wish the NHS a ‘Happy Birthday’
    Partners, groups, and organisations within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being encouraged to show their support for the NHS by wishing it a Happy Birthday. This is being coordinated by Together We’re Better (TWB). Please read and share this toolkit on how to get involved.
  • Staffordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board Training
    SSCB are delivering training to help support vulnerable families and children. The following training is available:
  • Level 2: Working Together to Safeguard Children.
  • Level 3: Recognition of Emotional Harm and the Impact of Neglect on Children
  • Graded Care Profile – Raising awareness of using the NSPCC’s toolkit to help identify and address neglect of children.
  • Safer Sleep Awareness – to prevent/reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
  • Further information can be found here.
  • Help shape Maternity Services

To help inform and shape future maternity services, a patient engagement event is being held on Friday 16 July. People who have accessed maternity services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and their support partners, are invited to share their experiences and views. The virtual event will be held using Microsoft Teams from 10am to 12pm on 16 July. As this is an informal event, children are welcome. Please register your attendance here  or for further information, please contact [email protected].

  • Child Death Prevention Newsletter – Button Batteries

Button Batteries, the type that fit into car alarms, hearing aids etc. can cause serious injury and death. Sadly, a child in Staffordshire has died from swallowing a button battery. Act fast if you suspect your child has swallowed a battery. Further information can be found here.

  • Missing Child and Child Exploitation Research and Resource Briefing: Catch 22

This briefing contains a wealth of resources and useful reading if you support families and children. Topics covered are:

  • Mental Health
  • Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines
  • Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
  • Modern Slavery
  • Youth Justice
  • Online Harms

COVID-19 Update

  • Covid-19 Update

The government have postponed stage 4 of the roadmap because of the rise in Covid cases.  We need to encourage people to stay vigilant and continue sticking to the rules to avoid further delays. The rise in cases is predominantly for those aged 17-25.

The vaccination programme is now open to anyone aged 18+. Anyone who is eligible is being urged to book their vaccine as soon as possible.

Vaccination uptake has slowed down for those aged 40+, so we need to remind people about the importance of the vaccine.

The Euro2020 football matches continue and are likely to draw large crowds over the next few weeks so it is important that we continue with our message of Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air, Vaccine and Vigilance! 

  • Covid-19 Roadmap

Information on current Covid-19 restrictions: what you can and cannot do, can be found here. 

  • Covid-19 Asymptomatic testing options

Asymptomatic residents are encouraged to test at least twice a week. If you test positive, please isolate for 10 days. There are three options available, of which are all free:

Please note: Anyone with symptoms should not attend and instead book a PCR test online here.