• Launch of Resident Survey 2021

South Staffordshire’s Resident Survey 2021 was launched on Wednesday 04 August and will run until Friday 03 September.

Last year at the end of the first lockdown residents of South Staffordshire were asked how they had found living in lockdown, and what were their experiences. They shared with us some of the highs and lows of that period, and how they had adapted to living during the pandemic. This survey refers to some of the things they raised in last years surveys, but also looks to capture their thoughts and feelings on how things are for them now, for their families and in South Staffordshire communities.

It would be very much appreciated if you could share the link to the survey below, to residents in your community.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8GR2WCQ 

Or please share our Resident Survey post that is pinned to the top of the Councils Facebook page.

• New warding pattern proposal submitted
  At the request of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) to conduct an Electoral and Boundary Review on South Staffordshire, stage one saw the LGBCE announce that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 41 councillors in theMore recently, the second stage has involved developing a new pattern of wards for South Staffordshire through the Your Council Challenge Panel, ensuring that ward arrangements help the Council work effectively and reflect the identities of our communities.

Meanwhile, the LGBCE have been running an independent public consultation asking South Staffordshire residents and organisations for their help to draw up new ward boundaries across South Staffordshire. This has now closed.

The Commission will announce their proposals on warding patterns in November.

• Council Job Vacancies

Come and join our fantastic team

• Street Scene Operative (Arboriculturist/Tree Surgeon), closing 5pm on 10 August 2021.Application Information
• Leisure Assistant, Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, closing at 12pm on 13 August 2021.Application Information
• Relief Leisure Assistant, Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, closing at 12pm on 13 August 2021.Application Information
• Relief Leisure Assistant, Wombourne Leisure Centre, closing 5pm on 18 August 2021.Application Information
• Customer Services General Advisor (Fixed Term), closing 5pm on 16 August 2021.Application Information

• Next week’s Council Committee meetings
  There are no meetings week commencing 9 August 2021.

Members of the public can virtually attend meetings via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website.

Leisure News

• Fitness is good for your health and mind 

Visit our Facebook page to find out why keeping fit is not just important for our physical health, but how it can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing too. There’s also information on the leisure centre membership packages.

• The Space Scheme – discounts for children this summer 

We will be providing reduced access for 8 to 17-year-olds during the Summer with discounts on 3G pitches, public swimming sessions and Active youth gym sessions. Further information on the Space Scheme can be found here.

Information and Resources

• Critical Mass:  Creating opportunities for young people

If you are aged 16-30, based in the West Midlands and looking to be part of a bold new performance project, they want to hear from you!

Critical Mass is a creative, ambitious dance and movement project for up to 300 young people who will make up a collective that will perform at many exciting events in 2022.

Sign up today for a unique opportunity to be a part of some of 2022’s biggest events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.

There’s no need to have any previous dance experience.

Further information on Critical Mass/Sign up

A video on Critical Mass

• Community Ownership Fund

The government is providing £150 million over 4 years to support community groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost.

Voluntary and community groups can bid for match funding to acquire important assets and run them for the benefit of the local community.  The Fund will run until 2024/25 and there will be at least 8 bidding rounds in total.

• This prospectus contains details for Round 1.
• Click here for the application form.

COVID-19 Update

• Pregnancy and the Covid 19 Vaccine – A Message from the NHS

Vaccines save lives – the best way you can keep you, your baby and your loved ones safe and out of hospital, is by coming forward to get your jab.

According to the latest figures, the number of pregnant women being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 is increasing and many needing care are experiencing serious symptoms. Among the pregnant women hospitalised with the virus, just three women since May had been admitted after their first vaccine, while the vast majority, 98%, had not been vaccinated at all.

Whether you’re pregnant, think you might be, or you are trying for a baby, we encourage you to take up the offer of a vaccine and get protected against Covid-19.

• Please click on this link for the JCVI guidance on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines when given in pregnancy.
• This is the link for pregnant women to make a booking for their Covid vaccination.

• Covid-19 Asymptomatic testing options

Asymptomatic residents are encouraged to test at least twice a week. The Government has published step-by-step guides on how to do a rapid, lateral flow test at home. The guides include video demonstrations of how to carry out the test for yourself or a child as well as information on how to read and report the result.

• Guidance on Lateral Flow Tests and a video demonstrating how to do one.
• Step by step instructions on using a lateral flow test kit – nose only test.
• Step by step instructions on how to do a nose and throat lateral flow test.

There are three ways to get free LFT tests:

• Collect test kits from a pharmacy. Follow the link to find the nearest one to you.
• Order test kits online. These will be sent to your home address.
• Visit a test site to collect tests.

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