Council News

Local Plan Review

We will be holding 5 locality based online Q&A sessions to explain the Preferred Options to help people understand the plan and make their representations.   

They will be held between 6pm-8pm: 

• Locality 1 – Wednesday 3 November *Join this meeting 
• Locality 2 – Thursday 4 November * Join this meeting 
• Locality 3 – Tuesday 9 November * Join this meeting 
• Locality 4 – Thursday 11 November * Join this meeting 
• Locality 5 – Wednesday 17 November * Join this meeting 

You can also book an in person appointment between 10.30am and 7.30pm at the following venues: 

• Wombourne Civic Centre – Tuesday 2 November 2021 
• Bilbrook Village Hall – Wednesday 10 November 2021 
• Essington Community Centre – Monday 15 November 2021 
• Jubilee Hall, Brewood – Thursday 18 November 2021 
• Penkridge, Haling Dene Centre – Monday 22 November 2021 

Call 01902 696000 to book your slot.  

To find other ways you can speak with the Local Plans Team click here 

By Elections – Thursday 28 October 2021

The following District By-Elections have been called:

Kinver

Wombourne South East

The following Parish By-Election has been called:

Wombourne South East Ward

Click here to find out more information

October School Holiday Activity Camps 

School holiday Activity Camps 

From Monday 25 – Friday 29 October, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres will be providing holiday activities for children from 5 years+. Find out more by clicking on the links below. 

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre Camps 

Codsall Leisure Centre Camps 

Penkridge Leisure Centre Activities 

Wombourne Leisure Centre Camps 

Join your nearest South Staffordshire leisure centre between 1-14 November and pay just £15, then nothing more until January 2022; giving you access to a wide range of fitness facilities throughout November and December for just £15. 

Member Benefits:

• Priority and online booking 

• Free online and on-demand classes 

• Complimentary Health Check 

• Free personal fitness programme 

• Portable packages so you can switch at any time 

For details on packages visit The Big Winter Saver  

To join, pop into your nearest centre from 1 November.

Regular News

Council Job Vacancies

• Planning Officers (Graduates/Assistants to Senior roles within Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Strategic Planning), closing at 5pm on 9th November 2021. Application Information 

• Leisure Assistant Dryside (Astro Turf) at Codsall Leisure Centre, closing 5pm on 22nd October 2021.  Application Information 

Partnership Information and Helpful Resources

Meet your Local Police Officers – Locality 3

Your local Police Officer will be at Shareshill Post Office at 2.00-3.00pm on Monday 8 November.

 It is an opportunity for District and Parish Councillors and the community to meet and speak to their local officers.  

Just call in and have a chat any time within the hour.  

Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery is used as umbrella terms to refer to the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including, slavery, human trafficking, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour. Victims of Modern Slavery can be of any age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may feel unable to leave or report the crime through fear or intimidation. They also may not recognise themselves as a victim. Victims may also be subject to more than one type of exploitation at the same time. 

Modern Slavery is real and it is happening in Staffordshire. 

If you see any of the signs, outlined in this poster, report it to the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline 08000 121 700 

Looking after your mental health

There are little things we can all do to help look after our mental health. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.

The NHS has expert advice, practical tips and a mind plan quiz to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, so discover what works for you.

Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Have your say on the Mental Health Strategy

Staffordshire County Council have a public survey out at the moment to capture feedback from Staffordshire residents on their Mental Health Strategy. The survey closes 12 November 2021. Please share your views, thoughts, and feelings via the:

Staffordshire Mental Health Strategy Public Engagement survey

Have your say on Urgent and Emergency Care

This questionnaire has been designed to gather comments and public experience of using urgent and emergency care services

Urgent and Emergency Care Involvement Survey

Volunteering

Do It to FEEL GOOD!

Volunteering helps in many ways:

• Connect – allows people to build good relationships and sense of belonging as well as supporting others in their local community
• Give – By giving your unpaid time, it’s a very kind thing to do and will improve self-esteem and emotional health
• Learn – You may learn new skills which can boost your confidence and give a sense of achievement – making you happier and more motivated

“If you’re thinking of volunteering, honestly do it! The difference you can make to the lives of others is phenomenal.

It’s not just working for free or ‘just’ helping others it’s also helping yourself.

Helping you to gain confidence and grow as a person. It gives you that ambition back to do whatever it is your looking for in life and helps those that need it along the way. “

Stephanie, volunteer at Maryhill Children’s Centre

Find local volunteering opportunities at:

Do It Staffordshire

Or get help and guidance from Support Staffordshire

Safe+Sound is aimed at Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.  Topics for this week’s programme are:Safe + Sound Programme

• Feeding Birds – Silverdale Country Park
• Electrical Safety – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
• Candle Safety – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
• Winter Road Safety – Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership
• Halloween Safety – Staffordshire Police

Please click here to access all programmes

Covid Update

Rising COVID-19 Cases

Staffordshire has seen a huge rise in cases and the NSH is urging people to be vigilant to prevent further lockdowns.

The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated should continue to follow safer behaviours set out below to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes:

• Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer;
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet;
• Get tested, and self-isolate if required;
• Try to stay at home if you are feeling unwell;
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day;
• Download and use the NHS COVID-19 app to know if you’ve been exposed to the virus.

Door to Door Testing

Due to the high rates of COVID-19 in South Staffordshire, the County Council fleet of community testing vehicles are now visiting targeted postcodes. This is to ensure that residents can access testing on a more regular basis to try and slow down the spread of the virus.

When it’s urgent but not an emergency, visit NHS 111 online

Get the advice you need at home

Get a face-to-face timeslot if you need one

Be advised how to get any medicine you need

Find out how you can ‘self care’ at home

In an emergency, always call 999