Weekly News 277
What’s on this weekend
Black Country Folk Festival
The Black Country Folk Festival takes place at Himley Hall this weekend.
Performing at the event will be Alex Ohm, Flat Stanley, Matt Johnson, Jess Silk, Bleeding Hearts, Sam Draisey, The Emma Linney Band and The Empty Can.
The festival, taking place this Sunday, will also feature food vendors and craft stalls.
South Staffordshire Council’s Environmental Health and Licensing Team has been working with the organisers with a view to helping them deliver a safe and successful event.
For more information, click here
Council and district news
Council job vacancies
- Corporate Services Apprentice – closes August 31st
- Relief Leisure Assistant, Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – closes August 19th
- Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date.
- Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres – open application date.
- Assistant Clerk, Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston Parish Council – closes midday on August 25th. For more information on this role, click here
For more information on all South Staffordshire Council vacancies and for details on how to apply, click here
Iconic Queen’s Baton Relay tours Codsall
Crowds of all ages lined the streets of a South Staffordshire village as the iconic Queen’s Baton Relay passed through on its latest venture.
| The Baton’s journey through Codsall culminated in a visit to South Staffordshire Council’s award-winning Community Hub, after travelling through nearby streets and attending a sports festival at Codsall Middle School.
Among the batonbearers on the day was Nicola Taylor, who has raised more than £4,000 for charity through a series of activities since 2016. Bringing the baton into the Community Hub was Ben Mason, who is renowned for coaching young people in sports, with more than 100 hours of volunteering completed this year alone. |
Gold Award-winning Codsall Community Hub officially opened
An array of guests turned out to celebrate the official opening of South Staffordshire Council’s new award-winning Community Hub.
| VIPs, local politicians, businesses and more attended the event at the Codsall-based headquarters, taking tours around the building and witnessing the progress made during the building’s 18-month-long inception.
The Hub received a Gold Award by national awards body iESE – the chief executive of which, following the ceremony, described South Staffordshire Council as setting a ‘global benchmark’. Cost neutral to the taxpayer, the Wolverhampton Road building is not only occupied by South Staffordshire Council, but also Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire County Council, Citizen’s Advice, and a total of 28 tenants. It also boasts a café, library, Russel House GP surgery, meeting rooms, offices and more. |
Memorial unveiled in honour of dearly-missed leader Councillor Brian Edwards MBE
A specially-commissioned sculpture has been revealed in memory of South Staffordshire Council’s late leader Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, bearing two key landmarks he was key in creating.
| Carved by chainsaw, the large wooden memorial bears key landmarks from across the district in the form of a map of South Staffordshire.
The memorial, which was officially presented to the public by Brian’s son Chris Edwards, was sculpted by acclaimed South Staffordshire artist ‘Robot’, who is renowned for his craft across the region – including the creation of the Wolves statues in Wolverhampton. Chris, who was joined at the event by Cllr Edwards’ wife Barbara and other family members, said he was ‘touched and heartened’ by the creation of the memorial in his late father’s honour. |
South Staffs stars celebrated at awards ceremony
Stars of South Staffordshire were celebrated in an extra special awards ceremony in memory of a much-loved former council leader.
| The event, held in honour of the late Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, saw seven residents and businesses hailed for a series of different achievements – from the Young Entrepreneur Award, to the Community Project Award, and the Brian Edwards MBE Lifetime Achievement Award.
All those who received awards reflected Brian’s mantra of ‘forging strong partnerships within the community’ – and were nominated by community groups, parish councils, and the voluntary sector. Chairman of the council, Councillor Matt Ewart, presented six out of seven of the awards, with the final accolade being given by leader of the council, Councillor Roger Lees. |
Baggeridge and Wom Brook officially named among UK’s top green spaces
Baggeridge Country Park has been named among the UK’s top parks and green spaces for the 24th year in a row, winning yet another Green Flag Award.
The internationally recognised award also went to Wom Brook Walk at Wombourne for a 13th year.
After two years that have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role through lockdown, the news that these sites have achieved the Green Flag Award is credit to the hard work and dedication of South Staffordshire Council and the volunteers that make the green spaces, great spaces that everyone can enjoy.
Five-star rated food outlets
Our Environmental Health team has had the pleasure of awarding a number of food outlets the top rating of five stars for food safety.
The food hygiene rating reflects the standards of food hygiene found on the date of the inspection. The food hygiene rating is not a guide to food quality.
This week, top five-star ratings went to:
- Sedley Court Care Home, Gospel End
- Hartlands Master Grocers, Kinver
Garden Waste Collection Service
The new garden waste collection year has started.
If you have not signed up, your green bin will not be emptied.
To sign up online for collections, please visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/gardenwaste
If you have signed up, please continue to present your bin(s) as normal. Our waste collection crews have started putting the new stickers onto bins. If you have not had your sticker yet, no need to worry, we will still empty your bin as our crews know you have signed up.
Leisure latest
Penkridge Leisure Centre’s new gym opens tomorrow
The newly-refurbished gym at Penkridge Leisure Centre reopens tomorrow.
The facility now boasts new cardio, strength and free weight equipment, plus a training rig.
The work to refurbish the wider centre, including reception, circulation areas and signage has also been completed.
Summer holiday activity camps
South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are hosting summer school holiday activity camps.
The events, which are run with Aspire Active Camps, are available for children aged 5 to 14.
Those who book will also receive FREE leisure centre passes, and we also offer discounts for early bird bookings, siblings and emergency service workers.
To find out more and to book visit https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/active-camps
Partnership updates
Stay safe during the Commonwealth Games
With visitors from across the globe travelling to take part in Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and thousands from around the country coming to the region to share the fun – the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) West Midlands wants to make sure people stay safe.
Top tips for a happy and healthy Games experience:
- Be sun safe
- Stay hydrates
- Stay at home if you don’t feel well
- Wash your hands regularly
For more information, click here
Drugs and how they affect your driving ability
Are you ok to drive?
When you think of drug driving it’s likely you’re thinking of people driving after using illegal drugs, but the reality is that certain prescribed drugs can also impair your ability to drive safely.
Penalties include:
- Up to 6 months in prison
- A fine
- A minimum 12 month driving ban
- A criminal record
- An endorsement on your licence for 11 years
Find more information here
Water safety advice
Open water might seem inviting, but there are many hidden dangers, meaning even the strongest swimmers can get into difficulties.
If you see another person or a pet in trouble in the water:
- Do not enter the water yourself.
- Raise the alarm or if you have a mobile phone call 999 and ask for the fire service.
- Try and give an exact location of where you are and look for signs or landmarks or use the What 3 Words app.
- If there is a lifebuoy or throwline nearby throw it to them. If not throw anything to them that will float.
If you fall into water by accident follow the float to live advice as follows:
- Fight your instinct to thrash around.
- Lean back, extend your arms and legs. If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
- Float until you can control your breathing.
- Only then, call for help, swim to safety or continue floating until help arrives.
For further advice on water safety, click here