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Becky Hodgetts

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Locations of Condolence Books

Following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, locations of condolence books can be found at Codsall Council Offices, Wombourne Civic Centre and The Hailing Dene Centre, Penkridge, from 9am – 5pm Saturday 10th until the day of her funeral.

A National book of condolence will be available at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 7AR.

An online book of condolence can be found at www.royal.uk

 

The Church at Perton will be open for all:

Friday 9th 10am – 3pm & 6.30pm – 8pm

Saturday 10th 8am – 12 noon

Sunday 11th Morning service at 10.30am

Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm

Monday 12th also 6.30pm – 8pm

Residents are invited to sign a book of remembrance, light a candle and say a prayer.

For those who may wish to leave flowers, these can be placed in the Church courtyard.

What’s on in Staffordshire Libraries

Discover Your Library in September

Staffordshire County Council sent this bulletin at 28-08-2022 07:10 PM BST

Highway News – August

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the latest Highways Bulletin.

This month we’re doing a special update on our investment in highways, and how we are transforming the way we work to be able to meet the needs of our residents.

More investment in our highways

As you might know, we recently announced an additional £15.5 million investment into Staffordshire’s roads.

This extra investment will make a real difference, but we are also changing the way we work to fix more roads and bring real benefits to residents and businesses.

Roads affect everyone, and we know people have very strong opinions about them, which is why we’re improving how we work and managing our performance. We’ll also be putting customer service at the heart of everything we do, and will be talking to you and many other residents and businesses across the county to make sure you’re getting the best customer service, value and quality.

Click on the button below to see County Councillor David Williams talk more about our investment.

David Williams

Major resurfacing schemes happening soon

Of the extra £15.5 million investment we’re making into Staffordshire’s roads, £5.2 million will fund maintenance schemes on major gateways into our towns. This is on top of an extra £1.6 million of structural maintenance work already taking place, which has been funded by the Department for Transport.

Resurfacing a road requires a lot of money, which means we are unable to treat all of the roads on our network that are in need of resurfacing. With the extra investment we’ve been able to prioritise an additional eight important roads across Staffordshire. These works are planned to start from September.

The eight roads that will be resurfaced are:

  • A34 Walton Roundabout, Stone
  • A51/A518 Weston Junction, Stafford
  • A460 Wolverhampton Road, Saredon
  • A5121 Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge
  • A5195 Ogley Hay Roundabout, Burntwood
  • B4210 Broad Lane, Essington
  • Station Road, Rolleston (Ph3)
  • A34 Holmcroft, Stafford

We’ll give you more information on the schemes in future bulletins.

Mindfulness / Jubilee Garden – Brook Square, Rugeley

We’ve invested in a community initiative which will address environmental issues across the county.

This pilot sees us working together with our district/borough, town and parish councils, as well as local businesses and other community organisations.

One scheme we’ve been involved in is Rugeley Town Centre (Brook Square). We’ve worked with the town council and local businesses to create a beautiful space where local people can contemplate and reflect.

The work has been done through the town council, by a local company, and will be maintained by the community and Cannock Chase District Council. There has also been support from other local businesses who have donated materials and expertise.

Our highway teams will be pruning the trees in Brook Square, and County Councillor Peter Kruskonjic will be allocating some of his local highways funding to address existing issues outside of Brook Square and in the wider town.

This is a fantastic example of how by working with local organisations and communities, we can create something that will benefit everyone. And if you’re in Rugeley, feel free to check it out yourself.

Crews out and about

This month we caught up with Woz and the crew who have been out fixing and replacing kerbs – these are kerbs that have become damaged or uneven and need either replacing, or resetting so they are level.

We repair around 35,000 highway defects each year and approximately 50% are pothole repairs. You may not always see us, but our highway crews are out and about taking advantage of the good weather to fix as many defects as then can, and make our roads as safe as possible. We’ll continue to update you on their progress every month.

 

Weekly News 280

Council job vacancies

  • Full-time Leisure Assistant, Codsall Leisure Centre – closes at 5pm on August 31st
  • Senior Caretaker – closes midnight on August 28th
  • Corporate Services Apprentice – closes August 31st
  • Relief Leisure Assistants, Codsall, Wombourne, Penkridge and Cheslyn Hay leisure centres – closes August 19th
  • Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date.
  • Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres – open application date.
  • Senior Ecologist Officer, closing midnight on September 13th
  • 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

New provider for The Hub Cafe

A new provider is soon taking over the management of The Hub Cafe.

As a result of the handover, the cafe facility will not be available between August 15th and 30th, to enable the new provider to mobilise.

The new cafe will open on August 31st with a soft launch and will be fully operational from September 5th

What’s on this weekend

V.I.P Fest Event 

Very Important Pensioners 

20th August at Halfpenny Green Airport

Two tribute acts, Frank Sinatra and The Shadows will perform. In-between the musical entertainment there will be a game of Prize Bingo and the evening concludes with a 50’s to 70’s disco.

The event commences at 5pm and concludes at 9pm.

There is a bar and limited catering.

Tickets can be purchased on the day.

Find more information here

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.

Camp Bestival Shropshire – Weston Park

Between Thursday 18th and Monday 22nd August 2022 Camp Bestival  will be held over a period of 4 days at Weston Park. It is based on the Camp Bestival event at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, which has been running since 2008.

The event is a family festival featuring family fun activities; children’s shows; theatrical entertainment and live musical performances, together with a full range of gourmet and street food concession stalls and bar and refreshment facilities. Guests can also enjoy yoga, hot tubs and paddleboarding on the beautiful Temple Pool. The line-up includes Fat Boy Slim, Rag’n’Bone Man, Becky Hill, Sara Cox, The Proclaimers and Scouting for Girls.  The grand finale is a firework show on Sunday evening.

The Environmental Health and licensing team have been working with the organisers to deliver a safe and successful event with minimal disruption to residents.  Already the team have completed over 50 food inspections of food traders, and we will be monitoring noise and health and safety compliance over the weekend.

Anyone with concerns can contact the team at campbestival@sstaffs.gov.uk

Further information can be found at Camp Bestival Shropshire

We will also be posting regularly over the weekend .For up to date information follow the Facebook page.

Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022

Equipment Giveaway

Following on from the very successful Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham and surrounding areas recently, we have been notified that the CWG B2022 organisers are looking to share equipment from the Games with local groups delivering activities in local communities.   Its all free and part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Games!

Please follow this link to find out more about this fantastic opportunity.…FREE CWG kit giveaway!!

Full details here: https://www.sportengland.org/funds-and-campaigns/birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games/commonwealth-games-equipment-giveaway

The opportunity is open to organisations providing inclusive and accessible sports, physical activity and wellbeing activities in communities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire).

Local Authorities are not eligible to apply for this but there are many community based clubs across a range of sports disciplines that could be eligible to apply.

Have a go….. you never know!

Leisure latest

Swim Teachers Course – STA Certificate level course at Wombourne Leisure Centre

6 candidates attended and passed the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming on Friday 12th August 2022 which is the second part of the Swim Teachers qualification.   It was a great course to tutor, lots of hard work twinned with a lot of laughter and activities, lots of  heat with some extremely hot days during the course, fire alarms going off and a short pool closure adding to the challenges we faced during the week however, it all ended with a great set of results in both theory and practical assessments at the end of the course.  We had 9 advanced level learners attend on Friday for 1.5 hours of free lessons enabling the Certificate level teachers to put their new skills into practice.  Big thank you to all those that attended!

The good news is that 1 of the candidates is starting work with us in September as an Award Level teacher and will be promoted to Certificate level now they have passed this course once they have completed their probationary period and, we have so far received 2 applications from other candidates looking to join our organisation!

If you have ever thought about being a swimming teacher – please contact our Swim Coordinator – Bridget Chambers at swimcoordinator@sstaffs.gov.uk or 07966255432 for a chat about what’s involved and how to get started!  Visit www:sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure

Each year we have a massive turnover of staff who are moving onto universities or into full time work so we are always looking for new teachers to come on board and work with us!

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification – Wombourne Leisure Centre

Wombourne Leisure Centre have 12 prospective Lifeguards completing their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification this week.

There is another course scheduled for 24 October 2022. Want to become a lifeguard or part of our leisure team please visit Leisure South Staffordshire Council (sstaffs.gov.uk) and/or Current Vacancies South Staffordshire Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Cheslyn Hay Table Tennis Marathon

Cheslyn Hay table Tennis club is holding a Table Tennis Marathon.

The marathon takes place on Saturday, August 20th, from 8am-8pm.

The event is open to all and free to join.

For full details visit https://www.tabletennisengland.co.uk/event/12-hour-tt-marathon-cheslyn-hay-table-tennis-club/

Partnership updates

The Summer Reading Challenge has been a huge hit with Staffordshire’s kids this year, with over 3700 signing up so far – have the children in your life joined in the fun yet? It’s easy and FREE and is great to encourage a life time of reading for pleasure!

The Gadgeteers’ story

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is all about science and innovation! Our six fictional characters, the Gadgeteers, love creating new inventions and working together to solve problems. They spend their days using their curiosity, creativity and innovation to come up with lots of awesome inventions. The printed core pack poster will show the setting for the Challenge: a community centre where our Gadgeteers are planning an epic summer party! Children will join the Gadgeteers in understanding the science behind a whole range of interests, including fashion, technology, cooking and music. In doing so, they’ll learn about inventions such as holograms, kinetic tiles, and non-Newtonian fluid.

How to take part at your local library

  • Visit your local Staffordshire library to sign up for the challenge.
  • You will receive a starter pack containing all the items you need to begin your reading adventure – including a pull-out poster and stickers! Take out three books and get reading!
  • Return your first three books and borrow another three books. Receive your next set of stickers
  • When you have read these three books bring them back to your local Staffordshire Library, and collect your completers certificate, medal and bookmark.

Watch our Summer Reading Challenge video to find out more or visited our Summer Reading Challenge webpage

In addition we are also offering the Mini-Challenge for pre-school aged children.

The Mini Challenge is  bite sized version of the Summer Reading Challenge for our youngest readers. Children collect stickers on a special collector card for the books they borrow and read. Sign up at your local library now. 

 

HMRC help with childcare costs

As children return to school after summer holidays, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families who may be missing out on Tax-Free Childcare to register.

Families receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child, or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled, helping towards the cost of before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, holiday clubs and other approved childcare schemes.

More than one million families in the UK are entitled to some form of government childcare support and the government is encouraging those eligible to not miss out on their entitlements.

For more information, click here 

Help for Households and Cost of Living Payments

The Government is providing £37 billion this year to help households combat the rising cost of living.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.

For more information on the Help for Households scheme, click here

For more information on the Cost of Living payment, click here

There are also some discounts and offers available from businesses to help with the cost of living.

Find out more via this link

NHS: Help Us, Help You

If a friend or family member has been coughing for three weeks or more, encourage them to contact their GP surgery.

It’s probably nothing serious – but it could be a sign of cancer.

Early diagnosis saves lives.

Weekly News 275

COUNCIL NEWS

Everyone is encouraged to send articles for submission in the news round-ups. Please email items for consideration to k.rawlins@sstaffs.gov.uk

Warning

Red heat warning issued

A red weather warning for extreme heat is in place for Monday and Tuesday, plus an amber warning for Sunday.

The Met Office has warned the ‘exceptional hot spell’ on Monday and Tuesday could lead to ‘widespread impacts on people and infrastructure’.

Remember to stay safe in the sun by following this government-issued advice:

  • Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
  • Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat.

Find out more tips on staying safe in the heat from The Met Office here

See advice from The Government here

What’s on this weekend

Classic Ibiza at Weston Park

Music fans will be heading to Weston Park this Saturday for the Classic Ibiza concert.

The event, running from 5.30pm to 11pm, will be a celebration of White Isle-inspired house music, reinvented by the Urban Soul Orchestra, live vocalists and headline DJs.

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.

Find out more information about this event here

Black Country Weekender at Himley Hall and Park

Families will flock to a music event at Himley Park this weekend.

The Black Country Weekender event on Saturday and Sunday will feature live 80s music, plus several modern tribute acts to chart-topping artists such as Dua Lipa.

There will also be funfairs, street food stalls and live comedy events.

The event will take place from 3pm to 9pm on Saturday, and from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday.

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.

To find out more information, click here

Council and district news

Council job vacancies
  • Administrative Assistant – closing 5pm on July 20th  
  • Leisure Assistant at Wombourne Leisure Centre – closing 5pm on July 15th
  • Elections Team Manager – closing 5pm on July 15th
  • Street Scene Operative Level 5, Tree Surgeon – closing 5pm on July 15th.  
  • Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date. 
  • Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres – open application date.    
  • Parish Clerk, Brewood and Coven Parish Council – closes midday on July 14th. 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

Garden Waste Collection Service stickers

We will no longer be sending stickers in the post; our waste collection crews will sticker your bins from July onwards.

Our waste collection crews will know that you have signed up and will continue to empty your bin without a sticker.

On occasions where we are unable to place the sticker on the bin, such as poor weather conditions or the bin has not been presented for collection, the permit sticker will be placed at the next available opportunity.

Please note, if you have subscribed to the garden waste service your bin will continue to be collected even if a sticker has not yet been placed on your bin.

If you have purchased a permit within the last seven days, please present your bin on your collection day as normal and your sticker will be added to your bin as soon as we are able.

If you have not signed up already, it’s not too late.

Sign up online today at: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/gardenwaste  

Annual Canvass

We have begun the Annual Canvass to ensure that the Electoral Register is as accurate as possible.

We will be contacting all households over the next month and asking them to confirm their registration details.

Find more information about the Annual Canvass here

Rare and declining species saved in
habitat restoration project

Thanks to some habitat restoration work at Baggeridge Country Park, a good number of the seriously threatened and decreasing species of White Clawed Crayfish have been found.

Last week, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust visited Baggeridge to monitor the population.

They were delighted to confirm that numbers were good.

This is all thanks to the park’s volunteers who have supported the project by increasing the amount of dead wood and adding bricks, that were donated by Wienerberger, to the pond.

In addition, a visitor not normally associated to a country park was also spotted last week.

A dipper was seen at the cressbeds. They are normally found along fast flowing rovers, mainly in uplands areas, but also on lowland rivers in the Southwest of England, so to spot this bird at Baggeridge was great.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is in Codsall next week

The Queen’s Baton Relay is coming to South Staffordshire a week tomorrow (Saturday, July 23) – and you’re invited to witness the landmark event in person.

The route will see the baton carried from Suckling Green Lane at 1.21pm, before moving through to Wolverhampton Road.

It will then be taken to Codsall Middle School at 1.38pm, before concluding at the award-winning Codsall Community Hub at 1.57pm.

For more information, click here

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.

Top five-star ratings went to:

  • Moat Hall Primary School, Great Wyrley
  • Puddleducks Nursery & Forestry School, Great Wyrley
  • Princefield First School, Penkridge
  • St Michael’s Primary School, Penkridge
  • Marshbrook First School, Penkridge
  • St Christopher’s Primary Academy, Codsall

Codsall Community Nursery

Summer Open Day

Have a look around the nursery at Codsall Community Hub at an upcoming open event on Saturday, July 23rd, from 10am to 1pm.

Spaces at the nursery are available for September, with limited baby spaces still on offer.

Those who book a place at the open day event will receive a 50% discount off the booking fee.

Summer holiday childcare

Childcare is available at Codsall Community Nursery for little ones under five years of age.

The sessions run from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday.

To book or for more information, call 01902 229008.

New Street Scene vans

South Staffordshire Council’s Street Scene team now has new caged tipper vans.

These will be used throughout the district for the removal of litter, fly tipping, and the servicing of litter/dog bins. 

Leisure latest

Vehicle access to Baggeridge unavailable during Time Trial event

The Commonwealth Games Men’s Time Trial event will be coming through the district on Thursday, August 4th.

Due to nearby and surrounding road closures, vehicle access to Baggeridge Country Park will be unavailable.

Baggeridge will be open as normal, but visitors will only be able to access the park by foot.

Find out which route the Time Trial event will take here

Join our team

Our leisure centres are recruiting for swimming instructors.

We are looking for people who are enthusiastic and passionate about swimming and working with children to provide safe, fun and effective swimming lessons.

For more details and job vacancies, click here

We also provide training for people who are looking to become a lifeguard or swimming teacher.  Details on courses can be found here

 

Partnership updates

Travel Like You Know Them

People don’t see people on the roads they see bikes, lorries and cars.

But inside or on every one of them is a person – it could be your brother, your mum or your mate.

As of January 29th, The Highway Code changed to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and horse riding:

  • Make sure to leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people who cycle, or more if you’re travelling at over 30mph.
  • People crossing, waiting to cross or cycling straight ahead now get priority at junctions.
  • Pass horse riders at under 10mph, leaving at least 2 metres of space.

Look out for those more at risk on the road.

See The Highway Code changes here 

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