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Becky Hodgetts

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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 

What’s on in Staffordshire Libraries

What’s happening at Your Library in South Staffordshire this August

We’re getting into science and innovation for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Gadgeteers, launching on Saturday 9th July at a Staffordshire Library near you!

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.

In addition, we will also be offering the Mini-Challenge for pre-school aged children from our libraries.

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.
  • Choose any books your child likes
  • Share the stores together.
  • Collect a sticker for each book.
  • Collect six stickers to finish and earn a gold medal sticker.

Find out more at: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ and keep an eye on our social media for information about what is going on at libraries during the Summer holidays for the kids.

Discover the Trent Valley’s Military History at Wombourne Library

Wombourne Library is playing host to a fascinating mini-exhibition about Second World War pillboxes from the ‘Transforming the Trent’ organisation.

Pillboxes in the Transforming the Trent Valley landscape were part of Stop Line Number 5, a network of defensive emplacements that used the rivers Trent, Tame and Dove to provide a natural barrier to invading forces.

Find out more at Wombourne Library from 14th June.

Seisdon Wellbeing Bus to be calling at Perton Library

Perton Library will be welcoming the Wellbeing Bus most weeks, on Thursdays, for private appointments for people in South Staffordshire with members of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent wellbeing Team.

The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent wellbeing team consists of a team of therapists based in Codsall who specialise in treating common mental health problems, as well as physical health problems ( as we know one usually affects the other), such as: Low Mood, Worry and anxiety, Panic, Obsessions and compulsions, health anxiety, PTSD, Chronic fatigue, IBS & Chronic pain to name a few.

The therapies they provide are evidence based treatments in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence( NICE) guidance, which is a national recommendation of best practice. They are currently offering telephone, face to face or online appointments.

Simply call the self- referral telephone on 0300 303 0923 in order to make an appointment, or self-refer online via our website www.staffsandstokewellbeing.nhs.uk

All details are kept strictly confidential between you and the Wellbeing Team.

Staffordshire Libraries offer Reading Well collections from the Reading Agency which can help you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading.

The books are all chosen and recommended by health experts, as well as people living with the conditions covered and their relatives and carers.

‘Sunflower Time’ at Staffordshire Libraries

Not all disabilities are visible – that’s why Staffordshire Libraries have implemented ‘Sunflower Time.’

What is Sunflower Time? It’s an allocated time slot in libraries where we can support you or your child. This support may be with sensory overload, visual impairment, anxiety or another hidden disability. During Sunflower Time we hope to help you navigate your library visit.

Codsall Library – Weekly – Tuesday 5:00pm-6:00pm

Perton Library – Alternate Sundays 2:30pm-3:30pm

Wombourne Library – Alternate Wednesdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Please contact Codsall Library on 01902 506060 Perton Library on 01902 506050 or Wombourne on 01902 506055 for more information.

Aged 14 to 18?

Have you considered volunteering with Staffordshire Libraries?

We have opportunities available during this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

This role is for you if you’re:

  • Seeking to develop your confidence, communication or social skills
  • Would like to demonstrate your skills and abilities to future employers, universities, or colleges
  • Are taking part in Duke of Edinburgh Awards, School Enrichment Programmes, Arts Award or similar
  • Are interested in books and reading especially children’s books
  • Would like to make new friends
  • Cheerful, friendly, patient and non-judgemental, flexible and willing to take direction
  • Are punctual, reliable and well-presented
  • Are interested in supporting your local community
  • Would like to gain volunteering experience

Ask at your local library for more information.

IT Buddy available at Wombourne Library – Every Wednesday

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Free-Bookable slots

Please contact Wombourne Library for more information via the Staffordshire County Council Contact Centre, on 0300 111 8000

 

Perton Library Astronomy Club

Pop along to our next meeting for informal chat, presentations and observing if the skies are clear. Bring your own telescope or binoculars if you have them and get help in making the most of them.

Beginners welcome!

Thursday 21st July and 18th August 7:00pm-9:00pm (and every third Thursday of the Month)

Contact us for more information on 01902506060 or email: perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk

 

Compassionate Communities – Bereavement Information Hubs

After what has been a challenging year for so many people, we are really pleased to say the Community Development Team  at Compton Care have reopened the Bereavement Information Hubs in Perton Library and Wombourne Library.

Compton Care’s Bereavement Information Hubs run across Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire and offer peer support for those who have or are currently experiencing loss and grief. The hubs provide a safe space to meet people in situations similar to your own and a shoulder to cry on should you need it!

It is great to be back in the libraries offering this much needed support within the heart of local communities – Maz Kull, Community Engagement Coordinator

Perton Library 2:00pm – 4:00pm on the second Friday of the month.

Wombourne Library 1.30pm-3.30pm on the second Monday of the month.

Ask at the library for more information or contact: compassionatecommunities@comptoncare.org.uk or 01902 774570

 

Weekly News 270

 

Issue 270 June 10th, 2022

 

Council and district news

Council job vacancies
  • Relief Leisure Assistant, Penkridge Leisure Centre – closing 5pm on June 20th 
  • Part-time Leisure Assistant, Wombourne Leisure Centre – closing 5pm on June 16th  
  • Leisure Assistant, Wombourne Leisure Centre – Closing 5pm on June 15th  
  • Casual Clerical Assistant (Elections and Executive Support) – closing midnight on June 12th  
  • Community Hub Welcome Host – closing 5pm on June 10th  
  • Customer Services General Advisor (fixed term) – closing 5pm on June 10th  
  • Leisure Assistant, Codsall Leisure Centre – closing 5pm on June 10th  
  • Elections and Executive Support Apprentice – closing 5pm on June 20th 
  • Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date 
  • Swimming Instructors (all leisure centres) – open application date

For more information on all vacancies and for details on how to apply, click here

New 60-acre extension at i54 to create over 1,000 new jobs

A further 60 acres of land has been added to the west side of i54 South Staffordshire.

The scheme – which is being delivered by the City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council – will create more than 1,000 new jobs.

South Staffordshire Council Leader, Councillor Roger Lees, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this major milestone in the project which will mean more than 1,000 employees will soon be making i54 western extension their new work location, with recruitment aimed at local residents, including a mix of skilled, semi-skilled, graduate and apprenticeship roles – and the expectation of more to follow in future years.”

For more information, see the full press release here

Platinum Jubilee: Beacon lit at Baggeridge County Park

Baggeridge Country Park celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the lighting of a beacon.Hundreds of beacons were lit across the country and Commonwealth to kickstart a weekend of Jubilee celebrations on Thursday, June 2nd – and Baggeridge County Park was proudly among them.

A live video on Facebook enabled residents across the district to witness the beacon lighting – and more than 4,200 people watched the event.

See the beacon lighting video on Baggeridge Country Park’s Facebook page here.

Waste and Recycling

Blue Bags: Paper and card recycling

The second round of collections of blue bags has started this week. Thank you to everyone who is using the bag for their paper and card, the material we are collecting from you is excellent quality.

  • If you are unsure what can go in the blue bag or your blue bin, please see our online recycling finder where you can search by item here
  • For more information about the blue bags, including FAQs, please visit: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/bluebag

Garden Waste Collection Service 

There is less than a month to go until the new collection year starts. If you have not signed up yet, you need to sign up now to continue having your green bin emptied after July 4th.

Sign up online now: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/gardenwaste

Garden Waste Collection Delays

There are currently delays to garden waste collections around the district.

We are working hard to catch up on all collections, please leave your green bin presented and we will be with you as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these delays.

Evening call line for Garden Waste Collection renewal

Struggling to find the time to renew your Garden Waste Collection permit during the day?

A new ‘twilight shift’ has been introduced for 2022 to enable those who are working or cannot make calls in the daytime to renew their permit over the phone later in the day.

These phone lines are open Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 7pm for 5 weeks only ending Thursday, July 7th.

Call 01902 696000.

South Staffordshire Business Hub news

We are delighted to welcome EMW Surveyors Ltd into the Business Hub.

They join more than 27 other public and private businesses located within the Hub.  

Are you a local business looking for a newly refurbished serviced office in a fantastic location, with free onsite parking, meeting rooms and café?

We have just one office remaining – click here for more information.

To view, please email us at businesshub@sstaffs.gov.uk 

Networking event

Join us for breakfast and networking at our next South Staffordshire Business Place Partnership event on June 24th.The Business Networking Breakfast provides local businesses with the opportunity to speak with the council and supporting partners.

The event will have a low carbon theme and guests will hear from the Staffordshire Business & Environment Network (SBEN) team on the support available to businesses to help them better understand and reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information and to book your place, click here

Leisure latest

Shape Up for Summer: Last chance for offer

Join South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres before Sunday and receive your first month for just £10.

Current members can also refer a friend onto the offer and in return the new joiner receives June for just £10 and the current member will get a fee-free month.

Offer ends June 12th.

To find out more visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/summer-shape-up.cfm

Leisure centre refurbishments underway

The first in a series of £3.4 million improvements to South Staffordshire’s leisure centres has begun.

The work at Penkridge Leisure Centre is now underway, with ongoing refurbishment work to the front of the building, entrance and reception.

For full details visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres-refurbishment-programme.cfm

Family fun day is huge success

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre held a fun-packed family fun day on Thursday, June 2nd, organised by assistant manager Jordon Burton. 

Activities were available from 9am-3.30pm and included a huge line up consisting of local sports clubs who attended the event and provided demonstrations and access to local people and visitors.

The fun day attracted more than 140 visitors at a cost of just £3 per person for unlimited access to all of the activities.

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre would like to thank Gary and George Belcher for delivering football coaching; G Dance Academy; Fusion Rollerskating; Dave Morley Cricket Coaching; Cheslyn Hay Tennis club, Pegasus Karate; and Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre’s netball club.

New wellbeing walk

A new monthly health walk started this week at Baggeridge Country Park, which will take place on the first Thursday of every month at 10am.

The walk is a short and moderately paced walk, ideal for people new to walking or for those that can only manage short distances.

For full details on the programme of weekly and monthly walks, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/good-life-health-fitness-in-the-community.cfm

Partnership updates

Please Plan Ahead for IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire

Some local roads and routes will be affected this weekend for the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire.

For full details on all road closures and local travel info as well as spectator information for the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire event this coming weekend, visit: www.ironman.com/im703-staffordshire

Don’t let the thought of cancer play on your mind

If something in your body doesn’t feel right contact your GP practice.

Your GP may refer you for tests. Whatever the result, your NHS is there for you.

Finding out sooner is always better.

Less than 50 days to go until Birmingham 2022

Get your hands on this summer’s must-have ticket at www.birmingham2022.com/tickets

Celebrating Differences: Supporting positive change for people with autism and learning disabilities

Staffordshire County Council and the county’s health system are looking for examples to celebrate where local shops or venues have made changes to help anyone with hidden disabilities such as autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and dyslexia.

It might be finding a quiet time or area, giving you time to process information or helping you with instructions.

Tell the campaign about how local amenities are supporting hidden disabilities, giving details of the organisation name, location, and how they helped here

Let’s spread the word and make our communities accessible for everyone.

Living alone?

People who live alone are nearly four times more likely to die or be seriously injured in a fire.

In the past five years alone there have been 741 accidental house fires in properties where the occupier lived alone and was aged 45 plus. Sadly 13 of these fires proved fatal.

Check your home and routine to make yourself safer.

Find out more here

 

 

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