Council and district news

Wombourne South East Ward by-election result

South Staffordshire District Council held a parish by-election for Wombourne South East Ward yesterday.

Conservatives held the seat and the council would like to welcome Janice Evans.

There was a 20% turnout for the by-election and the results were as follows:

• Janice Evans – Conservative Party candidate – 353 (elected)
• Laura Smith – Green Party candidate – 311

For further details, click here

Pattingham Daffodil Tiny Forest

The Pattingham Daffodil Tiny Forest has been planted – thanks to the efforts of villagers who united in creating something special for future generations.

The project was spearheaded on behalf of Pattingham Parish Council by Councillor Nick Hill.

Cllr Hill said: “The last few years have been tough on everyone, but especially the younger children in our community. We really wanted to try to create some positive memories for them, and what better way then planting trees that will grow with them into the future?

“I want to say thank you to all the amazing volunteers who turned out today to help plant the Tiny Forest.

“We managed to plant all the trees in a couple of hours and so many children came to plant trees, it was a really superb effort – and a really beautiful day for it as well.

“Thanks to South Staffs District Council, Severn Trent and Earthwatch for making it possible, especially the Severn Trent volunteers on the day, who helped out massively.”

As well as volunteers from the village and beyond, the event was visited by South Staffordshire District Council’s Councillor Len Bates, Councillor Terry Mason, Councillor Robert Reade and Councillor Victoria Wilson.

Council job vacancies

• Relief Leisure Assistant (Wombourne Leisure Centre), closing 5pm on March 31. Click here for application information
• Relief Receptionist (Wombourne Leisure Centre), closing 5pm on March 31. Click here for application information
• Support Officer – Performance and Envirocrime, closing 5pm on April 4.  Click here for application information 
• Elections Officer, closing 5pm on April 4.  Click here for application information 
• Senior Elections Officer, closing 5pm on April 4.  Click here for application information 
• Street Scene – Tree Inspector, closing 5pm on March 28. Click here for application information 
• Income & Recovery Officer, closing 5pm on March 25. Click here for application information 
• Biffa Class 2 Driver, open application date. Click here for application information 
• Swimming Instructors (Codsall, Penkridge, Cheslyn Hay and Wombourne Leisure Centres), open application date. Click here for application information 
• Corporate Policy Manager – open application date. Click here for application information 
• Homeless Prevention Assistant – closing midday on April 22. Click here for application information 

Supporting Ukrainian Refugees

Business PLACE Partnership event showcases Codsall Community Hub

The Business PLACE Partnership hosted its third event at the start of the month, this time showcasing our award-winning Codsall Community Hub.

A range of businesses were welcomed on the day and were offered a range of support – from marketing, to grant funding, HR services, and import and export..

It was a great opportunity to demonstrate how The Business PLACE Partnership works and offer state-of-the-art facilities at our fantastic Community Hub.

Leisure latest

Mums swim for FREE this Mother’s Day

This Sunday (March 27), Codsall, Cheslyn Hay and Penkridge Leisure Centres are providing free swimming access for mums accompanied by a child.

To claim your free swim, simply check our website https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/ for available swim times at your local South Staffordshire leisure centre this Sunday.  All mums must swim with an accompanying child to be eligible for free access.

Easter school holiday activity camps

Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne leisure centres are providing daily activity camps for young people aged 5-14 throughout the Easter school holiday.

The camps are being delivered in conjunction with Aspire Sports who will be providing a variety of sports and health-related activities between April 11 and 22, from 8am-4pm each day.

Aspire provide early bird, sibling and emergency service discounts.

To find out more and to book, visit https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/active-camps

As an added bonus, all bookings will also receive free leisure centre passes including junior and adult swim passes; gym passes; exercise class passes; and day passes.

Holiday Activities and Food Scheme

Families in receipt of free school meals are eligible for free activity camps and food during the Easter holiday.

The Holiday Activities and Food Scheme is a central government initiative and has been made possible thanks to funding from The Department for Education.

Registration for the Holiday Activities and Food Scheme is now open.

All eligible families will receive a letter from their school, and parents will need to register using their unique ‘HAF’ code.

For details visit https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Educational-awards-benefits/Holiday-activities-and-food/Holiday-Activities-and-Food.aspx

Partnership updates

Covid booster jab available for over 75s and the immunosuppressed

People aged 75 and over, and people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed, are now eligible for a spring COVID-19 booster vaccine.

The NHS will contact eligible people to book their next vital jab.

Visit nhs.uk/covid-booster for more information.

Covid vaccination during Ramadan

The safest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family and those most at risk from the virus is by having the Covid-19 vaccine.

Having the vaccine during the month of Ramadan will not break your fast. The British Islamic Medical Association has reviewed the analysis of Islamic scholars and confirmed that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast.

If you are still unsure whether you should have a vaccine during the holy month, please speak to your local Imam for guidance.

Find out more from the British Islamic Medical Association here

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

Rediscover Your Library

As we recover from COVID-19 why not reconnect with Your Library and get access to all these resources and services?

Not already a member? Give us a try, it’s FREE and easy to join.

You can:

• Relax with a good book, borrowing as many as you would like
• Always on the go?  Download to your tablet, e-reader, mobile phone from a range of eBooks, eAudio, the latest eMagazines, eComics and read online newspapers
• Don’t know what to read next and too little time to choose?  Let us choose for you with our Order and Collect service based on favourite genres and authors
• Feel connected just by sitting and reading and having a chat
• Use the PCs and Wi-Fi and brush up on your digital skills – help is at hand if you need it
• Find a quiet spot and sit and study
• Print and photocopy those important documents
• Discover your story and use Ancestry and Find My Past
• Take part in activities and events and make new friends
• Find out about local groups, clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities

And much more…

Just pop in and see us, visit https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Libraries/libraries.aspx or find us on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll open your eyes to a world of possibilities.

Calling all Family History sleuths!

Perton Library will be offering 2 FREE 5 week Family History Course in association with Penny from Midland Ancestors, starting in February. Get help and advice to begin your journey into your family’s story.

Perton Library

5 week courses

Starting Tuesday 1^st February to 1^st March or Tuesday 8^th March to 5^th April

2:15pm – 4:15pm

The courses are absolutely FREE, but please book as places are limited.

Contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 to book.

Your Winter Reads

Winter is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book in your favourite cosy chair. Now that the nights are longer and colder, and the garden has gone to sleep, why not discover some new authors or even try a different genre than you would normally choose. Be daring!

Your Winter Reads collection has a title to suit all tastes whether it be a spooky tale, a whodunnit, a bit of humour or imagining times gone by.

Winter Reads are available at selected Staffordshire libraries, but they can be reserved at any library.

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 first Monday of the month.

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

Places of Welcome – Can you offer a couple of hours on a Monday to help?

The Friends of Perton Library are hoping to restart their  weekly ‘Place of Welcome’ at Perton Library in the new year, but they need some more volunteers to help make drinks and talk to visitors.

A Place of Welcome offers your neighbourhood a place where everyone can go for a friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation if and when they need it. Places of Welcome are a place where people can feel safe to connect, belong and contribute.

Find out more about Places of Welcome here: www.placesofwelcome.org.uk/ or pop into Perton Library. If you are interested in supporting our Place of Welcome please contact Keith Elder from the Friends of Perton Library at keith.elder@hotmail.co.uk or on 07477075899