Council News
New warding pattern for South Staffordshire – draft reccomendations for public consultation
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England have now published their draft recommendations, proposing that South Staffordshire District Council should have 42 councillors, a decrease of seven from the existing arrangements. Those councillors should represent 6 three-councillor wards, 10 two-councillor wards and 4 one-councillor wards across the council area. The boundaries of three wards (Essington, Himley & Swindon and Huntington & Hatherton) will stay the same; all others should change.
Before drawing up the draft recommendations, the Commission carried out a public consultation inviting proposals for a new pattern of wards for South Staffordshire. They have considered all of the submissions that they have received during that phase of consultation.
A detailed report on the recommendations is available on their website at: www.lgbce.org.uk.
A summary can be found here
For the public consultation on the draft reccomendations visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk where you will also be able to view the map of their recommendations down to street level.
This stage of the consultation closes on 10 January 2022
DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL 28/10/21 – Kinver & Wombourne South East By-Elections
Last week the Council held two District By-Elections for Kinver and Wombourne South East to replace the late Brian Edwards and Reg Williams. Conservatives held the seats and the Council would like to welcome Mark Evans, Wombourne South East and Geoffrey Sisley, Kinver, to the Council.
Mark Evans was also elected for Wombourne Parish Council, South East Ward.
To view the results for the Kinver and Wombourne South East By-Elections click here. |
The Preferred Options public consultation got underway on Monday 1 November and runs for six weeks until 5pm on Monday 13 December 2021.
We are holding 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:
You can also book an in person appointment between 10.30am and 7.30pm at the following venues (please note the change of venue for 18th November):
- Bilbrook Village Hall – Wednesday 10 November 2021
- Essington Community Centre – Monday 15 November 2021
- Coven Memorial Hall – Thursday 18 November 2021
- Penkridge, Haling Dene Centre – Monday 22 November 2021
Call 01902 696000 to book your slot.
Click here to watch Councillor Terry Mason, Cabinet Member for Planning and Business Enterprise, explain the Local Plan review, Preferred Options consultation and how you can have your say.
To find other ways you can speak with the Local Plans Team click here
The Big Winter Saver
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.
Work on new 3G sports pitch in Wombourne underway
Young people, sports clubs and the wider community in Wombourne are soon to benefit from a new 3G sports pitch thanks to funding from South Staffordshire council and the Football Foundation.
The work, which is currently underway, will see a new 3G all-weather pitch at Wombourne Leisure Centre. The scheme which is due for completion in March 2022 also includes the refurbishment of changing areas within the leisure centre that will serve the new pitch
Councillor Len Bates, Cabinet Member for Community Services at South Staffordshire Council said: “It’s great news that work has now started on our new 3G all-weather sports pitch.The pitch will make an excellent addition to the existing facilities already available at the Leisure Centre. It will offer local residents, pupils, groups and teams a wonderful venue whilst promoting active lifestyles.”
Volunteers Needed at our Community Bulb Planting Events
We are very pleased that we are once again able to hold our bulb planting events at our cemeteries this year and would love you to come along and join us to help plant some spring flowering bulbs including bluebells, daffodils and crocus.
- Monday 15 November between 10.00 and 12.00 at Sytch Lane Cemetery, Sytch Lane, Wombourne, WV5 0JP
- Monday 22 November between 10.00 and 12.00 at Strawberry Lane Cemetery, Upper Landywood Lane, Great Wyrley, WS6 7AU
There’s no need to book, just turn up, meet others from the local community and get some fresh air and gentle exercise. Just wear sensible footwear and warm clothes and we will provide gloves, hi-vis vests and other equipment.
We look forward to seeing you there and please feel free to share the details with your friends and family. If you know any local community groups that may be interested please pass on the details.
If you would like to find out more about our two cemeteries and the services we provide, including the option to pre-purchase a grave plot, please contact us on 01902 696000 or by email: bereavementservices@sstaffs.gov.uk or visit our website https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/life-events/bereavement-services.cfm
Regular News
Public Meetings
- Licensing Sub-Committee – Monday 8 November 21 at 10:30am
- Audit and Risk Committee – Tuesday 9 November 21 at 16:00pm
Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk
Council Job Vacancies
- Planning Officers (Graduates/Assistants to Senior roles within Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Strategic Planning), closing at 5pm on 9 November 2021. Application Information
Partnership Information and Helpful Resources
Morgan’s Story
Local teenager Morgan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. He was only given a very small chance of surviving, but luckily he pulled through.
Morgan is running a half marathon to raise money for cancer charities and also the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where his life was saved. Read his full story.
Morgan’s ‘Still Me’ Half Marathon fundraising on JustGiving
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.
Healthcare Surveys
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 Primary and Community Care services
Healthwatch Staffordshire are the independent local champion for health and social care services in Staffordshire. Part of our role is to understand the experiences of people who are using the services and to give people an opportunity to speak up and have their voices heard
On this occasion, we are interested in your opinion of primary care and community services in Staffordshire. The future provision of primary and community care services is being considered, with the aim of offering enhanced services for residents as part of the Integrated Care System Plans.
We want to capture your views about Primary and Community Care services and how you think they could be better.
- What services are important to you in your local area?
- What would you like to see added to the current services?
Click here for further information and to complete the survey.
Survey closes 14 November 2021
Covid Update
NHS issues plea for people in the Midlands to stay safe and get the COVID booster vaccine
People in the Midlands who are eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine are being urged to stay safe and book a jab as soon as possible. The booster vaccine is offered to those eligible who had their second dose of the COVID vaccination six months ago as protection will have deteriorated.
The NHS will be in touch to notify eligible people when they are due their booster jab at least six months – that’s a minimum of 182 days – after their second vaccination.
Appointments can be booked quickly and conveniently at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. People that can’t go online can book by phoning 119.
Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months after their second dose include:
- those living in residential care homes for older adults
- all adults aged 50 years or over
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
- adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.
Recently, the NHS encouraged pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine as data showed that nearly 1 in 5 of the most critically ill COVID patients were unvaccinated pregnant women.
Anyone receiving a text or letter inviting them for a booster jab should come forward as soon as possible to get crucial protection.
NHS Opens Online Covid-19 Vaccination Bookings For 12-15 Year Olds
Parents will be able to book covid-19 vaccinations online for their 12-15 year old children, the NHS has announced.
People will be able to go online and check the National Booking Service to see if their local site has appointments to vaccinate children and young people, as the NHS covid-19 vaccination programme continues at pace.
If a child has already been invited through their school, they do not need act on their invite unless parents wish to get their child vaccinated outside of school.
Click here to book a vaccine appointment for your 12-15 year old.
Staffordshire information for parents of 12-15 year olds.
Click here on Staffordshire information on how and where to get a vaccine.
Rising COVID-19 Cases
Staffordshire has seen a huge rise in cases and the NHS 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. |
