Council and district news

WATCH: South Staffordshire’s stunning high streets take centre stage in new video

To give businesses a much-needed boost in the wake of the pandemic, a new video has been launched to promote South Staffordshire’s stunning high streets.

> Watch the video here

The video, commissioned by South Staffordshire District Council, aims to encourage those living in the area to discover the many hidden gems on their doorstep, and those who are based further afield to come and explore South Staffordshire.

The council’s latest project shows the various village shopping destinations across the district – from the quaint, historic sites of Brewood, to the bustling streets of Penkridge.

Wombourne’s glistening waterways and one-off stores feature too; as well as Kinver’s  beautiful boutiques; the well-connected village of Codsall; as well as Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.

See the full press release here

Council Tax Rebate

On February 3, the government announced measures to help protect millions of households from rising energy costs in 2022-2023.

These measures include a one-off £150 non-repayable rebate for households in England in council tax bands A – D, known as the Council Tax Rebate. This will be in the form of a payment of £150 per household and is not a reduction off your bill.

For more information on this, click here

Boundary Commission publishes final recommendations

The Boundary Commission has published final recommendations for changes in South
Staffordshire.

It says residents should be represented by 42 councillors. This is seven fewer than the current arrangements.

There will be 20 wards, five fewer than there are now.

New Waste and Recycling Collection Vehicles

We’ve had many good years out of our current fleet of waste and recycling collection vehicles and they have now reached the end of their operational life. We’re very excited that our brand new fleet of waste and recycling collection vehicles have started arriving this week.

If you spot them around, you may notice they look a little bit different to the old vehicles.  Our new recycling collection vehicles have three rear bin lifts, which tip into two separate storage areas in the back of the vehicle.  This design means we can collect two different type of recycling in the same vehicle, but keep the materials separate to produce great quality recycling.

Find out more about how we’ll be collecting your recycling from May: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/bluebag

Council job vacancies

• Development Management Team Manager – closing 5pm on April 20. Click here for application information
• Corporate Policy Manager – open application date. 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 
• 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 
• Relief Swimming Instructors (Wombourne Leisure Centre) – closing 5pm on April 6. Click here for application information
• Relief/ Contracted Water Assistants (Wombourne Leisure Centre) – closing 5pm on April 6. Click here for application information
• Homeless Prevention Assistant – closing midday on April 22. Click here for application information 
• Building Better Opportunities Advocate (fixed term) – closing midday on April 8. Click here for application information

Appeal to all former Littleton Colliery employees and their families

Huntington Parish Council is offering all former Littleton Colliery employees and their families the chance to commemorate their involvement in the nation’s rich mining heritage.

The Huntington Memorial Garden, located at the front of the Village Green, proudly displays a restored Colliery Headgear Winding Wheel, sitting on a plinth upon which two plaques note the names of the fallen of the two world wars. On each length of the plinth, a total of 400 inscribed blue bricks commemorate ex-employees of Littleton Colliery and their job roles at the site.

The Parish Council is looking to complete the two end sections of the plinth by adding a further 280 inscribed bricks and would like to hear from anybody with connections to the colliery that has not already obtained an inscribed brick.

This second phase of the scheme will be completed by the end of October and there are less than 100 bricks remaining.

The parish council is asking for a contribution of £32 towards each brick.

For more information, email parish clerk Lynn McClymont at lynnmcclymont@ntlworld.com

Leisure latest

Do you want a career in teaching swimming?

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are running swimming teacher courses this Easter.

• April 11 – 15: STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching at Wombourne Leisure Centre – £295 (£70 no-refundable deposit). This is an initial course for those wishing to start a swimming teacher career.
• April 19 – 22: STA Level 2 Certificate in Swimming Teaching at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – £295 (£70 non refundable deposit). This is a step-two course for those wishing to teach improvers and advanced classes.

Call to book:

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – 01922 417790

Wombourne Leisure Centre – 01902 898202

Wombourne Leisure Centre Swimming Pool update

Baggeridge Country Park

Baggeridge Country Park is now open daily until 8pm.

The park will also be open every day throughout Easter including Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

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

How do I wean safely?

Staffordshire Connects consultation survey