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Kind and dedicated former leader Councillor Roger Lees BEM passes away
Former leader of South Staffordshire Council, Councillor Roger Lees BEM, has sadly passed away, aged 82.
Leader of South Staffordshire Council from 2021 to 2024, Cllr Lees had been in local government for 35 years, having begun on Swindon Parish Council in 1991, before being elected a district councillor in 2007, and becoming a cabinet member in 2009.
Passionate about the local area and its communities, Cllr Lees was involved in a range of community initiatives and sat as a magistrate on the South Staffordshire Bench for 22 years.
In acknowledgement of his dedication to South Staffordshire, Cllr Lees was named among the 2024 New Year’s Honours List and awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his contribution to the district.
During his tenure as leader, Cllr Lees championed several key programmes for the district.
Cllr Lees also led South Staffordshire Council when it was named iESE Council of the Year in 2022.
Leader of South Staffordshire Council, Cllr Kath Perry MBE, said: “We are all very saddened by the news of Roger’s passing. He was highly valued and his kindness and dedication to the district will long be remembered. His family and friends are very much in our thoughts.”
Chief executive of South Staffordshire Council, Dave Heywood, added: “We would like to convey our sincerest condolences to Roger’s family and friends at this terribly difficult time. I very much enjoyed our time working together and he will be very sadly missed.”
Four days left: Have your say and be in with a chance of winning £1,000
There are just four days left to have your say on the future of South Staffordshire and be in with a chance of winning £1,000.
There are just four days left to have your say on the future of South Staffordshire and be in with a chance of winning £1,000.
Most of us don’t think about planning until something changes near us, or until we see new developments taking place. But planning affects everyone.
Have your say on how South Staffordshire should be shaped between now and 2045. What would you like to see?
This consultation is open to everyone who lives in, works in, or visits South Staffordshire.
Whether you have strong views or just a few thoughts to share, every contribution counts.
This part of the consultation ends on May 4th.
Your new food waste caddies will arrive soon
From next week, new food waste caddy packs will start to be delivered to households, ready for the weekly Food Waste Collection Service launching in June.
Most homes will receive one pack containing a small indoor caddy, a larger outdoor caddy, an information booklet, a roll of liners and a tag to order replacement liners. A useful bin sticker is also included, showing what can go in each bin.
If you live in a communal property, you will receive a small indoor caddy, a roll of liners and an information booklet explaining how the service will work for you.
Please keep an eye out for your caddy pack as deliveries will take place over the next month.
Do not start using the caddies until the new service begins. We will contact you nearer the time to confirm the exact start date.
For more information on how the service works, what you can include in your food caddy, and for a full list of frequently asked questions, please visit: Food Waste Collection Service | South Staffordshire District Council
Report community issues easily with our new app
We care deeply about keeping our community clean, safe, and welcoming – and now, you can help us do just that, right from your phone.
With our new council app, reporting local issues has never been easier.
Whether you spot fly-tipping, litter, dead animals, or antisocial behaviour, you can take action in just a few taps.
No need to call or email – just open the app, snap a photo if needed, and submit your report directly to the council.
🗑️ Report fly-tipping and litter
🏠 Notify us of planning breaches
🚫 Flag antisocial behaviour
📍 Pinpoint exact locations with what3words
📷 Upload photos for faster resolution
Your reports help us respond faster and keep South Staffordshire a great place to live.
Every report makes a difference.
Download from the App Store or Google Play – simply search ‘My South Staffs’.
Fly tipping 2025-2026 summary
The number of fly tipping offences in South Staffordshire has seen a slight increase during 2025-2026 over the previous year.
This is still well below the peak numbers recorded in 2021-2022 and the numbers have remained stable since.
Fly tipping offences
The numbers of fly tipping incidents peak in summer and autumn. We are keen to impress upon residents who have a clear out or house improvement work done, that much of the fly tipping within the district appears to be household waste which has been fly tipped by rogue waste clearance businesses.
Please do always ensure that anyone handling waste from your property is going to dispose of it lawfully and always retain evidence showing who has taken your waste.
Enforcement action
During this time, we have continued to investigate fly tipping and littering offences and where evidence has allowed, taken formal action. We have issued eight Fixed Penalty Notices for Fly tipping offences (£1000 each); 44 Fixed Penalty Notices for Littering offences (£500 each) and two for Household Duty of Care offences.
This is when someone’s waste has been fly tipped by another because they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent this from happening.
These Fixed Penalty Notices are set at £600 each. We have had two court cases during 2025-2026 – one for fly tipping and the other for Household Duty of Care. There are also a number of court cases currently within the system awaiting finalisation.
Supporting our volunteers
Streetscene has been able to support the ongoing and amazing work done by volunteer litter pickers across the district by purchasing equipment for them to use.
This has been funded from the enforcement work issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to people committing fly tipping and littering offences.
| The work by volunteers litter picking in their local areas enhances the work done by our crews and maintains a high standard of cleanliness in their local areas.
It is great to see our residents taking a pride in their surroundings and it is clear that this benefits not only them personally, but also their families, neighbours and the diverse wildlife we are fortunate to live alongside in South Staffordshire.
We have purchased 120 high quality pickers, 100 bag hoops and 40 hi-viz vests which have been distributed for people to use at their leisure.
Nitrous Oxide gas cylinders
Staffordshire authorities are working together to try and divert dumped Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) cannisters from being sent to the Veolia Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) for incineration alongside fly tipped waste. |
| NOx is a Class C drug and it is illegal to possess or supply it for the purpose of inhalation. When NOx cannisters are mixed in with other waste, it causes safety issues because they can explode during the incineration process.
This is causing considerable inconvenience and cost with a downtime of between 45-50 hours for each incident.
A total of 10 incidents were recorded in January alone.
*Pictured is the result of an exploded cylinder from Four Ashes. |
Enjoy two months of fitness for just £20 this May
Residents across South Staffordshire are encouraged to get active this spring, with a special limited-time leisure centre membership offer.
Shape up for summer with South Staffordshire Council’s Summer Shape Up deal.
Sign up between 1st and 31st May and get two months of fitness for just £20, with June completely free and no Direct Debit payments until July.
Members enjoy access to fully equipped gyms, swimming pools, indoor cycling studios, toning suites and a wide programme of exercise and wellbeing classes.
With use of four leisure centres for the price of one, plus free health checks and personalised fitness programmes, it’s an affordable way to boost your health, confidence and energy this summer.
Alternatively, you can pop in to one of our leisure centres.
Train to be a lifeguard this May half term
Young people aged 16 and over are being given the chance to gain a recognised pool lifeguard qualification this May half term, thanks to intensive training courses running at Wombourne and Penkridge leisure centres.
The week-long Pool Lifeguard courses provide a great pathway into the leisure industry, offering a valuable qualification and job opportunities.
On successful completion, candidates will become fully certified lifeguards.
Participants must be 16 years or older and be competent swimmers.
The course blends theory with practical training, covering key lifesaving, water safety and emergency skills.
Both centres will deliver training during the May half term break (20th-25th May), making it ideal for students.
Candidates are supported all week by experienced instructors.
Advanced booking is essential, as places are limited and demand is already high. Anyone interested is encouraged to act quickly, as spaces are filling up fast.
To find out more information or to reserve a place on a course, contact your nearest leisure centre:
Wombourne Leisure Centre – 01902 898202
Penkridge Leisure Centre – 01785 714152
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification and develop valuable lifesaving skills this May half term.
Supporting healthy communities this World Immunisation Week
World Immunisation Week highlights the importance of vaccines in protecting people of all ages from serious and preventable diseases.
In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care supports World Immunisation Week by promoting trusted guidance and encouraging families to keep vaccinations up to date.
Immunisation not only protects individuals but also helps prevent outbreaks within communities.
This World Immunisation Week is a timely reminder to check vaccination records and seek advice from NHS services for continued protection.
To find out more 👉 Vaccinations | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre
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