What’s on this weekend

Celebrate South Staffordshire: Action-packed Saturday sees Codsall host array of landmark events

It will be a day of landmark celebrations for South Staffordshire tomorrow, as hundreds of people united to mark a total of four events.

Tough Enough to Play event

A three-day event starts today at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Football Club.

Tough Enough to Play will include rugby matches, live music, food vendors, craft stalls and a funfair.

The charity event, raising awareness for mental health support, runs until 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.

For more information, click here

Council and district news

Council job vacancies

• Relief Leisure Assistant, Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – closes August 19th
• Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date. 
• Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres – open application date.    
• 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

Elections results

Elections took place for the District of Penkridge North East & Acton Trussell and the parishes of Swindon and Penkridge North East yesterday (July 21st). 

The count took place immediately afterwards at Codsall Community Hub.

The following candidates were declared elected:

• Penkridge North East & Acton Trussell – Andrew James Adams, Conservative Party Candidate
• Penkridge Parish, North East Ward – Samuel George Harper-Wallis, Liberal Democrat
• Swindon Parish – James David Reynolds, Independent

The results can be found on the council’s website via this link

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:

• Cheslyn Hay Primary school, Cheslyn Hay
• Glenthorne Primary School, Cheslyn Hay
• St Johns Academy, Essington
• Littleton Green Community School, Huntington
• The Den, Hollybush Garden Centre, Saredon

Garden Waste Collection Service

The new garden waste collection year has started.

If you have not signed up, your green bin will not be emptied.

To sign up online for collections, please visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/gardenwaste

If you have signed up, please continue to present your bin(s) as normal. Our waste collection crews have started putting the new stickers onto bins. If you have not had your sticker yet, no need to worry, we will still empty your bin as our crews know you have signed up.

South Staffordshire Electoral Review

The South Staffordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2022 was laid in Parliament last Friday.

This implements the changes as previously proposed, to take effect at the May 2023 elections.

To see the order, click here

Leisure latest

Advance notice: Temporary gym closure due to upgrade

We’re delighted to announce the gym at Penkridge Leisure Centre is being upgraded next week.

The work will take place between Monday, July 25th, and Thursday, July 28th. It will involve full closure of the gym to allow for new equipment to be installed.

Our staff will be undergoing training for the new equipment on Friday, July 29th, therefore the gym may remain closed on this day as well.

The upgrade will include the installation of the latest Pulse Fitness equipment, consisting of state-of-the-art cardio equipment, strength equipment, free weights, benches and racks.

The leisure centre and other facility areas will remain open and operate as normal.

The gym facility is scheduled to re-open on Saturday, July 30th – updates will be released to confirm this as the upgrade progresses.

When the facility re-opens, our staff will be on-hand should any users need help with the new equipment. Those customers that are less confident and would prefer a re-induction will be welcome to book in for an induction once the facility is back open.

Essential roadworks at Baggeridge Country Park

Due to essential resurfacing works on the entrance drive into Baggeridge Country Park, vehicle access will be unavailable for a few days from Monday (July 25th).

Once this first phase of works has been completed, the driveway will re-open to vehicles.

The driveway will once again need to be closed on the week commencing August 1st. We have tried to keep this work to a minimum.

On the days that the driveway into Baggeridge is closed, David Wilson Homes, which controls Baggeridge Village Management Company Limited, has given permission for Baggeridge Country Park visitors to use Brick Kiln Way (Baggeridge Village) as a means of access into and out of the park.

To minimise disruption, signage will be placed at the entrance to the Baggeridge Village estate reminding drivers of the 20mph speed limit when passing through.

If you have any queries, please contact the Ranger’s Office at Baggeridge Country Park by calling 01902 882605 or email baggeridge@sstaffs.gov.uk

Thank you for your understanding and patience while we carry out these essential works.

Partnership updates

Survey: Improvements to Shrewsbury-Black Country-Birmingham rail line

Do you use trains for work?

If so, Midlands Connect want to hear from you in a survey on improvements to the line.

Please complete this short survey to let Midlands Connect know how these rail improvements could impact you or your business.

Complete the survey via this link

Climate Action Fund

The Climate Action Fund is open for non-for-profit groups to receive grants to tackle Climate Change.

We can all make a difference.

See if your group is eligible for funding of up to £3,000 via this link

Children’s activities

Looking for something to do with your little ones during the summer holidays?

From a Mad Hatters Tea Party on August 2nd, to a Come to the Circus event on August 9th, a Robots Rule event on August 16th, and a Butterflies and Friends event on August 23rd, there’s loads going on.

Check out what’s running at Landywood Children’s Centre via their Facebook page here

All sessions are bookable.

South Staffordshire volunteers celebrated at awards ceremony

A total of 10 awards were given out at the Support Staffordshire Volunteer Star Awards, recognising the work of many outstanding individuals and businesses who have given their time freely during what has been the most challenging of years.

The South Staffordshire winners were: Volunteer of the Year – Jill Haywood; Lifetime Achievement – Dave Knowles (pictured above); Personal Achievement – Josephine Shilvock; New Volunteer Team of the Year – Friendly Faces; Volunteer Team of the Year – Codsall Christmas Fair; Support for Over 65’s – Sonja Oatley; Support for Young People – Joanna Thomas; Young Volunteer of the Year – Lauren Brown; Business Contribution to Communities Award – South Staffs Regional Community Group; and Trustee of the Year – Val Chapman.