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Dementia Awareness Week
On Tuesday, 19th May, 2026 at 10am – 12pm you are invited to a Dementia Awareness and Market Place Event at the Community Hub, South Staffordshire Council.
To highlight Dementia Awareness Week this event is open to all, with Alzheimer’s presenting some useful information about diagnosis, referrals and support in South Staffordshire
There will be stands at the Market Place Event where you can ask for advice about support available in the district for people diagnosed with dementia and anyone caring for a loved one.
Would you consider sitting on a Dementia Action Group, which will be the Steering Group overseeing the work being undertaken in the district and supporting organisations, businesses, community support groups to become dementia friendly? Let us know at the event if this is something you’re interested in.
For further information contact Maggie Quinn at m.quinn@sstaffs.gov.uk
Licensing & Permits website and IDOX forms – now live!
Following significant work, Ben Nichols is pleased to announce that a major restructure of the Licensing and Permits website is now complete, alongside the launch of new IDOX digital licensing forms.
The updated section was delivered following a comprehensive review and rebuild of content, forms and user journeys, with a focus on improving clarity, self‑service, accessibility and usability for residents and applicants.
What’s now live?
- Redesigned Licensing and Permits service pages with new and updated content
- 10 new IDOX digital licensing forms, which auto‑populate data into the Licensing system
- New ‘Contact us’ webforms for three Environmental Health & Licensing service areas
- 15 new non‑statutory application and notification forms, including a new representation form for comments and objections on licensing applications.
By the numbers:
- 25 new webpages created (with further work planned for gambling content)
- 35 existing pages reviewed and updated
- 9 new service‑level landing pages added
- Improved navigation, accessibility and consistency across the section
The updated Licensing and Permits section is now live: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/licensing-and-permits
Bilbrook Neighbourhood Plan Consultation
People who live and work in Bilbrook still have the opportunity to have their say on the future of planning in the village.
Bilbrook Neighbourhood Plan is open for public consultation until the end of Wednesday, 27th May.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a way of helping local communities to influence the planning of their local area. Plans are led and written by the community, but they must be in line with both national, and local planning policies in their council’s local plan.
Bilbrook Neighbourhood Plan Group has worked hard with the local community to consult on what is important to residents. This consultation provides the local community an opportunity to comment on the draft contents of the plan before it is submitted for formal examination.
For more information and to view the plan, see:
South Staffs website: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/bilbrook-neighbourhood-plan-regulation-16-consultation
Bilbrook Parish Council website: https://bilbrookparishcouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan/
National Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning–2
To make a comment on the plan visit Engage, South Staffordshire Council’s dedicated online consultation system – https://engage.sstaffs.gov.uk/projects/bilbrook-neighbourhood-plan
Or email neighbourhoodplanning@sstaffs.gov.uk
Or send written representations to:
Neighbourhood Planning,Strategic Planning Team, South Staffordshire Council, Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton WV8 1PX.
South Staffordshire Walking Festival – Now Underway!
| The South Staffordshire Walking Festival kicked off at the start of the month and is now well underway, with a fantastic programme of free, volunteer‑led walks running throughout May.
Walks start from locations across the district and vary in length and difficulty, making them suitable for all abilities – whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or something a little more challenging. It’s a great opportunity to explore local routes, enjoy the outdoors and connect with your community.
✅ All walks are free to attend
👉 View the full programme and walk details at: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/health-and-wellbeing-community |
Summer Shape Up – Join Now for Just £20!
This month, South Staffordshire Council leisure centres are running an unmissable membership offer. New members can join now and enjoy May and June for just £20!
From July onwards, regular payments will begin, depending on the membership package chosen. New joiners can enjoy access to:
- Gyms
- Exercise and wellbeing classes
- Indoor cycling
- Swimming
- Toning suites and more
Plus, new members receive free health checks and personal fitness programmes to help kick‑start their fitness journey.
🙌 Already a Member? Get Rewarded!
Refer a friend onto the offer and we’ll waive your next membership payment as a thank you.
✔ Members must have been with us for 2 months or more ✔ Simply visit your nearest centre with your friend while they sign up ✔ Refer more friends = earn more free months!
⏰ Hurry! The Summer Shape Up offer ends 31st May – the earlier your friend joins, the more value they get.
For more information see:
Summer Shape Up | South Staffordshire District Council
Become a Lifeguard – Book Your Course Now!
Time is running out to secure a place on our National Pool Lifeguard Courses taking place this May half term.
We’re running two courses:
- Wombourne Leisure Centre
- Penkridge Leisure Centre
The course is open to anyone aged 16+ and allows you to qualify as a pool lifeguard in just one week – perfect if you’re looking for a rewarding role or a new qualification.
⚠ Places are limited, so early booking is essential.
Course dates: 25th – 30th May 9am – 5.30pm daily
Entry requirements – you must be able to:
- ✅ Be aged 16 or over
- ✅ Swim 100m front crawl and 100m on your back continuously
- ✅ Retrieve a manikin from the deepest part of the pool
- ✅ Swim 50m in under 60 seconds
Ready to take the plunge? Reserve your place today by contacting your nearest centre:
Penkridge Leisure Centre 📞 01785 714152 ✉️ penkridge@sstaffs.gov.uk
Wombourne Leisure Centre 📞 01902 898202 ✉️ wombourne@sstaffs.gov.uk
ℹ Full course details can be found at: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/training-and-courses
Activities for Children & Young People
We’re busy preparing an exciting range of May half term activities for children and young people across South Staffordshire.
What’s on offer?
- Aspire Active Camps – sports‑based activities for children aged 4–14
- Wolves Football & Goalkeeping Courses
- Active Youth Gym Sessions – discounted, supervised gym access for young people aged 14+, running during the holidays and term time
Don’t forget our Leisure Advantage Card, available for adults and children. It’s perfect for non‑members and offers additional savings and up to 10% off individual activities.
👉 To explore what’s available for children and young people, visit: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/activities-children-young-people
Stop Loan Sharks
Loan sharks play games with people’s lives – let’s make it game over
Loan sharks don’t always look like villains. Sometimes, they change character, switch tactics and reinvent themselves – just like players in an online game.
But this isn’t a game and the consequences are real. A loan shark, also known as an illegal money lender, is someone who lends money without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). That means they don’t have to follow the rules that exist to protect borrowers. They set their own terms, charge what they want, and stack the game against you from the very start.
Loan sharks can often appear friendly at first – they reinvent themselves to look like a trusted friend, a neighbour, another parent at the school gates or someone recommended by family. But behind the friendly avatar, is someone playing a dangerous game with people’s lives.
Support is available, and there is a way out.
You can contact Stop Loan Sharks in confidence, 24 hours a day, on 0300 555 2222.
There is also a WhatsApp service available from 9am to 8pm
Monday to Friday on 07700 102773
Visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk for more information and other ways to get in touch, including a Live Chat facility.
Warning issued following demanding summer season
Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO), Glynn Luznyj, is pleading with local residents to do their bit to help reduce the number of outdoor fires we have this spring and summer.
| The call comes after latest statistics have shown that there had already been 241 outdoor fires in April alone, over half of these were started deliberately. This comes off the back of a 70 per cent increase in outdoor fires from April to September last year, in comparison to the same period the previous year.
DCFO, Glynn Luznyj said: “We were called to over 1,800 outdoor fires last spring and summer which is alarming, and unacceptable”.
“We simply cannot have a repeat of that this year. Each incident is more than just a statistic, each fire is a risk to life, landscapes destroyed and means fire engines aren’t available to attend other emergencies”.
“This high number of incidents cannot become the norm and so we’re asking for people to support us in some simple ways”.
“Firstly if you have teenage kids make sure they understand the consequences of starting fires. They may see it as a bit of fun; the reality is it could land them with a criminal record”.
“Secondly accidental fires are often preventable – whether that’s out in the countryside using disposable BBQs and dropping cigarettes, or at home burning waste in your back garden – these are all practices that can quickly start fires”.
For further information see:
Grass fire prevention |
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