Weekly News 349
Council and district news
Elections
| To vote in elections in England in May, you will need to show photo ID.
If you do not have any photo ID; you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online at Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The deadline to apply is 5pm, April 24th. Find out what is accepted and apply for free voter ID if you need one by clicking here. |
Have your say on the South Staffordshire Local Plan Review 2024
| A new 6-week consultation has started on the review of the Local Plan for South Staffordshire.
The Local Plan sets the planning framework for the district and includes sites for housing and employment, and policies to decide planning applications. The strategy has been revised following changes by the government to national planning policy in late 2023, and updated evidence. The consultation runs from Thursday, April 18 until midday, Friday, May 31, 2024. The Publication Plan, FAQs and supporting documents can be viewed at Local Plan Review | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk) There are also two online Q&A sessions and five in person consultation events in Brewood, Codsall, Essington, Penkridge and Wombourne where you can speak with the strategic planning team. Details of the events and links for the meetings:
All comments must be made in writing before 12pm, May 31st. |
A Horseshoe for Good Luck: Greater Horseshoe Bat Takes Flight in Staffordshire!
The first ever recording of the greater horseshoe bat in the north of South Staffordshire district was made in 2020.
More recently, in late 2023, details were provided to the council’s planning ecologist as part of a planning application report.
Greater horseshoe bats are legally protected, but their appearance in South Staffordshire is exciting news as it is one of the most northerly locations they have been seen in the UK, as they are usually found in southwest England and Wales.
As a result of this discovery, the council is making developers aware of the presence of this vulnerable and sensitive species, to ensure the future establishment and maintenance of future colonies in the district.
Read all the details here.
Drop in skills and jobs fair
South Staffordshire Council is coordinating a skills and jobs fair.
This drop in sessions is free to attend and whether you’re unemployed, looking to make the next step or considering a complete career change – all are welcome.
Date: Thursday, April 25th
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Haling Dene Centre, Penkridge, ST19 5DT
Vacancies
- Planning Solicitor, open closing date
- UKSPF Caseworker (Fixed Term), closing April 19th
- Street Scene Operative Level 5 (Tree Surgeon), closing April 26th
- Waste Contracts Manager, closing May 3rd
- Relief Leisure Assistant (Penkridge Leisure Centre), closing May 13th
All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/vacancies
Leisure latest
Shape up for summer!
Sign up to a membership this month at Cheslyn Hay, Codsall or Penkridge Leisure Centres and get April and May for just £20.
The leisure centres have everything you need to improve your health, fitness and wellbeing.
- Fully equipped gyms
- Exercise and well-being classes
- Studio cycling
- Swimming
- Toning suites
Member benefits:
- Use four leisure centres for the price of one
- Early bird and on-line booking access
- Free health checks
- Complimentary personal fitness programme
To sign up, pop into your nearest leisure centre or join online. For full details, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/shape-summer
Enjoy savings with the new Leisure Advantage Card
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Leisure centre users can now sign up and enjoy savings of up to 10% off on individual activities. Non-members can sign up at their nearest leisure centre at a nominal cost of just £5 for an adult and £2.50 per child with savings then available for an entire year. For full details, click here. |
National Pool Lifeguard course
| Penkridge Leisure Centre is holding a National Pool Lifeguard training course, running this May half term.
Date: May 27th – June 1st Time: 9am-5.30pm Cost: £280 for the course (£100 deposit required on booking). For more information go to https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/training-and-courses To check availability and book onto the course, email trainingacademy@sstaffs.gov.uk Funded Local Training Available: See if you’re eligible for funded training – call 01902 696228 or email peopleandskills@sstaffs.gov.uk |
Gentle exercise in Featherstone
South Staffordshire Council want to encourage healthy aging and an active retirement.
As part of our Health and Wellbeing in the community, a gentle exercise class which is aimed at older people takes place at Featherstone Community Centre on Tuesdays at 10am.
The class is friendly, welcoming and suitable for all abilities with tea and coffee available after the class.
For further information, please contact Louise Colman on 07939631131 or email louisecolman07@gmail.com
Aspire holiday camps
| Aspire Active Camps are available this Whitsun at Codsall and Wombourne Leisure Centres
Dates: May 28th to May 31st Aspire Active Camps will be offering children’s sports-based activities for young people aged 5-14 year olds. Bookings are already being taken – book before May, 10th for the best possible price. To find out more, view activity timetables and book, click on the following links: Wombourne active camps – https://www.aaeg.co.uk/active-camps-wombourne Codsall active camps – https://www.aaeg.co.uk/active-camps-codsall |
Partnership updates
The Right Start: income generation and funding
This introductory training focuses on the concept of income generation and funding, applying for grants and bid writing.
Date: April 23rd
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am
Location: Online via Zoom
This training is funded by Staffordshire County Council. To access this session for free; you must be a member of Support Staffordshire.
The training is aimed at both those new to the world of funding and those who simply need a refresher.
Explore different types of fundraising and the legal obligations associated with charitable activities. Much of the funding for the voluntary sector is from grants this session guides you through the application process and discusses why some applications fail.
Topics covered:
- The principles of writing funding bids including terminology.
- How to produce a basic fundraising strategy.
- Exploring some of the legal issues associated with funding activities.
- Sponsorship and legacies and how they can support charitable activities.
To book your place; click here
Parents and volunteers take on the idlers!
| In the news roundup last week, we published the incorrect name of the action group – below is the correct name.
On Monday, April 9th and Tuesday, April 10th Bilbrook Climate Action Group, a working Group of Bilbrook Parish Council, carried out an anti-idle campaign outside of Lane Green Primary School between 2.30pm and 3.30pm each day. The council’s lead officer in air quality, Wendy Green, joined them on Tuesday to see how things were going. Several people were there to support the campaign ranging from volunteers, parents, PCSO’s and local Councillors Gary Burnett and Fiona Hopkins. Monday was clearly a success as by Tuesday the group went from having to ask 15 car drivers to switch off their engines to 5. In addition, there were no dangerously parked cars that had to be moved on by the PCSO’s on Tuesday. The air quality throughout the district of South Staffordshire is of a good quality. However, there is always room for improvement and campaigns such as these really help focus the public attention on simple things that can be done to help everyone. If you would like to know more about the benefits of anti-idling and the legislation in place to support it, click here. |