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Weekly News 366

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Council and district news

Updated Members of the Council 2024 – 2025

Following a Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 24th September, Cllr Kath Perry MBE was elected as the new Leader of South Staffordshire Council along with a new Cabinet.

The Envirocrime Team thank their witness for successful littering prosecution

 

This week, a driver has paid a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice for littering a cigarette from their window on the A5 in Wheaton Aston.  Litter often gathers at the side of roads, looking unpleasant and causing a danger to wildlife.

Thanks to the witness in the vehicle behind, this £400 will be invested in measures to reduce future offences.

If you witness anything whilst you’re out and about, please do get in touch! You can report littering through our website or email Envirocrime@sstaffs.gov.uk

 

Street Scene work requested by Members update

All District Councillors have had the chance to request environmental enhancements for their wards, which are in addition to the regular grounds maintenance schedule. 

We’re sharing a selection of photos to show the work that’s being done.

This time the photos are of areas at Cheslyn Hay and Kinver.

The work is being carried out by our Street Scene team and will be completed over the next two years.

Job vacancies
  • Relief Water Assistant, Penkridge Leisure Centre, closing 7th October
  • Estates Officer, closing 20th October
  • Planning Solicitor, open closing date

All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site:

Find a job | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

 

Partnership Updates

 

Mix It Up for National Vegetarian Week 2024

National Vegetarian Week is the perfect reason to give vegetarian food a go!

Whether it’s going veggie all week or just for one meal – you’ll still be making a big difference because small swaps here and there can have a real and positive impact on the planet.

The National Vegetarian Week vegetarian and vegan recipes are all carbon-calculated for some planet-friendly and tasty inspiration.

It’s easy to get involved: check out the recipes, spread the word on social media, and eat some delicious food.

Don’t just go for what you know…mix it up!

Find out more about National Vegetarian Week

 

Get to #KnowTheSigns of child sexual exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a crime where young people may be tricked into believing they’re in a consensual relationship and might be given gifts in exchange for sexual activity.

Staffordshire Police is raising awareness of the signs of this type of exploitation as part of our #KnowTheSigns campaign as communities hold the key to helping reduce this crime by reporting any suspicious activity. Information from witnesses and local communities is vital if they are to obtain the evidence needed to arrest and prosecute offenders.

CSE can be difficult to spot and is sometimes mistaken for ‘normal’ teenage behaviour but if a young person you know is exhibiting a few of the other common signs of CSE it is important that you seek advice and report it.

Your information could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Speak up, it could help a child escape exploitation.

For more information about CSE, the signs, and how to report it, please visit the child sexual exploitation advice page.

 

Leisure Updates

 

National Fitness Day success

 

National Fitness Day took place on 18th September and proved a real success in helping to encourage people to reap the benefits of being physically active.

Throughout the week, the leisure centres provided free health checks in addition to Bring a Friend for Free offers and Refer a Friend deals with discounts for new joiners.

Our leisure centres also ran centre challenges in the gyms and swimming pools which customers really enjoyed.

Thank you to all of our members and users for taking part, helping to celebrate fitness and bringing and referring your family and friends!

 

Summer Space Scheme success

 

Throughout the summer, South Staffordshire Council offered discounted access into a range of facilities for young people thanks to funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

As a result, the leisure centres were able to increase opportunities for young people to access swimming, the gyms and 3G pitches.

This summer proved a real success with over £3000 used to subsidise in the region of 1000 bookings for local children and young people.

 

School holiday activities

 

During October half term, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are providing a range of activities for children and young people.

Activities on offer include:

  • Daily swimming
  • Active Youth – supervised gym sessions for 13 years+
  • Aspire Activity Camps (5-14 year olds)
  • Wolves Soccer Schools
  • Discounted student and apprentice memberships
  • Training courses for 14+ years

Read full details on what’s on offer for young people here.

 

Community Exercise classes

 

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres provide a range of community exercise classes which take place from various locations around the district.

The classes are suitable for people aged 50 years+ of all fitness levels.

Find out more information about Community Exercise classes here.

 

Community walks

 

South Staffordshire Council provides a programme of weekly volunteer-led walks which vary in length and difficulty.

The walks take place from various locations around the district and are free to join.

View the council’s weekly volunteer-led community walks here.

 

Making every step count with WALX

 

Walx is a unique instructor-led walking class which consists of mixing walking drills, strength and balance exercises using total body walking poles.

Sessions are suitable for all ages and abilities and are free to attend, however please note that advanced booking is required.

This class runs every Thursday lunchtime from 12noon-1pm starting at Codsall Community Hub.

For more information and to book your place contact: Lisa at lisaembrey@hotmail.com or call 0777 332 6373.

 

Save up to 10% with the Leisure Advantage Card

 

Start saving today with our Leisure Advantage Card!

Customers can enjoy 10% off activities such as swimming, gyms, exercise classes and more with the Leisure Advantage card which is available to children and adults.

Sign up at your nearest leisure centre and start saving now!

Sign up now!

 

 

In case you missed it

 

Village centre improvement fund – Open for applications

As part of the council’s approach to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a degree of funding was prioritised to support further improvements to our key village centres and high streets.

Following an appraisal of the district’s key village centres, the following projects are now live or planned to be delivered before the end of March 2025.

  • Public car park improvements
  • Shop front grant for businesses and property owners
  • High street business support programme
  • Destination marketing campaign
  • Good Food and Drink Guide

An allocation of £200,000 has been made available to be delivered before 31st January, 2025. £100,000 will support capital projects with the remainder being available to support revenue projects.

The council is now seeking applications aimed at bringing the village centres to life, increasing footfall and improving accessibility. In principle, projects will be considered which support the following objectives:

  • Strengthening social fabric and fostering a sense of local pride.
  • Improving physical, cultural and social ties.
  • Improving amenities, community infrastructure and green space.
  • Building resilient and safe neighbourhoods, through investment in spaces and innovative approaches to crime prevention.
  • Improved accessibility.

For more information visit: Village centre improvement fund | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)