Introducing Engage South Staffordshire and our Name the Bin Trucks competition
We’re excited to officially launch Engage South Staffordshire – our NEW community engagement platform.
| This easy-to-use platform promotes transparency, accessibility, and meaningful community participation in local governance.
This will compliment our existing engagement opportunities as well as supporting in person sessions and offline options.
Engage South Staffordshire is your go-to space for shaping the future of our district.
By creating an account, you can:
- Take part in surveys, polls, and discussions on key local issues
- Stay updated on projects and consultations that matter to you
- Share your views and ideas to help influence local decisions
To celebrate, we’re kicking things off with a fun and inclusive competition:
Name the Bin Trucks
Got a brilliant name idea? Submit it through our online survey after creating your account on the platform.
Everyone’s welcome – all ages, all areas! |
The Tree Team achieve new qualifications
The Tree Team have recently completed two challenging practical training courses, both courses were means tested by a practical exam.
| The first course was ariel tree pruning, the team were put through their paces in the art of correct pruning points on a tree and how to achieve shape and symmetry.
The second course was Rigging, the use of ropes and lowering equipment to dismantle large limbs and trees safely to the ground using complex knots and equipment.
I am extremely proud to say all three team members passed with flying colours. Well done to Chelsea Williams, Jake Mathews and Dylan Watkins.
These qualifications further enhance the professional calibre of the Tree Team who maintain South Staffordshire Council’s tree stock across the district.
Pictured (left to right) Darren Allen – Tree Inspector & Tree Team Operational Manager, Jake Mathews, Chelsea Williams and Dylan Watkins. |
Stop & report hare coursing
Hare coursing is illegal and refers to the hunting of hares with dogs.
This often involves betting, either in person or online, and usually takes place in open fields after harvest.
| Now’s a good time to know what to watch for and how to report anything suspicious.
Police can now search and seize vehicles suspected of being used in hare coursing, so public reports are important. Participants can be threatening, so it is best not to confront them – only gather evidence if it’s safe to do so.
Hare coursing often happens early morning, with lurcher-type dogs released from slip leads in fields near parked vehicles. The pursuit is often filmed or live streamed, and the dogs and hares involved will often have a coloured mark placed on them to make identification easier for betting purposes.
People travel long distances to take part in hare coursing, so if you notice strangers parking in your locality, especially with lurcher type dogs, please be vigilant.
If you witness hare coursing, call 999 and give an accurate location. If you’re not familiar with “What3Words,” check it out online – it helps you quickly provide a precise location to emergency services. |
Job vacancies
JOB VACANCIES
- Elections Officer, closing on 30th June
- Relief Receptionist, Wombourne Leisure Centre, closing on 30th June
- Planning Solicitor, open closing date
All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site.
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Book your Summer holiday activity camps now!
Aspire Sports are providing sports-based activity camps this summer at Codsall and Wombourne Leisure Centres.
The camps are for children aged 4-14 years old and are available as half-day or full day bookings.
Aspire Sports offer early-bird and sibling discounts, in addition to offers for emergency service workers.
For full details and to book, visit https://www.aaeg.co.uk/active-camps
Train as a lifeguard or swim teacher in just one week!
Looking to boost your skills or start a new career this summer?
This summer, South Staffordshire leisure centres are offering courses to enable people to qualify as a lifeguard, swimming teacher or aquatic helper!
| Places are limited so hurry to reserve a place.
Find out if you’re eligible for funded training – call 01902 696228 or email peopleandskills@sstaffs.gov.uk
National Pool Lifeguard course
18th – 23rd August – Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre or Wombourne Leisure Centre.
Award in teaching swimming
27th July – 1st August – Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre.
Aquatic Helper course
25th July – Codsall Leisure Centre
8th August – Penkridge Leisure Centre
29th August – Wombourne Leisure Centre
To check availability and book onto the course, email trainingacademy@sstaffs.gov.uk
To find out more about all of the courses on offer this year, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/training-and-courses |
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Staying safe in the heat
As temperatures rise, it’s important to enjoy the sunshine safely – especially for those more vulnerable to heat-related illness, including older adults, young children, and people with existing health conditions.
The Met Office has issued an amber heat-health alert until Monday, 23rd June, highlighting the increased risks during this period. Taking simple precautions can help prevent serious issues and ensure everyone stays well in the warmer weather.
Simple steps can make a big difference:
- Stay cool indoors – close curtains in sun-facing rooms
- Avoid the sun and strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
- Stay hydrated and check on neighbours, friends, or relatives who may need support
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Help us prevent wildfires this weekend
With the recent spell of hot, dry weather, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service have seen demand for outdoor fire responses double in just the past week.
| As we head into the weekend, the risk of wildfires is high. These fires can cause severe environmental damage and may also lead to road and park closures, or, in the worst cases, force people to evacuate their homes or businesses.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging everyone to take extra care in the countryside and think twice before lighting fires or disposing of cigarettes or glass bottles irresponsibly to help prevent accidental outdoor fires.
Click here for more fire safety advice: Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
If you see a fire
If you find a fire in the countryside don’t attempt to tackle it, call 999 and ask for the fire service immediately. Pass as much information about the location as possible, use the app What 3 Words if you have it to pinpoint the exact spot.
Please share this message with family, friends, and neighbours – and let’s all do our bit to keep Staffordshire safe this summer.
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Upcoming A449 overnight closures
As part of the West Midlands Interchange development, new laybys are being built on the A449 Stafford Road to replace those on the A5.
To complete surface works, overnight closures will take place from 8pm to 6am on the following dates:
Southbound closures
- Friday, 27th June (8pm–6am Saturday 28th June)
- Saturday, 28th June (8pm–6am Sunday 29th June)
- Sunday, 29th June (8pm–6am Monday 30th June)
Northbound closures
- Friday, 11th July (8pm–6am Saturday 12th July)
- Saturday, 12th July (8pm–6am Sunday 13th July)
- Sunday, 13th July (8pm–6am Monday 14th July)
Crateford Lane will be inaccessible during northbound closures. Footpath access remains open. Diversion routes will be clearly signed.
For more information:
📧 Email: contactus@communityrelations.co.uk 📞 Phone: 0800 377 7345 🌐 Website: www.westmidlandsinterchange.co.uk
Thank you for your patience while we carry out these essential works.
Local Plan Review
The initial public hearing sessions for the Local Plan examination have now concluded.
Two further sessions are scheduled from Monday, 21st July to Friday, 1st August.
| The Local Plan was submitted for independent examination by the council in December 2024 and is being scrutinised by two independent planning inspectors.
Participants at the hearings include officers of the council, representatives from professional planning groups and developers, other local authorities, residents and statutory consultees such as National Highways.
They have been invited to take part by the inspectors based on the representations made in 2024 as part of the final public consultation on the Local Plan.
The Local Plan sets out the future planning framework for the district, including housing and employment sites and policies for the determination of planning applications.
To find out more about the examination, details of the programme officer, and for the live streaming link, visit Local Plan Review Examination. |
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Your feedback is important to us
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We value your feedback and want to hear from you if you have a comment, complaint or compliment about our services. |
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