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South Staffordshire Council is only UK local authority to win prestigious national training award in 2026
South Staffordshire Council has secured prestigious national recognition for its employee development programmes – positioning it as the only UK local authority to receive a 2026 Princess Royal Training Award.
The award recognises the council’s inclusive leadership programme, wellbeing support for staff, and overall approach to supporting people and building a positive workplace culture delivering measurable improvements including exceptionally high staff retention, promotion and employee experience metrics.
The council is one of only 56 organisations and training programmes selected from 132 applications across the UK and beyond.
Councillor Kath Perry MBE, leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for South Staffordshire Council and recognition of the hard work behind our commitment to our staff.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Investing in their skills, confidence and development helps them thrive and ensures we can keep delivering high-quality services for our residents, communities, and businesses.”
Read the full article here
Interesting in working for us? View our vacancies here: Find a job | South Staffordshire District Council
Wombourne North by-election result
A by-election took place yesterday for the Wombourne North district seat at South Staffordshire Council.
The winning candidate was Elizabeth Beatrice Florence Keeling for The Conservative and Unionist Party, with a total of 864 votes.
She stood for the seat alongside four other candidates.
The by-election saw a 31% turnout, with 1,731 people having voted.
See the full details via this link
Tributes paid to district Labour leader Councillor Jeff Ashley
Revered Labour leader for South Staffordshire, Councillor Jeff Ashley, was paid tribute to by his fellow members at Full Council on Tuesday, following his death earlier this month.
Cllr Ashley, who sadly passed away on 9th September, was first elected to Huntington Parish Council in 1973, before taking on the role of district councillor for Huntington and Hatherton from 1991 to 2019, and again from 2023 to 2026.
At South Staffordshire Council, Cllr Ashley sat on a wide range of committees, including the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Wellbeing Select Committee, and the Planning Committee.
He was immensely knowledgeable about Huntington and dedicated a great amount of time to the historic roots of the area as a member of the Cannock Chase Miner’s Trust Fund from 2003 and a trustee of the Western Area Mines Welfare Trust. He was also chairman of the Huntington Place of Welcome.
Read more here
Tributes paid to Councillor Barry Bond MBE
Dedicated public servant Councillor Barry Bond MBE was remembered by his fellow members at Full Council on Tuesday, following his passing earlier this year.
Cllr Bond, who sadly died on 25th June, was elected to South Staffordshire Council in 2012 to represent Wombourne North and Lower Penn, later renamed Wombourne North. He served alongside his wife, Councillor Mary Bond, who had been elected in 2007. Together, they worked closely within the local community and helped introduce a number of initiatives in Wombourne.
Following his wife’s death in 2019, Cllr Bond continued to serve diligently as a district councillor and remained a strong advocate for his ward.
Cllr Bond chaired the council’s Standards and Resources Committee for more than a decade. Drawing on his experience in industry and as a chair of school governors, he scrutinised and challenged reports while also supporting council officers in their work.
Read more here
Chairman takes on zipline challenge for Compton Care
The chairman of South Staffordshire Council, Councillor Victor Kelly, is preparing to take on an exciting fundraising challenge in support of his chosen charity, Compton Care.
On Thursday, 1st October, Councillor Kelly and his consort, Mrs Lyndsey Kelly, will complete the famous Zipline at Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales, one of the fastest and longest zipline experiences in the world, to raise money for the charity.
Compton Care has been selected as the chairman’s chosen charity for 2026-2027. The organisation supports people living with palliative and life-limiting conditions, helping them navigate every aspect of life following a diagnosis. Through specialist clinical expertise, compassionate care and emotional support, Compton Care works with patients and their families to ensure they can live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Anyone wishing to support Councillor Kelly and Mrs Kelly’s fundraising efforts can donate via their JustGiving page:
Donate to the chairman’s Compton Care fundraiser via this link
Cemetery events bring communities together
Residents of all ages joined councillors and officers in enjoying two successful ‘Birds and Bulbs’ events at Sytch Lane Cemetery, Wombourne, and Strawberry Lane Cemetery, Great Wyrley, delivered in partnership with Forest of Mercia CIC.
Attendants took part in a range of nature-themed activities, including making willow bird feeders, creating pinecone crafts and planting daffodil bulbs, while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the cemeteries.
The Strawberry Lane event also featured a special flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the cemetery achieving a prestigious Green Flag Award.
The council would like to thank leader of the council, Cllr Kath Perry MBE, Cllr Ray Perry, council chairman Cllr Victor Kelly and his consort Mrs Lyndsey Kelly, and Cllr Robert Duncan and Cllr Susan Duncan for joining the Strawberry Lane celebrations.
The events took place on 12th September at Sytch Lane Cemetery and 19th September at Strawberry Lane Cemetery. The council would like to thank everyone who attended, Forest of Mercia CIC for helping to deliver the activities, and Natalie from Central Co-op Funeralcare in Wombourne, whose handmade knitted animals were a hit with children at the Sytch Lane event.
The events are part of the council’s ongoing work to promote wellbeing, community involvement and appreciation of local green spaces.
If you would like to find out more about our two cemeteries you can visit our website Bereavement services | South Staffordshire District Council or contact us on 01902 696111. If you would like to be contacted about future events, please email bereavementservices@sstaffs.gov.uk
Celebrating connections between business and education
Businesses, educators, and partners came together at Weston Park for the inspiring Business Meets Education event focused on opening up new opportunities for young people and strengthening links between the classroom and the workplace.
The session highlighted the important role employers can play in bringing careers to life and helping learners build the skills, confidence and ambition they need for the future.
Guests took part in valuable discussions, heard from speakers, and connected with organisations offering support, advice and practical resources.
Businesses interested in offering modern work experience opportunities, engaging with local schools and colleges, or finding out more about inspiring the future workforce are encouraged to contact South Staffordshire Council’s Business Hub at businesshub@sstaffs.gov.uk or connect with the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub for support and guidance.
Codsall neighbours invited to write anonymous messages of hope for strangers
A new community kindness pilot is inviting residents to offer a few handwritten words of encouragement to local people going through difficult times.
Through September 2026, people are invited to write anonymous notes of encouragement for Codsall residents whose identities will not be revealed to them. The writer will not be told who receives their note, and the recipient will not be told who wrote it.
Note writers can place their messages in 10 special collection boxes located in public buildings and businesses across the village, including a dentist, a restaurant and the welcome desk at Codsall Community Hub.
The ‘Note from a Neighbour’ pilot has been developed by Codsall-based Brightside Psychology. The notes will be checked by the Brightside Psychology team before being placed in envelopes and shared with local people who request one from November onwards.
Note from a Neighbour is funded by South Staffordshire Council’s Community is the Best Medicine Fund.
If you would like to write a note before the end of September, request one, or host a collection box, find out more at brightsidepsychology.com/note
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