Your Parish Precept Explained

It’s almost time for South Staffordshire Council to issue their Council Tax letters for the forthcoming year.

Included in the breakdown of your Council Tax, you will see an element for Parish Precept which South Staffordshire Council collect on behalf of Wombourne Parish Council.

The attached document explains what the precept is, why it’s an important part of the Parish Council’s income, and how much the average home will pay in 2021/2022.

We hope you find this useful.

Re-opening of playgrounds and outdoor gyms

You may have seen that the Government announced on 23^rd June 2020 that playgrounds and outdoor gyms could re-open on 4^th July 2020, providing certain safety measures were followed. Guidance on managing these areas safely was issued by the Government on 26^th June 2020. Whilst the guidance is informative, some points still require clarification. One example is that the guidance states that high touch points need to be cleaned frequently, however, there is no information given as to what ‘frequently’ means.

We are currently working with the District Council, the National Association of Local Councils, and our Insurers to seek further clarification on certain points. In the meantime, risk assessments are being drawn up and measures are being put in place to ensure that our play areas remain a safe place for all.

Unfortunately, until we are able to seek further clarification on the guidance, we will not be in a position to open Bratch Park or Poolhouse Play Area on 4^th July 2020.

We appreciate this news will be as disappointing to you as it is to us, since we are keen to re-open our play areas as quickly as possible. However, we must be assured that when we do re-open them, we can do so with as little risk to our residents as possible. Please continue to follow this page and our social media for updates.

Wombourne Parish Council were sad to hear of the passing of former Councillor Henry (Harry) McTaggart aged 90.

Mr McTggart had served Wombourne Parish, South Staffordshire District and Staffordshire County Council’s for 26 years between 1963 and 1989.

He lived in Wombourne from 1959 until his passing on 20th May 2020.

His funeral will take place on Thursday 25th June, when will take one last journey around Wombourne village green at approximately 10.35am/10.40am before a private ceremony at Gornal Crematorium.

Our thoughts are with his children Carol, Maureen, Alison and Peter at this sad time.

Wombourne Parish Council were shocked and saddened at the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on 25^th May 2020.

We stand in solidarity with Black and minority ethnic residents in our community, and would like to express our rejection of racism, brutality and hatred.

We are proud to represent the people of Wombourne – a place where racism has no place. We hope that in the coming weeks and months, people from all backgrounds can come together to intensify efforts to combat racism and secure true racial equality, both in America and across the world.

While we are all living through some very difficult times indeed right now, it is really very nice to be able to celebrate something positive as a Council. 

We are therefore very pleased to congratulate Councillor Reg Williams on achieving 25 years in the service of Wombourne residents as a Parish Councillor. 

Councillor Reg Williams was first elected to the Council in 1995 and has served alongside quite a number of Councillors in that time, including of course, his late wife Joan. 

Still a very active member of the Parish Council, Reg is well known for his very thoughtful and considered contributions to meetings, as well as his disarming smile and witty observations. His encyclopaedic knowledge of planning has proven invaluable in his continued role as Chairman of the Planning Committee, and his introductory talk on the subject has become something of a much appreciated right of passage for new Members.

It therefore gives us great pleasure in congratulating Councillor Williams on achieving this milestone, and sending him many well wishes in recognising this service and wishing him many more years of dedicated service to come. 

Congratulations Councillor Williams. 

(Tribute written by Chairman of the Council, Councillor Dan Kinsey – May 2020)

WOMBOURNE CIVIC CENTRE

The Parish Council are closely following the advice of the Government in relation to COVID-19 (the coronavirus). At present, there is no advice from the Government to cancel non essential gatherings, and therefore our normal cancellation policy in relation to bookings at the Civic Centre will apply.

Just to confirm, this means 100% of your deposit is refundable in the event of receiving notification of cancellation 8 weeks prior to your function. In the event you cancelling 6 weeks prior to your function, 50% of your deposit will be refundable. Your deposit is non refundable for any other cancellations.

Small office to rent

From Monday 2nd March 2020 a small office suitable for a sole trader or small company will be available to rent at Wombourne Civic Centre.

Electricity, gas, water and full internet connection (from April 2020) will be included in the rental price of £270 per month.

The office comes with ample parking on the Civic Centre site.

For enquiries or to view the room, please call the Parish Council office on 01902 896300.