South Staffordshire Council News Archives

South Staffordshire Council – Paper and Card Recycling

News from South Staffordshire Council

In Spring 2022 you will get a new blue bag for paper and card.

The new blue bag will be used for paper and card. The blue bin will be used for cans, glass and plastics.

The blue bag and blue bin will be collected together on your recycling collection day.

More information will be provided before you need to start using the bag. The blue bin can be used as normal until your bag arrives.

Image shows the recycling bags and bins used in a local area. Bags and bins in South Staffordshire may look different to this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is changing?

In Spring 2022 you will get a new blue bag. The bag will be yours to keep and use every fortnight. The blue bag will be used for paper and card recycling. The blue bin will be used for cans, glass and plastic which we can recycle. The blue bag and blue bin will be collected together on your recycling collection day.

There will be some changes to the items we can recycle. The recycling market has changed a lot in the last few years and we need to make sure we only collect things that are good for recycling today.

Some bin collection days may change. We will keep it simple and only make changes if we really need to. We will let anyone whose bin collection day changes know before it happens.

When will this happen?

A blue bag will be delivered to you from March 2022 onwards. We will let you know nearer the time when to expect your blue bag and when to start using it. You can continue to use your blue bin as normal until you get the blue bag next Spring.

Why are you making this change?

In the last few years, the market for recycling has changed a lot. Companies that take our used items to recycle them now need higher quality items that are clean, dry and free from contamination.

When items are mixed into one bin, they are harder to sort and separate ready for recycling. Items like glass can break and get stuck in other items like card. As companies ask for better quality material, the cost of sorting it has risen.

By keeping paper and card in a bag away from other items we can make sure it is much cleaner and drier. This means it can be turned into more new things than ever and be sent to paper mills right here in the UK. Cans, glass and plastics in the blue bin will also be easier to sort from each other at our local recycling site.

Lots of Councils now use a bag to recycle paper and card. We know that we will be able to recycle even more than before. We also know that there will be less contamination in the recycling which means fewer loads turned away from our recycling site.

This will cost us less and help us recycle more.

Why did you choose a bag?

The blue bag will take up less space than an extra bin. We know most people do not fill a recycling bin with paper and card. The bag has enough space for the paper and card and can be easily folded or put inside the blue bin whilst both are being filled.

Won’t this cost more?

The cost to recycle continues to rise. It will cost us more to recycle now whether we continue to mix all of the materials together, or use the bag for paper and card. However, using the bag is the cheaper of the two options.

Not only is using the bag the cheaper option when it comes to sorting the items ready for recycling, it is also means the paper and card we collect will be cleaner and drier. This makes the paper and card more valuable and means it can be recycled into more things than before. By keeping all materials cleaner and drier, and reducing contamination, we will have less loads turned away from our recycling site which will reduce our costs for other disposal options.

Will my collection day change?

Some collection days may change. We will keep it simple and only make changes we really need to. We will let anyone whose collection day changes know before it happens.

How will the bag be collected?

The bag will be collected on the same day as your blue bin.

We will have new recycling vehicles which are designed to collect both paper and card, and mixed recycling at the same time. These trucks will have a fixed panel down the middle of the truck which stops the items mixing inside the truck. When the recycling collection crew arrive, they will empty the blue bag into a bin which is fixed to one side of the truck. This bin will be tipped into the paper and card side of the truck. The blue bin will be tipped into the other half of the truck. The materials will be kept in their own halves of the truck and will not mix.

Will I get a new bin calendar?

New calendars will be delivered in April 2022. These calendars will contain information about your blue bag and any changes to your bin collection days.

When your current bin calendar runs out in December 2021, there will be a new version on the website to use until you get your new calendar in Spring 2022. Your bin collection day will not change unless we notify you or your new calendar in Spring 2022 shows this, so please continue to present your bin(s) on your normal collection day.

What can I recycle in the blue bag?

The blue bag should only be used for the following items: newspapers, magazines, envelopes, computer paper/print outs, junk mail and flyers, coloured paper, large brown cardboard boxes, corrugated card, cereal boxes, card sleeves, washing powder boxes and other card box packaging, sheets of thin card, telephone directories, yellow pages, catalogues, and egg boxes.

What can I recycle in the blue bin?

The blue bin should only be used for the following items:

Glass (lids removed) – mixed coloured glass bottles, clear glass bottles, green glass bottles, amber glass bottles, and glass jars
Metals (rinsed out) – Steel food and drinks cans, aluminium food and drinks cans, steel and aluminium bottle lids, and aerosol cans (fully discharged only)
Plastics (clean and dry) – drinks bottles (lids on), plastic bottle tops, shower and bathroom plastic bottles (lids on), household cleaning bottles (lids on), light or clear coloured plastic food trays and containers, yogurt pots and margarine tubs.

What about other items not listed above?

We will only be able to accept the items above for recycling in your blue bin and blue bag.

We will no longer be able to recycle waxed cartons which includes items like Tetra Pak, drinks and juice cartons, coffee cups and long life milk cartons. These items are very difficult to recycle as they are made from a mixture of materials (such as plastic, card and foil). All of these materials have to separated from each other so that each part can be recycled. UK paper mills do not want this material as it contaminates the good quality paper and card, and we want to keep as much of our waste and recycling in the UK as possible. Most liquids that come in waxed cartons can also be found in plastic or glass bottle options which can be easily recycled. There are containers for recycling waxed cartons at Wombourne, Bilbrook and Cannock recycling centres. These sites have recycling banks just for waxed cartons so it can be kept away from other materials and recycled on its own.

Black plastic trays are also not easily to recycle as they do not contain a colour signature that can be picked out by the sorting equipment at most recycling sorting sites. Black plastic trays are often used by food companies to make the food inside them appear more attractive to consumers. Black plastic trays should be put into the general waste bin (grey bin) for energy recovery.

Wombourne, Bilbrook and Cannock recycling centres accept a wide range of items for recycling including batteries, electronics, and wood. Find out more about what you can recycle at your local recycling centre.

What happens if I put the wrong thing in the bag?

We will only empty bins and the new bags if they contain the right items in the right place. If there are items in any of the bins or bags that should not be there, then we will not empty the bin or bag. The wrong items will need to be taken out and put into the right bin or bag ready for your next collection day.

Find out more about what goes in which bin. Please note this guide will be updated to include the blue bags ready for Spring 2022.

How big will the bag be?

The bag will be about the third of the size of the blue bin (around 80 litres). The bag will be made from a light, flexible material that can be folded down when not in use or part full.

What do I do with cardboard bigger than the bag?

Large boxes will need to be folded, squashed or undone along the edges so that they fit inside the bag. We cannot take cardboard that is bigger than this as it will not fit in the container we will use to empty the bag into the recycling truck.

What will the bag look like?

The bag will be blue in colour to match the blue recycling bin. It will made from a woven plastic material, and coated with a waterproof lining. There will be a space to write your house number and street name. The bag will have a lid with velcro edges that can be closed when the bag is not in use. There will be handles on the bag for carrying it.

Won’t the bag blow away?

The base of the bag will have a weight inside it (450g) to stop it from blowing away. It is also easy to fold down, store between other bins, and even fits inside the blue bin.

Won’t the paper and card blow out of the bag?

The bag will have a lid which is attached on one side, and has velcro along the other so that it can be closed.

Won’t the paper and card get wet?

The bag will have a lid which can be closed on all sides to stop water getting in. The lid should be kept shut to keep the paper and card dry.

How many bags will I get?

Each household will get one bag in Spring 2022. We know that most people only have enough paper and card waste to fill this size bag.

What if I need an extra bag?

We ask that everyone tries using one bag for the first couple of collections. If after you have tried using the bag you find you normally have lots more paper and card, then please get in touch with us.

I have an extra recycling bin, but I won’t need it anymore

We ask everyone tries using the bag alongside their blue bins for the first couple of collections. If after you have tried using the bag you find you no longer need any extra recycling bin(s) then please get in touch with us.

How do I store the bag?

The bag is waterproof and can be stored outside with your bins. The lid should be kept closed to keep the paper and card dry. The bag is flexible, and can be folded down as it is being filled, and it will even fit inside the blue bin.

Can I put my house number on the bag?

Yes. There will be a space on the bag to write your house number and street name.

How do I get the bag?

The bag will be delivered to your home in Spring 2022. We will let you know nearer the time when to expect the bag to arrive. You do not need to contact us to ask for a bag.

I live in a communal property, will I get a bag?

If you live in a communal property such as a flat or apartment then we will let you know as soon as possible how to recycle your paper and card. We are currently looking at all of these properties to work out the best way to collect paper and card from each of these buildings.

I have an assisted collection, what do I do?

If you have an assisted collection, please leave the blue bag next to the blue bin on your normal collection day in the normal place, and we’ll empty it with your blue bin.

I already have a bag for recycling, what do I do?

If you are a household that already uses a bag for your recycling, you will now need to use both bags. The new blue bag will be for paper and card only, and your old bag will be used for glass, cans and plastics.

What if I don’t want to use the bag?

We will only accept paper and card in the blue bag. Any paper and card in the blue bin will be considered contamination. We will not return to empty the blue bin until the next collection day, as long as the unwanted materials have been taken out.

Wombourne, Bilbrook and Cannock recycling centres also accept paper and card for recycling. The paper and card should be emptied into the ‘cardboard’ skip on the site for recycling.

Find out more about the services provided by South Staffordshire Council

Responding to the Consultation on the Local Plan

Thank you to those residents who took the time to attend our Full Council Meeting on Monday 8th November 2021.

Please may we remind you that the only way to ensure your objections are taken into consideration by South Staffordshire Council is to engage with them during the consultation period, which is running until 5pm on Monday 13th December 2021.

All comments must be made in writing and using the new consultation system https://sstaffs.oc2.uk/login is the simplest way to comment and enables people to manage their own account and see other people’s responses.

You can also reply by email to :

localplans@sstaffs.gov.uk

or in writing to:

Strategic Planning Team

South Staffordshire Council

Wolverhampton Road

Codsall

South Staffordshire

WV8 1PX

South Staffordshire Council have informed us that it’s not the number of responses that they receive that is critical, but the material planning considerations that are put forward to (i.e one response with well-considered planning arguments for why a site should not be selected would carry more weight than a thousand responses that object without citing the planning reasons for the objection).

Ultimately it is the planning reasons for or against a site that South Staffordshire Council need to have regard to when recommending sites, not the number of people who support or object.

They have also said that where people do object to specific sites it is also helpful if responses detail if there is an alternative location that may be more suitable for housing growth, as ultimately they do need to have a Local Plan in place that makes provision for new housing, so there inevitably will be a trade-off.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• The link to the Local Plan review Preferred Options webpage is www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview

• Copies of the Preferred Options consultation document will be available in hard copy at the Council Offices in Codsall, at our Office and libraries in South Staffordshire.

• All documents will be available to view at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview

There is also a FAQ sheet which may be useful, which can be found at https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/…/LP%20Review%20FAQs%20Oct…/

If you have any queries, you can contact South Staffordshire Council on 01902 696000.

Consultation on third stage of the Local Plan

South Staffordshire Council have now begun the third stage of consultation on their Local Plan review, following on from the Spatial Housing Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery (SHSID) consultation in 2019 and Issues and Options in 2018.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS:

• This consultation contains proposed sites for housing, employment and Gypsies and Travellers.

• The plan will cover a 20 year period from 2018 to 2038

• Dates for the consultation are Monday 1 November for 6 weeks until 5pm Monday 13 December 2021.

• The link to the Local Plan review Preferred Options webpage is www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview

• Copies of the Preferred Options consultation document will be available in hard copy at the Council Offices and at parish council offices and libraries in South Staffordshire.

• All documents will be available to view at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview

• All comments must be made in writing and using the new consultation system https://sstaffs.oc2.uk/login is the simplest way to comment and enables people to manage their own account and see other people’s responses; or by email to localplans@sstaffs.gov.uk or in writing to the Council Offices, Codsall.

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

Council News

Elections staff required for 6 May
- Over the election period, we require retainer staff (for Covid-19 resilience), who will be willing to be available all day in case they are needed at short notice. They will be paid £50, regardless of whether they are called upon. If they are needed, the normal fee for such position will be provided. In addition to this, they will also be paid to attend essential training. For further information please email elections@sstaffs.gov.uk.

On 6 May, we also require a number of Presiding Officers to work in some of our Polling Stations across the District. These are paid positions with an additional payment for attending essential training:
- Station 2 Village Hall, Joeys Lane
- Station 5 Holy Cross Church Hall, Bilbrook Road
- Station 33 Harrison Sports and Social Club, Great Wyrley
- Station 48 Village Hall, Stourton
- Station 51 Victory Hall, Lower Penn
- Station 52 Crown Room at the Dartmouth Arms
- For further information please email elections@sstaffs.gov.uk.

Elections Update

On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in South Staffordshire will have their say on who represents them at The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Election, County Council Elections and Parish By-Elections. We are already making plans to help residents stay safe while casting their vote. All Polling Stations will be Covid-19 compliant.

2021 Easy Read Guide to Voting in the May local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England.

Notices of Elections can be found on the Council website.
The Statement of Persons Nominated have now been published for:

The Postal Vote application form can be found here.
The last day for applications for Postal Votes is 5pm on 20 April.
- Please note: Royal Mail has 35,000 Priority Post Boxes, these boxes have late collection times with 98% of them having a collection time of after 4:00pm. Please click here to find a priority box in your local area.
The Proxy Vote application form can be found here. Asking a trusted person to vote on your behalf. The last day for applications for Proxy Votes is 5:00 pm 27 April.
In preparation for this year’s elections, we have had to make some changes to our Poll Stations. This is for a variety of reasons, we were asked by central government to look at alternatives for schools, a couple of our stations are currently being used as vaccination centres, and one station was no longer available. The new stations will be printed on the Poll Cards that go out, and we will also send a letter to those households that are affected by the changes. To find out if your Polling Station has changed, please click here.
Find your Polling Station here.
A guide to polling day – Everything you need to know about voting in person.

Leisure Centres successfully re-opened 12 April

The leisure centres re-opened this week and we are pleased to say that systems ran smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy their visit. The centres are open to members and non-members with a joining offer currently available for a limited time only.

JOIN NOW, RECEIVE APRIL FREE
Further discounts of membership fees in May and June
Free and complimentary access to online and on-demand exercise classes

To join, call your local centre to arrange an appointment or complete the membership form here and direct debit form here and email them to us at Leisure@sstaffs.gov.uk

New Outdoor Exercise Classes

Both Codsall and Wombourne Leisure Centres are offering outdoor exercise classes which are available to members and non-members to book.

Codsall outdoor class programme can be found here and customers can book by calling the centre on 01902 844032.
Wombourne outdoor class programme can be found here and you can book by calling the centre on 01902 898202.

Free Youth Fitness Session

South Staffordshire Leisure Centres are offering a free online fitness class every Monday 4.20pm-5pm for 10-16 year olds. Advanced booking for the free youth session is required, and you can reserve your place here.

Council Job Vacancies
- Relief Leisure Assistant, Wombourne Leisure Centre. Closing 5pm on 18 April 2021. Application information
- Relief Swimming Instructor at Wombourne Leisure Centre. Closing 5pm on 28 April 2021. Application information

Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
Planning Committee – Tuesday, 20 April 2021 – 6.30 pm – Public virtual meeting via Teams.
Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams. In the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website, you will find the relevant news item that will include a link to enable you to join.

Covid-19 updates

Covid-19 Roadmap

you can check your areas statistics by putting in your postcode here.

On 12 April additional restrictions were lifted:
- The following were reopened: non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lettings, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
- Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
- Events – While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15. Click here for Covid-19 guidance on wedding planning.

Staffordshire County Council have published a frequently asked questions page on their website.
Everyone should be getting tested twice weekly. This can be done through the Community Testing sites, workplace testing or by ordering tests to do at home (if you cannot get to a place to collect them). Click here for information on the pop-up testing sites or to order your home testing kits.
Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities

On 12 April an updated guidance came into effect for those managing community centres, village halls and other community facilities on safely re-opening to reflect changes to national lockdown rules. Click here to read the full guidance on the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities.

Step 2 – Re-opening of Businesses (Environmental Health & Licensing team)

Its good to see businesses starting to reopen again. The Environmental Health Team are focussing on assisting businesses with opening safely. Outdoor hospitality is now allowed to open as the risks associated with outdoor areas is lower, however businesses (with the help of its customers) are still required to have certain controls in place.

The big challenge this week has been outdoor seating! Hospitality business serving alcohol at the premises, require customers to order, be served and eat and drink whilst seated (and pay) outdoors.

They must have other measures in place as well all designed to make sure customers are as safe as can be., such as:

Customers do not go to the bar to be served
Rule of 6 or 2 households
The group of 6 customers or two households seated at a distance from another such group
Groups of customers – rule of 6 or 2 households, do not interact with other groups
Tables are positioned at safe distances
Customers can use indoor toilet facilities, baby changing and feeding areas
and a few other rules!

The challenge officers face is being fair to businesses, but at the same time making sure they are compliant. Many of our businesses have got great ideas and have managed to organise their outdoor spaces really well.

We are working with some businesses where the outdoor structures currently do not comply, to find solutions to these problems, so they can use their spaces safely.

Covid-19 – Key messages
Things are continuing to improve across the health system, with fewer outbreaks and people becoming hospitalised. Conversations are now taking place around the restoration and recovery of services. But there are concerns of a third wave; Covid-19 isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. Please read and heed these messages:
- Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air
- Get routinely tested. This is so important as lockdown restrictions are eased.
- Get vaccinated when it becomes available to you.
- Whilst vaccination uptake is good in Staffordshire, there is still lower uptake from the following groups: autism, renal and liver failure, sickle cell disease, severe mental illness and those who are alcohol dependent. If you know of anyone in these groups, please encourage them to take up the vaccine by calling 119 and to seek support.
- Everyone, including those who have been vaccinated, must continue to comply with current restrictions and still get tested regularly.

Next Step on the Roadmap

The next step on the Government’s proposed timetable for easing restrictions is no earlier than 17 May, where the easing of social distancing measures could see limits of meeting people indoors and outdoors relaxed. This could also see the reopening of indoor hospitality and other businesses in all but the highest risk settings. However, this will only happen if we take personal responsibility. Just remember – Face, Hands, Space & Fresh Air and Vaccination and Vigilance.

This is our way out of lockdown! Please don’t give up now!

Get routinely tested – This week’s testing sites in South Staffordshire

It is important to attend lateral flow testing routinely, irrespective of whether you have had the vaccine or not. You can get a rapid Covid-19 test at any of our community testing sites, provided you are asymptomatic, you are not self-isolating, you have not had a positive Covid-19 test in the last 90 days, and you are not part of another regular asymptomatic testing programme.

South Staffordshire’s semi-permanent Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) site for the week commencing 19 April, will be Wombourne Library, Church Road, Wombourne WV5 9EZ:

Monday 00-16.00
Tuesday 00-14.00
Wednesday 00-16.00
Thursday 00-19.00
Friday 00-16.00
Saturday 00-16.00
Sunday 00-16.00

Next week’s Covid-19 community testing pop-up sites in South Staffordshire are:

Monday 19 April

Perton Civic 10.00-12.30

Haling Dene 14.00-16.00

Tuesday 20 April
Coven Memorial 10.00-13.30
Wednesday 21 April

Essington Community Centre 10.00-12.30

Great Wyrley Scout Hut 14.00-16.00

Penkridge Market 8.00-14.00

Saturday 24 April
Hollybush Garden Centre 10.00-16.00
Anyone with symptoms should not attend and instead book a PCR test online here.

Support during the Pandemic
- The Council can help arrange local support for shopping, prescriptions, and other necessities if anyone is self-isolating, who has an underlying health condition and cannot call upon friends, family or neighbours. Further information can be found here.
- Residents can use the Government’s online Test and Trace Support Payment page to check their eligibility if they need to self-isolate because of Covid-19 and cannot work from home. The site allows the public to input their postcode to find their local authorities relevant webpage.

Helpful Resources

Staffordshire Libraries
On Monday 12 April Staffordshire Libraries safely reopened. You can now return books, request books and order books for pick up via ‘order & collect’ and ‘grab & go.’

Public computers and printing are available for essential use within the open libraries if booked in advance. For more information about bookings or printing contact your local library.

The mobile library service will also return to the roads offering an ‘order & collect’ service at a limited number of stops.
When visiting a Staffordshire Library, you will be required to wear a mask or face covering. NHS Test and Trace will be operated within all library buildings and books will continue to be quarantined after handling.

You can follow on Facebook for a range of activities and events including Story Time, Baby Bounce & Rhyme and Craft Time. You can also join an Adult Book Chat, Creative Writing or Wellness groups. Simply visit Facebook/Staffordshire Libraries to take part.

The online library is open 24 hours a day for FREE eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines, eComics and eNewspapers.

For opening times visit or more information about their current service visit staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Building Resilience in Families and Communities

Staffordshire County Council commission a Family Support Service (FSS). The service offers holistic support to families that most need support. Please read the story below of how the FSS helped one family in South Staffordshire (the family have agreed to share):

This family was deemed vulnerable and referred to the FSS. The family have a child aged 5 who is struggling with Enuresis. The child has siblings and Mum was stressed with all the concerns within the family during Covid-19 lockdown, particularly the conflict between the 5-year-old and his older siblings.

A keyworker was allocated to the family to understand all the issues. She accessed funding to purchase equipment for the child to support with the Enuresis. The keyworker also worked with the older siblings and introduced a ‘good choices and rewards’ scheme which encouraged changes in behaviour in the older siblings. The keyworker helped the family look at better-off benefits and return to work options, which resulted in Dad finding employment.

The keyworker referred mum to an online parenting programme which also focuses on parental wellbeing. This in turn, helped mum to remain calmer when managing her children. If you need support you can self-refer by calling the FSS on 01901 424147. They will assess your referral to see if you meet their criterion for support.

Safer communities and safeguarding
- Domestic Abuse
  - Demand on domestic abuse support services has increased, and additional funding has been provided to increase service provision. Useful information and contact details can be found below:
    - Make a stand, Help tackle abuse and neglect
    - Domestic abuse victim support
  - The helpline for New Era Victim Support is 0300 303 3778

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Weekly news bulletin from South Staffordshire Council

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

COVID-19 update – Key Messages
- We’re still in a national lockdown. It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. It’s really tough, but if we all follow the rules we can help reduce the spread and save lives.
- We all need to continue to follow guidance on Hands. Face. Space. This will help to keep you and others safe – even if you’ve had the vaccine.
- If you are making essential visits to places where there are other people, get rapid tested regularly.
- If you’re worried about getting tested for Covid-19 and having to self-isolate, you may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace support payment scheme.
- You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes (such as for a picnic or a social meeting).
- The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines.
- Stay at home and if you do need to go out for essentials, remember, Hands. Face. Space. Test.
- Did you know that you must still follow guidance around #HandsFaceSpace even if you’ve had your Covid-19 vaccine? Wear a face covering, keep your distance and wash your hands regularly.
- Click here for more information on #doingourbit to stop the spread.

Staffordshire Police is inviting residents and businesses to take part in a new survey
The ‘Your police. Your voice.’ survey, which is open until Monday 8 February provides the public with an opportunity to share their views on crime and policing locally. This survey will assist the police force to achieve its vision of a safer Staffordshire and will result in a better understanding of the issues which matter most to local communities to ensure that services and resources are being delivered in the best way to address people’s concerns. As this is the first public confidence survey for a number of years we’d be grateful of your support in sharing this survey with your audiences.
#CountyLines campaign
A County Lines campaign is running between Monday 1 February and Sunday 14 February to support the aim of reducing criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults in Staffordshire. South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership is supporting the Staffordshire Police campaign to highlight the signs of County Lines.

Are your children, or are you aware of children, spending more time online during the national lockdown? At the moment, there are far less opportunities for face-to-face grooming of children and young people so instead criminal are using online methods. Children can be recruited to distribute drugs in return for money, mobiles, credit, expensive clothing, jewellery, or other items. Please find more information on the #CountyLines campaign here

Please help by sharing their #CountyLines posts on their Facebook: @Staffordshire Police and Twitter: @StaffsPolice

Star Count and the AONB Dark Skies Project
This February the AONB, together with the countryside charity CPRE, are inviting everyone to take part in Star Count 2021, a fun and easy way to enjoy the wonders of the universe. If you live in or around Cannock Chase AONB, we need your help to count the stars. The project is due to Cannock Chase having the highest levels of light pollution of all England’s 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Find out more information on the Star Count here.

New online exercise classes
Additional live online classes have started this week. Classes are currently free to leisure centre members. The classes are, however, also available for non-members on a pay as you go basis or an online class membership is available.
On Demand classes now available
In addition to providing 33 live exercise classes per week, we are delighted to be able to now offer users access to lots of ‘On Demand’ workouts which everyone can do at their own convenience. The on-demand classes are available for leisure centre members and online class members. Access the on-demand sessions here.
Be kind to yourself

It’s more important than ever that during lockdown we interact with people, keep positive and look after our minds. For more information about how you can help to stay positive and lift your mood, visit Every Mind Matters

The benefits of Meditation

Meditation has so many benefits:

Reduces stress
Helps to cure headaches
Boosts energy levels
Increases creativity
Helps to boost self-esteem and positivity

South Staffordshire’s Leisure Centres provide some live and online classes which incorporate meditation:

Stretch and Meditation with Yvonne – Wednesdays 6.45-7.25pm
Yoga and meditation with Hansa – Fridays 5-5.40pm
For more information on our online classes here
CCU Recruitment Opportunity
The Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit is currently recruiting for a Civil Contingencies Officer. It would be appreciated if you could help by circulating the opportunity. The closing date for applications is the 14 February 2021, advert and full details for the CCU Recruitment Opportunity are available online.

Regular information

Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
Cabinet – Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – 2.00 pm – public virtual meeting via Teams.
Audit & Risk Committee – Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – 4.00 pm – public virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams – in the news section at the bottom of the Council’s website, you will find the relevant news item that will include a link to enable you to join.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

South Staffordshire Council – weekly news bulletin

This week’s news from around the Council.

COVID-19 update

This week, the district returned to the local alert tier system with Staffordshire being placed in the highest tier – Tier 3, Very High Alert.

The following applies in all tiers in England:

Shops, personal care services, gyms and the wider leisure sector can reopen.
Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume.
People will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public spaces – the rule of six will now apply outdoors as it did in the previous set of tiers.

Tier 3 – the key points

You must not mix socially indoors with anybody who you do not live with unless part of your support bubble.
The rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces so you can meet in a group of up to six people in public parks but not in private gardens.
Hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants must remain closed, but they are permitted to continue sales by delivery, click and collect, drive-through or takeaway.
Gyms and non-essential shops may reopen.
Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must remain closed.
Hotels, B&Bs, campsites and guest houses must remain closed (a few limited exemptions).
People are advised to work from home if they can and avoid non-essential travel in and out of the area. Overnight stays are not allowed outside the area.
Wedding receptions are banned.

Tier allocations will be reviewed by Wednesday 16 December 2020.

Please continue to follow the rules to protect yourself and your loved ones. Together we can reduce infection rates and ensure our district moves into a lower tier as quickly as possible. Remember – Hands Face Space.

It’s important that if you have symptoms you self-isolate and get tested. Staffordshire is one of 66 local authorities taking part in the roll out of rapid COVID testing for people without symptoms and testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district. Please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.

Other COVID-19 announcements this week
Roll out of lateral flow tests to councils including Staffordshire – a list of local authorities across England issued with rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests by the Department of Health and Social Care.
UK authorises Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
New guidance on visiting care home residents.
Updated guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable.
New guidance on making a childcare bubble with another household.
Updated guidance for people planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England.

UK-wide Christmas arrangements from 23-27 December 2020

Over Christmas, the Government is changing some social contact restrictions for a short period of time between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December 2020. You will be able to form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households so you can spend time with others over the Christmas period, while limiting the risk of spreading infection.

Please keep the festive period as safe as possible and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This includes ensuring indoor spaces get as much fresh air as possible during a visit and after any visitors have left, washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds, keep socially distanced from anybody you do not live with as much as possible, and by following the rules on self-isolation if you develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.

Extra support this winter

A £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme will be available in early December and will be run by county councils and unitary authorities, covering the period until the end of March 2021. The grant will be used to support those most in need across England with the cost of food, energy (heating, cooking, lighting) and water bills and essentials. South Staffordshire Council will be working closely with Staffordshire County Council to provide support to residents and ensure the funding meets its objectives. Find out more about the COVID Winter Grant Scheme here.

NHS test and trace support payments

Applications for NHS Test and Trace support payments are open. People who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self- isolate who on low incomes and unable to work from home can claim a support payment of £500 to compensate for their loss of earnings if they meet certain criteria. Local authorities are administering the payments for self-isolation and residents in South Staffordshire are now able to submit an application for this support and the application form is now live.

Other useful COVID-19 links

Information about COVID-19.
Prime Minister’s statement on the COVID-19 Winter Plan and The COVID-19 Winter Plan – which sets outs the Government’s regional, tiered approach for managing COVID-19 through the winter in England.
Information about face coverings.
Information about meeting others safely.
Information about making a support bubble with another household.

Shop local and celebrate Small Business Saturday

Many of our shops and businesses in South Staffordshire have reopened so please support them. Where you shop matters more than ever so please #ShopLocal. By spending money locally, you are helping them get back up and running. These shops and businesses form the heart of our local communities and right now they need your support – click here to view a video about shopping local.

Saturday 5 December 2020 marks Small Business Saturday (www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com) an annual campaign that champions and celebrates the UK’s small businesses. While this year’s shopping experience may be a little different, please show your support in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year. When shopping, remember Hands Face Space and wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, wear a face covering and maintain a safe social distance from other shoppers.

On Monday it was announced that retailers will be able to extend their daily opening hours from Monday to Saturday in the run up to Christmas and through January too so please be a #SafeShopper and support your local high street.

South Staffordshire Community Innovation Fund – grants of up to £1,000 available

Today sees the launch of this year’s application process to the Community Innovation Fund. The South Staffordshire Community Lottery has a small pot of funding which is funded from every ticket sold and South Staffordshire Council has committed this pot to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector in the district. Any community group, association, charitable organisation or community interest company benefitting the residents of South Staffordshire can apply, including good causes signed up to the Community Lottery. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 8 January 2021.

More information and an application form are available here.

Re-opening of Council’s leisure centres

In line with the new Tier 3 restrictions, the Council’s four leisure centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne reopened their gyms, swimming pools, toning suites and badminton facilities last Wednesday. For more information and guidance about visiting your leisure centre, visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk to view the safety measures in place. For programme times, visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure.

Booking is essential for all activities and members can book online here:

https://bookings.sstaffs.gov.uk/onlinebookings/codsall

https://bookings.sstaffs.gov.uk/onlinebookings/cheslynhay

https://bookings.sstaffs.gov.uk/onlinebookings/penkridge https://bookings.sstaffs.gov.uk/onlinebookings/wombourne

Unfortunately, exercise classes cannot resume under the Tier 3 restrictions but live and online classes are available here. Due to demand, we have expanded our online exercise classes and we are now offering 25 classes per week. Classes are free to members. Non-members are invited to join their first class for free. To take out an online class membership giving unlimited access to online classes for £12 per month, complete a membership form and direct debit form and email Leisure@sstaffs.gov.uk.

Junior swimming lessons also restarted at Wombourne Leisure Centre on Thursday. Changing rooms have reopened but please note that capacity is restricted so swimmers are encouraged to bring everything they need should they be asked to ‘dry, dress and go’. Due to the number of customers who have asked to defer lessons until January 2021, swimming lessons will not restart at the other leisure centres until the New Year.

To keep up to date with the latest developments at our leisure centres, follow on Facebook or sign up to receive regular information e-bulletins here.

National Grief Awareness Week (2-8 December 2020)

This week marks national Grief Awareness Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of the impact of grief and get people talking about this often taboo subject. If you have been affected by a bereavement and need support, advice and guidance, please visit their website for information about charities and services that may be helpful.

www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

www.nationalgriefawarenessweek.org

You are not alone

We are living in an unprecedented and stressful time and you may be feeling worried or depressed, lonely and isolated. It’s perfectly normal and the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust launched a video this week with the messaging ‘You are not alone’. Click here to view the video, which features many different organisations from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. If you are concerned about your mental health or someone you care for, help is available 24/7 – call 0300 123 0907.

Brick company helps county park’s conservation project

This winter, Baggeridge Country Park will be enhancing habitat areas for the rare and endangered White Clawed Crayfish. This native species is in decline, but the park is lucky to have a good population of them and wants to do more to protect the species. A request on Facebook this week proved successful with brick company Wienerberger donating structural bricks for the conservation project. The bricks contain holes that are perfect for the crayfish to hide inside in the water and keep them safe from predators.

Tree planting at Sytch Lane Cemetery

Many thanks to the pupils from year four at St Benedict Biscop Primary School for helping plant 250 trees at Sytch Lane Cemetery on Wednesday 2 December 2020. The trees were donated to the Council from the Woodland Trust and have been used to create a new tree belt at the rear of the site near the natural burial meadow as part of national Tree Planting Week. We were grateful to the children for their help and also very impressed with their knowledge of climate change and the benefits of tree planting. Special thanks also to Ade, Chelsea and Tim from the Street Scene Tree Team for their help on the day.

Temporary closure – bridleway

There will be a temporary closure of a bridleway due to the i54 South Staffordshire Western Extension works. The temporary closure will be from Thursday 3 December 2020 until Christmas Eve. View the emergency closure notice here and a map of the site here.

Council job vacancies – COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.

Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings

Council – Tuesday 8 December 2020 – 7pm – virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Last week’s news from South Staffordshire Council

Last week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

COVID-19 update

There have been lots of announcements about recent and upcoming changes including:

The COVID-19 Winter Plan.
New tiers from Wednesday 2 December 2020.
UK-wide Christmas arrangements from 23-27 December 2020.

Find out more about these announcements here.

The COVID-19 Winter Plan

This week, the Government published its plan for managing COVID-19 through the winter, setting out its programme for suppressing the virus, protecting the NHS and the vulnerable, keeping education and the economy going and providing a route back to normality. Scientific advances such as vaccines are at the centre of the Government’s plan to ensure life can return to as normal as possible and reduce the need for economic and social restrictions in the spring. Until then, the Government must continue to use other tools to suppress the virus and the plan sets out the Government’s approach to lifting national restrictions on Wednesday 2 December, when England will move back into a regional, tiered approach.

Regardless of tier, across all of England:

The stay at home requirement will end, with travel being permitted again subject to guidance in each tier.
Shops, personal care services, gyms and the wider leisure sector will reopen.
Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume.
People will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public spaces – the rule of six will now apply outdoors as it did in the previous set of tiers.

New tiers from Wednesday 2 December 2020

On Thursday, new tiers were announced and it was confirmed that Staffordshire will be placed in Tier 3 COVID-19 Very High Alert Level when the four-week national restrictions lockdown in England end on Wednesday 2 December 2020. Read a response from Staffordshire County Council here.

Postcode checker – find out the coronavirus restrictions in your local area.

The Tier 3 Very High Alert measures include restrictions on where households can meet up.

You can’t mix socially with other households indoors unless part of your support bubble.
The rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces so you can meet in a group of up to six people in public parks but not in private gardens.
Hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants must remain closed but they are permitted to continue sales by delivery or takeaway.
Gyms and non-essential shops may reopen.
People are advised to work from home if they can and avoid non-essential travel in and out of the area. Overnight stays are not allowed outside the area.
Wedding receptions are banned.

Tier allocations will be reviewed by Wednesday 16 December 2020.

Until Wednesday 2 December 2020, national restrictions continue to apply and information about the lockdown measures can be found here.

Remember – you may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.

For work which cannot be done from home.
For education.
For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble.
For medical reasons.
To shop for food and essentials.
To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.

You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. However, individuals may meet one other person from another household outside in an outdoor public place such as a park or playground. Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, such as those with severe disabilities, who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.

Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be especially careful but people are not being asked to resume shielding (guidance for clinically vulnerable) and children can move between homes if their parents are separated.

Although the rate is starting to fall in South Staffordshire, there is still more that needs to be done to get the rate levels lower. Please stay at home and protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s important that if you have symptoms you self-isolate and get tested. Staffordshire is one of 66 local authorities taking part in the roll out of rapid COVID testing for people without symptoms and testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district. Please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.

UK-wide Christmas arrangements from 23-27 December 2020

Extra support this winter

Early in November, the Government announced a package of financial support for those in need over the winter period. Children and families will get extra support this winter, with councils given new funding to ensure vulnerable households do not go hungry or without essential items. Find out more about the package of financial support here.

This includes:

A £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme to support children, families and the most vulnerable over winter.
Expansion of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, covering Easter, Summer and Christmas in 2021.
A rise in Healthy Start payments from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021.
A suite of measures to help tackle poor health, hunger and education.

The new £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme will be available in early December and will be run by county councils and unitary authorities, covering the period until the end of March 2021. The grant will be used to support those most in need across England with the cost of food, energy (heating, cooking, lighting) and water bills and essentials. South Staffordshire Council will be working closely with Staffordshire County Council to provide support to residents and ensure the funding meets its objectives. Find out more about the COVID Winter Grant Scheme here.

Other useful COVID-19 links
Information about face coverings.
Information about meeting others safely.

COVID-19 Support Officers

COVID-19 Support Officers are now out and about in the district and focusing on high risk areas, including around schools, to ensure local villages within South Staffordshire are COVID-secure. Whilst they themselves do not have any enforcement powers, they will be helping to remind people and businesses about the importance of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and the need to wear face coverings, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and to maintain a safe social distance. These measures are vital to ensure people feel safe and to slow the spread of coronavirus in the district.

COVID-19 business update

During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops have had to close. Understandably, many businesses are concerned about this second national lockdown. If your business has been required to close or has been severely impacted by the new restrictions in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020 you will be able to apply for a new grant scheme to assist businesses financially.

The grants are now live and are known as the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant and the Local Restrictions Support Grant. Eligible businesses can apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) at this website – https://www.grantapproval.co.uk/

More information is available on the Council website here.

National guidance:

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant here.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses) here.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) here.

Find out more about the financial help for businesses during COVID-19 here.

If you wish to subscribe to direct emails from the Council regarding business advice and support, please email your name, business trading name and phone number to businesshub@sstaffs.gov.uk

For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:

www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount

Business webinar coming up

In partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, South Staffordshire Council is holding a free business webinar on Zoom in December.

Funding – What is new and how can you access it? Click here to register.

Tuesday 1 December 2020, 2pm to 3pm.

NHS test and trace support payments

Leisure Services

Leisure Centres to reopen

Following this week’s announcement from the Government, we are pleased to be able to reopen the swimming pools and gyms at the Council’s Leisure Centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne on Wednesday 2 December 2020. More details will be available shortly on the leisure website and the leisure centres’ Facebook pages. You can also sign up to receive regular e-bulletins to help stay up to date with the latest news in leisure.

Online exercise classes – book your free trial

Our new online exercise classes are proving popular with members. You can access our live exercise classes here and non-members can enjoy a free trial and receive their first class free. Find out more about our online classes here.

Baggeridge County Park – Both the park and play area remain open. However, a number of restrictions have been introduced. Please only visit the park on your own, with the people you live with or in your support bubble, or one person from another household. The car park is open but restricted to 100 cars at any one time and normal car parking charges apply. The children’s play area is open but restricted to 30 people at any one time. Play is limited to 30 minutes during busy times. Adults are encouraged to use the Test and Trace QR Code scanning and to wear a face mask when in the play area with their children. The tea shop is open (takeaway service only) and the toilets are open. Challenge Academy is closed.

Help Us, Help You – Accessing NHS Services

COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services and the NHS is here for your mental health, even during the pandemic. Services have remained open and you can still access care and professional advice for your mental health.

COVID-19 and lockdown have impacted our mental health. You are not alone. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, NHS Talking Therapies can help.
NHS Talking Therapies are a free, effective and confidential way to treat common mental health issues. They can help you by working through feelings of anxiety or depression with a trained therapist.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, please do come forward: it’s easy to get help. Ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer and find out more about NHS Talking Therapies here.
NHS Talking Therapies are conducted in confidence and help is available face to face, by phone or online. For those whose first language is not English, Talking Therapies can be delivered through multi-lingual therapists or through confidential translators.

Remember the five steps to 5 steps to mental wellbeing:

Connect with other people.
Be physically active.
Learn new skills.
Give to others.
Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness).

Safer home learning

Did you know the Home Learning Hub contains a free library of resources to support parents and carers who are taking the time to help their children be safer online? Visit the Home Learning Hub website to find out more.

Council job vacancies

COVID-19 Support Officers – application information.

Planning Officer (Grad/Assistant – Senior) – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
Administrator (Environmental Health and Licensing), 12 month fixed term – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.
Customer Services General Advisor, fixed term until end August 2021 – application information. Closing date 27 November 2020.

Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings

Cabinet meeting – Tuesday 1 December 2020 – 2pm – virtual meeting via Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams – a link can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Weekly news bulletin from South Staffordshire Council

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

Codsall Community Hub

Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, the Leader of South Staffordshire Council, was joined by representatives from Russell House Primary Care Practice, Codsall Library and Seddon at a ground breaking event to mark the start of construction work on the Community Hub, which is expected to open in early 2022. You can see a photograph and find out more here.

Council introduces COVID-19 Support Officers

South Staffordshire Council is recruiting a number of COVID-19 Support Officers to provide guidance and advice to members of the public and local businesses where there are actual or potential breaches of COVID-secure regulations and guidance. The first COVID-19 Support Officers will start work next week and they will focus on high risk areas, including around schools, to ensure local villages within South Staffordshire are COVID-secure. Whilst they themselves do not have any enforcement powers, they will be helping to remind people and businesses about the importance of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and the need to wear face coverings, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and to maintain a safe social distance. These measures are vital to ensure people feel safe and to slow the spread of coronavirus in the district.

Local hotel closed for coronavirus breaches and reports of anti-social behaviour

This week, the Himley Country Hotel, School Road, Himley, on the outskirts of Dudley was ordered to close by Staffordshire County Council for coronavirus regulation breaches deemed to pose an imminent threat to public health. The hotel has been ordered to close for 28 days until Thursday 10 December 2020. You can read more about this story here. The same hotel was also issued with a temporary closure notice by South Staffordshire Council and Staffordshire Police using the powers available to them within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. You can read more about the story here.

Staffordshire to take part in mass roll out of rapid COVID-19 testing

Staffordshire is to increase testing of residents in a bid to identify more cases, reduce the spread of infection and protect lives and livelihoods. The county is one of a number of local authorities to sign up for the roll out of the rapid turnaround lateral flow tests – which can give results in under and hour, without the need for laboratory processing. You can read more about this story here. COVID-19 testing is taking place in various locations throughout the district – please keep an eye on social media and the Council website for the latest information.

Construction work to commence on new extension for Telling Architectural

Following on from last week’s good news that construction work will recommence to complete the expansion of the Four Ashes Enterprise Park on Monday 16 November 2020, further positive news to report is that construction work will also begin on the same day for another of the Council’s commercial development projects, the extension of Unit 4e Station Road on the wider Four Ashes Industrial Estate.

Unit 4e is already the Council’s largest single commercial unit and is home to the Head Office of Telling Architectural, a multi-national cladding company. Telling has seen significant growth in the business since moving into Unit 4e when the Council acquired the unit in 2016. The extension will allow them to continue growing their business at the same location without needing to move elsewhere. The extension is due to be completed in April 2021 and it will add a further 1275 sqm to the property. It means Telling can employ up to a further 25 people and this is excellent news at a time when the wider economy is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 update

The four-week ‘national restrictions’ lockdown in England from Thursday 5 November 2020 to Wednesday 2 December 2020 continues and information about the lockdown measures can be found here at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.

You may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.

For work which cannot be done from home.
For education.
For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble. Unlike the last lockdown in March, you can take unlimited exercise.
For medical reasons.
To shop for food and essentials.
To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.

COVID-19 business update

During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops have had to close. On Thursday 12 November 2020, the Business Secretary the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP made a statement on the response to coronavirus and outlined levels of support for businesses and an update on the Kickstart Scheme and Vaccines Taskforce. Click here to view the statement.

Also yesterday, the Government published data showing the amount of funding that councils have received and distributed to support small and medium businesses in England during the coronavirus outbreak. This data covers three coronavirus grant schemes which closed in August 2020: the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF), the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund (RHLGF) and the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF).

Understandably, many businesses are concerned about the second national lockdown. If your business has been required to close or has been severely impacted by the new restrictions in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020 you will be able to apply for a new grant scheme to assist businesses financially. We are awaiting further clarification on the new scheme and this will be published on our website shortly, along with an application form for the new grant scheme. This information is in the process of being updated.

If you wish to subscribe to direct emails from the Council regarding business advice and support, please email your name, business trading name and phone number to businesshub@sstaffs.gov.uk

For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:

www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount

Weekly news round up from South Staffordshire Council

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

COVID-19 update

A second national lockdown for England is taking place from Thursday 5 November 2020 to Wednesday 2 December 2020. Information on the new national restrictions can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november. The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December 2020, when it is hoped that the country will return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.

Click here to read a personal message from Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, Leader of South Staffordshire Council.

You may only leave your home for a limited set of reasons.

For work which cannot be done from home.
For education.
For exercise outdoors or to visit an outdoor public place. This can be on your own or with members of your household or support bubble. Unlike the last lockdown in March, you can take unlimited exercise.
For medical reasons.
To shop for food and essentials.
To visit members of your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.

During this national lockdown, pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will be closed but unlike the restrictions in spring, schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

Businesses and venues that must close include:

All non-essential retail, including, but not limited to clothing and electronics stores, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.
Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, concert halls, zoos and other animal attractions, botanical gardens.
Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs. However, they can still provide takeaway and delivery services although takeaway of alcohol is not be allowed.
Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture, and tanning salons.

Businesses that can remain open include:

Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services. Although non-essential retail shops are closing once again, they can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect shopping, where customers order products online and go to pick them up.
Dentist, opticians, chiropractors and osteopaths and a number of public services including the NHS and medical services like GPs, Jobcentre Plus sites, Courts and Civil Registrations Offices.
Construction sites and manufacturing workplaces.

Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes. Places of worship will be closed, unless they are being used for funerals, to broadcast acts of worship, individual prayer, formal childcare or where part of a school, essential voluntary and public services, such as blood donation or food banks, and some other exempted activities. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people and ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.

For the latest updates about council services, guidance and support, visit:

www.sstaffs.gov.uk or sign up to receive regular eAlert updates at

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/myaccount

Weekly news round up from South Staffordshire Council

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

Protect against flu

Every year, the annual NHS flu vaccination is available to help protect adults and children at risk from flu and its complications. With COVID-19 still in circulation, it’s important that as many people as possible get vaccinated for flu this autumn to protect the most vulnerable and reduce the number of people needing flu treatment from the NHS. This year, the flu vaccination programme has been expanded and more people are eligible for free flu jabs. The flu can be a serious disease and by getting the vaccine, you will be protecting yourself as well as your loved ones. Visit the NHS website to find out more about the flu vaccine and visit your GP practice website or speak to your pharmacy about booking a flu vaccination. High street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.

Improvements carried out at local nature reserve

A nature reserve next to the i54 South Staffordshire western extension site has undergone a £50,000 improvement scheme thanks to the site development team. Pendeford Hall Nature Reserve received the money through a planning agreement to help continue and develop its education, health and wellbeing, and personal and social skills development outdoor activities for local communities. Visit the i54 online website to find out more.

Quit smoking this Stoptober

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you’ll ever do for your health. It’s never too late to quit and this year’s Stoptober campaign features a range of information and support on quitting, including a free Stoptober App. The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and the positive benefits that quitting smoking has on lung health. Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it’s much easier with the right help so take a look at the support that’s available and visit the NHS Better Health website for more information.

Staffordshire History Festival

The annual Staffordshire History Festival continues its two-month celebration of local history and cultural heritage in Staffordshire and beyond. This year’s festival is a virtual programme and information about how to participate is being posted on Staffordshire Libraries Facebook page during the festival.

COVID-19 update

Protect #South Staffordshire and help avoid a local lockdown

With the district now experiencing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, please observe social distancing guidance and follow the rule of six to avoid a local lockdown. Remember to Wash hands, cover face, make space.

Information about face coverings – When to wear one, exemption cards, enforcement measures for failing to comply with the law, and how to make your own. In England, you must wear a face covering by law in a number of indoor settings and face coverings now need to be worn by staff in retail, all users of taxis and private hire vehicles, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality except when seated at a table to eat or drink. The penalty for failing to wear a face covering or breaking the rule of six is £200 for a first offence and there are fines of up to £10,000 for those who fail to self-isolate.

Information about meeting others safely – Social distancing, the rule of six, and COVID-Secure guidelines. The rule of six means that people cannot meet socially in groups of more than six people. This applies in any setting, indoors or outdoors but does not apply to schools and workplaces. COVID-Secure weddings and funerals are exempt and up to 15 people are able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions and up to 30 people can attend a funeral. Adult indoor team sports are no longer exempt and the planned return of spectators to large sporting events/venues and business conferences/exhibitions has been paused.

Information about what you can and can’t do – Frequently asked questions about social contact, visiting public places and taking part in activities, clinically vulnerable groups and clinically extremely vulnerable groups, and care homes, going to work and being COVID-19 Secure, workers’ rights, public transport, and schools and childcare.

The latest West Midlands local restrictions advice for residents – Wolverhampton is one of a growing list of towns and cities placed under COVID-19 lockdown measures. South Staffordshire residents can travel to these areas for work, school, shopping or leisure activities. However, residents are not allowed to visit homes in these areas unless it is for work or the household is part of your support bubble. Likewise, if you live in any of the affected areas you can travel to South Staffordshire but you must not meet socially with residents in their homes or gardens unless they are in your single support bubble.

South Staffordshire is not currently one of the areas affected by the Government’s latest COVID-19 restrictions. However, South Staffordshire residents travelling out of the county need to be aware there are high levels of COVID-19 in Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Wolverhampton and they need to consider this when making social visits to these areas to meet with friends or family. Vulnerable people do not need to shield, unless they are within a local lockdown area.

Information about NHS test and trace – The NHS test and trace service is a vital tool and helps control the spread of coronavirus. To get a test, you will need to apply online or call 119 and the test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud. If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be asked where you’ve been recently and who you have been in close contact with. This will help the NHS contact anyone who may have caught the virus from you. All information you provide is confidential and no one who is contacted will be told your identity. Anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be told to stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.

Information about the NHS COVID-19 app – Following last Thursday’s launch, over 10 million people in England and Wales downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app over the first weekend. This app is an integral part of the test and trace programme and is the fastest way of knowing when you are at risk from coronavirus. It is available to download on smartphones from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

What the app does:

It alerts you if you’ve been near other app users who have tested positive or coronavirus.
Lets you know the level of coronavirus risk in your postcode district.
Alerts you if you have visited a venue where you may have come into contact with coronavirus.
Provides a checklist of coronavirus symptoms to see if you need to order a free test.
Helps you book a test and get your result quickly.
If you need to self-isolate, it keeps track of your self-isolation countdown and provides relevant advice.

The app includes a QR Code tool that scans QR Codes on posters that businesses have been asked to add to their premises, making the process of data collection easier for both customers and businesses. Customers simply scan the code with their smartphone and this registers their visit. It means that anyone using the premises can be contacted in the event of a coronavirus outbreak and will help contact tracing efforts.

Coronavirus support and advice for businesses
Business webinar – change of date – Run in partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Council’s next business webinar will now take place on Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 2pm. The subject of the webinar is ‘Selecting Your Marketing Mix – For Business Revival’ and this interactive session will guide you through your marketing strategy. Register here for the webinar.

Recent measures – All hospitality venues must close by 10pm and all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate a table service only except for takeaways. In retail, leisure and tourism, and other sectors, the COVID Secure guidelines are legal obligations. Businesses could be fined/closed if they breach the rules.

New resources added to Council’s business toolkit – This week, additional posters about face coverings and hand sanitisers have been added to the Council’s online bank of resources on its website. Businesses can download and print the posters and signs free of charge, and display them in their place of business.

Leisure Services update
Wombourne Leisure Centre – Swimming lessons are due to restart at the leisure centre next week and full details will be circulated over the next few days together with a short video to show participants what to expect. Once we are happy that everything is going well, we will plan to restart swimming lessons at Codsall Leisure Centre.

Winners announced – loyalty rewards

This week, the Council’s Leisure Centres held a prize draw for members with prizes including a Fitbit Charge 3, Lean in 15 cookbook, resistance bands, and bottles and towels.

Congratulations to the winners of the Fitbits who you can see here:

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – Jennifer Selvey.

Codsall Leisure Centre – Jane Woolf.

Penkridge Leisure Centre – Ronald Campbell.

Wombourne Leisure Centre – Lynda Deeney.

Additional safety measures for children’s play area at Baggeridge

Since the new play area opened this summer at Baggeridge Country Park, we have been delighted to see so many people enjoying the new facility. Due to the play area proving to be so popular, we have closely monitored usage and made the decision to add additional safety measures, which includes staffing the facility at weekends. To ensure the play area remains safe for everyone to use, the following guidelines will apply from Saturday 3 October 2020:

The play area will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people. Children and supervising adults will only be able to access the facility on the hour and play time will be restricted to 50 minutes per session to give everyone the chance to use the play area. At the end of every 50-minute session the play area will be cleared, ready for the next visitors.
If you are using the NHS COVID-19 app on your smartphone, please scan the QR Code poster at the play area on arrival. If you do not have access to the app, please leave your name and contact details.
Please sanitise your hands when you enter and leave the play area.

Seasonal opening hours for cemeteries

From Thursday 1 October 2020, the closing times will be changing to 4.30pm at Sytch Lane Cemetery in Wombourne and Strawberry Lane Cemetery in Great Wyrley. Both cemeteries are open every day of the year for visitors at the above times and for funerals Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 9am and 3pm.

Seasonal opening and closing hours for the cemeteries are:

9am to 4.30pm from 1 October to 31 March.

9am to 8pm from 1 April to 30 September.

Support Staffordshire training dates

Funded by Staffordshire County Council, here is information and training dates for online virtual ‘Supportive Communities’ training sessions to gain new knowledge and skills in supporting older people.

Free online behaviour and wellbeing workshops

October Behaviour and Wellbeing Programmes for South Staffordshire – run by the Family Support Service by SCTSP (Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project) in Partnership with Staffordshire County Council.

Together we win!

Last weekend, the South Staffordshire Community Lottery had a £250 winner! Congratulations to our winner and good luck everyone this weekend. Now more than ever, good causes in South Staffordshire need your support. One way you can help is by buying a lottery ticket in our weekly Community Lottery and as well as supporting a good cause you might even win a cash prize ranging from £25 up to a jackpot of £25,000. To buy a lottery ticket, simply register on the website www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213777. The next super draw also takes place on 31 October 2020 so there’s a chance to win a family forest staycation voucher worth £500 too, redeemable with Forest Holidays.

Council job vacancies
Benefit Assessment Officer – application information.

Closing date – 9 October 2020.

Next week’s Council Committee/Panel meetings
Wellbeing Select Committee – Tuesday 6 October 2020 – 5.30pm – virtual meeting on Teams.
Personal Development Review and Appointments Panel – Wednesday 7 October 2020 – 2pm – virtual meeting on Teams.

Members of the public can virtually attend these meetings via Microsoft Teams – links can be found in the news section on the Council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk.

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Our latest news

News from South Staffordshire Council

In Spring 2022 you will get a new blue bag for paper and card.

The new blue bag will be used for paper and card. The blue bin will be used for cans, glass and plastics.

The blue bag and blue bin will be collected together on your recycling collection day.

Image shows the recycling bags and bins used in a local area. Bags and bins in South Staffordshire may look different to this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is changing?

When will this happen?

Why are you making this change?

Why did you choose a bag?

Won’t this cost more?

Will my collection day change?

How will the bag be collected?

Will I get a new bin calendar?

What can I recycle in the blue bag?

What can I recycle in the blue bin?

What about other items not listed above?

What happens if I put the wrong thing in the bag?

How big will the bag be?

What do I do with cardboard bigger than the bag?

What will the bag look like?

Won’t the bag blow away?

Won’t the paper and card blow out of the bag?

Won’t the paper and card get wet?

How many bags will I get?

What if I need an extra bag?

I have an extra recycling bin, but I won’t need it anymore

How do I store the bag?

Can I put my house number on the bag?

How do I get the bag?

I live in a communal property, will I get a bag?

I have an assisted collection, what do I do?

I already have a bag for recycling, what do I do?

What if I don’t want to use the bag?

Responding to the Consultation on the Local Plan

Consultation on third stage of the Local Plan

Wombourne Parish Council, here to serve the local community