This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council.

 Independent review praises council

Local government experts have praised the political and management leadership of South Staffordshire Council in a report, stating that it is “very impressive” and recognised the organisation as “an effective and well-functioning Council that cares for its people.” Earlier this year, the local authority invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to carry out a corporate peer challenge – a voluntary assessment to check how the Council is performing and test its future plans. Click here to read more and click here to read the report. 

• Community innovation fund now open

The South Staffordshire Community Innovation Fund is now open and applications have until 5pm on Friday 28 September 2018 to submit an application. Grants of up to £1,000 are available for all community and voluntary sector organisations in South Staffordshire including those registered to the South Staffordshire Community Lottery. Please contact policyadmin@sstaffs.gov.uk for an application form and guidance notes. 

• Catching offenders in the act

Over the past three months, the Council’s Enforcement team has been running a successful fly-tipping campaign deploying covert trail cameras in an attempt to catch offenders in the act.

Three fly-tippers have been identified and interviewed and will be prosecuted at Court. The cameras have also caught four people dropping litter and these offenders have been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. Remember – if you fly-tip or drop litter in South Staffordshire, we will take action. Click here to see more.

• Community Lottery – August DOUBLE super draw

Buy your lottery tickets today for this month’s double lottery super draw on Saturday 25 August 2018. You could win either a cream tea for two people at Halfpenny Green Vineyards or a round of golf for up to four people at 3 Hammers Golf Complex. Lottery tickets are only £1 a week and available from www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or by calling 01902 213777. Together we win! 

• Annual Canvass 2018

Annual Canvass forms were sent out by the Elections team at the Council last week and so far, we’ve had a 33% response. Please make sure that you return your form as soon as possible (or complete it online). Don’t lose your voice on matters that affect you – with all our District and Parish elections taking place in South Staffordshire in May 2019, this is an important opportunity for residents to make they can take part. Click here for more information.

• Skills and jobs fair

There’s been a great response to news about our forthcoming Skills and Jobs Fair at the Council Offices on Wednesday 26 September 2018 between 10am and 2pm. Lots of businesses have confirmed their attendance, all of whom have a variety of vacant job opportunities, and there will also be live talks and support organisations on hand to help anyone looking for employment, volunteering or work experience.

The number of exhibitors is growing daily and if you know any business or support organisation who may be interested in attending, please contact either Michelle Kettles (m.kettles@sstaffs.gov.uk) or Hayley Cooper (h.cooper@sstaffs.gov.uk). The event is free to attend for both exhibitors and members of the public and free transport is also being provided. Visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/skillsandjobsfair for more information.

• Universal Credit

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit and are struggling to manage a monthly payment or need support to make or manage your claim online, our Universal Support team can help – ring 01902 696228 or email universalsupport@sstaffs.gov.uk for more information. Click here for more information. 

• What’s on in the Leisure Centres this summer

There are lots of things going on this summer in our Leisure Centres in Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne. Find out more about our summer school holiday swimming and activity programmes by clicking here for more information.

Don’t forget that young people aged 10-19 can swim for just £1 per week thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner Staffordshire and the SPACE scheme.

• £1 per week for a weekly swim pass (aged 10-19 years).
• £2 per week for a weekly membership pass allowing access into gyms, exercise classes and swimming (aged 16-19 years).

• Village and community events – diary dates
• Sandon Fete on Saturday 11 August 2018, starting at 2pm.
• Family Fun day on the Village Green in Huntington on Saturday 18 August 2018 from 10am to 4pm.
• Perton Village Show on Saturday 15 September 2018, from 12.30pm onwards. Show schedules available from Perton Civic Centre and Perton Library. Enquires can be made to the Show Secretary by calling 01902 741822. 

• 5 Rating

The following companies have achieved a 5 Rating following their food inspection this week – Kings Fayre Bakery in Kinver, Café @ No5 in Kinver, the Dog and Partridge in Calf Heath, the Sizzling Wok in Penkridge, Coffee 212 in Wombourne, Leonard Cheshire Disability in Penn and The Hollybush in Trysull. 

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