The Government has recently launched Energy Bills Support Scheme – Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) bringing much-needed help to many South Staffordshire residents.

EBSS Alternative Funding means that households who didn’t receive the original energy bills support, such as those without their own electricity meter or without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier, can receive a £400 support payment. This might include people who live in care homes or park homes, residents of caravans and houseboats, as well as some private tenants.

If you don’t heat your home with mains gas and use an alternative fuel which could include oil, biomass and bottled gas, you might also be able to get an additional £200 payment, known as the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP).

Residents can apply for the EBSS Alternative Funding and AFP via the gov.uk website until Wednesday May 31st. A Dedicated helpline is also available for residents who need support to complete an application or cannot apply online. The freephone number, 0808 175 3287 will be open from 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Once an application has been made, The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will make a series of checks. Once those checks have been completed, the details are then given a final check by South Staffordshire Council to ensure that the resident lives at the address they have provided. If the application is approved, a one-off payment will be made directly to the resident with no need to repay.

The Revenues team are responsible for verifying addresses and approving payment. 

For further information about the schemes, please contact Chris Lander at c.lander@sstaffs.gov.uk

A new digital platform allowing you to access everything you need, all in one place!

• Accessible for members and non-members
• Book activities
• Manage your bookings
• Join and pay online
• Switch memberships
• Manage your account

An all-new digital platform called ‘Leisure Hub’ is being launched at the beginning of April and will become the central point for all online transactions. 

The current online booking platform is unavailable whilst we transition over to the new platform.  This means that all bookings currently need to be made via the leisure centres reception or by telephone.

The new ‘Leisure Hub’ platform is due to go live on Monday, April 3^rd, 2023.

The ‘Leisure Hub’ will provide members and non-members with easy access to information, an area to view timetables, make payments and enjoy a simple, efficient and interactive experience.  Further details and the link to the new platform will follow in due course.

The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is now live. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding.

Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk.

They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.

If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. You’ll be able to check an alert is genuine at gov.uk/alerts.

If you receive an alert, read the alert carefully and follow the instructions.

You can opt out of receiving emergency alerts; for more information on how to opt out please go to gov.uk/alerts

To find out more about Emergency Alerts, visit gov.uk/alerts

Staffordshire Police have launched their ‘Don’t choose to abuse’ campaign which encourages men to recognise if they are displaying unhealthy or abusive behaviour within a relationship.

Domestic Abuse is not acceptable and this behaviour will be, and quite rightly should be, called out by others. This behaviour may also constitute a criminal offence resulting in police intervention and arrest.

A healthy relationship is one with mutual respect, trust and honesty. Where both partners feel equal, each is supportive of the other and both feel comfortable communicating openly about anything.

Controlling if or when your partner goes out, who they socialise with, continually checking up on them and getting angry or taking revenge when they don't do what you want them to do is wrong.

Trying to manage a relationship by controlling your partner and eroding their confidence so that they stay with you, is not only an unhealthy relationship, it's abusive.

If you recognise this behaviour in yourself, a friend or family member there is help available. Visit the Staffordshire Police website for more information.

Staffordshire Day takes place on May 1st each year, to celebrate everything we love about our county.   

This year’s theme is all about sustainability and residents across Staffordshire are invited to participate in the Big Green Poetry Competition.

the chosen theme is sustainability – submissions are encouraged to focus on the natural wonders and environmental treasures that Staffordshire has to offer. With national treasures like Baggeridge Country Park, Kinver Edge, Cannock Chase and numerous country parks full of wildlife, Staffordshire has so much to be proud of and write about.

Artists of all ages and abilities are being invited to take part in the Big Green Poetry Competition.

Poems can be handed into local libraries or emailed to:  communications@staffordshire.gov.uk

You can also post your entry, Communications Department, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Place, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH.

Please include name, age and contact details with the poem. 

All poems must be entered before 12pm on Friday April 14th, 2023 and winners will be contacted and announced on Monday April 24th, 2023.

To find out more, click here: Poetry competition launched for county's annual celebration - Staffordshire County Council Newsroom