Parish Council News Round-Up 319

Issue 319

July 21st, 2023

Council and district news

Referendum to decide future of planning policy in Kinver

Kinver residents are being urged to have their say on the future of planning policy in their parish, with a referendum planned later this summer.

A neighbourhood plan has been drawn up by a steering group for Kinver parish, also covering Stourton, Iverley, Lawnswood, which, should it be approved by referendum, will influence planning in the parish.

The referendum will take place on Thursday, August 24th, at the Edward Marsh Centre in Legion Drive, Kinver.

Poll cards will be sent to Kinver residents around early August - with residents urged to register to vote by Tuesday, August 8th.

Further information can be found via: Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Voter ID will be required to vote at the polling station, further information on this requirement can be found at: Voter ID and Election Act 2022 Changes | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk).

For more information, see the full article here: Have your say: Referendum to decide future of planning policy in Kinver (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Baggeridge Country Park granted Green Flag for 25th year

Two South Staffordshire beauty spots have once again scooped Green Flag Awards – with 2023 marking the 25th year Baggeridge Country Park has held the prestigious title.

Wom Brook Walk in Wombourne has also been granted Green Flag status again – for the 14th year in a row.

The awards, granted by Keep Britain Tidy, are the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and a testament to the hard work and dedication of officers at South Staffordshire Council and local volunteers that care for the green spaces so that everyone can enjoy them.

Last month, a contractor working on behalf of Street Scene has been repairing and improving the path network across the Wom Brook Walk. This will make it easier for visitors to enjoy the wildlife and nature close up.

South Staffordshire Council cabinet member for community services, Councillor Kath Perry MBE, said: “I am delighted our wonderful Baggeridge Country Park and Wom Brook Walk have once again been granted Green Flag Awards.

“These picturesque green spaces are vital for South Staffordshire – not only for the extensive benefits they offer our community, but also to the wealth of wildlife which reside there.”

For more information, see the full article here: Baggeridge Country Park granted Green Flag for 25th year running (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Service spotlight: Welfare services

Our welfare services team at South Staffordshire Council provides a wide range of advice and support to our residents who may be experiencing difficulties with their finances, housing situation, or their ability to find work.

Michelle Kettles is the welfare and benefit team manager and has over 35 years’ experience working within the benefits sector.

Michelle says she’s remained in the sector for so long, due to her passion to make a difference in people's lives.

“When I see the positive impact the work my team and I do has on the lives of people who have been forced to overcome a whole range of obstacles, it really does make it all worthwhile,” said Michelle.

Find out more about our welfare services team here: Service spotlight: Welfare services (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Local Plan statement

In January this year, work on the review of our new Local Plan was paused awaiting clarity from the government on proposed changes to national planning policy which could have implications for us as a green belt authority.

The council firmly believes that the best way to stop unplanned development is to have a sound Local Plan in place. With this in mind, the council is revisiting the evidence that underpins the plan and is now moving forward again, aiming to undertake a new public consultation in early 2024.

We are still awaiting the outcomes of the government’s consultation on their proposed changes, but they have given no indication of when this will be or what form they will take.

In the meantime, the council wants to make sure that the evidence that underpins the plan remains relevant and that South Staffordshire has a strategy ready to get its plan in place as quickly as possible.

No decisions have yet been made about what changes there might be to the previously published plan, but we are pleased to be working proactively for our district and our residents.

Housing consultation

First Homes, a government led policy, was introduced in 2021 as a new affordable housing product.

Designed to be a form of discounted market housing available to first time buyers, we can set local eligibility criteria to ensure First Homes work well in the district.

We are now consulting on local standards for First Homes in South Staffordshire. The consultation runs for 4 weeks, closing at 5pm on July 24th.

The standards are on our online consultation portal where we are inviting comments and feedback.

Or, you can send your comments to housingstrategy@sstaffs.gov.uk

Parish profiles

Do you want to find out more about your local area?

Thanks to the Office for National Statistics, we've got a brand-new tool on our website featuring 2021 Census of Population data at parish level Parish data | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk).

Drawing information directly from the Office for National Statistics, these Parish Profiles present data on small selection of the topics available from the most recent Census for all parishes. There is also a link to access data on all 34 Census topics available.

This data should be useful for parishes and others in understanding their local areas and planning the delivery of services.

Vacancies

Procurement and Contracts Officer, closing July 31st
Litigation Solicitor, closing August 4th
Business Engagement Officer, closing August 9th
Relief Leisure Assistant (all SSC Leisure Centres), closing September 30th
Relief Water Assistant (all SCC Leisure Centres), closing September 30th
Relief Swimming Instructor (all SCC Leisure Centres), closing September 30th

All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/vacancies

Leisure latest

Summer school holiday activity camps

Sports-based activity camps for young people aged 5-14
Available at Codsall and Wombourne Leisure Centres every weekday from Wednesday, July 26^th to Friday, September 1^st.
Available at Cheslyn Hay and Penkridge Leisure Centres Mondays-Thursdays from Monday, July 31^st to Thursday, August 24^th.
For more information and to book, go to https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/active-camps

Holiday Activities and Food Scheme (HAF)

Families in receipt of free school meals are eligible for free activity camps and food during the summer holiday thanks to funding from The Department for Education. Registration is now open.

Contact your school to get the relevant discount code which you will require at the time of booking.
To book, go to https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/active-camps/free-summer-activities

Staffordshire Space Scheme

Discounts this summer for 8-17 year olds
Swim for £1, Gym for £1, and 3G pitch hire for £10
Young people identified by youth services may be eligible for free access into activities.

Wolves Soccer Schools and Goalkeeping

Wolves are holding soccer and goalkeeping courses this summer at Cheslyn Hay, Penkridge and Wombourne Leisure Centres. For details on the soccer schools, visit https://coaching.wolves.co.uk/

Free Karate Sessions in Cheslyn Hay

Every Friday morning throughout the summer, free Karate taster sessions are available for children aged 6 years+.

Swimming

The leisure centres will be offering daily swimming sessions throughout the summer to accommodate young people and families.

For full details on the above listed activities and schemes, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/school-holiday-activities

Partnership Updates

The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025 most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology; this is known as the digital switchover.

This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.

For most people this change will be straightforward. The change may be as simple as plugging the home phone into the broadband router rather than the socket on the wall.

However, the switchover has implications for millions of people using telecare or technology enabled care (TEC), such as a lifeline or a community alarm or someone who uses a personal alarm button.

It is essential to check how the switchover will affect them, and what they need to do to be ready, so their care isn’t disrupted. Many users will be elderly or disabled, so please help family or neighbours check how the digital switchover will affect their service.

Activities for children in Staffordshire Libraries

Activities include, crafts, tagging your bike, table top gaming, design your own virtual skateboard, meet the author - Clinton J Evans, and much more!

To find out information on all the activities on offer at the libraries in South Staffordshire by clicking here .

Please check often as new events are being developed and added for the Summer.

Rocket Cars fun this summer!

The RAF Museum Midlands are hosting FREE bookable sessions at both Perton and Codsall this Summer.

Get hands on and build a rocket car out of K'Nex - before launching it and seeing how far it will go!

The activity is suitable for ages 7plus

Perton Library Tuesday August 8th, telephone 01902 506050.

Codsall Library Tuesday, August 22nd August, telephone 01902 506060.

30 minute sessions, starting at 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am and 12:00.

Contact your library or pop in to book your slot! Places are limited.

Library Coffee Mornings

Pop into your local library for a warm welcome!

Brewood Community Library - Places of Welcome, every Friday 10am to 12 Noon.

Kinver Community Library - Pop every Friday morning from 10am for a Warm Welcome. Have a hot drink, browse the new books or play a game from their collection of cards, board games and jigsaws.

You can find out what is going on at your local library here

Perton Library Astronomy Club

Pop along to our next meeting for informal chat, presentations and observing if the skies are clear.

Bring your own telescope or binoculars if you have them and get help in making the most of them.

Beginners welcome!

Thursday August 17th, 7:00pm-9:00pm (and every third Thursday of the Month)