Parish Council News - Friday, 20th June, 2025. Issue 414

This easy-to-use platform promotes transparency, accessibility, and meaningful community participation in local governance.

This will compliment our existing engagement opportunities as well as supporting in person sessions and offline options.

Engage South Staffordshire is your go-to space for shaping the future of our district.

By creating an account, you can:

• Take part in surveys, polls, and discussions on key local issues
• Stay updated on projects and consultations that matter to you
• Share your views and ideas to help influence local decisions

To celebrate, we’re kicking things off with a fun and inclusive competition:

Name the Bin Trucks

Got a brilliant name idea? Submit it through our online survey after creating your account on the platform.

Everyone’s welcome – all ages, all areas!

The first course was ariel tree pruning, the team were put through their paces in the art of correct pruning points on a tree and how to achieve shape and symmetry.

The second course was Rigging, the use of ropes and lowering equipment to dismantle large limbs and trees safely to the ground using complex knots and equipment.

I am extremely proud to say all three team members passed with flying colours. Well done to Chelsea Williams, Jake Mathews and Dylan Watkins.

These qualifications further enhance the professional calibre of the Tree Team who maintain South Staffordshire Council’s tree stock across the district.

Pictured (left to right) Darren Allen – Tree Inspector & Tree Team Operational Manager, Jake Mathews, Chelsea Williams and Dylan Watkins.

Now’s a good time to know what to watch for and how to report anything suspicious.

Police can now search and seize vehicles suspected of being used in hare coursing, so public reports are important. Participants can be threatening, so it is best not to confront them - only gather evidence if it’s safe to do so.

Hare coursing often happens early morning, with lurcher-type dogs released from slip leads in fields near parked vehicles. The pursuit is often filmed or live streamed, and the dogs and hares involved will often have a coloured mark placed on them to make identification easier for betting purposes. 

People travel long distances to take part in hare coursing, so if you notice strangers parking in your locality, especially with lurcher type dogs, please be vigilant. 

If you witness hare coursing, call 999 and give an accurate location. If you’re not familiar with “What3Words,” check it out online - it helps you quickly provide a precise location to emergency services.

Places are limited so hurry to reserve a place. 

Find out if you’re eligible for funded training - call 01902 696228 or email peopleandskills@sstaffs.gov.uk

National Pool Lifeguard course

18^th – 23^rd August - Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre or Wombourne Leisure Centre.

Award in teaching swimming

27^th July – 1^st August - Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre.

Aquatic Helper course

25^th July - Codsall Leisure Centre

8^th August - Penkridge Leisure Centre

29^th August - Wombourne Leisure Centre

To check availability and book onto the course, email trainingacademy@sstaffs.gov.uk

To find out more about all of the courses on offer this year, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/training-and-courses

Simple steps can make a big difference:

• Stay cool indoors - close curtains in sun-facing rooms
• Avoid the sun and strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
• Stay hydrated and check on neighbours, friends, or relatives who may need support

As we head into the weekend, the risk of wildfires is high. These fires can cause severe environmental damage and may also lead to road and park closures, or, in the worst cases, force people to evacuate their homes or businesses.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging everyone to take extra care in the countryside and think twice before lighting fires or disposing of cigarettes or glass bottles irresponsibly to help prevent accidental outdoor fires. 

Click here for more fire safety advice: Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service

If you see a fire

If you find a fire in the countryside don’t attempt to tackle it, call 999 and ask for the fire service immediately. Pass as much information about the location as possible, use the app What 3 Words if you have it to pinpoint the exact spot.

Please share this message with family, friends, and neighbours - and let’s all do our bit to keep Staffordshire safe this summer.

The Local Plan was submitted for independent examination by the council in December 2024 and is being scrutinised by two independent planning inspectors. 

Participants at the hearings include officers of the council, representatives from professional planning groups and developers, other local authorities, residents and statutory consultees such as National Highways.

They have been invited to take part by the inspectors based on the representations made in 2024 as part of the final public consultation on the Local Plan.

The Local Plan sets out the future planning framework for the district, including housing and employment sites and policies for the determination of planning applications.

To find out more about the examination, details of the programme officer, and for the live streaming link, visit Local Plan Review Examination.