 The Your Staffordshire Card (YSC) scheme is ending on 31 August 2019 and will no longer be accepted for discounted travel on buses following this date.
The number of journeys has fallen by 80 per cent since its peak in 2014/15 with some operators now offering their own discounted fares and passes.
Young people can still use their pass to travel throughout the school holidays and we would advise parents to contact their local bus company to see what options are available for their children from the new September term.
More information and FAQs can be found on our website.
 More than 3,000 children from across the county have already signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge.
Activities have been running in the county’s libraries with this year’s theme ‘Space Chase, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
Children are teaming up with futuristic family The Rockets for an exciting space mission as they track down books nabbed by a mischievous band of aliens. The scheme is asking 4 to 11-year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer holidays.
People can find out more or join the scheme at their local library or at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries
Work starts on i54 western extension
 Work has started on an extension to a major Midlands business park which could generate around 1,700 jobs and lever up to £300 million of investment.
It will see i54 South Staffordshire expand to provide much-needed sites of different sizes at what is becoming a globally-recognised high manufacturing employment zone.
Machines have moved in to construct the new access road with preparation for factory platforms and services infrastructure works to follow next year. It is anticipated new occupiers could start arriving from 2022.
Planning permission has been granted for up to 100,000 square metres of manufacturing space, which will provide job opportunities for local residents.
What’s On: August
 Moon landing 50th anniversary celebrations can be enjoyed all over Staffordshire this summer with events and activities such as the Maize Maze & Space Rangers at the National Forest Adventure Farm in Tatenhill and the One Small Step exhibition at Lichfield Cathedral.
Staffordshire University are hosting a Postgraduate Open Event on Wednesday 7 August to showcase their full-time and part-time courses, top-class facilities, and individual support. This is a family-friendly event with free fruit and activities available for young children who attend with their families.
Elsewhere, World of Wedgwood hosts an artisan market with over 50 stalls and fine food from local producers. |
 Families are being urged to get out and about and explore the county’s many attractions over the summer school holidays.
Staffordshire is home to stunning scenery, national theme parks and many fantastic events.
Cannock Chase offers beautiful scenery and trails you can walk, bike, hike and explore the forests, or pay visit to the Trentham Estate’s quiet and beautiful gardens and fun Monkey Forest.
All this and more awaits families in Staffordshire this summer.
 Staffordshire County Council has declared a ‘climate emergency’.
The move came on a day that saw record breaking temperatures across the UK. In a meeting of the County Council, councillors vowed to refresh the Council’s climate change strategy, continue their support to local councils in tackling climate change, and committed to providing a strong, unified voice on behalf of councils when lobbying the Government.
The declaration, which has cross-party support, comes a month after the county council launched its air quality initiative, which aims to improve air quality in the county.
People interested in the Air Aware campaign can sign up to the Air Aware Staffordshire Digest newsletter.
Residents advised to enjoy heat safely
 With recent temperatures reaching record highs, we are renewing calls for people not to cool off in potentially dangerous lakes, reservoirs and quarries.
Open water can be as cold as two degrees, even in summer, and is rarely warmer than 10 degrees. Cold water can seriously affect the strength and stamina of even the strongest swimmers and cause a sudden loss of consciousness, drowning and hypothermia.
Latest figures from the National Water Safety Forum show that 263 people lost their lives in accidental drownings in the UK in 2018.
National guidance on preventing drowning can be found here.
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