 A new campaign is encouraging Staffordshire people to recycle more metal products.
‘Make Your Metals Matter’ wants people to recycle all the metal packaging found around their house, including food and drink cans, foil trays, empty aerosols and household aluminium wrapping foil.
Around 400 million cans, foil trays and aerosols are used every year in Staffordshire.
If all the metal packaging used in Staffordshire’s homes each year was collected for recycling it would save around 10,787 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent to taking 2,295 cars off local streets.
Find out more about recycling in Staffordshire here.
 Plans to spend a record £320m on protecting increasing numbers of vulnerable adults and children in Staffordshire were recently backed by the county council’s Cabinet.
The spending plans are part of the budget proposals for 2020/21 – which means 65 per cent of the council’s budget will be spent on care in the next financial year.
To help achieve this, the council is proposing to increase council tax by 3.99 per cent, which includes the Government’s 2 per cent levy to help towards footing the care bill. This is less than £1 per week more on the average bill for a Band D Property and it will still be one of the lowest county council taxes in the country.
 Major business and transport development projects picking up pace throughout 2020 will pave the way for more job creation in Staffordshire.
Latest statistics show that 2.1 per cent of Staffordshire residents claim out of work benefits, lower than both regional (3.8 per cent) and national (2.9 per cent) figures.
Both Stafford and Lichfield will see significant progress on road building projects which will bring housing, multi-million-pound business investment and new jobs. Construction of the Stafford Western Access Route and Lichfield southern bypass is well under way.
In addition, development at some of the county’s main business parks such as i54 South Staffordshire and Kingswood Lakeside continues.
 We’re almost through a relatively warm winter period, but cold weather has been known to strike as late as March in recent years.
Staffordshire County Council’s gritters work hard to keep the roads clear of snow and ice but it is crucial that everyone takes extra care on the roads in winter and drive to the conditions.
This winter driving guide offers advice if you need to make journeys in wintry conditions.
Please take time to check the gritting route map. |
 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire takes place on Sunday 7 June and you could be part of it.
Race organisers are looking for enthusiastic, motivated individuals to join the team and help deliver a fantastic day for athletes and spectators.
Individual volunteer roles are available to view and apply for on the IRONMAN website. If you are part of a team, club or organisation who would like to be involved then please contact uk@ironmanvolunteers.com.
Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, drawstring bag, 10% discount on IRONMAN merchandise and plenty of water and snacks to see you through your shift.
Volunteer groups will also receive a donation.
 Eligible households in East Staffordshire could be helped out of fuel poverty.
The £150m Warm Homes Fund has been established by National Grid to support local authorities to address some of the issues affecting fuel poor households.
Households that currently aren’t connected to gas, and meet certain eligibility criteria, could get a brand new fully funded central heating system in their home thanks to the Staffordshire Warmer Homes initiative.
Eligible households are being written to directly, but others who think they might be eligible are being urged to go to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/warmerhomes, or call E.ON on 0333 202 4481 to find about more and apply.
 Will you be popping the question on Valentine’s Day?
You’ll soon be making plans for the big day such as ceremony choices, table arrangements and of course, picking the perfect venue.
Staffordshire has more than 100 licensed venues where you can marry, from the Grade 2 listed County Buildings and the attractively furnished registration offices to stately homes and country pubs.
Our Getting Married in Staffordshire website offers the perfect guide to help you pick the perfect venue along with helpful information on ceremony choices, renewing vows, upcoming wedding fairs and advice on managing costs.
It’s the perfect place to plan your perfect Staffordshire wedding.
 Love is in the air and there are plenty of amazing Valentines events for Staffordshire romantics to enjoy this month.
It’s also Half Term with a whole host of activities for kids and families while school is out, including family fun with Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends at Drayton Manor, arts and crafts activities at the World of Wedgwood and the reopening of Trentham Monkey Forest on 15 February.
Lovers of nature can take part in snowdrop walks at Rode Hall throughout the month.
All these and more can be found on the Enjoy Staffordshire website. |
