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October 2019
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Welcome to the latest edition of our online newsletter for residents.
New corporate plan adopted
Making Wyre Forest a safe, clean and green living environment; supporting a successful local economy and making sure everyone has a good quality and affordable home are our three main priorities for the next four years. The priorities are set out in Wyre Forest District Council new Corporate Plan for 2019-23. The plan has been produced following a major public consultation over the summer involving more than 1,700 people. Thanks to everyone who took part.
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Local Plan consultation
You have just one more week to comment on our updated Pre-Submission Local Plan which identifies where new homes and businesses can be developed and the services and infrastructure needed to support them. The council updated the document following consultation in 2018, making changes to the transport infrastructure, removing a site at Yew Tree Walk, Stourport-on-Severn and including land adjacent to Blakedown Railway Station. If you commented previously you do not need to respond again unless you wish to change or add to previous comments. Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 14 October.
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Wyre Forest Volunteer and Skills Fair
Volunteers from more than 30 organisations will be hoping to recruit like-minded community spirited supporters at a showcase event at Stourport Civic Centre next week. We have organised The Volunteer and Skills Fair in partnership with Kidderminster College and Job Centre Plus. It is taking place on Thursday 17 October at Stourport Civic Centre from 10am to 2pm. Representatives from charities, support groups and other organisations will be available to talk to people about a host of volunteering opportunities and they are hoping as many people as possible – even those who may only have a couple of hours spare a week.
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KAFF prepares for blast off!
The final countdown is well and truly on until the revamped Kidderminster Arts and Food Festival blasts off. There are big changes this year to the annual festival which will run from Saturday 19 October until Saturday 2 November. Not only has the event moved to October it now has a second “F” which stands for Food and will include a host of delicious and tasty culinary events. With a theme of “to the moon and back” this year’s event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landings with exciting and innovative professional performances and showcase the amazing ‘up and coming’ local talent.
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Are you registered?
Have you replied to our letter about registering to vote? So far almost 84% of households have. If you don’t you won’t be able to have your say at elections. You need to check and confirm the details on the letter by Friday 1 November. We’re also asking for views on polling stations and the districts they serve. If you’d like to have your say on where you vote join in our consultation. It’s running until Monday 28 October.
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Deadline looms for private landlords
Private landlords across Wyre Forest must make sure all properties meet new energy efficiency standards by next spring. By 1 April 2020 all private rented properties not registered with an exemption must achieve a minimum Energy Performance rating of E or above. Grants for efficiency improvements may be available but landlords failing to comply with the regulations they may be fined up to £5,000.
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Grant scheme opens for community groups
A grant scheme which helps local voluntary groups and charitable organisations fund projects and activities for Wyre Forest residents is now open for applications. Our Community Grant Scheme awards grants from £250 to £500 for projects which improve services, facilities and activities in the local community. Youth facilities, environmental improvements, workshops for people with dementia and play equipment are just a few of the sorts of projects which could receive funding.
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Half term and Halloween at Bewdley Museum
Bewdley Museum is hosting a number of events this month. A Nightmare at the Museum children's event on Saturday 26 October will feature a show by Flip and Dippy, apple bobbing, and pumpkin judging.
The museum will also host a serious paranormal investigation and tour of this historic museum site for adults only on Thursday 31 October.
There will be plenty of craft activities on offer to keep the children occupied during October half term. From decorating pumpkins to making bonfire night wands there will be daily sessions running from Monday 28 October - Friday 1 November 2019 between 11am and 3.30pm. Meet in the museum Sawyard, £4 per child. Please note all children must be supervised by an adult or carer at all times.
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Give your family a Healthy Start
Are you pregnant or do you have a child under four? If so you may qualify for the Government’s Healthy Start scheme. The scheme provides weekly vouchers which can be spent on milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk at your local shops and supermarkets, as well as offering coupons for free vitamins too. You qualify for Healthy Start if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old and you or your family receive certain benefits. You also qualify if you are under 18 and pregnant. It's easy to apply and vouchers can be spent at local shops.
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Grant scheme for health and wellbeing projects
Voluntary groups and organisations can now also apply for grants for projects which improve health and wellbeing in the district. The new Making It Happen Innovation Fund 2019 is open to voluntary and community sector and not-for-profit organisations. They can apply for grants of up to £10,000. Applications need to be submitted by Friday 18 October.
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More business space at Hoo Farm
We’ve launched more business start-up units at Hoo Farm Industrial Estate in Kidderminster this summer. If you are a new or growing business check out the range of flexible workshop and office spaces on offer. There are easy in – easy out terms, generous rent reductions for new businesses for the first two years, access to business support, advice and funding, on-site car parking and free wi-fi. Perfect for tradespeople, production units, craft workshops, light manufacturing, and office users! The new units have been developed as part of the council’s commitment to boosting the local economy and will raise vital income to support key council services.
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New loan fund to boost local economy
We’ve set up a £10m Development Loan Fund in collaboration with fund manager Finance Birmingham, to help fuel new economic development in the area. Developers and business owners can apply for help to fund ambitious new projects which boost investment and regeneration in Wyre Forest. The intention is to unlock development sites and support economic growth which is the cornerstone of the ongoing ReWyre regeneration initiative, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Photograph shows Steve Hetherington from Finance Birmingham and Mike Parker, WFDC.
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Celebrating Brinton Park
Thank you to everyone who came along to our history walk and talk at Brinton Park in Kidderminster last month. It was held during National Heritage Week and attendees learnt all about the history of Brinton Park as part of its exciting £2.9 million investment project. The project aims to restore and conserve the park’s historic and natural heritage, fund new and improved facilities in the park as well as develop training, leisure, and volunteering opportunities for a growing and diverse local audience.
If you’d like to find out more or to become a volunteer visit our Brinton Park website.
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