Wyredin - February update from Wyre Forest District Council

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wyred in - news from wyre forest district council

February 2021

Welcome to the latest edition of our online newsletter for residents.

stay home save lives

National lockdown means stay at home!

Everyone in England must stay at home except for specific reasons, including essential shopping, going to work, if you cannot work from home, to exercise, to seek medical help, and to escape domestic abuse.

Thank you for all you are doing to observe the lockdown and help stop the spread of the pandemic, but please don’t be tempted to bend the rules. We all need to stick to them if we are going to make a difference.

Full guidance on what we should and shouldn't do is available on the Government's dedicated webpage.

Latest Government guidance

Please remember that you must still follow these rules, even if you have been vaccinated.

As well as following the lockdown rules, please also remember the basics of Hands, Face, Space. Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly. Wear a facemask and make sure you keep your distance from others outside your household.

For the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), including symptoms and how to book a test click on the link below.

NHS information

Woman getting swab test

How to book a rapid test

Some pharmacies in Wyre Forest are now offering free rapid testing for people without Covid-19 symptoms.

The tests are available strictly by prior appointment for people aged 12 and over. 

People who do have symptoms should not use these tests, but book a standard test via the NHS link above.

More information

covid vaccine

Progress on vaccinations

The NHS is continuing to roll out its mass vaccination programme across Worcestershire.

Please wait until you are contacted to book an appointment as people who are most at risk from the complications of COVID-19 are being offered the vaccination first.

More information

Here2Help logo

Do you want to help?

Around 200 new volunteers have signed up to the County Council’s Here2Help service since the start of 2021, with many offering to assist with the mass Covid vaccine roll out.

Here2Help volunteers are being asked to support with symptom checking, conducting temperature checks, as well as directing and monitoring patients after they receive the jab at Covid vaccination clinics.

To sign up to help, click on the link below and complete the online form under the ‘Register as a volunteer’ section.

Here2Help website

Rona Hub logo

Rona Hub offers advice to young

A dedicated website has been created to help young people who may be struggling during the pandemic.

The Rona Hub provides lots of information and advice to young people who may be feeling isloated, confused and worried about the effects of the pandemic on their own lives as well as family and friends.

It includes a link to a new emotional film by Worcestershire poet Ellie Dart, who is 18.

Watch the film

Clearing up after the flood

Affected by flooding?

Last month our district was hit by flooding again following Storm Christoph. If you were affected there is information about the help available on our website. Details about any financial support will be added to the page when we get confirmation of the grants available.

Flooding help

Our colleagues at North Worcestershire Water Management are also asking anyone who was affected to complete a short survey. This is so they can work with partner agencies to offer help.

Flooding survey

Local Plan hearings screenshot

Local Plan Examination

Public hearings on our submitted Local Plan are continuing this month.

Our Local Plan identifies where development sites for homes and business will be and the services and infrastructure needed to support them. As part of the Local Plan we carried out a public consultation and received more than 1,000 reponses. In April 2020, the plan was submitted to the Secretary of State and is now up for public examination.

All hearings are free to watch on our website.

Watch sessions

 

Local Plan Examination

Apply for postal vote image

Apply for a postal vote

Local elections are currently scheduled to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021.

You will be able to have your say in the West Mercia Police and Crime and Commissioner election and in Worcestershire County Council elections. If you live in Kidderminster, there will also be Kidderminster Town Council elections.

We are working to make polling stations as Covid-19 safe as possible, but if you would rather not visit a polling station you can vote by post. Anyone can vote by post: you do not need a special reason. A postal vote will also give you more flexibility about when you complete your ballot paper.

Find out more about postal voting and how to apply by following the link.

Postal vote info

Wyre Forest Energy Switch

Wyre Forest Energy Switch

 

There is just a week left to register for our Wyre Forest Energy Switch. The deadline is Monday 8 February.

It could save you money on your energy bills. Last time, people who switch saved on average £200.

We have joined up with iChooser to once again get a deal from energy providers and make it simple for you to switch. It is free to register and you do not have to switch if you don't like the offer!

 

Register here

Man installing lot insulation

Grants to make energy efficient homes

If you are a low-income home owner, you can apply to us for funding to make your home more energy efficient. We have grants available for, loft insulations, solar panels, draught proofing and installation of high heat retention storage heaters.

To apply you must live in a property which has an Energy Performance Certificate band rating of E,F or G and have a combined household income of no more than £30,000.

The maximum amount people can apply for is £10,000.

More details

Bin Thank you rainbow

Help us to help you!

Our bin crews continue to do a sterling job keeping rubbish and recycling collections going throughout the pandemic.

While they continue to work out in the community day in, day out, there are some simple things we can all do to help the service continue, even when staff numbers are down due to team members being sick, or self-isolating.

Please make sure your bin is out nice and early by 6am and in a visible place as the time when crews reach you may vary from week to week.

Emails

Go paperless this year!

Did you know you can get your council tax bill emailed straight to your inbox, saving time, paper costs and the environment?

We will shortly be sending out annual council tax bills for a whole host of public services you receive from Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest District Council, West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, town and parish councils.

We collect the money on behalf of all these organisations. If you would like this year's bill emailed to you, then register online by Friday 19 February.

Register online

 

Someone completing a survey online

Have your say on new measures

More than 1,400 residents have already had their say on orders that help keep the district a safe, clean and green living environment – make sure you have yours.

Measures that cover dog controls in the district and street drinking in Bewdley and Stourport were extended in October 2020 following a consultation.

We are now reviewing these orders individually with three online surveys and asking you to let us know if you are happy with how they are working.

The reviews close at 5pm on Wednesday 3 February.

Find out more

Womaninwoods

My Wyre Forest

Have you downloaded our free My Wyre Forest app yet?

It makes life so much easier, especially for reporting things like flytipping, litter offences, street lighting issues and so much more.

The free mobile app and online self-service platform is a great way to contact us anytime, anywhere.

Find out more

Census logo 2021

Get prepared for Census 2021

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales.Census day is on Sunday 21 March 2021.

The information you give helps decide how services are planned and funded in our area.

Find out more about the census, what it is used for and what you will need to do by following the link below.

Please help us spread the word about the Census especially to family and friends who are not online.

Census info

Wyre Forest Community Lottery logo landscape

Are you in the draw?

Have you joined Wyre Forest Community Lottery yet?

Almost 700 players regularly take part in the weekly draw hoping to win the £25,000 jackpot!

The lottery launched in November and although we are still waiting for our first jackpot winner, we have already had several players walking away with £2,000 and £25 cash prizes 

There are 55 local organisations currently earning money from ticket sales - and the lottery is on course to raise more than £41,000 per year for local good causes. Wyre Forest District Council does not profit from the lottery.

You can find out more about the lottery and buy your tickets online via the link below. Organisations can apply to become official good causes at any time. Click on the link below to find out how.

Wyre Forest Community Lottery

Crown House future high street

Council secures investment

Wyre Forest District Council has secured Government investment of £20.5m to transform important regeneration sites within Kidderminster town centre.

The grant funding was announced by the Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP in December and comes from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

Read the full story

Stay Home nurse