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April 2022
Local Plan update
We have moved an important step closer to adopting the Local Plan.
In March, we received the inspector’s final report. The 50-page report concludes that, subject to the modifications proposed, the Local Plan submitted is sound. It states it is an acceptable strategy for the district and that it is fully aligned with the Government’s policy and guidance.
Adopting a new Local Plan is one of our strategic actions from our Corporate Plan.
The Local Plan will be discussed at a special meeting of full council on Tuesday 26 April. You can watch it live on our website.
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Council tax energy rebate
The £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate payments will soon be paid to eligible households in Council Tax bands A–D.
If you are eligible and pay by direct debit we will pay the rebate into your bank account. The name on your Council Tax bill must match that on your bank account for this method of payment. We are aiming to start making the payments by the end of April.
If you are eligible but do not pay by direct debit you will be sent a letter. This will include a £150 voucher which can be redeemed for cash at any Post Office. The voucher will be valid for three months. If you do not cash it in we will credit your Council Tax account.
We are also working on a separate discretionary scheme. This is for people who are not eligible for the £150 payment.
Information on the scheme will be available on our website when the details are finalised.
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Wyre Forest welcomes Ukrainian arrivals
Thank you to residents who have come forward to offer accommodation, under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, to Ukrainians fleeing conflict.
The first visa applications from Ukrainians who will be living with sponsors in Wyre Forest have been approved. As of Thursday 24 March, about 30 individuals have been cleared to arrive. They will be living with approximately 10 sponsor households in the district.
Find out more about our role and how you can help by clicking the button below.
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Take part in Sustfest
We’re supporting the district’s first-ever Sustfest!
A packed schedule of more than 50 free events has been organised by the Wyre Forest Green Alliance to celebrate living greener, happier and healthier.
From Saturday 30 April to Sunday 15 May, you can find out how you can live more sustainably and the changes you can make to help protect the planet for future generations to enjoy.
As part of our Love Where You Live campaign, we will be running free workshops on electric vehicles in some of our car parks and an interesting talk on biodiversity.
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Coronavirus is still with us
It’s important you keep playing your part to limit the spread of Coronavirus.
The Government has set out the following guidance for living with COVID-19;
Get vaccinated or get boosted
Let fresh air in and ventilate indoor spaces
Wear a mask in crowded places
Stay at home if you are feeling unwell
Wash your hands regularly
The advice for those who test positive is to stay at home if you can and avoid contact with other people for 5 full days.
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We're hiring
CIPFA Trainee Accountant - Apprenticeship (closes on 14 April)
Museum and TIC Assistant (closes on 22 April)
Assistant Committee Services Officer (closes on 25 April)
Sign-up to hear about our latest job vacancies by subscribing to our weekly Jobs bulletin.
Every Wednesday, subscribers receive an email updating them on all our current job opportunities.
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Flooding financial support
Residents and businesses affected by the flooding in February have until Friday 15 April to apply for financial support.
The Local Flood Relief Scheme is being run by Worcestershire County Council.
Residents who had damage to the habitable areas of their home can apply for a £250 one-off goodwill payment.
Businesses affected by the flood waters can claim a one-off payment of £1,000.
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Flood risk management scheme - drop-in event
Have your say on the Flood Risk Management Scheme being developed by the Environment Agency for Beales Corner, Bewdley.
Officers from the Environment Agency and partners will be hosting a drop-in event on Tuesday 5 April from 12.30pm to 7pm at St George’s Hall, Load Street, Bewdley.
This will be an opportunity for you to look at the preferred design, give your feedback on the project and ask any questions you have.
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Can you help?
We are calling on landlords who own properties in Wyre Forest to get in touch if they can help us provide safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse.
We would like to hear from landlords who own a self-contained 1 or 2 bedroom flat or house in the district.
If you think you can help, please email our Housing Project Officer, Rachel Symons.
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Love Where You Live
The Love Where You Live campaign is continuing to grow.
There is now a monthly community market at St Peter’s Church, Kidderminster. It takes place on the last Saturday of every month and gives local small businesses an opportunity to sell their products and services.
We are working with local community litter-picking groups by helping them purchase new equipment and signage. You can find out how you can volunteer as a litter picker by visiting our Love Where You Live webpage.
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Please put your bin out by 6am
Please put your bins out on the kerbside by 6am on your collection day to make sure that it is ready for emptying.
The crews do not always visit streets at the same time every week. We change the round times; this may be due to roadworks or a road closure or to avoid certain streets at rush hour. The crews cannot return to properties to empty the bin if it was not out when they visited that street.
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Local elections
There will be a by-election for Bewdley Town Council on Thursday 5 May. It will be a chance for residents who live in Bewdley Wribbenhall ward to have their say on who represents them on the town council.
District council elections take place every four years. The last elections to Wyre Forest District Council took place on Thursday 2 May 2019. The next election will be May 2023.
You can find out more about district council elections, town and parish council elections as well as Worcestershire County Council elections on our webpage. It includes details of when they are due to take place.
If you are over the age of 18 and aren’t registered to vote, you can do so quickly and easily online.
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You can also apply to vote by post. A postal vote allows you much greater flexibility about when you complete your ballot paper.
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 Queen's Platinum Jubilee
We are in the process of letting organisations, who applied for our Platinum Jubilee grant, know the outcome of their bids.
We received applications from volunteer and community sector organisations looking to organise a range of events to bring the community together and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
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 Heritage Trail app launched
Download the brand-new Wyre Forest Heritage Trail app!
The free app adds a whole new dimension to your visit to Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn town centres by tapping into the lives of memorable Wyre Forest characters from yesteryear.
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What's on
Bewdley Museum
Gallery exhibitions
There is not long left for you to explore the Methodist Modern Art Collection at Bewdley Museum.
It is one of Britain’s most important collections of modern religious art. The exhibition features 20 pieces from the collection. It includes work by eminent artists such as Graham Sutherland and Elizabeth Frink.
The exhibition ends on Sunday 24 April.
From Saturday 30 April to Sunday 22 May, Glynis Wilson’s Painting the World (almost) exhibition will be showcased at the museum. The paintings illustrate Glynis’ time spent living, studying and travelling throughout the world.
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Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is making an appearance at Bewdley Museum on Sunday 17 April.
Same Difference Arts is presenting a new production of Alice in Wonderland.
Alice encounters the unforgettable Mad Hatter, a fuzzy White Rabbit, the mean Queen of Hearts and many more fantastic characters.
The show will be performed in the outdoor Green Theatre. They are an hour long. There are two performances, one at 12pm and the second at 2.30pm.
Tickets are £8 each. Booking is essential.
You can bring picnic chairs or blanket and join in our tea party in the garden. Refreshments are also available from the Garden Kitchen Café.
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Easter fun at Brinton Park
Take part in Easter fun at Brinton Park on Monday 11 April, Friday 15 April, Tuesday 19 April, and Friday 22 April.
Between 10am and 2pm there are activities including archery, crazy golf and sports games. A free healthy lunch is being being provided for children and young people.
There is also a free Easter egg hunt will take place on Saturday 16 April from 10.30am to 12pm. Other activities to enjoy on the day include; circus skills, balloon modelling, colouring. There will be refreshments available. All free of charge.
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