|
September 2023
Consultation update - our priorities and PSPOs
Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent consultations on our priorities over the next four years and our public spaces protection orders (PSPO). The surveys closed last month.
Our new corporate plan has been developed using the priorities survey results. The plan is being discussed at the meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday 12 September at 6pm. The meeting can be watched live or on playback on our webcast page.
The Cabinet is also considering a report following the PSPO survey. The full results of the survey are included in the report which is published on our website. The reports for the meeting on Tuesday 12 September are expected to be uploaded on our website by the end of today (Monday 4 September).
|
Get help to buy food and milk
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food, milk and vitamins through the Healthy Start Scheme. To find out more about the scheme visit the NHS’s website. Details of who is eligible and how to apply are available in the FAQ section.
If families are not eligible for the scheme but would like to buy vitamins, they are available for 91p for the women’s and £1.80 for the drops for children. This is for a month’s supply. They are available from the Family Hubs and Kidderminster Health Centre.
|
Be Food savvy
Would you like to be more food savvy? There are tips to help reduce food waste, save money and help the planet on the Let’s Waste Less website. One of the simplest ways to keep good food from going to waste is to plan and portion your meals. There is information on this, shopping smarter, batch cooking and more. You can also sign up to a newsletter to keep you up to date.
.
|
Energy saving HUGS on offer
You could be eligible for an energy saving HUG! We are helping homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient and cut their energy bills. We have been given £1.155 million government funding from The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for the HUG scheme. This funding will help tackle cold and damp houses that are not connected to mains gas for heating. Other eligibility factors apply. Improvements include wall insulation, solar panels, draught proofing, ground source heat pumps and high retention radiators.
|
Rock housing needs survey
Do you live in Rock or have any family members who have moved away and may be looking to move back? We are carrying out an important survey to help us get a better understanding of local people's housing needs. The Rock Housing Needs Survey is open until 5pm on Monday 9 October. We have drop in sessions with the team if you have any questions before completing the survey. Details of the sessions and a link to complete the consultation are available on our housing needs webpage.
|
Showcase of services for over 50s
We are highlighting services available to over 50s at a touring showcase event this autumn. There is information and advice on healthy living, finances, benefits and other local services. The showcase is visiting:
Thursday 28 September – KDYT Hall, Bromsgrove Street, Kidderminster
Tuesday 3 October – St George’s Hall, Load Street, Bewdley
Thursday 12 October – The Civic, Martins Way, Stourport
All events run from 10am – 12pm
For further information contact Maisie Allen.
|
Digital switchover
Do you know a family member who has a personal telecare product? Do you know a family member with a lifeline or community alarm? Do you know a neighbour who has a personal alarm button? Do you have a friend who has a portable ECG or oxygen monitor? Does your client have a fall alarm or use motion detectors? Does your family have a traditional landline telephone? Do you have a friend who relies on their landline telephone? The digital switchover may affect their service. Help them find out what to expect so their care isn’t affected, and they can stay safe.
|
Survey on introducing greener taxis
We are planning to change our hackney carriage and private licensing policy to reduce the impact the fleet has on the environment. We have been reviewing the policy as part of our Climate Change Plan. We are working to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
The suggested changes would mean no fossil-fuel driven vehicles could enter the fleet after 31 December 2026. We are also looking at changing the maximum age vehicles can be when they enter the fleet and when licences are renewed. Licensing fees for vehicles that do not use fossil fuels may also be reduced as part of the policy reform. What do you think? Survey closes Friday 3 November.
|
Kidderminster Music Fest
Kidderminster Music Fest is taking place on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September. There are more than 40 acts playing across 6 stages, including an outdoor stage in the town centre. If you like live music, there is something for you! Look out for more details on the BID’s Facebook page.
|
|
|
Job vacancies
Housing Advice Officer - closes Monday 11 September
Technical Support Engineer - closes Monday 11 September
Subscribe to our jobs bulletin
Each Wednesday we send out a job bulletin featuring all our latest vacancies. It’s easy to subscribe to this and all our other newsletters by visiting the subscribe page on our website.
|
|
Coming up at Bewdley Museum this September...
Black Country Live Steamers
On Saturday 23 September, we are welcoming the Black Country Live Steamers into Jubilee Gardens to showcase some of their miniature steam engines. The event is free to attend and will run from 10am-3.30pm.
|
Bewdley Concert Band
Bewdley Concert Band is performing in the Green Theatre on Saturday 23 September from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Join us for a free afternoon of music in QE11 Jubilee Gardens. Bring a picnic and enjoy the last of the summer concerts in the gardens.
Squaring the circle, James Smetham (1821-1889) - Pre-Raphaelite outsider:
This autumn there is a chance to view original paintings and etchings, journals, notebooks and other manuscripts from Wesleyan Methodist James Smetham. He was the son, brother and nephew of Wesleyan ministers. Much of his religious belief and practice is reflected in his work. The exhibition in the Wyre Forest Gallery shows different aspects of his life and work, both literary and artistic. It is an opportunity to view some of the Smetham Collection which was bequeathed to Oxford Brookes University in 2016.
James Smetham was closely associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. He was a friend of John Ruskin, Ford Madox Brown and worked closely with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Smetham’s career was dogged by poor mental health and his final years were spent in the seclusion of his own room. Much of his work can be seen as reflecting his precarious mental state.
Entry to the exhibition is free and no booking is required. Exhibtion runs from Saturday 9 September until Sunday 29 October.
|
Also this month....
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September. Re-enactment of Medieval and Tudor times in Bewdley. Find out about life in Medieval and Tudor times with the Wythe Retinue. As part of National Heritage week, Wythe Retinue in association with Bewdley Civic Society will be visiting Bewdley Museum.
|
|
|
|