|
December 2023
Council services over Christmas and New Year
We have just one planned change to waste collections this Christmas. If your rubbish bin would normally be emptied on Tuesday 26 December it will be collected on Saturday 30 December 2023 instead. For these customers only, our crews will take one bag of side waste on Saturday 30 December. There are no other planned changes to collections.
Make sure you are putting the right things in the correct bin. A lot of waste created during the festive season can be recycled. When sorting your waste, please make sure you check for items which can be recycled.
Please make sure your bin is out for collection by 6am.
|
The Hub, our customer service centre, will be closed to visitors from 5pm on Friday 22 December 2023 and it will reopen on Tuesday 4 January 2024. Phone lines for commercial and domestic waste services will be open between 9am and 3.30pm Wednesday 27 December to Saturday 30 December. Phone lines for all other services will be open between 10am and 4pm on Thursday 28 December 2022.
If you are in an emergency homeless situation while we are closed please call 01562 547694.
The quickest, easiest and most convenient way to access council services is online. Our website, My Wyre Forest mobile app and web portal are all available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Free parking offer
Our free parking offer is now available in all council owned car parks in the district. You can park for free between 3pm and 6pm up until Friday 29 December. No ticket is required but restrictions apply. Overpayments will not be refunded. The parking offer applies to car parks owned by Wyre Forest District Council only. It is not available at Weaver’s Wharf car park in Kidderminster, which is privately owned.
We have an additional parking offer in Gardners Meadow car park, Bewdley. You can park there free for an hour between 8am and 6pm. Tickets are required.
|
 Household recycling centres
If you are planning a trip to one of the household recycling centres (tips) this Christmas please remember they will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Please do not leave items outside the gates, this is flytipping. The centres are run by Worcestershire County Council (WCC). The county's website features a list of all the items accepted.
 Warm welcoming spaces
We have once again been working with our partners to set up warm, welcoming spaces in the district. We have been providing grants to help voluntary groups and community organisations with the cost of running a warm space. The places are free, warm and welcoming to everyone. Many of the spaces offer free activities and hot drinks and are a great way to connect with others in your local community. You can get a free hot drink in many of the spaces too. All the details are available on our warm spaces webpage.
Disabled facilities grants
Sometimes our circumstance change and the homes we love may become difficult to live in. We provide grants to help people have better freedom of movement into and around their homes and to access to essential facilities. The Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) help to pay for essential home adaptations such as grab rails, stair lifts, level access showers, ramps and improved heating and lighting. To apply for a grant, you’ll need an assessment.
|
Watch democracy in action
Full Council will be meeting on Wednesday 13 December. Among the items on the agenda will be a decision on the polling districts and polling places review we recently consulted on. The Cabinet is meeting on Wednesday 20 December. The draft medium term financial strategy, which includes the budget for 2024-2025, will be considered.
Both meetings start at 6pm and you can watch them live on our website. The meetings are also recorded so you can catch up at your convenience.
|
Work is continuing with the demolition of the stores at the top of Worcester Street, Kidderminster. This is in preparation for a new tiered urban park which will improve the connection between Worcester Street and Bromsgrove Street. It is being funded by the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). Check out the latest pictures of the progress.
|
White Ribbon Campaign
We are pledging our ongoing support to the White Ribbon Campaign. It is a widely recognised global movement organised by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging with men and boys to end violence against women and girls. There are 16 days of action. They started on White Ribbon Day on Saturday 25 November.
Colleagues at the council are wearing white ribbons and supporting the campaign.
|
Volunteer event
Last month we held a ‘thank you’ event for volunteers. Litter pickers, people who help in the nature reserves, and those who offer their time at Bewdley Museum were all in attendance. They enjoyed an afternoon tea from the Garden Kitchen who are based at the museum. We are really grateful for all the volunteers do, helping us keep the district safe, vibrant and clean.
|
|
