Budget consultation

Take part in our budget consultation and let us know what you think about the spending proposals put forward by the Cabinet. The survey covers a range of topics from Council Tax to accessible play equipment and funding a free hour car parking offer. Survey closes 5pm on Thursday 18 January.

Clean Air Night

Lighting fires in our homes is the largest source of harmful small particle air pollution in the UK. This type of air pollution can cause life-threatening illnesses, including heart and lung disease, making it crucial that we raise awareness about this growing issue. Wood burning not only harms your health, but also your wallet and the planet. Pressures on household finances or desires to be more eco-friendly may tempt people to burn wood, but research actually shows that wood burning produces more CO₂ than oil or gas and is almost always more expensive than other forms of heating. The first-ever Clean Air Night is taking place on 24 January 2024. Visit the Clean Air Hub to find out more or check out #CleanAirNight. 

Be #Freezersavvy

Did you know that a third of all food produced is wasted? Freezing is a great way to save it instead - in fact, UK families could be £730 a year better off by eating all the food they buy.

As more of us are feeling the pinch due to the rise in the cost of living, the way people shop and eat is changing. Making the most of our food is more important than ever. Let's Waste Less is sharing top tips for getting the most out of what we buy by harnessing the power of our kitchen hero, the freezer! Get #FreezerSavvy and start saving by visiting the website

Cost of living - tips for managing money

Our cost of living webpage offers you tips on how to manage your money. There is also advice on how to save on your annual energy bills and details on how you could save on broadband and mobile phone tarriffs.  

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. 

Welcoming warm space

Looking for somewhere to meet others in a warm and welcoming space? We have been working with our partners and 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. 

New urban park

Our plans for a new urban park in the heart of Kidderminster town centre also progressed last month. The planning application was approved. It included details on new pedestrian and cycle links between Bromsgrove Street car park and Worcester Street, a natural play area, pavilion building, park benches, lighting, CCTV and landscaping. Read the planning application. 

This connectivity project will improve the appearance, access and connection of Worcester Street with Bromsgrove Street and links to the wider Lionfields development site. It is being funded by the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), and last month has received a financial boost  - we received £725,000 from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund..

Elections ahead

In May we will be running the elections for Kidderminster Town Council and the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. We are looking for people to fill temporary jobs for the elections. We need staff to work at polling stations, at the count and also opening postal votes. These are paid jobs. Details of the sorts of roles and how to apply are available on our website.