Don't forget your photo ID

This Thursday (4 July) is UK Parliamentary election day, when we go to the polls to elect the MP for Wyre Forest. Please use your vote.

If you are voting at a polling station don't forget you will need your photo ID. Details of what photo ID is accepted is on our website.

If you have a postal vote and have not sent it back yet, please put it in the post as soon as possible. It needs to reach us before 10pm on Thursday. If you miss the post, you can hand it in at your polling station but you will also need to complete a postal vote declaration form at the polling station.

Solar Together

We have joined up with Solar Together to provide homeowners with affordable installation of solar panels and battery storage systems. This is through a group buying scheme. You can register online now. It is free and it does not commit you to buying. Information about the programme and its benefits is on our website.

Work starting to install EV Chargers

Green Street car park (Aldi) and the Green Street Depot/Hub car park in Kidderminster and Vale Road and Raven Street car parks in Stourport will be the first council owned car parks to have electric vehicle charging points installed. The work is due to start this month. All car parks will remain open but a few spaces may not be available while the installations place.

Love parks week

We are lucky to have a wealth of amazing parks and green spaces in the district. Later this month we will be joining in with Love Parks to celebrate the role they play in boosting our health and wellbeing. Look out for our posts on social media highlighting what’s on in our spaces over the week and how you can join in too.

Music in the Park

Our series of free summer concerts in the bandstands at Stourport Riverside and in Brinton Park, Kidderminster gets underway later this month. On Sunday 21 July Bewdley Concert Band will be performing at Stourport and we have the Steve King Big Band at Brinton Park on Sunday 28 July. There will be music in the parks then every Sunday between 2pm and 4pm until Sunday 1 September. 

New inclusive play equipment

Our Parks team has been working in Springfield Park, Kidderminster to add a few new editions to the play equipment. We have installed a new inclusive seesaw and two nature themed interactive boards. 

Connectivity project

Work is due to start on the next stage of the transformation of the Worcester Street area of Kidderminster this month. The work is being carried out by our contractors, Shropshire based building and civil engineering contractors McPhillips (Wellington) Limited. The project will completely change the look and feel of Worcester Street and the surrounding public spaces.  A winding step and walkway will connect this area of the town to Bromsgrove Street car park near where the Glades Leisure Centre used to be, and to the area adjacent to the Former Magistrates Court. This is currently being transformed into a new Creative Hub.

Taking pride in their area

Students from Blakedown Primary School are taking pride in their area. They are setting up a new litter picking club and we are happy to be able to support them by providing equipment. We met with their teacher Mrs Smith to hand over everything they need to get started. 

If you are thinking of ways to make a difference in your local community why not join our Adopt a Street scheme? All you need to do is promise to litter pick at least three times a year in your chosen area. We will provide you with equipment. 

Get creative with your toasties!

What is your favourite toasted sandwich? Submit your ideas and be in with a chance of winning £50 worth of Love2Shop vouchers.

As part of Let's Waste Less's food waste reduction campaign the #TastyToastie competition is trying to find the most unusual or inspired recipes to use up those items at the back of your fridge in a tasty snack.

Last year’s competition came up with the idea of using Alphabet Spaghetti, bacon, mushrooms, and cheese, all of which are often left in pots in the fridge. Competition closes Monday 8 July.

Our webcast meetings this month

This month we will be webcasting the following meetings:

Cabinet – Tuesday 9 July
Council – Wednesday 17 July
Planning – Tuesday 16 July

All meetings start at 6pm. If you can’t watch the meeting live, a recording will be available to play back.

Please note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which was due to be held on Thursday 4 July has been cancelled due to the general election. The next meeting is due to be held on Thursday 5 September. We publish the agendas on our website and promote what will be discussed on our social media channels. 

Natural world exhibition and workshop

Lino print artist Pauline Meade, is exhibiting a series of works inspired by the outdoors throughout the seasons. The exhibition runs until Sunday 14 July.

Visitors to the gallery will also have the opportunity to see Pauline creating her latest works.   Prints are available to buy in the gift shop.

Pauline will also be running a lino print workshop on the Wednesday 17 July from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  During the session you will cut and print a design in one colour. More details and how to book are available on the website.