Cannock Chase Council has approved planning permission for the demolition of the Forum shopping centre in Cannock town centre this week.

The Council purchased the Forum in February 2025, as part of its wider regeneration plans for the town centre.  This site will contribute to the footprint for future development.

Works will be starting soon whilst the demolition of the multi-storey car park nears completion.  

An in-school engagement project funded by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund, which aims to help young people better understand and respond to some of the most pressing community safety challenges, continues to take place across the district.

The Council has worked with Loudmouth Educational Theatre Group for the last five years.  

The Council are consulting on modifications made to the Cannock Chase Local Plan 2018-2040, by the independent Planning Inspector, following hearings which took place this summer.

The Cannock Chase Local Plan 2018-2040 will provide local planning policies, identify sites and help guide development for the next 15 years.

The Inspector appointed to examine the Local Plan has recommended modifications to the plan which the council submitted in autumn 2024.

Residents are invited to attend a public drop-in session on Wednesday 22 October, from 6pm to 8pm at Heath Hayes Library, to share their views on the future of Heath Hayes Park.

The event is part of ongoing community engagement led by Cannock Chase Council, following an initial consultation held over the summer. It offers an opportunity for local people to review the masterplan proposals, ask questions, and contribute feedback before any changes are made.

To help manage attendance, the evening will be divided into four 30-minute sessions:

Cannock Chase Council is offering free glow-in-the-dark ‘No Trick or Treat’ window cards to help reassure residents during Halloween.

While Halloween is often enjoyed as light-hearted fun, unexpected visits from trick-or-treaters can cause distress for some members of our community, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

Funding allocated from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund is supporting a youth engagement project, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and create safer community spaces in Brereton and Ravenhill.

Delivered by Vysions Youth Services, the youth-led sports and engagement activities help to bring about positive change by giving young people safe, constructive opportunities.

Councillor Steve Thornley is the new leader of Cannock Chase Council.  He was voted into the role at a meeting of the council last night (Wednesday).

Councillor Thornley was elected to represent the Cannock Park and Old Fallow Ward in 2024 and has served as Chairman of the Council for 16 months.

He succeeds Councillor Tony Johnson who announced earlier this month that he was to stand down as leader for health reasons. He received a standing ovation from fellow members following a tribute to his work as leader.

Cannock Chase Council is delighted to announce that Crystal Academy Aerial Arts & Dance will be offering a number of free dance spaces for children aged 3–14 years.

The initiative has been made possible through funding allocated from the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund.