Residents and visitors to Cannock Chase are being urged to dig out their walking shoes and put their best foot forward during the annual Chase Fit Walking Festival from 1 – 14 August.

With 49 walks planned across two weeks, the festival has a varied range of walking pursuits across the district, including group – led and self- led walks alongside fun, free activities that will appeal to walker and families alike.

A report to Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet has highlighted the financial impact of the closure of Rugeley power station on top of other financial challenges faced by the Council.

Rugeley Power Station ceased production of power on 6^th June.The loss of business rates from Rugeley Power Station represents 25% of the business rates income and amounts to an ongoing loss of over £1 million per annum. This has exacerbated the financial challenges the Council already faces due to Government cuts.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved at its meeting last night to introduce tougher penalties for those who blight our landscape by fly-tipping.

This follows an amendment to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in May this year, which gives Councils the power to issue fixed penalty notices to those suspected of fly-tipping.

The Council’s Cabinet approved the selection of the maximum level of fixed penalty charge of £400 and that there be no discount for early payment for offenders.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved at its meeting last night to launch a loyalty website and discount app in the District.

Residents in Cannock Chase will soon be able to download the free Good Life Deals app and start taking advantage of offers and deals from a wide range of local businesses.

The aim of the initiative is to support local businesses by encouraging people to buy local, accessing information on deals through the app and website.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved at its meeting last night to invest £40k into the Let’s Grow Programme this compliments a further £20k previously awarded by Chase Community Partnership.

The Let’s Grow Programme awards capital / revenue grants of up to £5,000 (50% match funded) to existing businesses who are looking to expand and grow and create or safeguard at least one full time job in the Cannock Chase District.

Members of Cannock Chase Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund were joined by the architects and building/landscape/play contractors yesterday, as well as local community groups/schools and churches to officially open parts of Hednesford Park.

The refurbished pavilion (Café), skate park, parkour and multi-use games area were officially opened by Councillor Christine Mitchell the Portfolio Leader for Culture and Sport and Sue Beardsmore from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Following on from the excellent re-launch and Love Your Local Market event in May, a Home & Garden Fair is to be run to complement the already existing street market, which is located in the centre of town. This event will benefit from the current footfall of the street market, plus further traders.

The market will see attractively dressed stalls and pop ups. The thriving retail market runs every Friday and currently has stalls which sell plants, bulbs, flowers, candles, incense oils and more.

Chase Community Partnership and Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles launched ‘Chase Active Inclusive Cycling’ at Chase Leisure Centre today (Friday 8^th July).

The exciting new project funded by Chase Community Partnership will offer everyone the opportunity to cycle through a programme of instructor led sessions at locations across the District.

The project followed a consultation carried out by Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles during ‘Chase Active Friday’, which identified a need for a cycling programme in the District. 

Cannock Chase Council has contributed £10,000 to support the ongoing development of women’s refuge, ForWard House.

ForWard House is a new purpose built refuge providing quality accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence, which opened its doors in February this year.

The project was developed over 10 years in partnership with local councils and housing trust, following a consultation with women and children who had lived in the previous Staffordshire Women’s Aid refuge.

A programme aimed at helping hundreds of existing businesses to expand and grow has launched, and is available to businesses in the Cannock Chase District.

Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said “There is a lot of money out there for local businesses.  It is imperative that businesses know that they may be eligible for some funding, should they wish to expand their current business.