`By and large the majority of Council services will continue as usual` is the message from Cannock Chase Council as the country prepares to enter another lockdown period this Thursday (5 November) which is expected to last until Wednesday 2 December.

However, in line with the Government’s announcement which included details of businesses needing to close and personal restrictions to be put in place, there will be some changes made to Council services as a result.

Closing as from the end of Wednesday will be the following:

Work is now well underway to build new homes on land at the Council’s Hawks Green Depot site at Old Hednesford Road in Cannock.

The housing development scheme is the result of a successful partnership between Cannock Chase Council and Cannock based Jessup Brothers. The development will transform part of the Council’s Depot into a mixed tenure housing estate. It is the first scheme to be built with money from the Council’s £12.9m Housing Investment Fund.

The announcement that Staffordshire will move from the lowest Covid-19 restrictions of Tier 1 and Medium, to Tier 2 and High from 00.01 on Saturday 31 October was “to be expected”, says the Leader of Cannock Chase Council.

Councillor George Adamson gave his name to a joint letter with Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing Dr Johnny McMahon delivered to all households last week urging residents to follow the Covid-19 rules.

Cannock Chase Council is working closely with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and local outreach workers to help young people stay safe and keep out of trouble this Halloween and Bonfire.

Halloween can be harmless fun but some members of the community can become distressed by unexpected trick or treaters. Part of a wider ‘Take Care and Be Aware’ initiative, young people are being encouraged to ‘Think – Be Aware Who You Scare’ and to follow the latest Covid guidelines this Halloween.

Cannock Chase Council is urging local retailers in the District to sign up to a new platform to sell their products and services online.

ShopAppy provides an online shop window where customers can browse, buy and collect or arrange home delivery of local products and services.

With the help of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), who are paying the cost of the subscriptions, independent retailers in the Cannock Chase District can get 12 months free subscription to this app.

People across the Cannock Chase District are being urged to stick to the Covid-19 rules, after a surge in cases.

If cases continue to rise, people are being warned not only could more lives be put at risk, but the Government may step in and impose further restrictions.

In the seven days between October 10 and October 16 there has been a total of 180 cases.

Parks and green spaces across the country will be raising their Green Flag Award with pride in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep.

Among them will be Cannock Park, Hednesford Park, Ravenhill Park, Elmore Park, Stile Cop Cemetery and Castle Ring which are raising a Green Flag Award. Castle Ring has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation for its management of the historic features. The accreditation is supported by Historic England.

Cannock Chase Council is asking residents views on a new Corporate Plan for 2021-2024, which will set out the priorities and objectives for the District.

The current corporate plan runs from 2018-2023, however the Covid-19 pandemic has had such a profound impact on the Council and the District that is has been decided to review and replace the current plan.

The Council is proposing three priorities;

1. Supporting Economic Recovery

2. Supporting Heath and Wellbeing

3. Financially resilient District

McArthurGlen has unveiled the first of 80 iconic brands that will be opening at Designer Outlet West Midlands early next year.

Excited shoppers can now start looking forward to the most sought-after British and international fashion and lifestyle brands, with Tommy Hilfiger, Reiss, Kurt Geiger, Guess, Calvin Klein and Ted Baker all confirmed for the highly anticipated, landmark retail and leisure destination in Cannock.