S4J Ltd, constructors of precast concrete buildings in Armitage have recently been awarded a Business Development Programme grant of £20,000, the second grant in 12 months.

The Business Development Grant is part of the Business Growth Programme (BGP), managed by Birmingham City Council.

The grant has enabled them to purchase to MEWP’s (Mobile elevating work platforms) which will help to make their work more efficient and mean they will no longer need to plan work around hired equipment. It has also made it possible for them to employ a further two members of staff.

Head down to The Chase Leisure Centre any Friday afternoon and you’ll find the place alive with activity. There will be trampolining, swimming, dance, cycling, fitness sessions, golf and much more. 

Nothing out of the ordinary for the busy Stafford Road complex you may think. But these fully inclusive sessions are aimed at encouraging people with disabilities within the community to get out and get active. And they really work!

Each week up to 60 people with a range of disabilities converge on The Chase for a full day of activities, socialising and fun. 

Its launch one year ago saw 569 runners taking part and since then around 400 runners every week take part on a 5km route around Marquis Drive on Cannock Chase. Considered to be one of the most picturesque Parkrun events in the country and the seventh largest.

As well as the runners, an army of around 30 - 40 volunteers give up their time each week, wind, rain or shine to ensure that the event runs smoothly.  The event is supported by Staffordshire County Council park rangers, some of who even started taking part in their spare time.

Cannock Chase Council is warning residents to be vigilant following a distraction theft in Norton Canes last week.

A serious incident involving an elderly person occurred on St James Road in Norton Canes on Thursday 9 November at approximately 7:45am.  A trader approached a resident at her home, offering to cut a tree in the garden.  The resident handed a large sum of money to the man and he left and didn’t return.

Cannock Chase Council is supporting Small Business Saturday in Cannock Chase and asking residents to support all of our town centres.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grass-roots campaign which exists to support, promote and inspire small businesses.  It also encourages consumers to shop local and support the independent shops in our town centres.  The day takes place on the first Saturday in December every year, but it is hoped that the campaign will have a lasting impact for small businesses.

The Rickshaw Challenge will see a team of six riders pedal 500 miles from London to Glasgow for BBC Children in Need 2017.

The Rickshaw Challenge is set to stop in Cannock on Saturday 11 November at approximately 6pm, after setting off from the One Show studio on Thursday 9 November and aims to cross the finish line in Glasgow on Friday 17 November during the BBC Children in Need’s 2017 appeal show.

Time to clean some space on your fridge, as the revamped waste and recycling calendars for 2017/18 are on their way to residents in Cannock Chase.

The new calendars will be distributed to 42,500 households in the District over the next few weeks and include important Christmas collection changes.

The calendars which form part of an information booklet have been revamped to make it easier for residents to see which item goes in which bin, using the icons that were used in the successful contamination campaign.   

Cannock Chase Council consulted on the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to the control of dogs, during July and August this year. A significant response was received from the public and other interested parties and as a result the draft Order has been amended.

The Council, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 still proposes to renew the existing Dog Control Orders in respect of dog fouling and dogs off leads.

Consultation starts on Monday (6 November) for 6 weeks on draft documents which include proposals to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Sheep Fair/Bow Street, Rugeley Conservation Area.

The Area is recognised as being of special architectural and historical interest and was designated as a Conservation Area in 2004.

Local residents, businesses and community groups are being asked their views on Cannock Chase Council’s priorities for the future, as part of the Council’s ambitious new plan for the next three years and beyond.

The public engagement, which started on 27 October, runs until 1 December and aims to gauge opinions and seek views on how the Council works with partners in public, private and community sectors to promote prosperity and community wellbeing.