A report submitted to the Better Jobs & Skills Scrutiny Committee this week has highlighted a decline in the number of vacant town centre units in the District.

Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford town centres combined currently have 23 vacant units which equates to 6.67%, the national average is currently 10.7%.

Biffa Waste Management are raising awareness of workers who are at risk whilst carrying out their duties on our roads, through their DROP’s (Driving Recklessly on Pavements) campaign.

Since July this year there have been over 100 successful prosecutions of drivers in Cannock Chase District for driving on pavements around waste collection vehicles.

Between 75-80 incidents are reported each month.  All of the refuse vehicles have CCTV cameras installed on them and the footage from these cameras can sometimes help with a prosecution.

Cannock Chase Council is encouraging residents to make the most of their freezer this Christmas and follow the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Freezer Fairy campaign’s tips and advice to have a less wasteful Christmas.

Christmas can be a stressful and busy time, whilst 43% of people feel that buying presents is their main worry, cooking Christmas dinner ranks a close second.

This time of year the volume of food being prepared is increased as many people are catering for large groups of friends and family.

Cannock Chase Council and local volunteers have started to plant the 10,000 bulbs donated to Hednesford Park and support the Rotary Club’s plight to eradicate polio.

The 10,000 purple crocus bulbs were donated by the Rotary Club in Cannock from money raised during various polio awareness fundraising events.

The rotary clubs mission is to rid the world of polio, which still exists in parks of Northern Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Following a successful award of £12,000 from the Tesco’s Bags of Help campaign, Inspiring healthy lifestyles and Cannock Chase District Council confirm that the redevelopment of land behind St Luke’s Church Centre is now scheduled for the end of November.



The land which has recently been a hub for anti-social behaviour will be transformed into a sensory garden that reflects the outstanding natural beauty of Cannock Chase in an urban setting.

Cannock Chase Council is supporting Small Business Saturday in the District and is encouraging residents to shop small and shop local on Saturday 3 December.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grass-roots campaign which aims 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 always takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but it is hoped that the campaign will have a lasting positive impact for small businesses all year round.

Cannock Chase Council has been recognised for its support for the armed forces and gained a Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme includes bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) in partnership with Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire Police are launching a new campaign in Rugeley to raise awareness of the dangers associated with borrowing money from loan sharks.

The 'Bite Back’ campaign is a week-long initiative which will start on 21^st November in Rugeley. During the week, IMLT Staff will deliver training sessions to frontline staff and Police to help combat loan sharks and direct victims to the appropriate help and support available.

Victims of antisocial behaviour can get extra help and support as part of the Victim Support service that is being delivered across Cannock Chase District.

Cannock Chase Council has teamed up with Staffordshire Victim Support to help witnesses and victims of antisocial behaviour whether or not they wish to report the issue to the authorities.

People living, working and visiting Cannock Chase District are being encouraged to become Dementia Friends thanks to the work of the local Dementia Action Alliance.