On behalf of Cannock Chase Council and residents of the District, it is with great sadness with which we have received the news of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh today.

Our condolences go out to The Queen and the Royal Family and our thoughts are with them during this time.

The Duke of Edinburgh has served our country with both distinction and honour throughout his life. The Council’s flag is being flown at half-mast until the day after the funeral has taken place.

If Cannock Chase residents would like to pay their respects, they are being encouraged to do so by signing an online condolence book being created on the British Monarchy’s website in the coming days. This can be found at www.royal.uk. There will be no physical book of condolence being provided by the Council on this occasion.

On floral tributes we are advising our residents, on our website and social media, to restrict any tributes they may wish to make to the confines of their own homes, perhaps by displaying in a window or a front garden. This is in line with the wishes of Buckingham Palace and is in view of the current pandemic situation. It is advice that is being given by all districts and boroughs across the county.

Councillor Alan Dudson, Chairman of Cannock Chase District Council

Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase District Council

Cannock Chase Can will launch across the District this summer to help people improve their lives by making healthy lifestyle choices.

The Council is working closely with the Community Wellbeing team at Inspiring healthy lifestyles (IHL) and other partners to launch this exciting new programme which will focus local efforts on supporting the Government’s Child Obesity Action Plan. It will help address poor health and obesity by changing behaviour and attitudes towards better lifestyle options.

The focal point for the programme will be the new Cannock Chase Can mobile app which will enable residents to sign up and create personal profiles including target weight, personal goals, and individual wellness journeys.

It will also provide information about healthy eating, physical activity, and advice about how to make healthier lifestyle choices. It will host a variety of wellness challenges which can be undertaken as an individual, group or family.

Over the next couple of months, the Council and IHL will be working with local community groups, businesses, and schools to design the challenges which will feature within the app.

In addition to the app, the programme will also include education projects with local schools as well as customised initiatives with local businesses. An advertising campaign will also launch in the next month promoting this new District-wide health improvement programme.

Dean Piper, Head of Economic Prosperity at Cannock Chase Council, said: “The Council is committed to improving the health of its local residents and supporting the Government’s wider agenda on obesity. Cannock Chase Can will encourage people to make healthier choices as well as offering support in addressing a range of factors affecting individuals’ wellbeing.

“This exciting programme will launch this summer and will be available to download for free from Google Play and the App Store.

“Once registered, users will be able to assess their individual wellbeing, track their weight journey and participate in a range of challenges with the bonus of gaining rewards along the way. The overall goal is for each user to be better equipped to make healthier lifestyle choices.”

Chris Derbyshire, Deputy Manging Director at Inspiring healthy lifestyles, said: “This is a really exciting project recognising the importance of wellbeing and provides support in a new and innovative way. We hope the approach of involving the community in its creation will make it more accessible and meaningful. This in turn will help people make better lifestyle choices which work for them.”

If you would like further information about this programme, please email cannockchasecan@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

ENDS

Photograph:

Impression of how the app’s homepage will look on a mobile phone

Cultural Services in Cannock Chase have been given a financial ‘lifeline’ from the second round of the £1.57 billion Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Inspiring healthy lifestyles, which manages the Prince of Wales Theatre, Museum of Cannock Chase and Arts Outreach service, has been awarded £174,930 of funding to support reopening and recovery.  Inspiring healthy lifestyles is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from this latest round of awards.

The funding will allow the Prince of Wales Theatre to welcome audiences back for socially distanced shows with details, soon to be announced, of local amateur group performances in June. The Museum of Cannock Chase plans to reopen its doors on 20 May, in line with Government guidance, with family activities to do on site each Saturday, as well as a programme of workshops and outdoor trails.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

‘Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.'

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

‘Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.’

Chris Derbyshire, Deputy Managing Director, Inspiring healthy lifestyles, said:

‘We are thrilled and very grateful for this support. This funding will allow us to re-open our doors to the public after months of closure and help us build for the future. It will enable our venues and services to reconnect with our community and ensure the continuation of cultural opportunities within the District.’

Mike Edmonds, Head of Environment and Healthy Lifestyles, Cannock Chase Council, said:

‘We are delighted that Inspiring healthy lifestyles has received Culture Recovery funding, supporting our local cultural services through the pandemic. Arts, culture and history are important to the wellbeing of our residents and we look forward to welcoming people back to our venues.’

Notes for Editors

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk

Following the COVID-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package, with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of the bodies administering the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19.

In the Budget, the Chancellor announced the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund would be boosted with a further £300 million investment. Details of this third round of funding will be announced soon.

Non essential shops in Cannock Chase District’s town centres are preparing to re-open on Monday 12 April, following the Government’s announcement on Monday that the next stage of lockdown easing would proceed.

The Council has been reviewing safety measures in the town centres to ensure that they are Covid safe and ready to welcome back shoppers, when they can re-open on 12 April.

The Council has been using guidance provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to develop its plans. It is also working with partners such as Cannock Town Centre Partnership, Rugeley Town Council, Hednesford Town Council, Bescot Promotions, local shopkeepers, traders and business owners.

Dean Piper, Head of Economic Prosperity said “The Council has worked hard to ensure that plans are in place to allow shoppers a safe and enjoyable visit to our town centres, once we enter step 2 of the Government’s Roadmap and non-essential retail and hospitality venues (outdoor service only) can re-open on Monday 12 April.

“As part of the plans, we are urging anyone who goes into our town centres to observe social distancing guidelines at all times and wear a face covering when entering shops/shopping centres and other indoor premises, unless they have a valid exemption. This is for their own safety and the safety of others. The rule is still to stay at least two metres apart from other people outside of your household or bubble.

"Our COVID Support Team will also be out and about in the town centres to offer support and advice to shoppers and shops.”

Signage will be going up around the town centres to reinforce this public safety message as well as local advertising and a wider social media campaign, featuring our town centres and local businesses, who are looking forward to welcoming shoppers back.

Markets in Cannock and Rugeley will be also be re-opening.

Cannock Street Market - the Council has worked with Bescot Promotions, the Cannock Street Market operator, to ensure that social distancing measures are in place and hand sanitisers are available, throughout the market and on individual stalls.The Street Market is situated to make sure all stalls are in a safe location for the traders, shoppers and the existing shops. The Council and Bescot Promotions will keep the layout under review to ensure that it maintains a safe shopping experience for visitors to the town.Cannock Street Market will be in Cannock Town Centre every Tuesday and Friday 9am until 4pm.

Rugeley Outdoor Market - a reduced market had been running during the lockdown for essential retail only (fruit and veg stall).  Non-essential retailers would recommence trading on the market with effect from Tuesday 13 April.

Rugeley Indoor Market Hall - The market hall remained open during the lockdown for essential retail only (butcher and takeaway café).  Non-essential retailers would recommence trading in the market hall with effect from Tuesday 13 April.

Prince of Wales Market Hall - The market hall re-opened at the beginning of February for essential retail only (wholesale plant sales).  The sale of non-essential items (cut flowers) could recommence with effect from Monday 12 April within Cannock town centre (Littleton Square).

Support for the Council’s plans is being provided through the Re-opening High Streets Safely Fund which is funded by European Regional Development Fund and Her Majesty’s Government.

Cannock Chase Council has extended the range of businesses who are eligible for its discretionary grant scheme known as Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG).

It follows the Chancellor’s budget statement last month which promised further support from April to those businesses continuing to be affected by lockdown measures and means grants will become available to self-employed businesses from 30 April.

Full details can be found at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk in Coronavirus and Council Services on the homepage then `Business, Employers and Employees`. This section has details of all support available including ARG.

The relevant ARG application form will appear in this website section no later than 15 April. Payments will be made from 30 April onwards.

The Government has allocated £2.9m to the Council to be used at the Council’s discretion to help local businesses severely restricted by trading restrictions during the lockdown and for longer-term skills and training initiatives in the District.

It recently announced it was giving £302,000 to a county-wide initiative called Staffordshire Means Back to Business to provide support programmes for small businesses and apprentices, as part of a partnership of councils in Staffordshire.

The new grants for self-employed people and small businesses operating from home will be a one-off grant of £2,000 to businesses who do not have commercial premises and have suffered a loss of income of 30% or more due to the trading restrictions.

ARG are being made available to closed businesses who are not rate payers, regular market traders, taxi licence holders, suppliers to businesses that are closed because of COVID-19, and businesses suffering significant losses of income due to trading restrictions.

Dean Piper, Head of Economic Prosperity at Cannock Chase Council, said:

“Essentially, the Additional Restrictions Grant supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.

“We have already supported a number businesses through this particular grant scheme and would urge all businesses who think they may be eligible to visit our website and to read section 10 of our Local Restrictions Support Grant policy document which sets out eligibility under the Additional Restrictions Grant.”

Many businesses have previously received what is known as a Local Restrictions Support Grant. Those businesses who received this grant, and who continue to be forced to close, will automatically receive a further grant from the Council. They will not need to re-apply.  These grants are not open to those eligible for an Additional Restriction Grant.

Meanwhile, Re-Start Grants, a one-off final grant, are expected to be paid out to eligible businesses by the end of this month. They are for businesses that were required to close during lockdown. For non-essential retail outlets this means a grant payment of up to £6,000 and for leisure, hospitality and accommodation businesses a grant payment of up to £18,000. 

Any business that has previously received a Re-Start Grant will be contacted by the Council and will not need to re-apply. Businesses that have not received this grant before can apply via the Council’s website.

A takeaway restaurant has been closed by Cannock Chase Council after serious food safety issues were found. 

Environmental Health Officers carried out an inspection of Mr Kay’s on Walsall Road, Cannock, following complaints, alleging mouldy pizza dough and poor conditions.  During their visit to investigate officers found evidence of rodent activity, defective drains, dirt, grease and poor food hygiene standards.  Officers required the restaurant to close immediately.

On Thursday 25 March 2021, District Judge Grego sitting at Cannock Magistrates Court issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order against Mr Raja Kamran Hussain, the food business operator, after hearing evidence of the conditions and considering a pest control report.

Officers are now working with the food business operator to ensure improvements are made before allowing the premises to reopen and continue trading.

Dean Piper, Head of Economic Prosperity said: “Where we find conditions such as these, which put public health and safety at risk, the Council will not hesitate to take the necessary enforcement action.  In this case it was clearly necessary to close the business to protect customers.  Our Environmental Health Officers will now work with the proprietor and will make sure the business does not reopen until food can be produced hygienically and safely.”

Cannock Chase Council is undertaking a new campaign to highlight `the blight of fly tipping`.

Called `We Are Watching` it uses radio advertising, social media and vinyl artwork on  Council vehicles to get over the message that fly tipping creates an unsightly mess, that through CCTV offenders can be caught, and that residents can play their part by reporting fly-tippers.

Using resources developed by Keep Britain Tidy, the campaign also highlights the consequences if individuals fail to take proper care when disposing of waste.

The campaign is the latest part of the Council’s plan to deter, disrupt and detect waste crime.

A social media plan has messages and posts over an eight-week period aimed at increasing local awareness of the damage fly tippng does, not just to our environment, but to the vulnerable people who are often conned out of money to dispose of waste, only to find criminals have dumped it. 

Whilst advertising on Cannock Chase Radio is designed to get to the heart of communities, with regular reminders of the damage fly tippers can do to local places cherished within the District.

It is hoped this latest campaign, coupled with the recent deployment of CCTV in fly tip hotspots, will encourage residents to be more vigilant and to let the Council know where to target its efforts.

Mike Edmonds, Head of Environment and Healthy Lifestyles at Cannock Chase Council, said: “The Council really is stepping up its efforts to tackle this blight of fly tipping. The latest radio adverts and social media posts follow the recent announcement on the deployment of CCTV, the Council’s £250 reward for reports resulting in fly tipping prosecutions and the use of Council housing, cleansing and refuse vehicles to get the message over will make it even more visible.

“I also want to reassure residents that we are looking at ways to use CCTV to name and shame persistent dog fouling offenders and that we continue to post signs and information cards in any streets where residents feel this is a cause for concern. 

“Residents should not hesitate to let us know where the problem areas are so we can work together to tackle this irresponsible behaviour and keep our District clean.”

Residents can report fly-tippers, fly tipping and dog fouling to environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Photograph:

A Council vehicle carrying the message `We Are Watching… Say No To Flytipping`.

Cannock Chase Council is seeking your views on important plans and documents that will shape the future of Cannock Chase District.

The Council is consulting from Friday 19 March until Friday 30 April 2021 on the Cannock Chase Local Plan Preferred Option and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal.

The Local Plan covers at least a fifteen year period after adoption and determines what sort of development is needed for the future, for example; homes, businesses and shops, how much development is needed and where it should go.  It also sets a clear policy for protecting and improving the local environment and delivering local infrastructure.

It is a legal requirement that when we produce versions of the emerging Local Plan this is informed by a Sustainability Appraisal, so we are consulting on this alongside the Local Plan (this also incorporates a Health Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment). Given that there are a number of internationally designated ecological sites within the District, we also have to produce a report which assesses any potential impacts upon these sensitive sites arising from future development, known as a Habitat Regulations Assessment.

The Council is keen to hear views on the proposed plan and policies.  What issues the new plan should be dealing with and the levels of development needed.

Dean Piper, Head of Economic Prosperity said “This is a non-statutory consultation that gives the opportunity to consult on policies and proposals which will form the basis of the Draft Local Plan. Therefore there is scope for everyone to influence the next stage of the plan.

“The housing and employment needs to 2038 are set out and locations identified to accommodate development to meet these needs. Due to the urban area being heavily constrained there has been a need to consider sustainable sites within the Green Belt to accommodate development.

“The policies in our new Local Plan will eventually help us to determine individual planning applications so it is important we get this right.”

The consultation runs from Friday 19 March until Friday 30 April.  You can view all documents and find more information on how to respond to the consultation on the Council’s website at: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/planningpolicy where forms to make comments can be downloaded.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the restrictions imposed, consultation will be conducted in such a way to comply with government guidance. Face to face consultation, events and meetings will not be possible but officers will be available via telephone or email to answer any queries and provide further details. Appointments can be booked for a telephone call back or virtual meetings through Microsoft Teams. Please refer to the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement Addendum 2020 on our website. https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/statement_of_community_involvement_addendum_december_2020.pdf

If you have any questions, you can contact us in the following ways:

Email planningpolicy@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Write to Planning Policy at Planning Policy, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 1BG

If you do not have access to the internet or require additional help please telephone 01543 462621 and ask for Planning Policy.  A Planning Officer will then be booked to contact you.

A £5 million countywide package of support programmes for small businesses and apprentices has been launched through a partnership of Councils’ in Staffordshire, involving Cannock Chase Council.

The Council’s Cabinet approved to allocate funds from the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) fund to participate in this initiative being led by Staffordshire County Council, to support additional skills and training initiatives across the District in their meeting on 4 March.

Funding of £302,000 has been allocated by the District Council to the initiative, which will be branded as Staffordshire Means Back to Business and this funding will maximise the potential impact that could be achieved locally.

The Staffordshire Means Back to Business support programmes include an investment to fund wages for 500 apprentices and a training top-up fund for businesses to upskill their employees.

Councillor Tony Johnson, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said “I am delighted that Cabinet had agreed to allocate some of the ARG funding to support this County wide initiative.  It will maximise the impact of employability, skills and training initiatives which will benefit residents in Cannock Chase.  The Covid-19 pandemic has struck the economy hard, the funds being directed to this initiative will help to mitigate the effects by creating more employment opportunities.”

Funding of £52,000 has been allocated by the District Council to the Nil Cost Training for Employers Top Up Project.  Where businesses are being offered support to upskill their employees or train new staff in accordance with their changing business operations or entering new markets through the Free Training Top-up Project. Grants of up to £5,000 would be provided and matched through other funding sources. Up to 400 Staffordshire businesses could be supported over the next 15 months through the programme.

Funding of £250,000 has been allocated by the District Council towards the Staffordshire 500 Apprentice Wage Support. The Staffordshire 500, Apprentices Wage Support programme could see the creation of up to 500 apprentices. It will incentivise employers to take on 16 to 24-year-olds by contributing to the costs associated with recruiting and retaining an apprentice. It will support smaller companies that do not pay into the national apprenticeship levy. The programme could also offer apprentices progression from the national Kickstart scheme.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “It is critical that as a county council we continue to prioritise support for small businesses and people whose jobs or employment prospects have been impacted by the pandemic.

“In an area like Staffordshire that has a county council plus district and borough councils with their own COVID-19 funding this support is far more effectively delivered by close collaborative working between councils and a range of other partners to make our respective funding go further.

“We hope that our three new programmes will reach more people and businesses affected by the pandemic. We owe it to businesses and communities to direct all available funding where it is needed most, and vitally to make it accessible as soon as possible.

“The new programmes are designed to complement existing support schemes and cover gaps in the assistance already available. We look forward to working with colleagues across our district and boroughs to make a difference to our communities and the local economy over the coming months.”

People can find out more about the new programmes at: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/5millionscheme

A free online awareness session is being offered to parents, carers and guardians across Cannock Chase District to highlight the warning signs of criminal exploitation.

The Council’s Community Safety Team has commissioned Loudmouth Education & Training to deliver two virtual sessions which will focus on county lines, knife crime and criminal exploitation.

The ‘Under the Radar’ programme uses drama and discussion to raise awareness of county lines and will form the basis of the awareness session. In the drama, the character Mikey, looks back on how as a teenager he got groomed into running county lines for a criminal gang.

Information and advice will also be given by the Council’s Community Safety team and local policing team.

Sessions will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 30 March, 1.30pm to 2.30pm and Wednesday 31 March, 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

You can register by emailing communications@cannockchasedc.gov.uk with your name and email address. An email with the meeting details will then be sent.

The aim of the session is to educate adults about the warning signs of their child potentially being exploited by a criminal gang. Parents will gain an understanding of what criminal exploitation and grooming is, focusing on county lines as well as how to get help and support if required.

The programme is currently being rolled out to all secondary schools, the local Pupil Referral Unit and a number of primary schools.

This campaign forms part of a wider safeguarding campaign, ‘See something, Say something’, which aims to encourage people to report any concerns they may have about an individual.

It is being funded by the Commissioner’s Locality Deal Fund.

Councillor Alan Pearson, Leader of Crime and Partnerships, said: “The Council is committed to ensuring children, young people and parents are aware of the signs associated with criminal exploitation as well as making sure people report any concerns they may have about an individual.

“It is vital that we work together to educate parents, carers and guardians about criminal exploitation and the associated risks to protect children and young people. It is hoped these virtual sessions will help adults identify some of the warning signs and seek help if need be”.

“If you have concerns about a young person who is at risk of being exploited, report it by calling 0800 131 3126”.

Deputy Commander for Staffordshire Police, Mark Burselm said: “We would encourage all parents, guardians and carers to take this opportunity to partake in the free online awareness session into the criminal exploitation of children.  The session is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of potential risks to children and how to report concerns and prevent exploitation by identifying the warning signs.”

For further information about this campaign contact the Community Safety team on 01543 464387 or visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/safeguarding