Our crews are out as normal today, although they started slightly later than usual.
They will be catching up with yesterday's missed dry recycling and garden waste collections, as well as today's collections.
Collections may be a little later than usual, please leave your bins out until they are emptied.
Cannock Chase Council has licensed the first electric taxi in Cannock Chase.
Leigh Andrews, who lives in Cannock and works with AJ’s Taxis in Rugeley is the first person to license an electric vehicle for use as a taxi in the District. Mr Andrews has set up a dedicated Facebook page about the vehicle so that customers can book the vehicle in advance, https://www.facebook.com/Electric-taxi-104795118271835
In common with many other local authorities in the country, the Council is examining how to tackle the many current and future challenges in respect of our Environment. A motion was approved at Council in July 2019, which declared a Climate Emergency and committed the Council to a vision of Carbon Neutrality by 2030, encouraging the transition to net zero carbon emissions in the decades to come. One of the biggest sources of carbon emissions is road traffic.
Councillor Josh Newbury, Portfolio Leader for Environment and Climate Change said “Studies have shown that over the lifetime of a vehicle, electric vehicles are responsible for considerably lower emissions than conventional vehicles, especially as Britain is managing to decarbonise the electricity supply system at a rapid rate.
“Poor air quality is known to have a serious impact on public health and is responsible for 23500 premature deaths per year in the UK.”
Cannock Chase District currently has three ‘air quality management areas’ where levels of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhausts are higher than national standards. We are currently looking for ways to work with partners to make improvements. Road traffic is by far the most significant cause of local air problems throughout the country.
In recognition of these issues, the Government has declared the intention to prevent the sale of conventional petrol and diesel vans and cars from 2040.
As there are no dirty emissions directly emitted from exhaust pipes of electric vehicles and they are responsible for less carbon emission overall, they are seen as the successor to petrol and diesel vehicles. The Council is exploring ways in which this transition can happen quickly and smoothly.
Councillor Christine Martin, Portfolio Leader for Health and Wellbeing said “Cannock Chase Council will now encourage drivers to move towards the use of electric vehicles (EVs), where possible, in preference to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.
“We will shortly be consulting with taxi drivers and other interested parties on attitudes towards new vehicle technology and how the provision of charging points and costs etc. can help overcome obstacles to EV take up“.
We have taken the decision this morning to suspend the refuse collection for today due to the conditions of the main and side roads, following the snow and ice yesterday and overnight.
We ask that residents leave their bins out and we will get to them as soon as it is safe to do so.
Thank you
The next Census takes place on Sunday 21 March and to ensure its success in Cannock Chase District, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed a Census Engagement Manager to support residents in the area.
Kirat Raj Singh, the area’s Census Engagement Manager, will help organisations, charities, faith groups and community leaders within the District raise awareness of the census and the value to residents in taking part. In his role he will be covering Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire and Tamworth districts with support from each of the councils.
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that provides a snapshot of households in England and Wales, helping to plan and fund public services.
Everyone across England and Wales will be asked to take part and the information people give will decide how services are planned and funded. Ultimately, it ensures funds are invested in emergency services, health care, school places and other vital services.
Kirat Raj Singh said: “Census Engagement Managers, such as myself, have a critical role in making sure everyone understands why the census is important and making sure all households across England and Wales know why it is important to take part and how to get the help they need.”
For the first time, the census will be run primarily online, making it easy for most people to complete the questionnaire on any device – whether that be a computer, a mobile phone or a tablet. Local Census support centres will be offering help, while paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them. All census staff will operate in line with the Government’s latest Covid-19 guidance.
The 2021 Census will include a new question on veterans of the UK Armed Forces, as well as voluntary questions, for those aged 16 and over, on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results from the census will be available in 2022, with all personal records locked away for 100 years and kept safe for future generations.
For more information visit census.gov.uk
Kirat Raj Singh, as the local Census Engagement Manager, can be reached at kiratraj.singh91@field.census.gov.uk
The leaders of all Staffordshire councils have joined forces to appeal for all workers who can’t work from home to book a regular Covid test – as part of the rollout of mass testing of people without symptoms.
With new Community Testing Centres open across the county, council leaders are calling for workers in all places allowed to stay open, to make testing part of their regular routine in efforts to identify more people who may unknowingly be carrying the virus.
The appeal is being backed by Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase District Council, Duncan Goodfellow, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council, Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle Borough Council, Brian Edwards, Leader of South Staffordshire District Council, Patrick Farrington, Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Sybil Ralphs, Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Danny Cook, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council.
Alan White, said: “Councils across Staffordshire have worked together like never before, to do everything we can to protect lives and livelihoods across each and every district and borough area.
“While cases have started to fall in lockdown, they still remain worryingly high and we know that across the country hospitals are becoming overwhelmed – with reports nationally that someone is now being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 every 30 seconds.
“There is good news on the horizon with the vaccines, but we cannot become distracted by this, as it will be many months before we know and feel the benefits.
“The national lockdown means we must stay at home as much as possible. However, we all recognise that some people simply can’t work from home. That is why we are appealing to everyone who is out working in Staffordshire this week to book a test. It is free, quick and has never been easier to book one.
“One third of people who have the virus don’t show any symptoms and you could be one of them. So please get tested now, it may just protect your workmates, your community and your family when you return home at the end of the day.
Responding for Cannock Chase Council, George Adamson said: “Many of our residents do not have the opportunity to work from home and are providing vital income for their households. Everyone understands that and so this additional testing is extremely welcome to enable workers to get a test, not least for `peace of mind`.
“Testing at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock has begun and will continue until next Sunday, initially. It is designed to make it as easy as possible to get a test and a quick result.”
The current seven day rates are: Staffordshire 433 per 100,000 of population; Cannock Chase 544; East Staffordshire 527; Lichfield 387; Newcastle 296; South Staffordshire 605; Stafford 401; Staffordshire Moorlands 247 and Tamworth 480.
The county council has now opened Community Testing Centres in all districts and boroughs. These are at: Cannock’s Chase Leisure Centre, Hillfield House, Burton, Burntwood Leisure Centre/Lichfield FC, the Seabridge Centre, Newcastle, Wombourne Library the Kingston Centre Stafford, Biddulph Leisure Centre and Tamworth Campus/Wilnecote Parish Hall – with the aim of offering testing seven days a week for people without symptoms.
The council’s fleet of Covid vans will also be setting up mobile Community Testing Pop-Ups across the county. You can find out more and book now at Welcome to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Community Test Sites Appointment System (zipporah.co.uk)
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire’s Director of Health and Care, said: ‘We all need to stick to the basic rules of hands, face and space, work from home where we can and get tested if you are working through lockdown.
”We are seeing the biggest increases in the 19 to 34 year-old bracket, with many in this age group not only likely to be working but also seeing more people, so we would appeal to working people of this age group in particular to get tested on a regular basis.”
A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at Hagley Park School, Burnt Hill Lane (WS15 2HZ) in Rugeley, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.
Testing is only available for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
The government is committed to continue expanding the capacity of the network of UK test sites and laboratories to make it even easier to get tested and reduce the time it takes to receive test results.
The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.
Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
Testing at the new site has started on 19 December, with appointments made available each day.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure another walk-in testing centre in the District, in an accessible location for the people of Rugeley and surrounding areas.
“It is really important if you have symptoms to get tested. Our District has seen the number of cases rise dramatically and by following the rules we can reduce that figure. We now have two testing centres for anyone with symptoms, regular lateral flow testing for hotspot areas for people without symptoms and vaccination centres opening across the District. We all need to play our part to reduce infections is our area. I would urge anyone with symptoms, however mild, to book a test today.”
Current average 7-day rates for Staffordshire are 500 per 100,000 population. Cannock Chase District is 620.
Councillor Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said: “The number of Covid cases in Cannock Chase district remains worryingly high, so it is important that people in the district self-isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms.
“This new national testing centre means it has never been easier for people in Rugeley to book a test to help protect themselves, their family and their local community.”
The testing centre is open from 8am until 8pm 7 days a week.
Councillors at Cannock Chase Council will be considering freezing their basic allowances for the next 12 months when they meet at the next full Council meeting on 20 January.
This follows a report from the Councils’ Independent Remuneration Panel and its latest review of the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme, which will be discussed at the meeting. Its main recommendation is that the Basic, Special Responsibility and Civic Allowances should be frozen at the 2020/21 rates for 2021/22.
It is also recommending that no change be made be made to the rates payable under the Communications, Carers’, Travel and Subsistence Allowances; and that this revised Scheme be in place for one year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) with a further review to be undertaken later in 2021.
If councillors agree to the panel’s recommendations it will see a saving of £7,370 in 2021/22. Presently, the Members’ Allowances Budget is set at £368,280, which would be the same amount for 2021/22.
The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 requires all councils to have a Members’ Allowances Scheme in place and to keep it reviewed on a regular basis.
The Members’ Allowances Scheme at Cannock Chase Council was last reviewed in early 2018, with the updated scheme being approved by full Council in May 2018. The current scheme covers the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021.
Leader of the Council, Councillor George Adamson, said: “In the current climate where so many residents are facing financial challenges, and we know that the majority of the Council’s officers will be facing a pay freeze in the next 12 months, I will be calling on my fellow councillors to support this recommendation when we discuss it next week. I believe it is the right thing to do right now.”
The Council meeting on 20 January starts at 6pm and can be viewed online. The full papers and a link to YouTube will be made available on the Council’s website under `Council` then `Meetings`.
CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT COUNCIL
NOTICE OF SEIZURE
Section 34B Environmental Protection Act 1990
Name: Julie Turner Signed:
Date: 12 January 2021 Title: Pollution Control Officer
Annex A to Notice of Seizure dated 12 January 2021
Download a copy of the Notice of Seizure below.
Notice of Seizure
Cannock Chase Council is offering a free Christmas tree chipping service this January in a bid to help residents recycle their Christmas trees.
Areas are clearly marked in the following locations until Friday 15th January
Residents are asked to ensure that all decorations are removed from the live trees.
We cannot chip plastic backed wreathes.
The trees will be chipped and the chippings used around the District.
Update on Monday 11 January
Our bins collections service provided by Biffa has been experiencing disruption recently as a number of staff are either currently absent from work due to having Covid-19 symptoms, or are self-isolating.
We thank all our residents for the messages and comments of support for the bin crews and their efforts in catching up with collections, and especially your understanding and support during this challenging peiod.
Please note the following:
Thank you
