Residents

The Council has pledged its support for this year`s Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The campaign which runs from 22 March to 23 April will see up to half a million people taking action to clean streets, parks and beaches across the country.

The Council`s Street Cleansing team is encouraging local residents and community groups across Cannock Chase District to get involved and will be providing litter picking equipment* and collecting bags of rubbish.

*Please note: Limited stock is available,  so equipment will be issued on a first come, first serve basis.

Contact the Council`s Street Cleansing team on 01543 462621 or email streetcleansing@cannockchasedc.gov.uk.

Download a copy of the Council`s full guidelines for organised litter picking events.

This year`s campaign will not only see tonnes of litter being removed from the environment on our doorstep, it also aims to rescue thousands of the plastic bottles and aluminium drink cans that are simply thrown on the ground but could very easily be recycled.

Using the `three bags full` approach, volunteers will be asked to separate the litter they pick into three bags; one for plastic bottles; one for aluminium cans and a third for the rest of the rubbish.

The Council will then collect these bags to ensure that they are recycled appropriately.

To find out how the Council is supporting this initiative read a copy of the press release.

For more information about the Great British Spring Clean visit Keep Britain Tidy`s official website.

Last Updated: 20/03/2019

Residential Properties that stand empty in the Cannock Chase District could be providing homes for the many people who need one.

Dwellings remain empty on a long term basis for a variety of reasons, for example because of inheritance issues, due to lack of funds for renovation or because owners are holding on to the property hoping for a rise in it’s value.

The longer a home is left empty the more likely it is to attract anti-social behaviour, to fall into disrepair and to become a source of anxiety to nearby residents.

On average it costs an owner approximately £8000 a year to keep a property empty. This cost includes rental loss, dilapidation, security, insurance and council tax.

Cannock Chase Council operate an interest free loans scheme to assist owners of dwellings which have been empty for over 2 years. Owners may be able to borrow up tp £10,000 to renovate their property. The loan is repaid when the renovations are complete either from the sale proceeds if the property is sold or via installments from the rental income if the property is let. For more information telephone 01543 464309  

The Council’s Housing Options Team can provide specialist help and advice aimed at supporting landlords who manage their own properties. If you are thinking of letting your empty home and need some advice telephone 01543 462621 and ask for the Housing Options Team.  

Leaving homes empty is a waste, especially as the number of persons seeking accommodation rises.

The Council is keen to assist empty home owners with returning their properties to use, however in certain circumstances, and when all offers of voluntary assistance have been rejected, the Council will consider taking enforcement action to bring the home back into use.

Last Updated: 21/02/2019

There are a range of options available which may make your and/or your carer's everyday life much easier and safer.  These can range from small things such as jar openers, grab sticks, long handled shoe horns, talking clocks or personal alarms to larger home adaptations such as a stair lift, extension or a level access shower.

If you visit Staffordshire County Councils website you can view a range of products that you might find useful.  If you think you may need a home adaptation and want help with the cost of this, read the information below to find out more about our Disabled Facilities Grants.

What are Disabled Facilities Grants?

A Disabled Facilities Grant is funding to help a disabled person adapt their home to make it easier and safer to live in.

1. The works must be necessary and appropriate.  This will need to be discussed between the disabled person and an Occupational Therapist.
2. It must also be reasonable and practicable to carry out the works - this often depends on the age, condition and layout of the property.

Subject to the above, the following are examples of works that may be available:

• Facilitating access to and from the dwelling or the building in which the dwelling or, as the case may be, flat is situated.
• Facilitating access to a room used or usable as the principal family room.
• Facilitating access to a room used or usable for sleeping, or alternatively providing such a room for the disabled occupant.
• Facilitating access to a room in which there is a lavatory, a bath or shower (or both) and a wash basin, or providing a room in which there is such a facility or facilities.
• Facilities for the preparation and cooking of food.
• Facilitating access to and from the garden and make access safe.

Grants are available towards disabled adaptations to most types of living accommodation, including mobile homes and houseboats.

Who can apply?

You must be either the owner or tenant of the property. You do not have to be the disabled person for whom the works are required, it is possible for a landlord to apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.

If the adaptations are for a child, you can arrange for an assessment by contacting Children and Families Services at Staffordshire County Council Tel: 0800 1313 126 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm) or email firstr@staffordshire.gov.uk.

If the adaptations are for an adult, you should contact Staffordshire County Council via the following:

• Website: Staffordshire County Council.
• Phone 0300 111 8010 to speak to an Advisor.
• Text/SMS (for people with a hearing impairment) Tel: 07814 194 111.
• Minicom users Tel: 01785 276207.

If the Advisor considers your needs can only be met by a home adaptation, they will send your details to Cannock Chase Council,  Depending on the number of enquiries received and the budget available Cannock Chase Council may operate a waiting list and you will be advised of this upon receipt of your enquiry. You will be contacted by the council’s benefits department who will ask you to complete a form with all of the financial details of the disabled person and there partner/spouse, a test of resources will then be carried out and you will be informed of any financial contribution you may be expected to make. 

How much can I get?

To make sure that the grant goes to the people who need it most, the amount of grant awarded is decided by conducting a test of resources (means test).This is carried out in accordance with regulations laid down by the government. The test of resources is used to assess the level of a client’s contribution towards the cost eligible works and is based on a formula calculating a notional level of need (the amount the government says you need to live on each week) compared to the relevant persons income and capital. The current limit for a Disabled Facilities Grant is a maximum of £30,000.00.

Who is subject to the test of resources?   

The disabled person who requires the adaptation and, the disabled person’s partner. If the grant is for the benefit of a child or young person under 19 who is in full time education (up to A level standard or equivalent) there is no means test for the parents. However if you are in receipt of one of the following income related benefits you will not have a contribution towards the grant.  

• Income support.
• Housing Benefit.
• Guaranteed Pension Credit.
• Income base job seekers allowance.
• Working tax credit with an annual income of less than £15,050.00.
• Child tax credit with an annual income of less than £15,050.00.
• Income related employment and support allowance.

Application process.

When the council has carried out a test of resources calculation you will be informed of the result. If this result is favorable and you are able to finance any contribution you are expected to make the council will then employ the services of an occupational therapist who will visit you to carry out a full assessment of any required works that are necessary and appropriate. This report will be passed to the council who will discuss the options with you.

The council can arrange for one of the private sector housing technical officers to survey your property who will assist in designing an adaptation to help meet your needs. This may involve provision of drawings, schedule of works, tendering to contractors, approving a grant, gaining permission from building control and planning permissions, party wall act, building over agreements. Managing contractors during ongoing works and gaining permissions from the property owner. Client’s contribution will be required before any works start.

If you live in a social rented property, you should speak to your landlord first as sometimes they can make adaptations as part of their planned maintenance to the property.  You may also need their permission to proceed with any works.

You are not required to use the council’s technical services within the housing act and can arrange, design and obtain quotations to make an application for grant yourselves. Please seek advice from the private sector housing team beforehand as a financial test of resources and occupational therapist support is still required.       

Last Updated: 21/02/2019

The Private Sector Housing Team provides advice on housing standards to tenants, landlords and homeowners. Issues in private rented accommodation should be reported to the landlord or agent prior to contacting the Council. Tenants should allow the landlord/ agent sufficient time to deal with the defects.

Housing defects will be risk assessed using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This is a risk based assessment tool which helps local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from defects within the property. HHSRS includes 29 hazards including excess cold, damp and mould, falls on the level, fire etc. The more serious hazards may be rated as category 1 hazards. Other less serious hazards may be rated as category 2 hazards. Local Authorities have a duty to deal with category 1 hazards and discretionary powers to deal with category 2 hazards.

The team have enforcement powers under the Housing Act 2004. If the landlord fails to deal with the issues informally an enforcement notice may be served. Notices may incur a charge for Officer time (discretional).

Types of enforcement action can include:

• Hazard awareness notice;
• Improvement notice;
• Prohibition order;
• Emergency remedial (corrective) action;
• Emergency prohibition order;
• Demolition order;
• Declare a clearance area

Right of Appeal
Landlords have a right of appeal against any formal action taken by the Council. Appeals should be made to the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), but you must do this within 28 days from the date the action was taken.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Landlords should ensure a working smoke alarm is installed in all occupied premises on each floor of a property being used as living accommodation. They should also install a carbon monoxide detector in any room used as living accommodation which contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance (coal or wood burning fires and stoves). The local authority will serve a remedial notice under The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 on landlords which fail to comply. If works are not complete within 28 days a penalty charge may be issued.

Drainage
Responsibility for drainage is dependent on ownership. If beyond the boundary of the property and shared it will be classed as a sewer and will be the responsibility of Severn Trent Water. Issues can be reported via their website https://www.stwater.co.uk/

If the issue is with a drain within the property boundary, responsibility will remain with the owner or occupier (This is dependent on arrangements made within the tenancy agreement). If there is a risk to public health, the Private Sector Housing Team will investigate and may serve notice on those responsible to ensure that the private drain is adequately maintained.

Statutory Nuisance
Private Sector Housing may find an issue within the property to be a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The issue needs to be classed as a nuisance or prejudicial to health. Statutory nuisance is a criminal offence. If the local authority establish that a statutory nuisance exists an Abatement Notice will be served. Failure to comply with the notice may result in prosecution.

Contact Details
For more information please telephone 01543 462621

email:  privatesectorhousing@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Or write to:
Private Sector Housing
Cannock Chase Council
Civic Centre
Beecroft Road
Cannock, Staffordshire
WS11 1BG

Last Updated: 21/02/2019

This team is responsible for dealing with the Council's statutory responsibilities towards private sector housing. This team employs Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers who deliver the following functions:

• Investigation of complaints about hazards to health, safety and wellbeing in private residential properties.
• Investigation of complaints about defects with private drains.
• Delivering adaptations for people with disabilities to make their homes easier and safer to live in.
• Delivering home security improvements for vulnerable people.
• Dealing with long term empty properties in the district and bringing them back into use.
• Licensing and regulation of safety and management standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Contact Details
For more information please telephone 01543 462621

email:  privatesectorhousing@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Or write to:
Private Sector Housing
Cannock Chase Council
Civic Centre
Beecroft Road
Cannock, Staffordshire
WS11 1BG

Last Updated: 21/02/2019

Protecting vulnerable adults and children

Everyone has a part to play in keeping vulnerable adults and children safe from abuse and neglect.

Improving the way people work together to safeguard, promote and improve the welfare of vulnerable adults and children is crucial.

The Council's Community Safety Partnership has been working closely with the Communications team to develop a promotional campaign to raise awareness of abuse, as well as encouraging people to report any concerns they may have about an individual.

'See something, Say something', launched this month and will form part of a 12 month campaign programme targeting vulnerable adults and children.

The campaign has been split into two elements; safeguarding and vulnerability. Details of each are provided below.

If you suspect adult abuse, call 0345 604 2719. If you suspect child abuse, call 0800 131 3126. These numbers are not monitored 24/7 but a voicemail facility is available. Concerns of immediate harm must be reported to Staffordshire Police on 999 or 101.

Read a copy of the official press release here.

For further information about this campaign, contact the Partnerships team on 01543 464638 or email partnership@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Last Updated: 14/02/2019

A book about Hednesford Park and War Memorial

In 2017, the Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles launched a new initiative - `From Pools to Park`, to capture local memories about Hednesford Park and War Memorial.

Thanks to the help of park users – past and present, a community book has been created which depicts the history of the park and War Memorial in a fun and interactive way.

Local schoolchildren have taken part in a number of creative workshops to produce the visual elements that are used to tell the story of the park over the years.

The book includes a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by all the family.

It also includes a DVD showing local people sharing their memories of Hednesford Park.

An online history book is also available which combines the detailed history with the audio of those individuals featured in the DVD.

This initiative has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the ongoing redevelopment works of Hednesford Park which started in 2013.

Last Updated: 31/01/2019