Inspections will only be carried out where a hazard has been identified and meets at least one of the criteria below

• If the tree is dangerous, diseased or deceased.
• If the tree is causing damage or disrepair to a council property.
• Emergency/Storm damage

For tree enquiries that meet the criteria, please contact the Cannock Chase Council Contact Centre on (01543) 462621 giving the customer service operator the following details:

1.  Name, address and telephone number.
2.  Location (front/rear etc.), type of tree if known.
3.  Reason for concern about the trees safety.  e.g. broken/damaged branch.

Please see leaflet below:-

Applying for a garage is easy, simply complete the application form in the leaflet below, please tick which of the garage sites you are interested in (subject to availability).

Council tenants are given priority over private residents on the waiting list.  Priority on medical grounds will only be given in exceptional circumstances or if you are a registered disabled applicant with an adapted vehicle.

There may be a waiting list for certain areas so applications will be treated in date order.

A garage tenancy will only be offered to the tenant of a Council dwelling if the rent record and tenancy has been maintained satisfactorily.  

Our preferred methods are:

• Direct Debit
• Standing Order 
• Online
• by telephone using Debit/Credit cards, call 01543 462621

You will be issued with payment card and payments can then also be made:

• At Payzone oulets
• At the Post Office

Garage rent is due each Monday payable in advance. This alternatively can be paid monthly in advance by agreement with the Income Management Team. 

Garage tenancies are allocated to applicants on the waiting list in order of priority and date of application.  Council tenants are given priority over private residents on the waiting list.

A garage tenancy will only be offered to the tenant of a council dwelling if the rent record is clear and the tenancy conducted satisfactorily.

A Council tenant who accepts the tenancy of a garage on their own estate which is some distance from their home may apply for a transfer to a nearer site which will be dealt with when their turn is reached and a garage becomes available.

Private residents can only be granted a garage tenancy if there is no council house tenant willing to take on the tenancy.

If you do not at present own a vehicle and are interested in a garage tenancy, the completion of the application implies that in the event of you accepting a garage tenancy you will obtain a vehicle within one month from the date on which the tenacy commences.

For full information please download our Council Garage Policy below.

Please use your Blue Bag to recycle the following items/materials 

All the below items/materials can be put into your blue bag. We can only accept materials that the recycling facility is capable of sorting so please use this list to guide you.

IMPORTANT: All the recyclables in the blue bag should be put in loose not in bags. Any blue bags found to contain bagged waste will be rejected and not emptied. 

What can I recycle? 

Paper and cardboard, for example: 

• Catalogues 
• Cereal boxes 
• Corrugated cardboard  
• Envelopes 
• Greeting cards 
• Junk mail 
• Magazines 
• Newspapers 
• Phone directories (including the Yellow Pages)   
• Tissue boxes 
• Toilet roll tubes 
• Writing paper 

NOTE: Please do not put milk/fruit juice cartons (Tetra Pak) in the bag with the paper and card. These are made of a composite material of wax, paper and foil and cannot be recycling with paper and card. If any cartons are put into the bag the bag will not be emptied.

Guidelines for the collection of Blue Bag

1. Blue bags are put out with your blue bin  they need to be put out by 7.00am on collection day. If you have room you can put your bag in the top of your bin.

2. Additional recycling placed by the side of the blue bag WILL NOT be collected. If you feel you need additional recycling capacity please contact waste/recycling services on: 01543 462621 or email: wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

3. Recyclables should not be put into bags as this will not be collected. 

4. Bins and bags that have unwanted/not-accepted items/materials not listed above will be tagged and left until the contamination i removed. For help and advice if this happens please contact the waste/recycling services on: 01543 462621 email wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

5. Missed collections should be reported with 24 hours (by the end of the next working day)

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   To report a missed bag collection, lost or damaged bag you can report it online 24/7, telephone 01543 462621 or email: wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Please use your Blue Bin to recycle the following items/materials

All the below items/materials can be put into your blue recycling bin. We can only accept materials that the recycling facility is capable of sorting so please use this list to guide you.

IMPORTANT: All the recyclables in the blue bins should be put in loose not in bags. Any blue bins found to contain bagged waste will be rejected and not emptied. The rejected bin will be emptied on its next collection date if the recycling is loose and not in bags.

From May 2022 the blue bin will only be used to collect containers such as platstic bottes , glass bottles and jars and tins and cans. Paper and cardboard should be put into the blue bag.

Glass 

• Mixed glass bottles  and jars - any colour (we can't take window panes, glass cookware/Pyrex, glasses, broken glasses, light bulbs etc) 

Metal 

•  Aerosols 
•  Foil 
•  Food tins Steel and aluminium food and drink cans (please wash and squash them) 

Plastics and packaging, for example: 

• Detergent bottles 
• Drinks bottles (and tops, although if possible remove the tops and squash down the bottle) * 
• Food trays 
• Ice cream tubs 
• Margarine tubs 
• Plastic milk bottles 
• Shampoo bottles 
• Yoghurt pots

Please ensure that all recyclables are clean and free from food contamination and are put in the Blue Wheelie Bin LOOSE and NOT IN BAGS.

Please note ** We no longer are able to collect and recycle Tetra Paks (Food & Drink Cartons) in either your Blue Bin or Bag. Therefore, please either place them into your Green Bin or you are welcome to take them to the HWRC's (Tips) in Cannock & Rugeley s theyhve recyling facilities

For information on how your recycling is sorted visit: What happens to my recycling after collection

Guidelines for the collection of Blue Wheelie Bins (recyclables)

1. Blue Bin are to be paced  at the rear of the footpath, by 7.00am on collection day.

2. Additional recycling placed by the side of the blue bin WILL NOT be collected. If you feel you need additional recycling capacity (larger Blue Bin) please contact waste/recycling services on: 01543 462621 or email: wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

3. Recyclables should not be put into bags as this will not be collected. Recyclables should be put loose in the blue wheelie.

4. Bins that are contaminated with items/materials not listed above will be tagged and left until the contamination is removed. For help and advice if this happens please contact the waste/recycling services on: 01543 462621 email wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

5. Missed collections should be reported with 24 hours (by the end of the next working day)

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   To report a missed bin collection, lost or damaged bin you can report it online 24/7, telephone 01543 462621 or email: wasterservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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Green Bins (Household)

Every household in the district is provided with a green bin for the collection of non-hazardous household waste.

Examples of what can go into your green wheelie bin are:

• Polystyrene 
• Waxed Food/juice cartons (Tetra Pak)
• Waxed paper (ie off loaves of bread)
• Cold ashes from a coal fire or wood burner
• Pet litter
• Tissues and wipes
• Pet faeces (should be wrapped in newspaper or bag to prevent smells)
• Generally any items not currently allowed in the blue/brown bins
• Sanitary products (incontinence products may need double bagging in hot weather to prevent smells)
• General or household waste
• Crisp packets and other plastic/foil packets
• Nappies and hygiene products
• Shredded paper
• Food
• Plastic toys
• Hard plastics
• Plastic buckets
• Thermos flasks
• Glass cookware (pyrex), glazing (windows) and from picture frames
• Chinaware/pottery

Please do not put the below in the green bin.

They can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (Tip)

• Paint and Oils
• Hazardous Waste and Chemicals
• Gas Bottles
• Small houshold (appliance) batteries (they can also be taken to supermarkets as they have a duty to take them back).
• Fluorescent Tubes

Guidelines for collection of green bins 

1. Bins are to be placed out, at the rear of the footpath, by 7.00am on the collection day. Bins put out late will not be collected until the next collection. Bins will be returned to the rear of the footpath.
2. Please ensure bin lids are closed or they will not be emptied.
3. Do not leave any refuse in bags at the side of the bin as this will not be collected and may be classed as flytipping
4. Overweight bins will not be emptied. The bin lifts have a maximum lifting weight of 96kg.
5. Tags will be left on bins explaining why refuse has not been taken
6. Households having 6 or more people in residence or those with medical issues may be entitled to a larger bin in replacement of their normal bin. This will only occur if residents are using the wheelie bin recycling service correctly.
7. Missed collections should be reported with 24 hours (by the end of the next working day)

To report a missed bin collection, lost or damaged bin you can report it online 24/7, telephone 01543 462621 or email: wasteservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Below are some common asked questions in regards to the waste and recycling collection service.

Why are we stopping residents from disposing of food waste with their garden waste?

There are a number of reasons, in brief they are:

• Expensive considering the amounts of food waste being disposed of.
• Not widely used by all residents
• Only one local disposal point
• General waste is now used to create energy (see below)
• Not uncommon across Staffordshire
• Increasing financial pressure on Councils
• Saving will help to protect and develop other services

Yes, Lichfield, Tamworth, South Staffordshire and Stafford Borough Councils all collect their residents food waste with their general waste and do not compost it.

We are not; since Oct 2013 general waste from across Staffordshire, including our Councils, has been disposed of by incineration at a plant in Staffordshire and used to create energy

We try to reuse, recycle or recover as much as we can from the waste our residents create.

Cannock Chase Council along with most other Councils across Staffordshire is in the top 25% of Councils across England for its recycling performance.

It doesn’t, the last large scale improvement of the waste service came in 2010 with the introduction of wheeled bins for dry recycling.

On average the Council disposes of around 9,000 Tonnes per year.

The Council estimates that only between 10-12% of its total garden and food collection is made up of food waste.

It costs over double the amount to dispose of mixed garden and food waste than garden waste alone per tonne.

Because of animal by-products mixed garden and food waste has to be disposed of in a much more controlled environment at controlled temperatures and cannot be initially allowed to rot away naturally as garden waste alone can.

Food waste could be disposed of by using the general (green) bin or garden and food (brown) bin in the past. But now due to the cost and the low amounts of food waste being disposed of the Council cannot justify the expense of disposing of mixed garden and food waste.

Maggots and flies can be kept to a minimum by wrapping food waste in waste /news paper or small waste bags such as pedal bin liners.

Yes you can, the Council’s website has some hints and tips on home composting and the Council may even provide you with a free composter.

Bins that are contaminated cannot be recycled. If they are added to a recycling load the whole load of between 8-10 Tonnes of good recycling may be rejected at the disposal point. It may also have to be sent to landfill as at that point it is no longer classed as domestic but commercial waste.

If a resident gets it wrong their bin will be tagged and will be left un-emptied. They will be required to remove the contamination before the bin will be emptied on the next collection day.

While the provision of a general waste collection is a statutory requirement, the provision of dry recycling and garden waste collections are not and therefore can be removed by the Council if it considers a resident is not using them correctly.

Yes, Under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the Council has the power to decide the type of service provision it provides and specify how it should be used by residents.

The Council uses a number of methods to help its residents identify what items go into what bin including:

• Council Website
• ‘Which Bin’ website widget
• Annual waste and recycling calendars
• Leaflets

In no particular order they are:

1. Nappies
2. Animal Bedding
3. Textiles
4. DIY Materials (including paint tins and paint)
5. Waste electrical goods in the bin.

Unfortunately, the Councils materials recycling facility can not take clothing, textiles or shoes. They require a different process to be sorted and can become contaminated by other recycling if mixed; making them un-reusable. Clothing, textiles and shoes can however all be recycled (along with other products such as small waste electrical and electronic goods) at your Local Recycling Centres at many supermarkets and carparks across the district or at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC’s) in Cannock or Rugeley.

If you are registered with HomeSwapper and have found a swap you should make an application for a mutual exchange on the Homeswapper Scheme, which entitles existing tenants to free access to their service.

• Neither of you have rent arrears

• Neither property will be overcrowded or under occupied

• There is no Notice Seeking Possession pending or served on either property

• The property is not specially designed or adapted for individual needs and no such persons requiring the adaptation would be living there should the exchange take place

• The property is part of a supported housing scheme and should the exchange take place, no qualifying person would be living there

• Any other information which may affect the decision made whilst taking into account current legislation and offering consistent serviceey mation - this will render your application and subsequent approval invalid and may result in you losing your home

• You have not damaged your property

• You have not altered the property without the permission of the Council

• The move is made entirely at the tenant's expense

• Each party accepts the property in its present condition

• Your property is left in a clean and tidy condition with all the rubbish removed from gardens or outbuildings

• Do not be fooled into paying or accepting money to exchange

• You must not give false information - this will render your application and any subsequent approval invalid and may result in you losing your home

You have a responsibility as the owner of the pet to comply with certain conditions.  These are:-

• You are responsible for looking after and caring for your pet properly.  We'll take any cases of cruelty, mistreatment or neglect seriously and will work with appropriate agencies to remove the pet from the property if necessary.  If this happens you will not be given permission to keep any more pets.

• You are responsible for the behaviour of any pets owned by you or anyone living with you.

• You take all reasonable steps to supervise such pets under your control.

• You take all reasonable steps to prevent such pets causing nuisance, annoyance or danger to neighbours.  This includes fouling, noise or smell from any pet.

• You take reasonable care to see that such pets do not foul or cause damage to the house, your neighbours property, anything belonging to us, or anything we are responsible for, such as common areas of flats.

If you think a neighbour's pet is causing a nuisance, please report this to the Neighbourhoods Team on 01543 462621 or email us on EMTeam@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

If you believe that someone's pet is not being cared for, neglected or being treated cruelly, you can report this to an animal welfare agency such as the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

For further information please see our leaflet below.

Q. Why is the Council undertaking litter patrols?

A. We want to deter people from leaving litter to improve the appearance of the District and to help reduce the money spent on clearing litter.  The revenue from fixed penalty notices goes back into keeping the District clean.

Q. What are the penalties?

A. The maximum penalty upon summary conviction for leaving litter is £2,500.  Cases are heard in the Magistrates' Court and those convicted usually receive a fine, a criminal record and are ordered to pay costs.  As an alternative to prosecution, Council officers may issue a fixed penalty notice in appropriate circumstances.  These are set at £75.

Q. Where does the law apply? 

A. It applies to any land or water, whether public or private, that is open to the air.  It applies to any litter that is thrown down, dropped or otherwise deposited and includes litter from vehicles.  Litter includes chewing gum and cigarettes. 

Q. Can children be issued with a fixed penalty?

A. Although people over the age of ten are responsible for their actions in law, the Council will only issue a fixed penalty notice to someone aged 16 or older.  For those aged 10-15, the Council may take a different course of action which could involve their parents, guardians or school.   

Q. What if there is no litter bin nearby?

A. If there is no litter bin nearby, please take your litter home with you.  The absence of a litter bin is no defence in law.

Q. Do I have to give the Council officer my details?

A. Yes.  The law requires that you give the officer your details.  If you refuse, or give false or inaccurate details, a further criminal offence is committed. 

Q. Does the fixed penalty have to be paid on the spot?

A. No.  The fixed penalty has to be paid within 14 days via the methods outlined on the notice.  The officer will never ask for any money from you.

Q. What happens if the fixed penalty is not paid?

A. The matter will be sent to the Magistrates' Court where the maximum penalty is £2,500.  The Council will also pursue all costs relating to the case.

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste.  This could involve a single bin bag up to lorry loads of hazardous waste.  Fly-tipping occurs everywhere including country lanes, parks, behind shops, and in lay-bys.   

Impacts

Fly-tipping can:

• Cost money to remove, often money that could be spent on other public services
• Be harmful to health
• Pollute the environment
• Lead to other crime, such as arson or more fly-tipping
• Harm wildlife
• Block roads
• Attract pests such as rats and mice

Private Land

• Where there is evidence, the Council will investigate fly-tipping that occurs anywhere in the District, regardless of whether it is on public or private land. 
• However, the Council will not remove fly-tipping from private land.  This is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the land.
• There are circumstances where the Council will require the owner or occupier of the land to remove the fly-tipping.

Penalties

Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence.  The penalties include: 

• Imprisonment for up to five years
• An unlimited fine
• Seizure or forfeiture of the vehicle used to commit the offence
• Disqualification from driving

For more information contact Environmental Health on 01543 462621 or email environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk.

If you are paying someone to dispose of waste, always to remember to follow the SCRAP code...

• Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your waste until they provide proof of being a registered waste carrier. Note their vehicle registration number.
• Check that a waste carrier is registered online or by calling 08708 506 506.
• Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
• Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this.
• Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
• Remember your waste is your responsibility!

If you witness a vehicle being used to fly-tip follow these instructions.

If the offence is in progress, and it is safe to do so, call 999.

If the fly-tipping has already occurred, and you have evidence to provide, contact the Council by calling 01543 462621, or emailing environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

You will need to provide:

• The date and time of the offence
• The location of the offence
• The make, model, colour and registration number of the vehicle
• A description of the people involved
• A description of the waste

If you want to provide intelligence about people involved in fly-tipping, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.