Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Councillor Local Community Fund launches

To help local community projects and activities, groups can now apply for a small funding boost from their district councillor.

Lichfield District Council has launched a Councillor Local Community Fund, which is a two-year pilot scheme that will see each of its 47 district councillors distribute £300 each year to support community projects in their area.

Community groups based in Lichfield District can apply to receive from £50 to £300 between 12 July and 30 November 2021 for projects and activities that will have a positive impact on their local area.

Individuals can also apply for funding, provided they can show the application is on behalf of a local community project or activity.

 

Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: “I’m delighted to be launching this community fund. It will allow district councillors to have even more involvement in their wards and will help empower local residents so they can be active in their community.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what activities and projects are planned and will be very pleased that I, along with all our district councillors, can help them make a difference to the local community.”

The payments will be made by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire.

Find out more and apply for funding at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/councillorfund

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Parish Council Meeting postponed

The Parish Council meeting due to take place at the Village Hall on the 12th has been postponed to July 26th.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Builders required

The Parish Council would like to receive quotes from local builders for internal renovations to the pavilion in the Sports Field.

If any local firms are interested in quoting, please contact clerk@elfordparish.co.uk for more information.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

New Lichfield Local Plan

Lichfield District Council are now consulting on their Local Plan to manage development in the District until 2040.

 

They have put together a video to guide people through the process of commenting on the Local Plan.

 

It explains how this part of the process is all about confirming the plan is sound and legally compliant.

 

You will find the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIVk1uNc04c

 

The place to go to have your say on the local plan is: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/localplan2040.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Lichfield city centre questionnaire

Deadline extended:

The online questionnaire for the Lichfield City Centre Masterplan – Public Realm Strategy remains live and available for you to complete.

We want to develop local solutions with the people who know the city best, and we would like to thank those of you who have already taken time to complete the survey. For those of you who would still like to get involved this is how you can do it:

 

·       Take a look at our display at Nurture Nest Community Space in Three Spires shopping centre between 9.30am and 4.30pm and in the shop windows outside of these times. Officers and consultants will also be on hand in Nurture Nest each weekday between 12.30pm and 2.30pm to answer questions.

 

·       Complete the questionnaire. A number of indicative design options have been created which you are able to view whilst answering the survey.

 

We want as many people to take part in this process as possible.

The consultation is running until Sunday 11 July. Please do have your say as we’d welcome your involvement with this exciting project.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Meeting of the Parish Council, June 2021

Elford Parish Council met this week in person for the first time since March 2020. Instead of holding a Zoom meeting your Councillors were able to meet at the Village Hall following social distancing guidelines. Up to 6 members of the public are permitted to observe meetings and to ask questions during Open Forum, and it is hoped that residents will begin attending again. Our next meeting will be on July 12th at 7pm.

Due to the restrictions on numbers the Annual Parish Assembly due in May was postponed. Some organisations have sent in reports that they had prepared for the Assembly and these are available to read on our website http://www.elfordparish.co.uk/ If other village groups wish to contribute please send reports to clerk@elfordparish.co.uk and they can be included.

Lichfield Planning Department has made very little progress on the planning application for the Social Club and yet another planning officer will now take over the application. Councillors are very concerned about the delay and intend to ask Christopher Pincher MP to intervene on their behalf.

Elan Homes have not confirmed when they intend to begin work on the site at The Shrubbery and have not yet responded to requests for information on the drainage issues.

The Annual Audit has been completed and the documents will be available for the public to view from 18th June on the website and notice board.

The Council held a long discussion on improvements required at the Playground. Although the handyman works hard to keep it tidy, the location and occasional misuse plus its age have meant that it will need substantial investment over the next few years. Meanwhile it will be kept safe for the children to use while long term plans are made.

For more information please see the Minutes section of the website, under the Parish Council tab.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Domestic Abuse info

Show domestic abuse the red card
Partnership comes together ahead of the UEFA European Football Championship to tackle domestic abuse.

Over the football tournament Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership is raising awareness of the support on offer around domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse can be triggered by many things, including alcohol, and it isn’t always just physical – it can be a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual.

Inspector Stuart Coleman, of Lichfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:“Throughout the Euros tournament we’re reminding domestic abuse victims that there is help on hand. We’ll be promoting New Era and other local support services, so anyone who has concerns knows where to turn.

“This is in addition to encouraging football fans to drink responsibly and make a choice to either drink or drive. Our neighbourhood teams will be working closely with council colleagues to keep everyone safe and we’ll also have additional patrols on duty in the city centre.”

Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: “Many of us are looking forward to the Euros getting underway. However, for some supporters the mix of emotion and alcohol can lead to increased tensions in relationships, making volatile situations even more dangerous for those around them.

“This is why we’re linking up with Staffordshire Police and other organisations in the partnership to reassure anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse that help is on hand.”

Chantelle Thompson, New Era’s Head of Service, said:“Football tournaments like this one can be a great way of bringing communities and families together. However, sadly, they often coincide with an increase in referrals to specialist support services like ours.

“But, it’s not an unfavourable match result or someone drinking too much alcohol that causes domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is caused by one person wanting to exert power and control over another. It’s never acceptable and it’s illegal.

“If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, or you want support to change your abusive behaviour, we can help you. New Era supports adults and children of all ages, genders and ethnicities living in Lichfield and elsewhere in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”

People experiencing domestic abuse can contact New Era’s 24-hour confidential helpline for victims on 0300 303 3778. In an emergency always call 999.

If you want support to change your abusive behaviour, please contact New Era perpetrator services on 01785 601690.

Pathway Project also supports adults, young people and children from Lichfield District and Tamworth who are experiencing or affected by domestic abuse. Their 24-hour confidential helpline is 01543 676800 and more information is available at www.pathway-project.co.uk.

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Don’t dump your white goods!

Don’t dump it – book a scrap metal collection!
Call for residents to dispose of fridges and freezers properly after 36 are dumped in the district over the last year. 

Lichfield District Council is urging local residents to dispose of their white goods properly, which means not leaving them out on the street as this counts as fly-tipping, even if they are removed by scrap metal dealers.

The warning comes after the council has noticed a worrying trend of white goods, especially fridges and freezers, being stripped of their metal motors and compressors and then being dumped locally on grass verges and country lanes.

To combat this, householders should either dispose of white goods at their local household recycling centre or pay for a licensed waste carrier to dispose of them on their behalf.

The council offers a scrap metal service and can remove white goods, including washing machines and fridge freezers, for £15.75 for the first item and £6.50 for a second item.

Councillor Ashley Yeates, Cabinet Member responsible for Climate Change & Recycling, said: “We know it might be tempting to leave your fridge freezer out on the street for a scrap metal collector to remove, but this still counts as fly-tipping and your white goods may well be dumped elsewhere in the district.

“On top of this, if a fridge freezer’s motor and compressor is not removed in the right way, harmful gasses can be released into the atmosphere.

 “So, please help us to keep the district beautiful and free of pollution by always using licensed waste carriers to dispose of your unwanted goods or take them direct to a tip yourself.”

To book a scrap metal collection, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/bookscrapmetal or call the Shared Waste Service on 0345 002 0022 (charged at the local rate).

To report fly-tipping, go to www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/report.

 

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

How to Volunteer for Birmingham 2022

Interested in Volunteering for the Brmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games?

Click on  this application form and information

 

Logo of Elford Parish Council with a tree, church, people walking, and water in a circular design.

Universal Credit

This link will take you to information about how to claim this benefit

Universal Credit