Archive for category: Village News

Every week the County Council along with District and Borough Councils reviews the number of cases of Covid-19 and identifies hotspots with the highest numbers of infections in the previous 2 weeks. People in these areas are advised to take extra care to stop the spread of the virus. They are also advised to get a test even if they don’t have symptoms.

All residents who need to be out and about in Staffordshire during the lockdown are also being urged to have regular Covid-19 tests, even if they don’t have symptoms.

You can book a test only if you have no symptoms at Welcome to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Community Test Sites Appointment System (zipporah.co.uk)  You are allowed to leave home to take a test.If there is no availability, you can book a traditional test at one of the national sites at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus  and choose the option “my council has asked me to book a test”.

Anyone with symptoms should only book a national test. Anyone who is self-isolating as a close contact should only book a test if they develop symptoms and this should be through the national system only.Details of hotspot areas and community testing sites for this week are as follows:

Hotspot Locations

Lichfield – Alrewas & Fradley, Shenstone, Little Aston & Stonall, Chasetown, Summerfield & All Saints

Community Testing for Lichfield District is available  from tomorrow (Tuesday) until Saturday at Lichfield FC situated on Eastern Avenue in Lichfield. Tuesday 9-3, Wednesday to Saturday 10-4.

Lichfield District Council has sent the following news release:

Prosecution for dog fouling offences

A man from Fazeley has been ordered to pay £1,852 after he was seen not clearing up after his three dogs.

On 9 December 2020 Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court found Rob Grice, from Victoria Drive in Fazeley, guilty of three dog fouling offences.

The case was brought by Lichfield District Council after Mr Grice did not pay the three fixed penalty notices issued to him after a council officer witnessed him not clearing up after each of his three dogs.

The court ordered Mr Grice to pay a fine of £1,320, costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £132 – a total of £1,852. 

Councillor Angela Lax, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Housing & Health, said: “This sends a clear message to any irresponsible dog walkers, who don’t clean up after their pets, that we take this issue very seriously.” 

To tackle problem dog fouling, the council drops off reporting cards to local homes in hot spot areas to get intelligence from community members. 

This includes the location and the times when dog fouling appears, and a description of anyone seen not cleaning up after their dogs. 

Since the introduction of the cards the council has been able to do more targeted patrols. This has contributed to a reduction of more than half of reports of dog fouling that needs to be removed across the district.

To report a dog fouling location or problem area in Lichfield District, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/report.

Staffordshire Moves to Tier 4: Stay at Home Restrictions

On 30^th December the Government confirmed that Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will move to Tier 4 from 00:01am on Thursday 31^st December.

What does Tier 4 mean?

In brief:

·         Stay at home. You must not leave your home unless you have a “reasonable excuse” such as work, education, essential shopping or medical appointments

·         In general, you must not meet socially. However, you can exercise or meet in a public outdoor place with people you live with, your support bubble or with one other person

·         You must not meet indoors socially with any other household, unless part of your support bubble

·         Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised not to work if they cannot work from home

·         All shops deemed non-essential by the Government must close

·         Hairdressers and barbers must close

·         Indoor entertainment venues must close

• Gyms and indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts and dance studios must close

   

Full details of what is required can be found at Tier 4: Stay at Home – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Friary Grange Leisure Centre to re-open in January

Fitness fans will be welcomed back to Friary Grange Leisure Centre in January following the completion of essential repair work.

Repairs planned for December at Friary Grange Leisure Centre, operated by Freedom Leisure, have been completed on schedule to allow centre users to return from Monday 4 January 2021.

Work has been carried out on the swimming pool, changing rooms, gym, squash courts, rowing room and spin room areas. The full closure of the leisure centre in December allowed for some of the repairs to be finished ahead of schedule, which will minimise disruption in the new year when final works are completed.

The January re-opening marks the end of the first phase in Lichfield District Council’s investment in repairs for Friary Grange, which are scheduled to be completed in March. Funding was allocated by the council in 2019 as part of a pledge to keep the leisure centre open until a new leisure facility is built in Lichfield.

Due to current Covid restrictions prohibiting indoor fitness classes, the group exercise studio will continue to be used as part of an extended gym area to help with social distancing.

Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member responsible for Leisure, said:“I am delighted we will see Friary Grange reopening as planned in January. While much of the repair work needed has been away from public facing areas, I’m confident visitors to the centre will notice the difference from the re-decoration of reception, changing room and gym areas, and will be glad to be able to make use of the facilities again.

“The national lockdown period and covid restrictions made the work much more complicated than originally anticipated, but we were able to use the period to reorganise the timing of the work programme to get ahead of schedule in some areas.

“There are more repairs to be carried out behind the scenes in the new year, but we hope this won’t cause significant disruption to users.”

Lee Thomas, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, said:“It is great news that Friary Grange is reopening and our team can’t wait to welcome back the local community.

“There are strict procedures in place to ensure Friary Grange provides a covid-safe place to give customers the reassurance we know they need to return to exercise, activity and have the chance to socialise safely with others.

“We are also running a joining offer on memberships from 26 December to the 18 January. New members can join for just £1 and pay nothing more until February 2021.”

Find out more about Friary Grange Leisure Centre at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/friarygrange/.

To keep up to date with Friary Grange Leisure Centre’s repairs programme, go to www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/fglcfuture.

December meeting update

The Parish Council met online on 14^th December.

Here are some of the things discussed:

The organisers of the Illuminated Elford event were thanked for a very enjoyable evening, which had included sponsored decorated trees in the Avenue, fireworks, socially distanced refreshment stalls, and competitions for the best house, best street and children’s favourite; funds were raised for the Church and PTA. 

The Friday taxi service for anyone needing transport to Tamworth had resumed after lockdown.

Councillors and farmers had met to discuss the recent traffic concerns and had agreed a way forward. Highways would continue to be pressed on a solution to the Brickhouse Lane surface.

Dog fouling was still a problem, anyone walking their dogs after dark should still clear up after them even if no-one can see you! Environmental Health will make more patrols.

The playground surface was still slippery in places and quotes would be obtained for jet washing it.

The defibrillator had required a new battery and this would be ordered.

For further information and details of other matters discussed please see the minutes of the meeting via the Parish Council tab.