Users of Hednesford skate park have been treated to a teen shelter and lighting in the park thanks to funding received from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s People Power Fund.

The Friends of Hednesford Park were successful in securing £3K of funding in 2014.  The money has provided much needed lighting to the skate park and along tree avenue and a shelter for the skate park, all of which was installed last month.

Local Councils have worked together to secure funding for a refuge for victims of domestic abuse in Staffordshire.

Cannock Chase Council worked in partnership with South Staffordshire District Council and lead authority Stafford Borough Council in a bid to secure nearly £146,000 of Government money to help support ‘ForWard House’ the state of the art refuge which was opened in Stafford last year. 

The funding represents a share of a £20 million nationwide pot from the Department of Communities and Local Government to support victims of domestic abuse. 

People living in Cannock Chase District will be able to view a new woodland sculpture as part of a local dementia friendly initiative in Hednesford Park.

The new sculpture is being created by Robot Cossey, an artist from Wolverhampton who is well known for his timber sculptural works and the artist who created the recent woodland sculptures in the park.

The design includes a collection of forget me not flowers with a ladybird and is situated at the park entrance off Victoria Road.

The Council has launched an official website for the Chase Community Partnership which can be used by both local residents and partner agencies.

Cannock Chase Council opened its Chamber to the School Council from Chancel Primary School in Rugeley this month.

Pupils aged between 8 and 11 were welcomed by the Council’s Chairman, Councillor Zaphne Stretton and learnt about the work the Council does and its political structure. They took part in an environmental awareness session delivered by the Council’s Environmental Protection team and learnt about the importance of disposing of litter properly.

Cannock Chase Council is supporting a new drive to encourage adults in the District to build more physical activity into their lives by simply walking briskly for at least ten continuous minutes every day.

A daily brisk 10 minute walk can make people feel better, more energetic and improve their mood.  Over time it can also help lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Cannock Chase Council propose to introduce an “off-street” parking places order on the Anglesey Street car park (rear of Co-op) creating both short stay and long stay spaces, which would be monitored and enforced by the Civil Enforcement Officers who currently patrol other Council car parks within the district.

The introduction of the order will prevent vehicles from parking for an unlimited period of time in the short stay area, thus keeping spaces available for other visitors to the Town Centre.

Two more businesses in the Cannock Chase District have expanded, thanks to the Let’s Grow Programme.

Hednesford and Norton Canes based companies: Syco Graphix and PC Paramedics have both secured ‘Let’s Grow Programme’ grant funding of up to £5,000 each, to help grow their business and create new jobs.

Syco Graphix a designer, manufacturing sign writer based in Hednesford are using the grant to add a mezzanine floor to their unit, updating their website and they will be employing an apprentice.

People in Cannock Chase are celebrating the launch of a new support tool, which will enable people with physical, learning and health needs to access vital information to improve their quality of life.

The Well Active website has been created by the local community and uses film, animation and a voice aid to ensure services, support and information on pathways to employment, independent living and local activities are more accessible.

Cannock Market Hall is set to open 4 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) from 1 April 2017, with a number of improvements and a new entrance. 

This follows a decision made by Cannock Chase Council on 8 February, after a public consultation on the financial recovery plan which will make £1.6M of savings and protect Council services for residents in the District.