Friday 20th May marked a major milestone in the £78m Walsall-Rugeley electrification project, when an electrification mast was erected at a ceremony at Network Rail’s Walsall Training Centre.

Guests invited included Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Alcott, Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Leader and local M.P’s.

It was followed by an inspection of reconstructed bridge structures along the route to Hednesford that have been rebuilt or modified to allow the electric trains to operate.

Cannock's Friday Street Market super relaunch is planned for Friday 27th May, where the market will see a facelift of attractively dressed stalls and units.  It will be a day of celebration including street jugglers, fire eating and live music throughout the day. 

The Council’s Chairman will also be presenting an award to the 'trader of the year' chosen by the traders themselves.

Since November the market has gone from strength to strength, attracting new trades and guest food producers offering an array of delights. 

Cannock Chase Council has expressed their regret following the final confirmation by ENGIE that Rugeley power station will cease operations by the end of June 2016. This follows a period of consultation with employees and trade unions.

The closure is due to the deterioration in market conditions for UK coal-fired power generation. The policy context is the announcement in November 2015 of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change of a policy proposal to close all unabated coal fired power stations by 2025.

Residents and businesses across Staffordshire are now able to receive free timely crime alerts and community safety advice.

The Staffordshire Smart Alert App and website is thought to be the first App of its type in the UK and is set to improve engagement between Staffordshire Police and the public.

Cannock Chase Council has successfully prosecuted residents who failed to remove an eyesore fence from their property.

Mr and Mrs Milakovic of Reservoir Road, Hednesford were found guilty of offences under Section 215 and 216 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 at Cannock Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10^th May.

A notice was served by the Council in October 2015, asking the defendants to remove the unsightly fence from the boundary of their property.

Cannock Chase Council’s free jobs fair takes place on Thursday 19^th May in Cannock.

With over 40 exhibitors attending, offering job and apprenticeship opportunities, along with information and guidance on CV writing, interview techniques and starting your own business.

The event will take place from 10am until 2pm on Thursday 19^th May at the Civic Centre in Cannock.

Cannock Chase Council‘s Food and Safety Team successfully design and deliver safe food preparation courses to community groups in the District.

The pilot courses which took place at Trinity Church in Hednesford, were attended by volunteers from Friends of Hednesford Park and the Food Bank.

A local Tennis Club and the Cannock Youth Fund has served up an ace for Hednesford Park with 18 weeks of free tennis lessons at the town’s Hednesford Park courts from 7^th May .

The scheme has created a partnership with Cannock Chase Council, Friends of Hednesford Park and Cheslyn Hay Tennis Club to help provide free coach led tennis sessions between 10:15am and 12noon on Saturday alongside usual sessions on a Sunday. You don’t even need a racket as all equipment is provided free of charge.

Hednesford Park’s pavilion is set to re- open in the next couple of weeks following an extensive renovation.

The pavilion has been re-modelled to feature a ground floor ice cream parlour, café and kiosk, community room, with balcony toilets and changing room facilities.

The downstairs ‘Parlour at the Pavilion’ is an ice cream parlour, sandwich shop and coffee bar, that will target families and serve an artisan fresh dairy ice cream menu, sandwiches, savouries, afternoon and cream teas, cakes and bakes.

Cannock Chase Council officers supported by Staffordshire Police have executed a warrant to seize noise making equipment from an address in Cannock this week.

The Council property resident had failed to heed warnings from Housing Officers to reduce the excessive volume at which they played music.

Following further investigations the Council was satisfied that the noise was excessive and a Noise Abatement Notice was served on the resident in March.