Cannock Chase Council is warning residents in the District about the ongoing implementation of the Government’s Welfare Reform Agenda and how it might affect them.

In particular there are several changes which could affect benefit claims this year.  The Welfare Reform Act was introduced in 2012 and the Chancellor in his budget of July 2015 announced further changes to be introduced in 2016.

The changes taking place include:

Work has started this week on the multi-use games area (MUGA) at the Pye Green Stadium Site.

The MUGA is currently in a very poor condition and not fit for use.  The development and refurbishment of the site will enable children between 11-16 years old to play recreational football, netball, basketball and cricket in a purpose built floodlit area.

Cannock Chase Council and partner agencies are raising awareness of domestic abuse this Valentines Day and highlighting how victims can get help.

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating the love between two people, however for some men and woman living in the District valentines will just be another day.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of sexual and domestic violence cases as well as encouraging victims to report their abuse. 

Chase Community Partnership has met to discuss the community safety concerns in the District and set the priorities for 2016/17.

Residents in the District feel safe and most have no issues although rates of crime and disorder are still a concern.  Whilst crime has increased slightly in the last year, the long term trends are stable in our area.

It has been identified that social media, cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, serious and organised crime, modern slavery, preventing extremism and gang/youth violence are the emerging new threats for 2016/17.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet has approved the recommendation to become a member of the Staffordshire Dementia Action Alliance.  This builds on the work already undertaken in the District to become a dementia friendly organisation.

A new campaign is calling on parents across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent to help their children to understand the dangers of sexting.

The ‘say no to sexting’ campaign launched this week and aims to  help children and parents understand just how risky sending sexual images are, and know how to avoid it.

Recent research has shown that children as young as 9 are being pressured into sending text, at least 40% of children have created a sexual image or video, 25% have sent an image onto someone else yet most children don’t understand the consequences.

Cannock Chase Council has expressed their regret following on from the announcement yesterday, that Rugeley Power Station is expected to cease market operations this summer.

The closure expected in early summer 2016 is due to the deterioration in market conditions for UK coal-fired power generation.

This shocking news has come early for the District Council following the announcement in November 2015 of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change policy proposal to close all unabated coal fired power stations by 2025.

RSD Pressing Ltd (formerly C& H Howe) have successfully relocated to a new larger facility at Watling Street Cannock with help from the Council.

RSD Pressing Ltd, presswork and projection welding engineers are an important long established business in the District and have moved from existing rented premises of 2100 sq.m to significantly larger purpose built freehold accommodation of 3000 sq.m.

The company have made a significant financial investment in the relocation and now has plenty of space to grow and expand, as well as looking at creating an additional 10 jobs.

On Thursday 5th May 2016 voters in Cannock Chase will go to the polls for local government elections and the election of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Staffordshire.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet is set to recommend a 1.95% increase in council tax.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet is set to recommend a 1.95% increase in council tax which equates to 6 pence per household per week, in order to protect future front line services in the District.

The current level of council tax has remained the same for residents since 2013-14.  However, with ongoing reductions in Government support, Council’s Cabinet is being recommended to increase council tax for 2016-17 by 1.95%.