Social distancing signing and information to remind people to ‘Stay Alert’, subways where you keep left, the temporary suspension of parking bays, and the full return of the street cleansing service feature as part of measures to keep shoppers and retailers safe as non-essential retail is allowed to re-open from Monday (15 June).

Volunteering group the Friends of Cannock Stadium Park have created a beautiful memorial for residents who have sadly passed away due to COVID-19.

The Friends of Cannock Stadium Park are a group of volunteers who work with Cannock Chase Council to promote and support the regeneration of Cannock Stadium and its future.

President of the group Lynn Biggs came up with the idea of crocheting forget-me-nots after one of her friends passed away and she was unable to go to the funeral and pay her respects.

Issues have been identified with the swimming pool at Rugeley Leisure Centre during the lockdown.

Inspiring healthy lifestyles (Ihl) who manage the swimming pool on behalf of the Council have identified problems with the tiling in the pool after the Leisure Centre closed to the public in line with Government guidance. Since the discovery Ihl have commissioned two professional surveys to identify the problem.

Cannock Chase Council is able to support retailers planning to re-open from 15 June with practical advice and information on how to manage customers queueing and entering the premises and protecting retail staff with appropriate hygiene measures.

The Council’s Environmental Health Teams have already been working with food premises providing a take away service and are on hand to support all non-essential shops across the District due to open soon.

A new grant scheme is now available to small businesses who may have missed out on previous government funding.

The new £1million cash pot is aimed at businesses with high property-related costs who have suffered a substantial drop in income as a result of Covid-19 but could not access existing grant schemes.

The Friends of Hednesford Park have this week received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

This award is the highest recognition that can be given to volunteer groups across the UK.  A total of 230 organisations have been given the award this year.

The award coincides with Volunteer’s Week, which takes place from 1-7 June.  The award celebrates groups whose work has enhanced and supported local communities over a number of years.

Outdoor markets in Cannock and Rugeley are set to re-open this month, following updated advice from the government.

Rugeley Outdoor Market managed by Darren Clapham will re-open this Tuesday (2 June).  All traders have been briefed, there will be signs displaying social distancing measures, hand sanitizer will be available and all hard surfaces will be sanitized regularly.

Cannock Street Market operated by Sketts, will also open earlier than originally anticipated on Friday 19 June, following adequate risk assessments and plan for a new layout.

Environmental Health Officers from Cannock Chase Council have been visiting businesses in Cannock town centre to find out what measures have been put in place in response to COVID-19 restrictions and understand the challenges faced.

Lindsey Ellison, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Food and Safety Team said:

With the unemployment figure for Cannock Chase District rising to 4.8 per cent in April’s figures, Cannock Chase Council is signposting those unemployed to local organisations for information and advice to help them get back into work.

The last time the District’s unemployment rate was this high was January 2010.

The Council works closely with organisations supporting businesses and the local economy including local enterprise partnerships and local colleges, all of whom – including the Council – will do all they can to help the area recover from coronavirus.

Cannock Chase Council and its waste collection partner, Biffa Municipal Ltd are asking residents for their continued help and support to reduce the level of contaminated waste currently being found in their blue dry recycling bins during the pandemic.