Cannock Chase Council is participating in the West Midlands Empty Homes Week to raise awareness of the issues empty homes can cause and to encourage empty home owners to bring their properties back into beneficial use.

Residential properties that stand empty in the Cannock Chase District could be providing homes for the many people who need one.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is working with Cannock Chase District Council, Fusion Credit Union and Staffordshire Police to deliver a new campaign to raise awareness of loan sharks.

The ‘bite back’ campaign, running until June 29, involves a targeted leaflet drop, staff training, awareness work with tenants and an online survey.

Officers from the IMLT and Cannock Chase Local Policing Team took part in a targeted leaflet drop in Chadsmoor on Monday to show residents the work being done and point to the help if needed.

Cannock Chase Council is consulting residents on the adopted Urban Forestry Strategy for 2018-2023.

The management of trees and woodland is governed by legal responsibilities and influenced by national, regional and Council policy. The Urban Forestry Strategy was adopted in 2003 to ensure that the Council’s legal responsibilities in relation to trees and woodlands in Cannock Chase are fulfilled. 

From 1 April 2018 landlords who own or manage properties occupied by five or more people and form two or more households, now need to apply for a licence.

From 1 October landlords could risk prosecution or a civil penalty for failure to licence, if their properties are occupied by five people or more who are not related and share kitchens and / or bathrooms.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved free leisure concessions for serving members of the armed forces, who are resident in the District, at its meeting last week.

The concession scheme was first introduced in June 2012 and currently has 155 members and nine family members.  The scheme is run by Inspiring healthy lifestyles on behalf of Cannock Chase Council who have approved the free leisure concession scheme for a further 12 months.

This scheme aims to recognise the commitment made by armed forces men and women to this country in their service throughout the world.

A case of ASB that was brought to the weekly Community Safety Hub has been resolved thanks to funds from the Community Safety Partnership.

Cannock Chase Council is delighted to announce there will be a new further education hub in Cannock town centre opening this September.

The Cannock Chase Skills and Innovation Hub, to be based at the same campus location owned by South Staffordshire College, is the result of the Council working with the College to create a new partnership venture.

The hub will ultimately deliver courses, training and apprenticeship opportunities across seven new disciplines.

Jaye Mountford aged 15 from Rugeley has been awarded Cannock Chase Council’s Youth Endeavour Award for 2018.

The Cannock Chase Community Safety Partnership is launching a purse charm initiative in the District, in a bid to aid safer communities.

Purse charms can alert you if someone is trying to steal your purse or wallet. This type of crime, called purse dipping, is most common in busy town centres, shops or public spaces.

These charms are a simple but effective personal security item and are suitable for people of all ages. They have previously helped to cut crime in other parts of the country like Leicester, Sheffield and Manchester.

Rugeley flood scheme, which protects more than 270 homes and businesses has won the Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands sustainability award.

This award recognises the partnership way of working to bring about multiple benefits to the town and the people of Rugeley.

Before the £5.2million scheme was completed, the risk of flooding to the town hampered further development and regeneration. Now, development can go ahead, and planning applications which will see new jobs created have already been approved.