Village Information
Village News
December 2020 Parish Council meeting
December meeting update
The Parish Council met online on 14th December.
Here are some of the things discussed:
The organisers of the Illuminated Elford event were thanked for a very enjoyable evening, which had included sponsored decorated trees in the Avenue, fireworks, socially distanced refreshment stalls, and competitions for the best house, best street and children’s favourite; funds were raised for the Church and PTA.
The Friday taxi service for anyone needing transport to Tamworth had resumed after lockdown.
Councillors and farmers had met to discuss the recent traffic concerns and had agreed a way forward. Highways would continue to be pressed on a solution to the Brickhouse Lane surface.
Dog fouling was still a problem, anyone walking their dogs after dark should still clear up after them even if no-one can see you! Environmental Health will make more patrols.
The playground surface was still slippery in places and quotes would be obtained for jet washing it.
The defibrillator had required a new battery and this would be ordered.
For further information and details of other matters discussed please see the minutes of the meeting via the Parish Council tab.
Elford Illuminated
Staffordshire County Council update
Come on Staffordshire...let's do it for what matters
Everyone has a reason to want to see the back of the Coronavirus pandemic.
You may want to cuddle your grandchildren, get a business up and running again or simply get back into the gym.
We’re all different, but we can all do some simple things to stop the virus in its tracks.
We know that changing guidance can be confusing, but three things won't change:
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Hands – keep them clean. COVID virus can stay active on surfaces for up to 24 hours. You could pick up or pass on the virus by touching a contaminated surface. Washing your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer kills the virus.
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Face – wearing a face covering over your mouth and nose can help protect other people from droplets containing the virus. If you have the virus you’re less likely to pass it on.
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Space – spreading the virus is much less likely to happen if you stay more than two metres apart from someone who has it.
Infections are falling in Staffordshire thanks to your efforts during the national restrictions, but we've still got more cases per 100,000 people than the West Midlands and England.
With national restrictions coming to an end on 2 December, we need to do everything we can to stop the spread and get back to what matters most.
Find out more
Rapid testing roll out begins
When you’ve got coronavirus, you can infect people for two days before you show any symptoms - and that’s if you get symptoms at all. Many people don’t.
That’s why testing for people with and without symptoms is so important.
The first of the new rapid Covid-19 tests were rolled out in the Staffordshire Moorlands today as part of a pilot.
The new tests, which can provide results in less than an hour, will help to quickly identify people who have the virus but may have no symptoms, and isolate any further cases.
We’re busy recruiting people to help deliver more of these tests, which will eventually see up to 80,000 people in the county tested every single week.
Over the next two weeks we will be looking to focus on a number of large businesses, sixth forms and community settings across the county.
Look out for local testing centres in the coming days and weeks.
Dog fouling
With dark nights we often have an increase in reports of people not clearing up after their pets. We know it is only a minority, but please bag the poo!
Bins are available at the entrances to the Sportsfield and near the Walled Garden, so please carry a bag and use these. Environmental Health have increased their visits to Elford to help educate dog owners.
Support for businesses
Local Restrictions Support Grants available for applications
Many local businesses that have been forced to temporarily close due to the national restrictions are eligible for a grant of between £1,334 and £3,000 a month.
Lichfield District Council has launched its Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme after receiving almost £1.5 million of government funding to support local businesses.
The latest grant scheme is aimed at businesses that have been required to close due to the national restrictions that started on 5 November 2020.
It is for businesses including non-essential retail, personal care services, hospitality venues, leisure facilities, accommodation providers, entertainment venues and more.
Grants will be awarded to eligible businesses to support them during the temporary closure. They will receive:
- £1,334 a month for properties with a rateable value of £15k or under
- £2,000 a month for properties with a rateable value above £15k and below £51k
- £3,000 a month for properties with a rateable value above £51k
Councillor Liz Little, Cabinet Member Responsible for Economic Development, said:“We’re once again set to distribute grants to local businesses that have been required to close. The funding will go some way to protecting a variety of businesses across the district.
“Businesses can be confident that we will get their grants out to them as quickly as possible. They can help us to do this by providing all the relevant information we need for fraud checks, and waiting patiently for the grants, as contacting us to check on progress will slow down our ability to make the payments.”
The council is also working to set up the Additional Restrictions Grants application process. This is to fund additional business support through discretionary grants. More information about this scheme will be available soon.
For the Local Restrictions Support Grant eligibility criteria and to apply online, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/supportingbusiness.
COVID cases
Cases in the area have seen a great improvement over the past week. Keep following the advice on hands/face/space so we can get out of tier 3!
Alarming rise in Covid cases in the Mease Valley
Taxi to Tamworth
The taxi to Tamworth will run again on Friday mornings on 4th, 11th and 18th December and on Wednesday 23rd December. The taxi service can be used by any resident unable to drive who needs to go shopping or to attend appointments, it was arranged by the Parish Council after the bus service to the village ended and is financed from the proceeds of the Coffee Shop.
Anyone wishing to book a place on the taxi please contact Barbara Harcombe or Margaret Jones, Clerk to the Parish Council.
Helping older people with everyday tasks
People who want to be more independent in their own homes are being urged to try out a new interactive online tool.
The innovative ‘Happy at Home’ house will help highlight the range of simple and affordable assistive technology equipment available to people who may be struggling with everyday tasks around the home.
The resource allows users to take a tour around a typical home, prompting them about difficult situations and day to day tasks they could encounter. Users are then presented with a range of ideas and solutions that they can then easily compare and acquire.
Simple and inexpensive gadgets that can help someone to prepare food, get washed or dressed or feel safer around their home are examples of the kind of products being highlighted.
The new resource is part of a wider campaign by Staffordshire County Council to help support people who want to live independently in their own homes for longer.
Dr. Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said:
“One of our main priorities is to help people lead healthier and happier lives and to support them to be able to live well at home for longer.
“Technology is really transforming many aspects of everyday life. Today there are many clever and affordable devices available to help older people or people with a daily living need to stay safe and independent at home.
“We’re very excited about the new online tool which we hope will make it even easier for our residents and their loved ones to find daily living products that can help to make their lives just that bit easier. And of course, at this time of year, it’s a perfect way to find a useful and meaningful gift for a neighbour, friend or family member for Christmas.”
As well as the interactive house, the new online service includes a range of independent living gift ideas, a library of video demonstrations of assistive technology products, and an opportunity to compare a wide choice of solutions.
People can explore the online interactive house and find out more at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/happyathome
