Residents are urged to claim a discount on their energy bills

Thousands of people across Lichfield District on low household incomes could benefit from a £140 rebate by claiming their Warm Home Discount.  

The Warm Home Discount scheme offers a £140 energy bill discount to low income households across the UK.

Provided by energy suppliers, many schemes are now open and operate on a first-come-first served basis.

The discount is available to people on a low income, who receive certain means-tested benefits. However, as in previous years, the qualifying criteria varies slightly between energy suppliers.

Local residents are now being urged to contact Lichfield District Council’s Warmer Homes, Greener District advice line on 0800 677 1543 for more information and help to apply.

Councillor Angela Lax, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing, said:“With all the financial strain the coronavirus outbreak has put many households under, it’s really important that eligible households claim their discount to help with their heating bills over the winter.

“Our Warmer Homes, Greener District advisors can discuss qualifying criteria and make applications on behalf of our eligible residents over the phone. So, if you think you might be entitled to a Warm Home Discount please contact our advice line without delay.”

The council is especially encouraging households with particular health conditions that need extra heat at home, or where fixed low incomes mean affording bills in the colder months can be a real struggle, to apply for their discount.   

“Once suppliers reach their target number of applications, they often close schemes abruptly. It really does pay off to apply as soon as you can,” added Cllr Lax.

If you think you may be eligible or for more information, please contact Warmer Homes, Greener District for free on 0800 677 1543.

The Warm Home Discount is separate from, and will not affect, any Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments.

Children are invited to follow a spooky trail at Beacon Park and to download some extra activities for double the Halloween fun.

From spotting the odd ghost out to solving the spell ingredient anagrams, follow a fun trail to find eight clues dotted around Beacon Park as part of the Halloween puzzle trail.

Running from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November, between 10am and 4pm, the trail has two levels of clues – one set for little ones aged three and up and another set for older children.

Solve all of the puzzles to complete the trail and be entered into a prize draw to win one of two rounds of foot golf or crazy golf for up to four people.

Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Parks, said:“We’re really pleased to be bringing out this year’s all-new Halloween puzzle trail, which gives children of all ages a chance to get into the spirit of Halloween.

“It’s a good opportunity to head to beautiful Beacon Park and put your problem solving to the test, and you may even win a game of crazy golf or foot golf!”

Beacon Park’s Halloween puzzle trail is available at the Ranger Station and costs £1 each and 20p extra for a pencil, which are optional. All children must be accompanied by an adult when completing the trail. 

Lichfield District Council’s parks team has also created extra Halloween activities for everyone to download. They set out a series of outdoor Halloween-themed activities to try, such as making a stick skeleton or creating spooky shadows.

“We hope families will have a go at our Halloween activities and that they encourage some creativity and fun,” added Cllr Cox.

Staffordshire Highways have confirmed that the planned closure of the bridge from October to January will not take place.

Initial works will be done with traffic light controls, although some shorter term closures may be required next Spring.

Details of diversions and dates will be published in due course.

#LoveLocal virtual support for district businesses

Businesses across Lichfield District are being invited to take part in online sessions that will provide support, advice and sharing of information on Covid-19 matters, to make sure they can continue to trade safely and successfully.

This October and November Lichfield District Council is hosting a series of #LoveLocal advice sessions over the Zoom platform, enabling the council to engage with local businesses, including retail and hospitality sectors, to see what can be done to support them now and in the run up to Christmas.

The sessions will also give businesses the chance to feedback any ideas they might have to develop the #LoveLocal campaign further.

This forms part of the package of initiatives the council has introduced to promote Lichfield city and Burntwood town centres and other high streets across the district, enabling businesses to trade and customers to feel safe and secure in returning to use local facilities.

Councillor Liz Little, Cabinet Member responsible for Economic Development, said: “These virtual sessions are a good way for businesses to double check they are following the guidance and to question anything they are unsure of.

“They will also give us the chance to find out if there are more ways we can support our local businesses, especially as we head into the festive season.

“We want to help local traders to be the best they can this Christmas, making sure they are prepared and have all the tools they need to offer safe environments for their staff and customers.”

The #LoveLocal virtual sessions will run at the following times:

·         Wednesday 21 October at 2pm for all businesses

·         Monday 26 October at 11am for all businesses

·         Wednesday 28 October at 2pm for hospitality businesses

·         Monday 2 November at 11am for retail businesses

·         Wednesday 4 November at 2pm for all businesses

·         Monday 9 November at 11am for all businesses

·         Wednesday 11 November at 2pm for hospitality businesses

·         Monday 16 November at 11am for retail businesses

·         Wednesday 18 November at 2pm for all businesses

·         Monday 23 November at 11am for all businesses

They are free to attend but need to be booked in advance at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lovelocalsessions. 

The #LoveLocal campaign is supported by the Reopening High Streets Safely project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Friary Grange to re-open for swimming 

The swimming pool at Friary Grange Leisure Centre will re-open on Saturday 24 October following its closure in March due to Covid-19 restrictions.

In-line with current guidelines, and lessons learned from re-opening Burntwood Leisure Centre, the Friary Grange pool will open for pre-booked lane swimming and be available for club and group sessions.

The re-opening follows shortly after the start of essential repair work promised by Lichfield District Council to help keep Friary Grange operational until a new leisure facility is constructed. The repair work is scheduled to continue until March 2021

Gym facilities and the dance studio will re-open from 2 November, following the completion of work in an area shared with Friary School that can only take place at half-term. Class sizes and gym numbers will be reduced to make sure they are run in a safe and compliant way.

The repairs programme includes significant work on the roof and ceiling over the swimming pool, which will mean the closure of the whole leisure centre from 29 November until 4 January.

To book swimming pool sessions, visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/friarygrange.

To keep up to date with the works at Friary Grange Leisure Centre, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/FGLCfuture.

Lichfield District residents told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500, if they meet the criteria.

To support residents whose earnings are affected by staying at home, the government has set up the Test and Trace support payment scheme.

This is for anyone on a low income who is unable to work from home and will lose income by having to self-isolate.

Locally the scheme is being administered by Lichfield District Council and is running from 28 September to 31 January 2021.

Councillor Rob Strachan, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Revenues & Benefits, said: “There is now a legal duty to self-isolate if you test positive or are identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace.

“The support payment scheme will help local people who are on low incomes who cannot work from home to make it through self-isolation.

“I would urge anyone who may be able to access the one-off payment of £500, to check their eligibility and to apply, to help them through a difficult time.”

For the full eligibility criteria and to apply for a Test and Trace payment, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/testandtracepayments.

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Drivers and Cyclists Urged To Look Out For Each Other As Darker Nights Approach

With darker mornings and evenings approaching, and the change in weather conditions, it’s more important than ever that both cyclists and drivers prepare themselves this Autumn and consider their own and other’s safety on the roads. 

Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership has launched its safety campaign ahead of the clocks going back at the end of October.

Research shows that most collisions with cyclists happen during morning and evening rush hour times. Traffic is increased during this time and you may be rushing to get to or from work, whether you are travelling by bicycle or car.

When overtaking cyclists, the Highway Code states that you should leave at least as much room as you would when overtaking another car. You should allow at least 1.5m passing distance when travelling at 30mph - you need to leave more space when travelling at higher speeds. This distance helps protect you and other road users.

Cyclist? Take a look at some useful tips on the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership website to help you improve your road safety and help drivers to see you more clearly.

Driver? Take a look at some useful tips and advice on the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership website to learn how to drive safely when sharing the road with cyclists, particularly during busier periods.