#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.

The October Parish Council Meeting heard from several residents during Open Forum about their concerns about the frequency and size of farm vehicles travelling through Elford's narrow roads during the harvest period. The Parish Council agreed to work with the farmers and Staffordshire Hghways to find a solution.

The developers of the Club site had been asked to tidy it, but were currently waiting for the Planning Department to decide on their application. 

Tree saplings from the Woodland Trust for planting at the Sportsfield would be delivered in November. The Howard School pupils would help to plant these.

A suggestion had been received that there should be an event to mark the Christmas Light switch on and the date of 12/13 December was suggested. Ideas for this are welcomed and will be discussed at the next meeting.

More details available from the Minutes of the Meeting.

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.

At the Parish Council meeting on 12th October several residents raised concerns about the current issues with farm traffic. The Parish Council discussed these issues in detail. The farm have told us that this work will take around 7 more days and that they have already spoken to their drivers about taking care and reducing speeds. The Parish Council hopes to arrange a meeting soon to raise villagers' concerns with them, and will also contact Staffordshire Highways for advice on traffic calming.

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.

The latest Neighbourhood Watch newsletter is now available, with lots of advice on keeping safe

People across Lichfield District are being encouraged to apply for a Green Homes Grant to make their homes warmer in the winter, less expensive to heat, and kinder to the environment. 

The government’s Green Homes Grant scheme offers homeowners and residential landlords across England the chance to apply for a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient improvements in their home.

Improvements could include insulating your home to reduce your energy use or installing low-carbon heating to lower the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces.

Vouchers will cover two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum government contribution of £5,000.

If you, or someone in your household, receive certain benefits you may be eligible for a voucher covering 100% of the cost of improvements up to £10,000.

Through its energy advice service - Warmer Homes, Greener District - Lichfield District Council is urging its residents to take advantage of this national scheme and not to miss out on the opportunity to install energy saving measures in local homes.

Councillor Angela Lax, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing, said: “The Green Homes Grant scheme offers an amazing opportunity to install energy saving measures at a fraction of the cost.

“Not only will it help keep homes warmer in the winter, but it could help cut fuel bills and lower the amount of carbon produced locally.

“Measures that are covered through the scheme include insulation, low carbon heating, draft proofing, heating controls and more.

“Our Warmer Homes, Greener District advisors can help local homeowners with the application process, such as checking for eligibility.”

For advice on how to access this and other grants, please call the council’s Warmer homes, Greener District free energy advice line on 0800 677 1543.

The Green Homes Grant scheme will never include official representatives coming to your property uninvited or cold calling on the phone to encourage you to join the scheme.

There will be many other companies that will be marketing access to the funding and the council is advising its residents to check companies’ credentials carefully and call Warmer Homes, Greener District for guidance if you are unsure.

To find out more about the Green Homes Grant, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme.

Vouchers must be redeemed and the improvements completed by 31 March 2021.

Residents who live in Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough will need to put their bins out by 6am on their collection day from now on.

Through the Lichfield and Tamworth Joint Waste Service, Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council are asking that residents from across both areas to put their bins out by 6am rather than by 6.30am on their collection day.

This is so bin collections can be staggered throughout the morning to allow waste and recycling crews to social distance.

Cllr Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member Responsible for Waste, said:“We’ve moved the start of our bin rounds forward by 30 minutes so our crews can start their rounds at different times, to make sure we are operating in a covid-secure way.

“I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their help with this, however, as many bins go out the night before, most households shouldn’t notice the change.”

If a household’s bin is not out by 6am, and it is not collected, the team cannot come back to empty it at a later time.

However, if a bin was put out by the right time, does not contain the wrong waste, and has not been emptied by 3.30pm, it can be reported as a missed bin online atwww.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportor by calling the team on 0345 002 0022.

To find out more about bin collections, and what can go in each colour bin, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/bins.