Lichfield District Council would like as many people as possible to let them know their views about parking in Lichfield.

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The Parish Council has been informed by Home Farm that there will be more maize movements than usual over the next week or so.

Empty Homes Week 2021

Residents who are struggling to bring empty properties back into use and communities who want to take action on derelict properties in their neighbourhoods are being urged to come forward.

Due to Covid-19 and its impact on local councils, the 2020 Empty Homes Week was rescheduled and it is now taking place across England from 15 to 21 February 2021.

The campaign is organised by the charity Action on Empty Homes, which uses the week to highlight the problem of long-term empty properties across the UK.

In Lichfield District there are around 120 long-term empty properties. Lichfield District Council has a policy that sets out how it will work to bring these homes back into use.

As part of this, the council’s housing team can work with the owners of the properties that have been empty for the longest time, with a view to getting them brought back into domestic use.

As part of Empty Homes Week, the council is urging anyone who is struggling with an empty property and needs help to bring it back into use, or anyone who is concerned about an empty property in their area, to get in touch for advice.

Councillor Angela Lax, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing, said:“Derelict properties can blight local communities and, with housing in short supply, they are wasted opportunities to create much needed homes.

“Empty Homes Week gives us an opportunity to raise awareness locally and encourage people to contact us if they own an empty property or are worried about a derelict property in the district.”

If you are concerned about an empty property, please email housing@lichfielddc.gov.ukor telephone Lichfield District Council on 01543 308000.  

Find out more about Empty Homes Week atwww.actiononemptyhomes.org.

Funding for community and voluntary sector organisations

Charities, groups and not-for-profit organisations that work to help the people of Lichfield District are being invited to apply for funding.

Lichfield District Council has £163,000 available each year, over the next three years, to award to community and voluntary sector organisations that can deliver projects to make a difference.  

From supporting older people to live in their homes to working to look after the local environment, the grants will help communities across Lichfield District.

Applicants must show how their project will support one or more of the council’s strategic objectives, which are:

·        Enabling people to help themselves and others

·        Enabling people to collaborate and engage with Lichfield District Council

·        Enabling people to live healthy and active lives

·        Shaping place to keep it green and safe

·        Shaping place to preserve the character and appearance of the district

The minimum amount that can be applied for is £5,000 a year over three years, subject to the funds being available. The grants do not need to be match-funded.

Councillor Ashley Yeates, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: “We are so lucky to have a strong, vibrant and diverse community and voluntary sector, which plays a key role in supporting our residents and local communities. These organisations can reach people and places where statutory organisations may struggle, delivering earlier support that is tailored to the individual.

“This is why we are delighted to be offering this funding. I am sure it will be a welcome boost to groups that are finding it hard to fundraise due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will mean a whole raft of projects and activities can be run over the next three years that will have a big impact on our local communities.”

Grants are available to formally constituted not-for-profit groups that serve Lichfield District, including local parish councils, public sector organisations, and locally based community enterprises and charities.

To find out more and for an application pack, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cvsfunding. The deadline to apply is 29 April 2021.

We've been asked to share this with local communities;

Are you missing reminiscing in your local? Do you miss long walks and rambles in the countryside? Are you finding home-schooling a thankless challenge?

Through the Transforming the Trent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust) we are relaunching our Tales From The Riverbank project to give you the opportunity to tell us your stories, re-explore nature and to give you a break from learning restrictions at home.

The project would love to hear from everyone about their childhood stories and experiences of playing along the Trent Valley – the Dove, the Trent and the Tame in East Staffordshire or South Derbyshire – and will also provide a free downloadable resource pack for children to revitalise their lockdown learning. If you regularly visit these rivers still or used to live by them we want to hear from you.

How many of you played in rivers and went home with a soggy bottom? How many of you played pooh sticks, set sail to distant climes or found treasures in the water? Have you been fishing and caught a whopper? Where did you play? What wildlife did you see?

How different are your memories to that of your family and friends? Can you help the project to showcase how outdoor play has changed over the generations?

Already we have received tales about motorbike mishaps, horseshoes being found in streams and happy canoe trips under bridges.  Can you top that?

Please tell us your stories through emailing Nicola.lynes@supportstaffordshire.org.uk, by visiting the Trent Valley website at https://www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/childhoodmemories.php or by posting them to Transforming the Trent Valley, 19 Lower Brook Street, Rugeley, WS15 2BZ.

For more information on any of the above, look on our website www.thetrentvalley.org.uk, or you can call us on 07837 127165 for a chat with our Community Engagement Officer.

We look forward to reading about your memories of the riverbank.

Reminder of rules around outdoor facilities 

Fencing has gone up at two sport and leisure facilities in Lichfield District to stop anyone from using them and breaching national restrictions.

Lichfield District Council is joining forces with Staffordshire Police to warn local residents about how important it is to follow national restrictions around exercising and meeting others outdoors.

This comes after reports of groups gaining entry to Burntwood Leisure Centre’s 3G synthetic pitch and of people using Beacon Park’s skatepark, despite both areas being closed due to lockdown.

The council has now installed temporary fencing round these facilities to further deter people from trying to gain entry, and the police are reminding everyone of the laws around lockdown and of their enforcement powers.

Councillor Ashley Yeates, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said:“We know how frustrating lockdown restrictions are, and we’re all looking forward to when our sport and leisure facilities can reopen. However, it’s really important that we all follow the rules to protect our families, friends and wider community.

“You can continue to access our open spaces to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once a day and you should maintain social distancing.”

Staffordshire Police’s Sergeant Neil Quinn, of the Lichfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:“I would like to thank the people of Lichfield District for continuing to do their very best to stick to the rules to protect themselves and others from this devastating virus that continues to take lives.

“It is unfortunate that the message is still not getting through to some individuals who continue to bend and even break the rules despite the ongoing seriousness of the situation across the district.

“Officers are continuing to carry out patrols to engage, encourage and explain the rules to anyone we feel is pushing the boundaries, and we will enforce these where necessary for people who continually refuse to adhere to restrictions.”

To find out more about what you can and can’t do during lockdown, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Notes on February 8th 2021 meeting

The February meeting of the Parish Council heard again from residents about the ongoing problems in Eddies Lane, where water from the archaeological excavations on the field was reaching garages as well as the lane itself. Elford’s hard working Flood Warden had attended and explained about discussions with the contractors on site which led him to hope that they would take action to solve this in the short term and in the long run reach a solution to the run off affecting The Beck and The Shrubbery as well as Eddies Lane.

A long discussion was held on comments to be sent to the Planning Officer now dealing with the site of the former Social Club. If the application was approved a sum of money could be agreed to be paid by the developer in compensation for the loss of the club, to be spent on upgrading the pavilion at the Sportsfield for community use. The Parish Council were keen to have this application resolved rather than leave the site as an eyesore in the centre of the village.

The Clerk reported on other matters including the continued problem of the road in Brickhouse Lane, measures against dog fouling, damage to the smaller climbing frame at the playground, and a proposal to use the phone kiosk as a book swapping facility.

For details on these and other issues discussed by your Councillors please see the Minutes section of the website http://elfordparish.co.uk/index.php/parish-council/minutes