The Parish Council has been informed by Home Farm that there are a couple more maize deliveries next week, but probably not too noticeable, and we are grateful to them for keeping us informed.

Driving through the village? Please drive slowly and carefully! A much loved cat was killed last week in Church Road close to the junction with The Beck and The Shrubbery. Please be aware that pets or even children may be crossing the road and take care!

Flood warnings and alerts can be sent to you by text, phone message or email if you sign up to the free Environment Agency service.

Register on https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings 

or phone 0345 988 1188

Every week the County Council along with District and Borough Councils reviews the number of cases of Covid-19 and identifies hotspots with the highest numbers of infections in the previous 2 weeks. People in these areas are advised to take extra care to stop the spread of the virus. They are also advised to get a test even if they don’t have symptoms.

All residents who need to be out and about in Staffordshire during the lockdown are also being urged to have regular Covid-19 tests, even if they don’t have symptoms.

You can book a test only if you have no symptoms at Welcome to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Community Test Sites Appointment System (zipporah.co.uk)  You are allowed to leave home to take a test.If there is no availability, you can book a traditional test at one of the national sites at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus  and choose the option “my council has asked me to book a test”.

Anyone with symptoms should only book a national test. Anyone who is self-isolating as a close contact should only book a test if they develop symptoms and this should be through the national system only.Details of hotspot areas and community testing sites for this week are as follows:

Hotspot Locations

Lichfield – Alrewas & Fradley, Shenstone, Little Aston & Stonall, Chasetown, Summerfield & All Saints

Community Testing for Lichfield District is available  from tomorrow (Tuesday) until Saturday at Lichfield FC situated on Eastern Avenue in Lichfield. Tuesday 9-3, Wednesday to Saturday 10-4.

Dog owners are requested to please:

• Take your doggy bags with you every time you walk your dog
• Clear up your dog’s poop and put it in the bag
• Put the bag in the dog waste bins or take it home
• Take a torch if it is dark so you can see if Fido has done anything!
• Watch your dogs, especially when they are off the lead (not your phone, or someone you’ve met!)
• Remind your teenagers to do the above!
• Plus don’t let your pet bark or jump up at other people – some people are scared of them!

Everyone should pick up and bin the poop – but if they don’t, please report it to Lichfield District Council on www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/dogfouling

More details on reporting can be found here

Envronmental Health will be making frequent patrols of the village to advise dog owners.

During lockdown starting January 5th the playground will remain open but please only use this with members of your own household or support bubble.

The outdoor gym equipment must not be used.

Although the Village Hall will be closed on most days the Post Office will continue between 10 and 12 on Tuesday mornings, please observe all the social distancing rules.

The taxi will not run on Friday mornings during lockdown.

Please follow the link for detailed government advice on Lockdown https://files/National_Lockdown_Guidance.pdf

The Parish Council met online on Monday night, beginning with Open Forum when we were informed that a contractor’s HGVs had used Eddies Lane to access the field which is earmarked for development. The Parish Council had informed the Planning Department and would help to resolve this.

Planning applications were discussed –

• a new application to change the access and gateway which Lichfield District Council had refused at Elford Lowe Farm
• an application to demolish the former Clarke’s Depot garage and replace the rear buildings with others for storage and light industrial use
• The former application at the Social Club would be chased up as no progress had been made
• No further information had been received on the application for 25 houses on land off The Shrubbery

Brickhouse Lane remained in poor condition and discussions continued with Highways on a longer term solution.

Concerns were expressed about fast traffic in Church Road near the junction with The Beck, where a cat was recently killed. The Parish Council would help with signage encouraging drivers to slow down.

The Environmental Health Officer was patrolling regularly to encourage responsible dog ownership and reminders about dog fouling would be on Facebook and the website.

More details available in the Minutes on http://www.elfordparish.co.uk

Lichfield District Council has sent the following news release:

Prosecution for dog fouling offences

A man from Fazeley has been ordered to pay £1,852 after he was seen not clearing up after his three dogs.

On 9 December 2020 Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court found Rob Grice, from Victoria Drive in Fazeley, guilty of three dog fouling offences.

The case was brought by Lichfield District Council after Mr Grice did not pay the three fixed penalty notices issued to him after a council officer witnessed him not clearing up after each of his three dogs.

The court ordered Mr Grice to pay a fine of £1,320, costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £132 – a total of £1,852. 

Councillor Angela Lax, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Housing & Health, said: “This sends a clear message to any irresponsible dog walkers, who don’t clean up after their pets, that we take this issue very seriously.” 

To tackle problem dog fouling, the council drops off reporting cards to local homes in hot spot areas to get intelligence from community members. 

This includes the location and the times when dog fouling appears, and a description of anyone seen not cleaning up after their dogs. 

Since the introduction of the cards the council has been able to do more targeted patrols. This has contributed to a reduction of more than half of reports of dog fouling that needs to be removed across the district.

To report a dog fouling location or problem area in Lichfield District, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/report.