Intouch summer 2015 by Lichfield District Council

Telephone 01543 308000 · www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine

SUMMER AND AUTUMN 2015

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New Friarsgate plans Designs for the city shopping, leisure and housing development will be unveiled this summer.

Who represents you?

Festival fever!

Your new-look council following May’s district council elections.

We’ve got a packed summer holiday programme of activities.

Check out our fab free events for all the family.

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PAGE 7

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Holiday fun

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

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www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/news Keep up to date on council news

Welcometo intouch

We’re pleased Burntwood Town Council is set to take over the running of the Old Mining College Centre in Chasetown from September. We have leased the building, which is owned by Staffordshire County

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council

Council, for more than 17 years, but

michael.wilcox@lichfielddc.gov.uk

believe the town council is in the best

Welcome to our summertime edition of intouch – Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine. It has council news, events and useful information.

facility and release its full potential.

Following May’s district council elections,

local development across the district

Play Area in Armitage, which we built

I was delighted to be voted in again,

up to 2029.

using developer contributions known as

position to manage this community In May we proudly opened Hawksyard

section 106 funding. It features a mix

and look forward to leading the council

This year has seen the restored

and working more closely with the city,

Herkenrode stained glass windows

of play equipment, paved sections, and picnic and seating areas.

town and rural councils. We have a

returned to Lichfield Cathedral. In

new Cabinet with two extra roles to

celebration, we worked in partnership

allow Cabinet Members to focus their

with the cathedral on a children’s

energy on specialised areas, even if they

exhibition, which was inspired by the

are in full time employment. Turn to

priceless glass.

pages 4 and 5 to see our centre-page spread of our new-look council. Our front page story is about the consultation on the new plans for

Above: Hawksyard Play Area, Armitage

Friarsgate – the proposed retail, leisure and housing development towards the Birmingham Road area of Lichfield. I urge you all to take a look at the plans in the upcoming public exhibition and to let us know your thoughts. In other news, we were pleased to formally adopt our Local Plan in February, after the planning inspector found it to be sound. The plan will guide

Above: Children's Herkenrode Exhibition

We’re now looking forward to a summer of fantastic events and festivals, including Beacon Park Fun Day, Lichfield Food Festival, Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park and Lichfield Heritage Weekend. I hope you find intouch interesting and that you have a great summer.

Financial control for Burntwood group Earlier this year we signed an agreement with Burntwood Business Community to allow £42,000 funding to be transferred to the group.

Above: Burntwood Miner and Pit Pony

The pot of money is the remainder of Burntwood’s share of the High Street Innovation funding that we were awarded by the government in 2012 to boost business on the high street. We transferred the funding in recognition of Burntwood Business Community being established with its own management committee of local traders and constitution. The committee is ideally placed to decide

how the money should be spent to support the local business community. Councillor Ian Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Development, said: “We’re confident this funding will be invested in projects that will benefit the local economy.” To find out more about Burntwood Business Community visit

www.burntwoodtown.uk/bbc

Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine

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Give your views on new Friarsgate plans

A brilliant BID! This July businesses across Lichfield will be voting on whether they want a Business Improvement District (or BID for short) in Lichfield.

This summer local people will get the chance to see the new plans for Friarsgate, the major city centre development, for the first time. The plans have been redesigned following changes in the economy since the leisure, retail and housing development was first proposed. As the landowner of the majority of the site, we are working closely with the developer, Development Securities PLC, to hold a series of public exhibitions this summer to showcase the new designs. Their proposals include shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, a cinema, residential apartments, a new bus station and a new car park.

See the new Friarsgate plans You can take a close look at the plans at two public events that will be held in the vacant unit opposite Greggs in Three Spires Shopping Centre, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 18 July and on Saturday 25 July. Representatives from Development Securities and the council will be on hand to answer questions and listen to your comments and views. The new plans will also be on display in the window of the same shop from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 25 July.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of the Council, said: “Lichfield’s Birmingham Road area needs to be revitalised in a way that will link up to and complement the rest of the city centre. If approved by our Planning Committee, Friarsgate will have a huge impact on our local economy. Projections are that it will create up to 630 jobs and help to boost sales and footfall to the whole city.” Following the public consultation, Development Securities will submit a planning application in the autumn, which will be considered by our Planning Committee early in 2016.

We are looking forward to sharing our revised proposals for Friarsgate and consulting with local people to gain valuable feedback. Our ambition is to create an exciting new mixed-use destination in the centre of Lichfield that complements the existing retail offer and further establishes the city centre as a thriving place to shop, eat and live. Scott Davidson Development Securities

To find out more visit

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/friarsgate

If the majority vote yes, this could see an extra £1 million funding raised by businesses to deliver new projects and initiatives across the city over the next five years. Projects in the BID Business Plan include free WiFi across the city, fantastic Christmas events, new signage, parking offers and more.

“By voting yes Lichfield city businesses will take control of their future. If successful the BID will see thousands of pounds raised by businesses for businesses, to help boost trade and footfall.“ Councillor Ian Pritchard Economic Growth & Development

To find out more visit

www.lichfieldbid.co.uk

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

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Get in touch with your councillor Thousands of you turned out to vote in May’s elections and here is your new-look council. Don’t forget to contact your ward councillor if you have a local issue you need advice on.

Email your councillor Our councillors’ email addresses start with their first name, followed by a dot, followed by their surname, and finished off with @lichfielddc.gov.uk – for example: michael.wilcox@lichfielddc.gov.uk

Cllr Ben Rayner

Cllr Margaret Stanhope MBE

Cllr Michael Wilcox

Cllr Richard Cox

Conservative

Alrewas and Fradley

Armitage with Handsacre

E 07729 530 020

E 01283 790215

E 07772 913 265

E 07814 832 117

Cllr Thomas Marshall

Cllr Martyn Tittley

Cllr Janet Eagland

Cllr Mark Warfield

Conservative

Armitage with Handsacre

Boley Park

E 01543 491625

E 01543 490758

E 01543 257102

E 01543 300934

Cllr Richard Bamborough

Cllr Diane Evans

Cllr Natasha Pullen

Cllr Brian Yeates

Conservative

Labour

Conservative

Boney Hay & Central

Bourne Vale

E 07517 502 175

E 01543 685447

E 07807 258 070

E 0121 323 2200

Cllr Marion Bland

Cllr Gwyneth Boyle

Cllr Eric Drinkwater

Cllr Susan Woodward

Liberal Democrat

Conservative

Labour

Chadsmead

Chase Terrace

E 01543 416449

E 01543 251684

E 01543 270030

E 01543 304711

Cllr Sharon Banevicius

Cllr Beth Fisher

Cllr Shirley Barnett

Cllr Jeanette Allsopp

Labour

Conservative

Chasetown

Colton & The Ridwares

Curborough

E 01543 270761

E 01543 305070

E 01889 577168

E 01543 256114

Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine

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www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/councillors Contact your councillor if you need help and advice

Cllr Norma Bacon

Cllr John Mills

Cllr Olivia Shepherd

Cllr Kenneth Humphreys

Conservative

UKIP

Conservative

Curborough

Fazeley

Hammerwich with Wall

E 07896 415 801

E 0121 288 1880

E 01827 261185

E 01543 671248

Cllr Doug Pullen

Cllr Douglas Constable

Cllr Helen Fisher

Cllr Bob Awty

Conservative

Hammerwich with Wall

Highfield

Leomansley

E 07877 105 542

E 01543 684685

E 07943 836 779

E 01785 662320

Cllr Iain Eadie

Cllr Andrew Smith

Cllr Elizabeth Hassall

Cllr Joseph Powell

Conservative

Leomansley

Little Aston & Stonnall

E 07916 139 803

E 07795 661 123

E 01543 374181

E 01543 255176

Cllr Ian Pritchard

Cllr Ashley Yeates

Cllr David Salter

Cllr Deb Baker

Conservative

Longdon

Mease Valley

Shenstone

St John’s

E 01543 472732

E 0121 323 2200

E 0121 308 4421

E 07785 246 391

Cllr Tim Matthews

Cllr Christopher Spruce

Cllr Colin Greatorex

Cllr Jon OHagan

Conservative

St John’s

Stowe

E 01543 255729

E 07879 714 003

E 01543 416677

E 07518 757 760

Cllr David Smedley

Cllr Brenda Constable

Cllr Richard Mosson

Cllr Heather Tranter

Conservative

Stowe

Summerfield & All Saints

E 01543 410389

E 01543 684685

E 01543 679003

E 01543 304226

Cllr David Leytham

Cllr Rob Strachan

Cllr Alan White

Conservative

Whittington & Streethay

E 07932 602 446

E 07708 696 958

E 01543 899462

Lichfield City Ward Lichfield Rural Ward Burntwood Town Ward

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

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www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit Report a problem online

Burntwood teens get sporty More than 40 young people from across Burntwood had a go at a range of sports sessions at a free taster event in May. The event was organised by Positive Futures, Beacon Community Church and Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services (SCVYS). On the day, young people had the chance to try a range of leisure activities offered by Positive Futures, as well as have a go at arts and crafts and find out about local health and volunteering projects. Positive Futures is the scheme that offers low cost activities for 10 to 19 years olds who live in or go to school in Burntwood. From dance and trampolining, through to running, streetcheer and boxing, there is plenty to have a go at. To see the programme of activities go to

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/positivefutures Positive Futures is funded (and hosted) by Lichfield District Council, as well as the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Lichfield District Locality Commissioning Board.

Cleaner streets Following a spate of recent fines, we’re warning dog owners once again to bag and bin their dogs’ mess. In recent months we’ve issued 13 fixed penalty notices (fines) of £80 to people for not clearing up after their dogs. We’ve also started court proceedings this year in two cases.

The results of last year’s Your View survey showed how much local people want us to continue our efforts to keep our pavements free of dog fouling, with 86 percent of respondents wanting us to target those who do not clean up after their dogs. We hope this recent enforcement action will encourage people to take more pride in their community. Councillor Colin Greatorex Cabinet Member for Housing & Health

To report a dog fouling hot spot in Lichfield District, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit or call 01543 308725.

MyStaffs app Become a dance leader If you’re a girl between 14 to 16 years of age, why not gain a qualification to lead a small group in simple dance activities by taking a Dance Leaders Level 1 Award? Run and funded by Positive Futures and Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, the course is free and is taking place at Burntwood Leisure Centre from 20 to 24 July 2015, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. It will allow you to lead a small group under adult supervision and it doesn’t involve an exam! To find out more and book your place email tazmin.hackett@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308835.

We’re working with Staffordshire County Council to make useful information about key district and county council services available on the MyStaffs app. This is a new mobile app which can be downloaded for free and is accessed using a smartphone or tablet. You can use the app to find out about waste services, school term dates, council tax, county roads, county events, sports facilities and more. Download the MyStaffs app from

Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/leisure Find out what’s on offer across our leisure centres and parks

Stowe Pool restoration funding bid www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk /stowe-pool

We’re working on a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund which could see up to £1 million invested into Stowe Pool to restore its historic characteristics. If successful, the funding could be spent on improvements such as a new entrance, refurbished paths, a new play area and more. The application will also include ways to get the local community more involved in Stowe Pool through education and volunteering.

“Stowe Pool is a popular open space in the heart of Lichfield. We’re keen to secure this funding so we can bring it up to the quality of Beacon Park, Minster Pool and the Garden of Remembrance, which underwent extensive restoration works in 2010 and 2011 as part of our Lichfield Historic Parks Project.” Councillor Andy Smith Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks

To give us your ideas about what you’d like to see at Stowe Pool, come along to a range of park events taking place this summer. Our Parks Team will be collecting views at the following events: Stowe Pool Bug Hunt on 22 July, 10am to 2pm Beacon Park Community Drop-in on 25 July, 11am to 12noon Beacon Park Fun Day on 12 August, 11am to 3pm

If you can’t make it to any of these events, but still want to give your views, please email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk

You can now sample our gyms using the new £10 one-week pass. This gives you seven days to try out the state-of-the-art equipment to see if you want to become a member or visit on a pay-as-you-go basis. Inspire Fitness at Burntwood Leisure Centre offers an extensive range of equipment and access to a spa pool, and a mixed sauna and steam room. Evolve Fitness at Friary Grange Leisure Centre boasts a recently refurbished gym with new equipment, flooring, lighting and decoration in a fully air conditioned environment. Find out more by calling Burntwood Leisure Centre on 01543 308810 or Friary Grange Leisure Centre on 01543 308842.

Above: Ranger Ted at Play Day

Summer holiday fun We’ve got lots of holiday activities at Burntwood and Friary Grange leisure centres and Beacon Park this summer. From swimming lessons and a gymnastics course, to boot camps and football offers, there are plenty of energetic activities across the district. And, remember to put a date in the diary for Beacon Park’s free Fun Day including the Teddy Races, on Wednesday 12 August from 11am to 3pm. For the full programme of summer activities visit

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk /holidayfun

Beacon Park Community Drop-in on 29 August, 11am to 12noon

One-week £10 gym pass

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/oneweekpass

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Above: Thomas Larkin at Fun Day

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

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www.visitlichfield.co.uk Find out about local festivals, events and attractions

Get in touch with Lichfield District Council www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ contacts

01543 308000

intouch If you need intouch in another format, such as large print, please call Esther Epstein on 01543 308778 or email esther.epstein@ lichfielddc.gov.uk

Which council? Sometimes it can be confusing to know which council is responsible for your local services as Lichfield District is also served by Staffordshire County Council and parish councils. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure which council does what, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/whichcouncil

Intouch is published by Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6ZB, Summer & Autumn 2015 ÂŠ Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this magazine is correct. However, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or disappointment arising from misinterpretation, error, omission or subsequent change to the information.