Telephone 01543 308000 · www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDCNews
Seeking more properties
Active Lichfield District We’re encouraging everyone to get active across the district
PAGE 4
SUMMER & AUTUMN 2017
Festival of sport A week of free taster courses, family activities and gym sessions
If you have a property to rent out, we can help find you a tenant
Help us to prevent local sites being used to dump illicit waste
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
Tackling illicit waste sites
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
02
LDC News
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/news Keep up to date on council news
Welcome to LDC News Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council
michael.wilcox@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Welcome to our summer and autumn edition of LDC News – Lichfield District Council’s magazine for local residents. In this issue we highlight our campaign to tackle illicit waste sites, which is even more pertinent now, following the fire at the former GKN warehouse in Lichfield in June, where tonnes of waste had been dumped by criminals. We also reveal our new approach to tackling dog fouling on our streets, which we know is one of your biggest bugbears.
Above: Active Lichfield District website launches
We recently launched a new Active Lichfield District website which puts all of our leisure activities in one place, to make it easier for more people to take part in regular exercise. There is plenty for children to get up to over the summer holidays, and this year we’re offering a week of free tasters
at the start of the school break as part of our Festival of Sport. We also have a full programme of summer activities at our leisure centres and Beacon Park, which includes the park’s Fun Day on 2 August and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s SPACE initiative, which offers 11 to 17 year olds a £20 summer pass for unlimited activities throughout the holiday. With summer in full swing, we are all looking forward to a packed line-up of festivals and events, including Beacon Park’s first ever Drive-In Movie followed by Lichfield Proms. There’s also the chance to celebrate Garrick300 and Samuel Johnson’s birthday at Lichfield Heritage Weekend, which rounds off the summer nicely.
Above: Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park
Fire safety in light of tragedy The devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London has focussed attention on the fire safety in high rise buildings across the country. There are seven blocks over 18 metres high in the district and, although we do not own or manage them, we have joint responsibility with the fire service for enforcing fire safety in them. After satisfying our initial enquiries that none of the blocks are clad with Polyisocyanurate and that fire safety procedures are in place, we are inspecting
each building to confirm that fire prevention standards are being met. Cllr Doug Pullen, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Housing & Wellbeing, said: “Our thoughts are with all those caught up in the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. The terrible fire has highlighted how important it is to double check local arrangements, and we are working with the fire service to make sure local tower blocks are compliant with all relevant fire safety standards.”
Friarsgate news The developer of Friarsgate, U+I, has announced that five more well-known high street names have signed up to the city centre scheme. This includes the clothing retailer Seasalt, and leading food names including Marks & Spencer, Le Bistrot Pierre, Patisserie Valerie and Starbucks. The announcement follows the news that The Light will open a seven screen cinema and Pizza Express, Zizzi and the Handmade Burger Company will also be coming to Friarsgate. More top name retail lettings are in the pipeline and these will be announced in the coming months. When complete, Friarsgate will join seamlessly to Three Spires Shopping centre. On top of around 25 shops and food and drink establishments, it will include 82 apartments and 11 townhouses, a new bus station and a car park with 475 spaces. To find out more visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/friarsgate
LDC News If you need LDC News in another format, such as large print, please call Esther Epstein on 01543 308778 or email esther.epstein @lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDC News
twitter.com/lichfield_dc Follow us on Twitter
Tourist info sets up shop in Lichfield Library
03
Plans for St Mary’s
Pictured: Tourist information at Lichfield Library
In April our tourist information service moved temporarily to Lichfield Library on The Friary, to allow work to take place to transform St Mary’s in the Market Square into the city’s new library and a community hub. You’ll find our tourist information desk on the ground floor of Lichfield Library in the main building, where you will also discover lots of brochures and guides to attractions across the district and beyond. Our tourism information service is open daily from Monday to Saturday between 9.30am and 3.45pm. To find out more about tourism across the district, from upcoming events to local heritage venues, go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk
Staffordshire County Council’s £1.2 million investment will transform St Mary’s, opening up the ground floor to accommodate the library. The library will include WiFi, touchscreen tables, large computer tablets and two 3D printers. Ground floor works include exposing the church’s 19th century columns, incorporating etched glass screens into the new layout and keeping the altar, organ, choir stalls and pews at the east end in a study area. Plans for the first floor include a balcony overlooking the ground floor, and a central performance and exhibition space. It will also include a permanent museum and an archive access point. Work to create the new library is expected to start this summer and be complete by spring next year. As LDC News went to print, our councillors were set to consider plans to relocate our tourist information service into St Mary’s when it opens next year.
Artist’s impression of St Mary’s exciting plans
Garden waste charge from 2018
We will send you more information about how to sign up on the back of your usual bin calendar later this year, and we’ll be
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/gardenfaqs
encouraging people to join the new
Due to funding cuts and budget pressures, from 1 January 2018 we are introducing a charge for our fortnightly garden waste recycling service.
of brown bin collections.
scheme early to benefit from a full year If you don’t sign up straightaway, you don’t
Brown bin collections will cost from £36 a
no choice but to consider making difficult
need to do anything, but we will leave you
year, and our new chargeable service will
decisions across the board.
with your brown bin in case you want to opt
run from January to December. Cllr Iain Eadie, Cabinet Member for
“As providing a garden waste service is not a statutory duty, one alternative we
in at a later date. You can join the scheme at any point. However, if you sign up later in
Operational Services, Leisure & Waste, said:
have looked at is stopping the service
the year you will not benefit from a full year
“Charging for our garden waste service is
completely. However, we have lots of
of collections, but you will still have to pay
not a decision we took lightly. However,
passionate local gardeners and we
the full annual charge.
vast reductions in government funding and
want to be able to continue to offer
other factors, which mean we are facing a
them a garden waste collection service,
£626,000 funding gap in 2018/19 and a
which is why we will be maintaining
further £2 million funding gap in 2019/20
the service on a chargeable basis, rather
and more in future years, mean we have
than withdrawing it.”
If you have a small garden and don’t produce much garden waste, you could consider bin sharing with a neighbour and split the costs. There’s also the option to compost at home or to use a Household Recycling Centre (tip). You can find your nearest tip at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/tips
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
04
LDC News
twitter.com/ActiveLichfield Follow Active Lichfield on Twitter
Get online Get active
From swimming and squash to Zumba and football, we have a wide range of activities and classes at our leisure centres and parks to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Visit our new website
www.activelichfield.co.uk
to check out our facilities and activities.
MEMBERS CAN NOW BOOK ONLINE!
If you are a member of Burntwood or Friary Grange leisure centres, or have a Leisure Activity Passport, you can now book courts, pitches and classes online.
Go to www.activelichfield.co.uk / bookonline to book your activity today!
Get active for less Save up to 30% on leisure activities across the district with a Leisure Activity Passport (LAP).
Benefits include discounted prices at Burntwood, Friary and King Edward VI leisure centres and Beacon Park. You can also book courts, pitches and classes online up to seven days in advance and benefit from special offers. The annual cost of a LAP is £25 for adults, £5 for children and students and £40 for a family. They are free for concessions, which includes anyone aged over 60, anyone with a disability or registered carers.
To find out more visit www.activelichfield.co.uk/lap
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDC News
www.facebook.com/activelichfield Like Active Lichfield on Facebook
05
Free summer activities To kick start the summer holiday we’re running a week of free taster sessions across the district to showcase the range of facilities and activities we offer. As part of our Festival of Sport, everyone
Unlimited fun for 11 to 17 year olds
is invited to try classes and activities at Burntwood and Friary Grange leisure centres and in a number of Lichfield and Burntwood parks between 24 and 30 July.
Above Wimbledon stars of the future
Children and young people can have a go at free sporty coaching course tasters,
free activities, such as cricket, golf,
We’re offering lots of summer activities and sessions to young people, thanks to funding from the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner’s SPACE scheme.
tennis, archery and family yoga.
If you’re aged between 11 and 17 you
including tennis, judo, football and trampolining. We’ll also be offering free sessions in our gyms to anyone aged 14 +. Over at our parks, we will be running Above Free walking football session
At our leisure centres there will be free classes to choose from, including walking
Check out what’s on offer at
can buy a Summer Pass for just £20
football, ballet inspired exercise sessions,
www.activelichfield.co.uk/
and enjoy unlimited activities throughout
clubbercise, bootcamp and more.
festivalofsport
the summer holidays.
For our full summer holiday activity programme visit www.activelichfield.co.uk/holidayfun
The pass includes activities at Friary and Burntwood leisure centres, such as unlimited swimming at public
Fun Day
swimming times and off peak court hire, including tennis, badminton,
Put a date in the diary for Beacon Park’s free Fun Day on Wednesday 2 August from
squash and table tennis.
11am to 3pm. The free entry event includes teddy races, stalls, games and much more. So, don’t forget your cuddly toy and enjoy a fantastic family day in beautiful Beacon Park!
activities for young people that take
You can also join in Getin2it’s summer place in Lichfield and Burntwood, Glow Active UV Sport sessions, and bowls and crazy golf in Beacon Park. SPACE Summer Passes are on sale at
www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk/whats-on
Burntwood and Friary Grange leisure centres – just ask at reception.
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
06
LDC News
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/housingoptions For housing help and advice
Local football club handed keys to Hammerwich park In June Burntwood Dragons & Phoenix Football Club took over the management of Coppy Nook playing fields on Hospital Road in Hammerwich. We still retain ownership of the playing fields with Hammerwich Parish Council, but the football club is now managing the site, which includes five grass pitches, a changing block, car park and play area.
“It’s really important community assets, such as the playing fields, are used and looked after by the people who know them best. Burntwood Dragons & Phoenix Football Club will keep public access to the fields unrestricted, while we hope using their new position to grow the number of people who are involved in sport.” Councillor Iain Eadie Cabinet Member for Leisure
We’re raising awareness of how important it is for dog owners to keep their dog’s microchip details up to date and to make sure they always wear a collar and tag with the correct details.
Interested in managing an open space?
We would like to see more people making the decisions about what happens in their areas. If your sports club is interested in managing a local public open space, please contact us by emailing parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Do you own a house or flat that you rent out, or are you thinking about it? If yes, we could take the hassle out of finding new tenants. With around 1,400 people on the waiting
problem such as unpaid rent. Cllr Doug
list for a home in the district, we are
Pullen, Cabinet Member for Regulatory
urging private landlords to come forward
Services, Housing & Wellbeing, said:
Our housing options team will help
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lostdogs
Doing so is a legal requirement and provides the best and fastest way to be reunited with your dog if it goes missing. Last year, because their owners hadn’t updated these details, 5,000 stray dogs couldn’t be reunited with their owners and faced being rehomed or in some cases put to sleep. Please help us to reduce the number of local strays and reunite more dogs with their owners.
We need more properties! and offer their properties.
Never lose your best friend
“Even if just one or two properties became available for people on our housing
to match you up with a suitable tenant.
waiting list, this would be such a help.
We can also offer a deposit guarantee,
We have a big shortage of properties
and even underwrite potential losses
across the district, so if you can help please
(up to a certain amount), if there is a
get in touch with our housing team.”
If you are interested in putting your property forward, please call our housing options team on 01543 308711 or email housingoptions@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Private landlords’ Forum www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/plf We run a forum for private landlords and lettings agents. We generally meet up to four times a year to give updates on the latest regulations and legislation, new services and training. To sign up to the mailing list please email housing@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDC News
www.facebook.com/lichfielddc Like us on Facebook
07
Working together to tackle illicit waste sites We have been working with other Staffordshire councils, the fire service and the Environment Agency to tackle illicit waste dumps. There is a growing problem of organised criminals using out of the way land or empty warehouses to dump waste illegally. And, following a fire in Lichfield at the former GKN warehouse on Crossfields Road in June, where tonnes of baled waste had been dumped, it has never been more
Tackling dog fouling hotspots
important to get the message out to our residents, businesses and landowners. We are calling on everyone to look out for the signs that local sites might be being used in this way. It could include a disused warehouse or an out of the way farmer’s field.
We’re addressing the sticky issue of dog fouling street by street, and if a dog fouling hotspot is reported to us, we’ll deliver postcards to local homes that urge residents to help us put an end to it. The postcards ask anyone with information to report it to the council, including the places and times the dog fouling is appearing, a description of the owner and dog, and the address if known. This is so we can target our patrols effectively, to stand a better chance of catching the culprits and issuing fixed penalty notices of up to £80 on the spot or going to an immediate prosecution.
Everyone can help by looking out for: I
I
lorries or trucks accessing a site or
end up being responsible for the cost
travelling down country lanes at
of disposing of it, which can run into
unsociable hours
tens of thousands of pounds.
bad smells and the number of flies increasing during hot weather
Businesses and landowners can help us and themselves by: I
thoroughly checking prospective tenants to make sure they are
I
Remember, if your property or land is used as an illicit waste site, you might
If you have any suspicions, call our environmental health team on 01543 308725 or email pollution@lichfielddc.gov.uk. You can also report concerns to the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060.
“Through our new targeted approach, we hope communities will come together to help us put an end to dog fouling on local streets and green spaces, and that our postcards will reinforce the message to dog owners that they must always clean up after their dogs.” Councillor Doug Pullen Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Housing & Wellbeing
Every establishment or business that
who they say they are
produces waste across the UK has a
To report a dog fouling hotspot or
visiting /checking leased land or
responsibility to manage it properly.
any information you have, please visit
properties early in the contract to
The Right Waste, Right Place website
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit or
make sure no waste is being
helps you to comply with the law at:
email pollution@lichfielddc.gov.uk
dumped on site
www.rightwasterightplace.com
or call 01543 308725.
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
08
LDC News
www.visitlichfield.co.uk For festivals, events, visitor attractions and more
Contact Lichfield District Council www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ contacts
01543 308000
W
Contact your councillor www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ councillors
If you have a local issue you need advice on contact your district councillor.
More news
To follow council news throughout the year, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/news W
Feedback
To give us your feedback about LDC News, please call Esther Epstein on 01543 308778 or email esther.epstein@lichfielddc.gov.uk LDC News is published by Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield WS13 6ZB, summer 2017 Š Every effort has been make to make sure the information in the 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.