Telephone 01543 308000 · www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDCNews
SUMMER & AUTUMN 2018
We’re going digital! Request council services online PAGE 5
New look Visit Lichfield
20 years of Lichfield Proms
Waste Less questionnaire
Encouraging more people to discover the district.
End the summer in style as we celebrate our twentieth anniversary.
Help us to understand how we can help you to recycle more.
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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 residents’ magazine. You’ll have seen in the news recently that we are now focussing on new plans for the Birmingham Road site in Lichfield. This is following the news that a funder could not be found by 30 June for the planned Friarsgate development, which means it is no longer going ahead. While it’s hugely disappointing for everyone, we’re confident the site still offers great potential for a refreshed mixed-use development that better meets the needs of our growing community and the changing face of today’s high streets. We are looking forward to involving local people and businesses in these discussions.
In other news, we have very much enjoyed working with Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust to distribute £134,000 to four art projects, as part of our Lichfield City Art Fund. We awarded £50,000 to Lichfield Cathedral to create a bronze sculpture of St Chad. We gave £44,000 to St Mary’s in the Market Square for a performance space for community groups to use. Erasmus Darwin House received £25,000 for a sculpture based on the work of Erasmus Darwin, and Lichfield Festival had £13,752 for July’s fantastic Puppet Parade. This summer we launched our Investment Prospectus, which is helping us to promote Lichfield District to more new businesses. From our strong new business survival rate, through to our development and investment opportunities, the prospectus illustrates why companies across the country and beyond should settle their businesses in the heart of England and make Lichfield District their home.
In a national review of local government websites, we scored four out of four stars, which puts us in the top 4% of districts and boroughs nationwide and in the top 9% of local government websites overall. This is great news and we hope even more people will start using our website as it has a wealth of information and plenty of ways to access services online. See more on page 5. We have a packed LDC News for you, from improvements to Burntwood Leisure Centre and the relaunch of our Visit Lichfield brand, through to finding out how to be a councillor. Also, don’t forget to book your tickets for our Drive-in Movies at Beacon Park on 10 and 11 August, and to put a date in the diary for our twentieth Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park on Saturday 1 September.
We hope you find LDC News informative and useful and that you have a fantastic summer.
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
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Brand new Visit Lichfield In partnership with Lichfield BID, we launched the new Visit Lichfield brand and marketing campaign in June. It included unveiling a new look logo and a series of adverts that are being displayed at high footfall areas around the UK, including at airports and train stations and on buses. The campaign was led by Lichfield City Centre Development Partnership, with the aim to raise the profile of Lichfield to a regional and national audience with a new, eye-catching brand. It promotes Lichfield as a city for heritage, culture, leisure, festivals, browsing and hospitality. Cllr Ian Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Environment & Development Services, said: “The distinctive brand, combined with our new Visit Lichfield website, and the high profile advertising campaign, is sure to help many more people to find their way to our beautiful district.” Paul Maddox, Chairman of Lichfield Business Improvement District (BID), added: “We were happy to help fund the brand redesign and advertising campaign. We know if we can get our message out and
show a wider audience what we have to offer visitors, we will boost footfall to our attractions, eateries, shops and hotels.” To find out more about Visit Lichfield, and to sign up to the monthly e-newsletter that's packed with seasonal events, go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk
The launch of the Visit Lichfield brand
And, it’s not just key tourism partners that recognise Lichfield as a prime tourist destination. We recently received some glowing feedback about the city, which we wanted to share with you.
“There is an ambience in Lichfield that we don’t experience in other Midland towns and cities. The range of shops and hostelries is really impressive, as is the cleanliness of the city and its approaches. We find the people of Lichfield to be polite and friendly and it’s obvious they care about their city. For me, a seat in the Remembrance Garden, listening to the cathedral bells and watching the gulls performing on Minster Pool is a sublime treat. In these times, when some places can seem unwelcoming, Lichfield stands head and shoulders above the rest.”
The Visit Lichfield team at the launch
Keith Bennett, Kenilworth resident
New and improved Visit Lichfield website! As part of the Visit Lichfield rebrand, we have re-launched our tourism website www.visitlichfield.co.uk - to promote Lichfield District as a great visitor destination.
It shows off the district’s stunning attractions and venues through beautiful imagery and has all the information visitors need to plan their stay. From information about attractions to a packed calendar of local events, through to guided tours, accommodation and local eateries, it’s the place to go to find out how to get the most out of living in and visiting Lichfield District.
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LDC News
Active Lichfield District online www.activelichfield.co.uk We have updated our Active Lichfield website and it's a great place to head for all your leisure needs.
www.facebook.com/lichfielddc Like us on Facebook to see our posts
It supports our ambition to help more people to become more active more often – whatever your age. All our Getin2it sessions are listed on the site. These weekly classes are aimed at 9 to 25 year olds, and include boxing, parkour, dance, multi sports, trampolining and more. They run at Burntwood and Lichfield venues, generally cost £1, and don’t need to be booked. You’ll also find information on the Active Lichfield health and wellbeing sessions we run for over 50s, including walking football and netball. Active Lichfield has local sports and
leisure club listings, as well as our holiday fun programme, which includes activities at Beacon Park and our Getin2it sessions. On top of this, we have information on Burntwood and Friary Grange Leisure Centres, including the class and swimming pool timetables, and the site is a useful gateway to Freedom Leisure’s website.
Summer fun Investment at Beacon Park in Burntwood Leisure Centre In the spring, Freedom Leisure announced that in partnership with the council it would be investing £1.17 million into improvements to Burntwood Leisure Centre.
From pond dip and family rounders days, trails, multi-sports sessions and a make a paper aeroplane day, there is plenty to keep children busy at Beacon Park all summer-long. A family friendly highlight of Beacon Park’s summer calendar is our annual Fun Day on Wednesday 8 August from 11am to 3pm. It features inflatable fun, a carousel, stalls, games and more. It’s free entry, although there is a small charge for some activities. Children can also bring along their teddy bears to compete in the popular Teddy Races. For all our summer holiday activities, go to www.activelichfield.co.uk/holidayfun
The phased improvements include introducing a new café, an extended gym, a poolside sauna, a cycle studio and completing energy efficiency works. After announcing the plans, some customers raised concerns about replacing the health suite with a poolside sauna. Freedom Leisure is now reviewing this phase of the improvements and is considering alternative options based on customer feedback. Geoff Beadle, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, commented:
“This is a really exciting chance to boost the leisure centre for all users and encourage new ones too, once they are aware of the new state-of-the-art facilities on their doorstep.”
Working together for a more active district
“We are really grateful to our customers for feeding back on the plans, and we’re taking this opportunity to look once again at the health suite as we want to make sure the improvements are right for our leisure centre users.” Cllr David Leytham, Cabinet Member for Leisure, added: “We’re confident these improvements will help to make sure that Burntwood Leisure Centre continues to offer top facilities and that even more residents will be inspired to access them to help get fit and healthy.” Burntwood Leisure Centre will remain open throughout the works and Freedom Leisure aims to keep as many facilities open as possible. Keep up to date on the progress of the improvements at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk
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LDC News
Act fast to access insulation funding Through our Warmer Homes Greener District energy advice service, we’re encouraging local households to access funding for loft or cavity wall insulation this summer before new rules change who will be eligible for the grants. To qualify, you don’t need to be on benefits or on a low income, but this is set to change at the end of the summer. Cllr Ashley Yeates, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Housing & Wellbeing, said: “It’s hard to think about your home’s insulation in the summer, but after last year’s cold winter, which led to an increase in energy consumption and higher bills, it’s really important to plan ahead. “Rather than lose money through poor insulation, contact our energy advice line today to access grants to help get your home up to standard. There is no income or benefits criteria, but this will change soon, so act fast!” Our Warmer Homes Greener District advisors can offer advice and can refer households on to accredited installers who can complete the works. Freephone Warmer Homes Greener District on 0800 677 1543 or email whgd@mea.org.uk
Warmer Homes Greener District is a partnership between Lichfield District Council, Marches Energy Agency and Beat the Cold.
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/carparkmap A handy map of our city centre car parks
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
LDC News
www.visitlichfield.co.uk For festivals, events, visitor attractions and more
Celebrating 20 years of Lichfield Proms
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Prime seating
You’re all invited to our twentieth Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park on Saturday 1 September!
Join thousands of people from across the region at Beacon Park to enjoy a stunning evening of music, picnics and fireworks. The free entry event will start at 5.30pm with children’s rides and entertainment. From 6pm
the City of Lichfield Concert Band will play popular classics and film score medleys, while audience members get settled. The British Police Symphony Orchestra will take to the stage at 7.30pm and will be joined by classically trained singers and compere Danny Mizon, who will take you through the main concert. Programme highlights include music from La Bohème, Star Trek, Dambusters March, a World War One medley and all the favourite proms anthems. The night will be brought to a close with a fireworks display with plenty of flag waving and a patriotic sing-song.
To make the evening even more special, book prime seating at tables set up in front of the stage. It costs £15 a seat which can be booked in multiples of four or six. To find out more and to book your prime seating, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ lichfieldproms or call 01543 308869.
Lichfield Heritage Weekend Stand for what you Celebrating 100 years of…. believe in www.beacouncillor.co.uk
This year the city will celebrate a number of centenaries, including votes for women, Armistice Day, and the first woman to be ordained in a congregational church. Heritage attractions, including Lichfield Cathedral, The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum and Erasmus Darwin House, will throw open their doors for free and offer events and activities. There will also be guided tours on offer. On Saturday there is plenty going on at Lichfield’s Market Square, with Dr Johnson’s 309th birthday celebrations and cake. There will also be a children’s craft activity and free face painting, as well as a
programme of entertainment, including music from Lichfield City Concert Band and Blast Off, a performance by Fired Up Theatre, and the city council’s Mini Town Crier competition. For the full programme check www.visitlichfield.co.uk/ heritageweekend nearer the time.
Put a date in the diary for Lichfield Heritage Weekend on 22 and 23 September.
If you care about the area that you live or work in and the issues facing local people, we need you! Discover what it’s like to be a local councillor and how rewarding the role can be at our ‘Be a Councillor’ event on 10 October 2018. Find out about: • what the council does and the role of a councillor • important skills for councillors • relationships, networking, stakeholders and influencing We’re hoping people from different backgrounds, experiences and positions will consider standing for election in May 2019. At the event, you’ll hear from current councillors, as well as have the opportunity to meet a team from the Local Government Association, who work to support councillor development across the country. To register your interest in attending, please email christine.lewis@lichfielddc.gov.uk
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LDC News
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/bins Find out what goes in which bin
WASTE LESS questionnaire
Please complete this questionnaire to help us to find out how we can help you to waste less and recycle more.
How much do you recycle in your blue bin each fortnight? • More than half of my household waste • Around half of my household waste • Less than half of my household waste • I don’t recycle
If you do not recycle all you can, please tell us why not. (Tick all that apply) • I don’t know what to recycle • It’s too much bother to wash it out • I don’t believe it gets recycled • I don’t have anywhere to store my recycling inside • Recycling isn’t offered where I live • Other
Would any of the below help you to recycle more? (Tick all that apply)
• A guide to tell me what to recycle • More advice about how to recycle • Evidence that my waste is being recycled • Information about what my waste is being recycled into • Other Are you concerned about plastic packaging and the damage it is doing to the environment? • Yes No • A bit • I haven’t thought about it Are you trying to cut down on the plastic you use? • Yes No • A bit
For tips on how to reduce your waste and recycle more visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/wasteless
Join our residents’ focus group If you care about your local area and the services delivered by the council, why not join our focus group to help shape our future plans? Focus group members will be invited in to feed into our next Strategic Plan (2020 to 2024) this autumn, as well as give their views on our budget and new digital services throughout the year. To find out more and sign up to our residents' focus group email alison.bowen@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Would you like to find out how you can cut down on the waste you produce? • Yes • No
If you haven’t signed up to have your brown bin emptied, please tell us why not. (Tick all that apply)
• • • • •
No garden / small garden I disagree with the charge I can’t afford it I compost at home Other
Thank you for filling in this questionnaire.
Please post the survey back to us at Freepost JOINT WASTE or pop it into District Council House on Frog Lane in Lichfield by 3 September 2018.
Contact Lichfield DistrictCouncil www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ contacts
01543 308000 W
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Contact your councillor www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ councillors If you have a local issue you need advice on contact your district councillor.
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 2018 © 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.