Spring ’11

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Cannock Chase CouncilCivic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG | Tel: 01543 462621

Email: customerservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Produced by the Corporate Communications and Engagement Team

Welcome to the spring edition of Chase Matters from Cannock Chase Council. The winter months are behind us now and we can all look forward to lighter nights and, hopefully, some brighter weather!

The snow in December and January brought some of the worst weather conditions for some time. It certainly made collecting your bins diffi cult. But I’m sure you’ll join me in praising our waste and recycling crews who worked in some horrible conditions to make sure that there were as few disruptions as possible to this important service. They really did go above and beyond!

The arrival of spring means the chance to get out and about. There’s a special feature in this edition of Chase Matters on some of the great outdoor sites we manage for you. Hope you get out and enjoy them this spring!

Stephen Brown, Chief Executive

Welcome Contents Chief Executive’s

3 Work to start in April on Chase Leisure Centre modernisation

5 Boxing clever - new Right Stuff clubs in the District

7 New cows set to moo-ve on to Hednesford Hills

12 Elections 2011: Don’t lose your democratic right

14 Green light for Rugeley Tesco

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Chase Leisure Centre and Rugeley Leisure Centre have both receivedglowing praise from their customers.

Hundreds of people completed an annual customer satisfaction survey and 95% of Chase and 99% of Rugeley customers were satisfi ed with their overall visit. A huge 93% (Chase) and 94% (Rugeley) were satisfi ed with the helpfulness of staff.

Memberships for Chase Leisure Centre and Rugeley Leisure Centre start from as little as £6.40 a week. Call Rugeley on 01889 586260 or Chase on 01543 504065 log on to www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk for more information.

Although the main swimming pool and the teaching pool will both be closed for up to 14 months, the modernisation project will be phased so that the Sports Hall and Fitness Suite will remain open throughout.

The new fi tness suite will be developed in one of the fi rst phases of the construction and is expected to be available to the public in early 2012. All of the dry-side activities including group exercise, badminton, football, health and fi tness and indoor bowls etc will continue to be available during the construction. Cannock Park Golf Course will also remain open.

Every effort is being made to minimise the impact of the pool closure at the leisure centre. From April the weekly opening hours at Rugeley Leisure Centre will be increased to provide as much additional pool time as possible for the public and to accommodate swimming lessons. All of the proposed works will help drive our ongoing commitment to increasing physical activity levels across all age groups in the District, with

particular emphasis on providing modern facilities that will meet customer expectations now and in the future.

We know that the existing pool and facilities at Chase Leisure Centre are old and in need of major investment and if we don’t take action now, we could end up either closing the facility or facing huge maintenance bills in the future.

This exciting modernisation project will deliver signifi cant improvements and provide modern top class facilities during 2012.

What’s changing?The modernisation will produce a leisure centre fi t for the 21st century with modern, top-class facilities. A new swimming pool changing village will be created, as well as a state-of-the-art new fi tness suite with dedicated changing rooms. Space for spectators will be increased and the pool will be refurbished. It will be fi tted with a moveable fl oor and will be a 25 m competition pool.

Rugeley Leisure Centre has been named as one of the top leisure centres in the whole country.

The team working at the leisure centre in Burnthill Lane triumphed in a national quality award called Quest, which examines more than 20 elements of top-quality leisure provision including customer care, community initiatives and the presentation and housekeeping of the building. The assessment consisted of mystery visits and a two-day on-site assessment and saw a huge score of 90% for Rugeley Leisure Centre, making it the joint fi fth ranked facility out of 900 in the UK.

Business as usualWork is expected to start on the modernisation and refurbishment of Chase Leisure Centre in April. This exciting project will deliver modern, top-class facilities. And the good news is that most of the centre will remain open to the public throughout the construction project.

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Safe as housesThis spring make sure the only one spring cleaning your home is you! Here are 10 top tips for keeping you and your possessions safe this spring.

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Burglars like to work undercover - trim hedges back

Make sure garden gates are secure and fi t trellis to deter burglars

Keep garden tools locked away

THINK - has your shed survived the winter without damage? If not, don’t delay - FIX it straight away

Use an alarm - if you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage

Get on your bike - but make sure it’s fi tted with a good padlock or chain

Planning a spring getaway? Install timer switches on lights and radios

Spring clean your home - make sure high value items are kept hidden from view

Make sure windows and door locks are in good repair

Joggers beware - thieves target mobile phones and MP3 players - always stay alert

For more information on how to keep one step ahead of the thieves speak to your local PCSO (police community support offi cer) by visiting www.staffordshire.police.uk

Love Food Hate WasteDid you know that every year UK homes throw away £12 billion in wasted good food - that’s the equivalent of £50 a month for a family?

When food is placed into landfi ll sites it produces harmful greenhouse gases, including C0 . If we all stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the C0 impact would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 4 cars off the road.

To help stop the waste, we’re joining up with other councils across the West Midlands to help you make more of the food you buy, reduce food waste sent to landfi ll and save money.

Two of the main reasons we throw food out are: we cook or prepare too much or food goes off before we’re able to eat it.

Earlier this month the West Midlands ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign launched a four-month programme of events, including talks and cookery workshops, all aimed at giving you advice and inspiration so you can make the most of the food you buy.

For information about ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ events in Cannock Chase District visit our website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

For more information on how to make the most of the food you buy and save money visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

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In 2009 we launched an exciting new project called ‘Respect’ to help tackle issues around anti-social behaviour and address the negative perceptions of young people.

You may remember the fantastic mural that youngsters from across the District created in Cannock Park, or the open-air Park Strife theatre production.

Now we are fi nalising our ‘Respect Toolkit’. The toolkit, which has been produced by youngsters, aims to inform young people about the consequences of at risk behaviour and will focus on their personal safety, health and well-being.

Young people in Chadsmoor are being given a sporting chance, with the opening of two new ‘Right Stuff’ boxing clubs. The clubs are part of a project to reduce anti-social behaviour and are already running

successfully in other parts of Staffordshire.

Through boxing, the clubs encourage young people to want to achieve something with their lives and teach them self-discipline. The clubs provide a focus and a structure in the lives of some young people that might otherwise be missing. In return for learning the skills of boxing, members take part in community projects like litter picks, gardening for the elderly and graffi ti removal.

The clubs are open to all youngsters aged 10 and above in the Chadsmoor area:

Wednesdays 6.30pm to 8pm at Coniston Hall, Cecil Street, Chadsmoor

Thursdays 7pm to 9pm, Blake Valley Youth Centre Gym, at Blake Valley Technology College

For more information about joining one of the clubs, contact PC Andy Whitehall, Right Stuff Project Leader, on 0300 123 4455 or Cher Farmer, Boxing Tutor on 01543 512440More information will also be available soon at www.therightstuffproject.co.uk and on

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The toolkit highlights the support and services available and also has information on national campaigns such as FRANK, Know Your Limits and the NHS campaign on sexual health.

The relevant, ready-made workshops and lessons plans make the ‘Respect Toolkit’ a fantastic resource for local secondary schools and community groups.

Since 2009 over 1,000 young people have been involved with Respect. Call us on 01543 462621 for more information.

search for ‘Right Stuff Project Chadsmoor’.

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There’s been a green revolution in Cannock Chase District over the last few years. As the fi gures on the right show, the amount of waste that we recycle has rocketed.

Why is this so important? It reduces the amount of waste that we send to landfi ll, which is great news for the environment and for Council Tax payers. The less we send to landfi ll, the less we have to pay in landfi ll tax.

2010/11 - 51%

2009/10 - 47%

2007/08 - 41%

2008/09 - 40%

2006/07 - 37%

2005/06 - 22%

Recycling is rocketing

Please be careful where you park on bin days. Sometimes our waste and recycling crews struggle to get down streets because of inconsiderate parking, especially in restricted streets or near to islands. This makes it diffi cult to empty bins - and it could well be dangerous if an emergency vehicle needed to get through.

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Since we introduced blue wheelie bins in July and August the amount of dry recycled waste has increased by

a huge 20%

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Charges will apply for our pest control services from 1st AprilThe charges were introduced when the budget was set recently for 2011/12. As a result of reduced funding from central government, we have had to start charging for some services that were previously funded by Council Tax payers.

From 1st April, charges will apply for pest control services, including £40 to deal with problems of rats and mice. There will be an additional £10 supplement for Saturday call-outs and £15 for Sundays. For more information visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

New cows set to moo-ve on to Hednesford Hills

Following the review of the Street Warden Service and the way we deliver our Environmental Enforcement Action Plan, four Environmental Enforcement Assistants were appointed at the end of September 2010.

They are tackling environmental crime to improve your local environment by proactively carrying out litter patrols and investigating things like fl ytipping and dog fouling.

If you know who is causing fl ytipping, littering or dog fouling in your community, please call our Environmental Health team and report the details, in confi dence, on 01543 462621.

Environmental crime blights our District. The money we have to spend on clearing up waste that is left by irresponsible people could be better spent on other services for our communities.

Five new recruits have been added to our herd of cows that help to manage an internationally important heathland site in the District. The herd is now 12-strong and is split between local nature reserves at Hednesford Hills, Hawks Green and Hazelslade.

The fi ve, as yet unnamed, cows join veterans Bully, Elderberry, Bilberry, Snowberry, Blackberry, Cowberry and Primrose. The new recruits are currently based at Hawks Green local nature reserve in Cannock but will move to Hednesford Hills later in the year.

Local school children have been visiting the site with Countryside Service employees to meet the cows and fi nd out more about how we use them to manage green spaces. The children have also been taking part in a special competition to name them.

The cows’ grazing plays a vital part in maintaining the heathland site at Hednesford Hills. In Staffordshire alone, around 90% of heathlands have been lost because of development or lack of management. We are committed to restoring and maintaining heathland in the District and our cows play a crucial role at Hednesford Hills. Log on to www.youtube.com/cannockchasedcto see a video of the new cows!

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All our parks and green spaces are perfect for a walk, a picnic, relaxing with the family and just taking time out from our hectic lives! You could have a game of tennis. Or visit the pets’ corner in Elmore Park, Rugeley, and feed some of the wildfowl on the lake. There’s a great circular walk there that’s perfect for all ages.

Why not make a splash in the paddling pool at Brereton Park, Ravenhill - it’s perfect for a sunny day and there’s not long to go until it opens in mid-May. There’s loads of open space at Hednesford Park - ideal for games and exercise.

Visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk for more information about our parks.

In January we planted thousands of bulbs in Cannock Park to make sure it explodes with colour this spring! Huge thanks to the Friends of Cannock Park Association, whose members helped with the planting.

More than 10,000 bulbs were planted in the Green Flag award-winning park, including wild daffodils and bluebells near the golf course, crocus and scilla near the rose garden and daffodils in the borders with Park Road.

Why not visit the park and see the fl owers in bloom?

Blazing a trail for heritageYou can fi nd out more about the history of our District - and get out in the fresh air - on our Cannock Chase Heritage Trail. It’s a 10-mile route through the District, which can be joined at any point. There are information boards, distance markers and directional posts along the length of the trail. It’s great for walking, cycling - and enjoying! Find out more at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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Elmore Park in Rugeley, Cannock

Park, Castle Ring in Cannock

Wood and Ravenhill Park

in Brereton.

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1,000 hectares of parks and green spaces - the size of about 1,600 football pitches!

Spring is fi nally here! After all the snow and cold weather, it’s the perfect time of year to get out in the fresh air and explore some of the beautiful green spaces that are right on your doorstep

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Why not take our Route to Health this spring? The one-mile walk through beautiful forest at the Birches Valley Forest Centre in Rugeley is suitable for everyone. There are sculptures of all shapes and sizes - and don’t miss the magical fairy wood! Pupils from Redbrook Hayes Primary School in Brereton have created a video to show you what it’s all about - log on to www.thegoodlife.uk.net to have a look

Outstanding natural beauty!Cannock Chase was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1958 because of its beautiful landscape, its wildlife and its history. Cannock Chase is the largest surviving area of lowland heathland in the Midlandsand around a third of it sits within the our District.

This year is an exciting year for the AONB group as it launches its membership scheme. Joining as an individual, group or business allows the opportunity for everyone to give something back to this wonderful area. For more information on how to become a member or a volunteer contact Emma on 01889 882613

It’s only natural!We manage sites all over the District, including local nature reserves, and they are great places for getting back to nature.

The wetland at Milking Brook Valley, Heath Hayes, is a brilliant yellow in the spring thanks to thousands of blooming marsh marigolds. Springtime is equally spectacular at Mill Green in Cannock, with bluebells bursting into life. The pool and banks at Hazelslade Local Nature Reserve are home to Cannock Chase’s largest water vole colony. Hednesford Hills is an internationally important heathland site, while Castle Ring at Cannock Wood is a scheduled ancient monument - it was the site of an Iron Age hill fort.

There is so much to do, so much to see! Log on to www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk for more information about our local nature reserves, or call 01543 450018

Want loads of ideas for free and low-cost healthy activities for you and your family?

Then log on to www.thegoodlife.uk.net, which is literally bursting with ideas. There are lots of print-out activities to take along to many of our parks and green spaces, including a Museum of Cannock Chase treasure hunt and Ravenhill Park bird hunt! Also on the site is our Play Ranger Manual, which has 50 fantastic games for fun outdoor play. Log on and start living the good life!

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We have a Friday morning volunteer group, which helps to manage our local nature reserves in the District. Why not get involved? Call 01543 450018 for more information.

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Helping you to get aroundFrom April we’ll be running our Shopmobility service from our markets in Cannock and Rugeley.

If you have diffi culty getting around, you can hire a motorised scooter to make shopping in the two town centres that little bit easier. There is no age barrier - the scheme is open to anyone, young or old, who has diffi culty getting around because of illness, accident, injuries or disability.

From 16th April scooters will be available for hire at: • Cannock Indoor Market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9.30am and 3.30pm• Rugeley Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

To ensure availability we have a booking system. Please book at least 24 hours in advance by calling Cannock Indoor Market on 01543 464558 or Rugeley Market on 01889 584845.

If you’re not already a scheme member, you’ll need to register and pay a one-off registration fee of £5. You’ll need two valid forms of identity, both showing proof of name and address.

After that, you’re ready to go! The hire charge is just £1.50 an hour for a motorised scooter.

From 1st April, anyone in the Cannock Chase District who wants to apply for a concessionary bus pass will be able to go to their local library to get it sorted out.

The change is happening because, from that date, we’ll no longer be responsible for issuing bus passes.

From 1st April, instead of having eight different schemes in Staffordshire for each borough or district council, Staffordshire County Council will be operating a single, county-wide scheme.

This change is happening all over the country and is designed to make the scheme more effi cient.

If you’re using a bus pass that we’ve issued, you can carry on using this after 1st April, right up until the expiry date on the front of the card. Don’t worry, there’s no need to apply for a replacement.

The county council scheme will give Staffordshire’s older and disabled residents free bus travel all day, every day. And anyone eligible for a pass who can’t travel unassisted can also get a ‘companion pass’, allowing their carer to travel free too.

If you need to apply for a new bus pass after 1st April, then you should pop in to your local library, call 0300 111 8000 or log on to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/passiton

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eligible age will gradually increase

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age. Find out more at

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Spring showtime

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We’ve lined up some great stars of stage and screen for the spring season at the Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock.

Neil Morrissey is known to millions from his roles in some of the most loved TV shows of all-time, including Men Behaving Badly, Boon and more recently Paradise Heights, Skins and Waterloo Road. He’s also known to children all over the world as the voice of Bob The Builder.

He brings his one-man show - Celebrities Stripped Bare - to the Prince of Wales Centre on Thursday 5th May.

Other shows in the spring season include music from Steeleye Span, The Searchers and The Complete Beatles and comedy from Roy Chubby Brown and Bob Brolly.

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We always try to book a wide variety of shows so there’s something for everyone - and this is defi nitely the case for our spring 2011 programme. We’ve got some big names and lots of great drama, music and entertainment across the board.

We also continue to support local arts societies and there are lots of shows from local groups and societies from across the Cannock Chase District.

The spring 2011 programme is available from the theatre in Church Street, Cannock, and at locations around the District. It is also available online at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk. Call the box offi ce on 01543 578762 to buy tickets.

There will be lots going on over the Easter school holidays for youngsters, including art-and-craft workshops at the Museum of Cannock Chase, play sessions with our Play Rangers and lots of Chase It! sports and activities. Keep an eye on our website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk for all the details

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If you want to petition us about an issue in your community, you can now do it

from the comfort of your own home.

You can set up an online petition on our website to raise local matters of interest or concern. Once a petition has been approved, others can then easily add their support until a specifi ed closing date.

A petition may raise awareness of a particular campaign, put issues on the agenda which might not otherwise be considered or let us know the strength of feeling in your community about a particular issue.

For further information on submitting a petition visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk or email memberservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Council Tax freeze for residentsIn February we set our Budget for 2011/12 - with a Council Tax freeze for residents.

It means that you’ll be paying the same amount in Council Tax to us in 2011/12 as you did in 2010/11 - great news in the current economic climate. We’ve also managed to protect the frontline services that we provide for you.

We’ve delivered signifi cant savings through effi ciencies in our offi ces, as well as through sharing some services with Stafford Borough Council (see Page 12).

Because of the tough economic climate, however, some tough decisions had to be made. Some fees and charges will be increased so they are cost-neutral to the local taxpayer, including planning services, licensing activities and pest control. Charges will also be increased for cemetery services.Find out more about the 2011/12 Budget at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

shared interestOpening up the

informationThe salaries of all our senior managers are now available online, as well as a monthly breakdown of all items of expenditure over £500.

We believe it’s important to be transparent about pay and spending. You have the right to see this information and we are happy to open our accounts to scrutiny.

Now, more than ever, it is essential that all councils spend wisely. Over the last six years we have made over £2 million of effi ciency savings, even before the savings that have to be made for the 2011/12 budget. We will continue to look for ways to be more effi cient and save money wherever we can.

Senior managers’ salaries, as well as the list of expenditure over £500, are available at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/salaries and www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/spending

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Elections will be held in Cannock Chase District on Thursday 5th May, when voters will be choosing who represents them on Cannock Chase Council. One seat in each of the District’s 15 wards will be contested. In some areas of the District there will be town council / parish council elections.

Please make sure that you don’t lose your democratic right.

If your name is not included on the electoral register, you won’t be able to vote in the elections in May 2011. You can check whether you’re registered by phoning our Elections offi ce on 01543 462621. If you’re not registered you can still apply to be added - more details are on our rolling registration page.

The deadline for registering to vote on 5th May is Thursday 14th April, so it’s best to do this as soon as possible. Voting will take place at polling stations between 7am and 10pm and your poll card will tell you which polling station you need to vote at.

If you would like to vote by post, however, in the 5th May elections, the last day for receipt of postal vote applications is 5pm on Thursday 14th April. Call our Elections offi ce on 01543 462621 for an application.

If you are unable to vote in person, and do not want a postal vote, you can apply to vote by proxy. This involves appointing someone you trust to go and vote for you on your behalf. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on Thursday 21st April. Call our Elections offi ce on 01543 462621 for an application.

democratic rightThe Government is also holding a national referendum on voting reform on 5th May.

The referendum will ask voters whether they would like to change the method of electing MPs from the current ‘First Past the Post’ system to the ‘Alternative Vote’ system. There’s lots more information at www.electoralcommission.org.uk

Voting system referendum

Don’t lose your

Saving money and better service is a

From 1st January this year we have been sharing our IT and building control services with Stafford Borough Council.

These two services are the fi rst under an agreement with Stafford Borough and fi ve other functions are expected to be shared by 31st March 2011 - revenues & benefi ts, human resources, fi nancial management services, audit & governance, and legal services.

Savings earmarked from sharing services in the 2011/12 fi nancial year have been estimated at around £250,000 for each authority and are an important element setting a balanced budget. Both councils have received less funding from the Government to provide services over the next few years. Working together will produce vital savings and improve services for you. A decision to share a service can only be taken if it will maintain or enhance the level of service provided and protect the individual identity of each council.

Our Building Control employees relocated to Stafford Borough Council’s Civic Centre early in February. They have made sure that customers in the Cannock Chase District were kept fully up to date. The Building Control team are holding surgeries at the Civic Centre in Cannock at least twice a week to meet customers who do not wish to travel to Stafford.

Are we on your

Kidzone is our fun and interactive website for 5 to 11-year-olds. We’ve had loads of help from primary schools across the District to choose what the website should look like and what should be on it, as well as helping to design our many Kidzone characters.

The site launched in 2010 with the environment section, but is now being developed to include sections on leisure and health, as well as a news page and the chance for visitors to the site to give us their views on what’s happening in Cannock Chase District.

Check us out at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/kidzone and let us know what you think by emailing communications@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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We’re currently in the process of selecting a private sector partner or partners to manage our leisure and cultural services.

This will mean that the £540,000 subsidy for these services, which is currently paid for by Council Tax payers, will be saved.

The process to select a partner for the management of leisure services includes the following:• Rugeley Leisure Centre• Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock• Cannock Park Golf Course• Museum of Cannock Chase, Hednesford• Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock• Community Wellbeing services (Arts, Sports and Play)• Business development and support services (as appropriate).

We’re hoping to enter into a long-term partnership with one or more partners for the management of these services for up to 20 years.

We have taken this approach to secure the long-term future of our excellent sporting and cultural facilities and services. It should increase participation in sports and physical activity, help us to maintain a full range of cultural activities and reduce the subsidy for these services from the Council Tax payer by a minimum of £540,000 per year.

Partnering up for leisure and culture

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Over the last couple of months we’ve been developing and refreshing our website to make sure that it delivers exactly what you need.

We’ve worked hard to make sure you can fi nd information about our services easily and to provide more of the online services you want. You won’t need to spend time and money on a phone call, visiting our offi ces or writing in. You can just click - it’s quick, convenient and round-the-clock.

An effective website is good for us too because it helps us to work more effi ciently. If you can fi nd the information you need on the site, then you won’t need to call our contact centre. If you can report fl ytipping or a missed bin collection, then you won’t need to call into an offi ce or telephone us either.

This actually saves us money by increasing effi ciency in the delivery of our services. Research last year by the Society of ICT Managers identifi ed that signifi cant savings can be achieved by improving online customer service. They estimate that it costs a local authority £8.28 for face-to-face contact with a customer, £3.21 for a telephone call and just 39p for a website transaction. You’ll be able to see the new site at

www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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sign up at www.twitter.com/

cannockchasedc

Work on a new Tesco store in Rugeley could start later this year. We supported Tesco’s planning application for the store, which will be the fi rst major investment in the town for many years.

It will be a major boost, providing more choice of shopping facilities for the community, enabling more people to shop locally rather than travelling out of the town. The scheme also includes new units for restaurant and leisure uses, and a petrol station. Hopefully it will bring more people into the town and increase business for all retailers, as well as provide jobs for local people.

Green light forRugeley Tesco

We’re now working with Tesco to agree the fi nal details of improvements to the rest of the town centre environment and access to the canal and Towers Business Park for pedestrians and cyclists, together with provision of new bus services.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “We look forward to fi nalising the arrangements with Cannock Chase Council. We hope to start on site later this year and will be working closely with the Council, JobCentre Plus, Remploy and the Shaw Trust to advertise and recruit locally for the new store. As this will be one of our regeneration partnership stores we will also be looking to give a period of priority for long-term local jobseekers.”

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The regeneration proposals for Hednesford town centre continue to make positive progress, with work expected to start in the spring.

Planning permission has now been granted for Phase 2 of the Chase Gateway scheme, which includes a large Tesco store, non-food retail units, a replacement community facility, bigger car park and new bus facilities.

Discussions are currently taking place to produce a detailed construction programme, which will include new access points into Hednesford Park.

As part of the regeneration work, ATP will be relocating from Hednesford town centre during the summer to a new site in Cannock Wood. The regeneration will create hundreds of jobs and a revitalised shopping experience in the town.

Chase Gateway update

Estate transformation set to beginWork on redeveloping the Elizabeth Road estate in Cannock starts in March 2011 after we secured an agreement with Waterloo Housing Association.

Funding has been secured from the Homes and Communities Agency for the fi rst phase, which involves demolition and building of the fi rst 50 new properties.

The fi rst phase of 50 new homes is due for completion by spring next year and will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

A further 100 family homes are planned to complete the development. The new homes will contain a number of energy-saving and eco-friendly features. A new children’s play area and landscaped public open space will also be a feature of the new estate.

We understand that in the current climate, Chase Matters may look like a luxury. In light of the reduced funding from central government, and the tough choices that this has brought, you may be wondering why we still intend to produce this magazine four times a year.

What you may not know is that Chase Matters is produced at no extra cost to Council Tax payers in the Cannock Chase District.

It’s written and designed in-house by members of the Corporate Communications and Engagement team. And print and distribution costs are covered by the adverts we now have in Chase Matters.

So you get four magazines every year - and the cost isn’t added to your Council Tax bill.

We use Chase Matters to communicate directly with you, and we feel this is very important. Chase Matters is a great way of keeping you up to date with news, service changes and information.

We do send lots of press releases to the local media and make sure that our website is up to date. But not everyone reads one of our local newspapers or goes online. That’s why we feel Chase Matters is important. And if we can do it at no cost to Council Tax payers, then everyone’s a winner!

Fire brigades and the police use census data to help communities, putting fi re alarms and crime prevention measures in specifi c areas. The benefi ts are far reaching.

The census statistics also feed into the allocation of funding for local councils and play a major part in identifying need for local services in communities, so it is crucial the population estimate is as accurate as possible.

When the questionnaire envelope comes through your door you’ll easily recognise it by the purple 2011 Census logo. Take care of it.

If, like many people, you want to complete the questionnaire online, your individual internet code is on the front of the questionnaire.

The 2011 Census doesn’t want anyone to fall behind - so there is a wide range of help options available (such as language guidance booklets, large print format, Text Relay and census fi eld staff on hand, as well as online help and telephone call centres).

More information about the 2011 Census can be found at: www.census.gov.uk

Why?

Would you like to advertise in Chase Matters? Call Sandra Richards on 01543 464388 or email sandrarichards@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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On 27th March residents in Cannock Chase District and across the UK will be taking part in a census. Since 1801 a day has been chosen every 10 years for this purpose (except in 1941 during the Second World War).

The census provides an excellent source of information about the population. This enables central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to identify need for housing, education, health and transport services for years to come.

Did you know that supermarkets use census statistics to work out the kind of foods they need to sell to keep local

communities stocked up with their favourites? Water companies use the census data to plan the pipes for clean and waste water - to make sure there’s enough for everyone.

Help tomorrow take shape

The Forestry Commission has been hosting concerts on Cannock Chase for the last fi ve years and attracts the biggest names in the music industry. Previous names have included Simply Red, Status Quo, Keane, James Morrison and The Feeling. You can keep up to date with who is playing at the Forestry Commission’s concerts on Cannock Chase by logging on to www.forestry.gov.uk/music

To enter the competition, send the name of the band you’d like to see to Chase Matters Competition, Corporate Communications and Engagement, Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG or email communications@cannockchasedc.gov.ukDon’t forget to include your name, address and a contact telephone number! The winners will be the fi rst two entries drawn at random. The closing date for entries is Friday 1st April

No cash alternative to prize. The winners will be notifi ed by telephone. Cannock Chase Council will hold and use your data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your personal information will not be passed on for commercial use. This competition is not open to employees or members of Cannock Chase Council or their families.

We’ve teamed up with the Forestry Commission to offer Chase Matters readers the chance to win tickets to this year’s summer concerts. We have a pair of tickets up for grabs to see Erasure on Friday 24th June, and another pair of tickets for Simple Minds on Saturday 25th June.

Congratulations to the winner of our Cinderella

competition from December’s issue of Chase Matters,

Patricia Buttery from Hednesford.