2023 Neighbourhood Plan For Review
Important: Please look at the Neighbourhood Plan page to inspect the Draft copy of the 2023 Neighbourhood Plan that is for review under Regulation 14.
Denstone Parish Council Vacancy
Do you have any opinions about what happens in your area?
We currently have a vacancy on Denstone Parish Council which covers Denstone, Stubwood and Prestwood. We would welcome anyone who lives or works within the Parish. We meet in the Village Hall every 2nd Monday in the month apart from August – if you are interested in joining the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk by the 6th June 2023
Julie Sadler, Clerk to Denstone Parish Council,
Corner Cottage, Wootton Road, Ellastone, DE6 2HA
Tel: 01335 324692
Annual Parish Meeting
TO ALL ELECTORS Of Denstone Parish
You are all invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting
At Denstone Village Hall
Wednesday 10th May 2023 at 7.30pm
If you would like any further information regarding the meeting then please contact me on 01335 324692
Julie Sadler
Parish Clerk
Notice of Uncontested Election
Election of Parish Councillors for Denstone Parish on 4 May 2023
I, Andy O’Brien being the Returning Officer at the above election, report that the persons whose names appear below were duly elected Parish Councillor for Denstone.
| Name of Candidate | Home Address | Description (if any) |
| EDMONDS Edward Alan | Address in East Staffordshire | Retired |
| FLOWER Mike | Address in East Staffordshire | |
| MOUNTNEY Jo | Address in East Staffordshire | |
| RATCLIFFE Simon John | Filkins Hollis Lane Denstone Uttoxeter Staffs ST14 5HP | |
| SHERMER Margaret Mary | Address in East Staffordshire | |
| STRATTON Katrina Ann | Address in East Staffordshire | |
| TURNER Jess | Address in East Staffordshire | |
| WRIGHT Bob | Damson Cottage Alton Road Denstone ST14 5DH |
Dated:
Andy O’Brien
06 April 2023
Returning Officer
Printed and Published by the Returning Officer, East Staffordshire Borough Council
ESBC PO BOX 8045 Burton upon Trent DE14 9JG
Download pdf of Returning Officer’s Letter
Volunteer for Community Speedwatch
Concerned about Speeding traffic in Denstone?
Fed up with Antisocial Driving in the Village?
IF SO
Why not do something about it and become a member of the Community Speed Watch Team
AND
Make Denstone a Safer Village for Everyone.
Have Your Say and Get Involved
Contact Julie Sadler js.denstonepc@gmail.com for more information.
Funding Ideas, Please!
Time to put your thinking caps on!
Funding is currently available for Rural Communities for Projects of over £16,000!
Denstone Parish Council would like to apply for some of the funding and would welcome any suggestions from YOU!
What additions do you think would enhance the village?
How could we change things to make it even better than it already is and benefit everyone?
If you have any ideas, please email Julie Sadler by 09.05.2023
Getting Urgent Medical Help
If you need urgent medical help this winter, whether that be for symptoms you’re worried about, if you or a loved one has fallen or injured themselves, if your child has injured themselves or is unwell, or if you’ve got a dental problem, you can get immediate help by heading over to www.111.nhs.uk. You will answer a few questions about the health need, and get instant support and advice about how you could self-care, or where you need to go to get further support. If you don’t have access to the internet, or if your little one is aged five or under, call ‘111’ for the same help and advice.
If you are told you need to go to an Emergency Department (A&E) and it is not life-threatening, you may not need an ambulance. Think whether a family member or friend can take you, or help you get there.
If you’re trying to get an appointment at your local GP surgery, remember, it might be better to see another member of the qualified team members within your practice – seeing your GP isn’t necessarily always the best option, and might mean you waiting longer. If your practice does not have any appointments available, ask about Enhanced Access appointments. You may be able to visit another practice within a few miles of your own surgery, much sooner.
In life-threatening emergencies, you should always dial 999 immediately.
The Community Foundation for Staffordshire
Grants are available for Lichfield based organisations supporting those affected by Covid-19.
Funding & Support from your Community Foundation
| The Rural Development Fund awards small grants of up to £1,000 to small rural community groups across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, where they have a specific need. The main beneficiaries of this fund are small community and voluntary groups in Staffordshire and Stoke, where their income is less than £30,000 per annum. The groups must be based or working in Staffordshire or Stoke and cannot be operating outside of the county. The aims of the project should be working towards the encouragement and promotion of developing rural community life. Panel meetings are held to determine whether applicants should receive funding and if so how much. Time sensitive applications may be considered outside of the usual panel dates or in the case of an emergency, but this is at the discretion of the donor advisers of the fund. You are advised to call us first to see whether your application would meet this need. For a full breakdown of the grants criteria and supporting documentation guidance, please visit our webpage via the link below. Deadline: 10th January 2023 |
For more information and to apply, please click here
ESBC Electronic Newsletters
Please click here if you would like to sign up for electronic newsletters from East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Homes for Ukraine – Another Update
Below is a further update (dated 25th March) from Philip Atkins on Ukraine. For information on charitable donations, resettlement and asylum in Staffordshire, etc., see previous posts.
“We have all been horrified by the events that have unfolded in Ukraine and as a county, we stand with all those affected.
“Staffordshire as a place have a proud history of helping those who have had no choice but to flee war or persecution. Only recently we welcomed almost 200 men, women and child evacuees from Afghanistan. We have supported them to find permanent accommodation in Staffordshire and across the country, and many of the children are attending Staffordshire schools as the families rebuild their lives here in the UK.
“The overwhelming offers of support locally for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates once again our tradition of welcome. The county council stands ready to work with partners to support and help Ukrainian evacuees under the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme. We are already working with central government to coordinate and ensure that the right help will go to the right people and in the right places.
“As we know from recent experience of the arrival of those fleeing Afghanistan, local coordination is needed to ensure that help reaches those who need it most. To achieve this, a Tactical Coordinating Group [TCG] has been established under the auspices of the Staffordshire Resilience Forum. This will organise and support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent wide response to this situation.
“In the meantime please be patient as they start to understand and work through the details of the programme.”
Update on Supporting Refugees from Ukraine
This is an update (from Philip Atkins) on Ukraine, and some information on charitable donations, resettlement and asylum in Staffordshire. See also previous post about “Homes for Ukraine Scheme”.
Financial Donations:
Residents wishing to make a financial donation can do so through a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Residents can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal by visiting: Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal. Residents donating to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal will help DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. The Government has so far matched, pound-for-pound, £25 million of public donations to this appeal.
There are lots of other organisations across the UK and internationally who have launched appeals, and residents may wish to donate through these organisations instead of the Disasters Emergency Committee. There are some simple steps residents can take to ensure their money is safe and being used effectively, including:
§ Check the charity’s name and registration number using the search the charity register tool
§ Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered, which means they are regulated by The Charity Commission
§ Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
§ If in doubt, ask the charity or organisation for more information
Donating Essential Supplies:
One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through. Organisations across the UK are gathering essential supplies, such as clothes, first aid and sanitary products. Many charities and community groups will have lists of items they need. Charities with experience of responding to disasters are best placed to reach victims on the ground.
Welcoming Refugees:
Ukraine Family Scheme Visa: Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme can be found here: Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
Extract from letter sent to local authorities by Michael Gove:
… today I am announcing a new sponsorship scheme, ‘Homes for Ukraine’.
This scheme will allow Ukrainians (and their immediate family members) with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals or organisations who can offer them a home such as a spare room or unoccupied residential self-contained unit. The scheme will be uncapped. Beneficiaries will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and also access benefits, healthcare, employment and other support. Our aim, through this route, is to offer a safe, warm welcome to as many arrivals as possible, based on the number of sponsors who come forward.
Read more about this scheme on the Government website, and register your interest.
Handy Person Required
Denstone Parish Council are looking for a Handy Person to carry out some work in the village.
If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Julie Sadler on
js.denstonepc@gmail.com or 01335 324692
Surviving Winter 2021
Surviving Winter is a campaign run by community foundations across the UK to help to combat fuel poverty, loneliness, isolation and holiday hunger. The programme raises money to help vulnerable people to stay warm and well over winter. Fuel costs are rising, and many people will have to face a choice between heating and eating. Many people who were ‘just about managing’ last year will now face hard choices.
We need your support to help those who are most at risk this winter.
Climate Action fund
Message from County Councillor Philip Atkins
In July 2019 Staffordshire County Council declared a climate change emergency to demonstrate a commitment to reduce climate change impacts. We are putting in place measures to reduce our carbon emissions and to adapt and build local resilience to the impacts of climate change.
This is the second round of the county council’s community climate change action fund, offering funding assistance to local communities to build resilience and reduce Staffordshire’s contributions to climate change. Please circulate in your communities.
Each councillor has £1,500 to allocate. This is the weblink for applications and further details:
Climate Action Fund – Staffordshire County Council
Funding must deliver against at least one of the following four categories. Examples are given below of what would be considered a good project under each category:
Category 1 – Reducing carbon impact or adapting to our changing climate
Energy efficiency
Reducing our demand for energy, through:
– Use of more efficient appliances, lighting and heating.
– Improving thermal efficiency of buildings by reducing heat loss, for example improving insulation and reducing draught
Building resilience to climate change impacts
Creating local resilience to extreme local weather events such heat waves, drought and heavy rain events.
Category 2 – Improving air quality
Reduced pollution
Encouraging alternatives to car use such as walking and cycling initiatives.
Category 3 – Natural environment
Enhancing local green spaces
Greening urban spaces and the local environment for example through tree planting.
Category 4 – Reducing waste
Waste reduction and reuse
Introducing measures to minimise waste creation
For example repair initiatives or food waste reduction through Community Fridges and Reuse and Repair initiatives
Composting
Encouraging on site composting of garden waste and fruit and vegetable food waste.
I look forward to applications.
Regards
Philip
Let’s Beat Loneliness Together
Loneliness can affect anyone at any point in their lives and can have an impact on our health, wellbeing, productivity and self-esteem. In a recent survey 35% of Staffordshire residents reported that loneliness and isolation was a concern to them and 80% were worried about not seeing family and friends – due to the impact of Coronavirus.
To see more, visit this link at Staffordshire.gov.uk (opens in new tab):
New, Accessible Website
As you see, we have a new website! This should be easier to use on small tablet and phone screens and should also be easier for people with limited vision or other disabilities. Please tell us if you find any problems that we should know about! There’s a lot still to do, and we’ll be developing and changing it, so if there’s anything you’d like to see added, please let us know.
Introducing ‘Happy at Home’
A brand new campaign from Staffordshire County Council, designed to help our residents across the county lead healthier, independent and happier lives and to support them to be able to live well at home for longer.
From today (Monday 16th November) a new interactive online tool has launched as part of a countywide campaign to raise awareness about the massive range of simple and low-cost assistive technology equipment available to people who may be struggling with everyday tasks around the home.
The interactive ‘Happy at Home’ house allows users to visually identify rooms and locations around the home where they may need some help with day to day tasks, and then be presented with a range of ideas and solutions that they can then easily compare and acquire.
(this link opens in a new tab.)
Co-op Community Foundation Grants
Grants are available to organisations across Staffordshire & Shropshire who are supporting people facing food poverty.
The Co-operative have launched their new Co-op Food Fund initiative to help support people across the UK who may be facing food poverty. Grants are now available to Community Organisations who are helping local communities with food distribution wherever it is needed.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available. This is restricted funding that can only go towards sustainable food poverty programmes which tackle Co-op’s funding priorities.
Click here for more information about the grants and to find out how to apply. (this link opens in a new tab.)
New Volunteering Roles in Staffordshire
Volunteering in Staffordshire has never been so easy!
‘Do It – Staffordshire’ enables you to sign up to be a ‘Staffordshire Volunteer’ and find local volunteering roles that match your interests. (Links open in a new tab.)
Here are some volunteer roles you could register your interest in today:
- Local Litter Picker- Join a small group of volunteers for organised litter picks to help keep your local area clean.
- ICT Buddy – Help improve peoples computer skills so they have the skills they need to get ready for employment.
- Reading Helper – Work on a 1-1 basis with children. Talking, reading and playing games to improve their confidence and self esteem.
- Volunteer Mentor – This role is for anyone who would like to support children and young people at a difficult point in their lives, to offer support, advice and guidance.