Link to details of the closure

Link to Causeway One Network map.

Dear all,
Public engagement on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) has now launched across Southern and Mid Staffordshire, including here in Lichfield District.

As you’ll be aware, this process forms part of a national government programme to replace the current two-tier system of local government in shire areas with unitary councils. These new authorities would deliver all local services, from waste and planning to highways and adult social care under one roof.

Staffordshire could be split into a total of 2 or 3 unitary councils, with one being in the North, and then Southern and Mid Staffordshire have 1 or 2 unitary councils. Over recent months, Lichfield District Council has been working closely with five neighbouring councils (Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, Stafford and Tamworth) to explore what this could mean for our communities and to look at the feasibility of merging into a single unitary, or two unitary councils.

Lichfield District Council has cross-party support for having three unitary councils across Staffordshire. We believe this will ensure:

Closer alignment with community identity and geography for residents. Local Government remains local, and continues to be visible, accessible and knowledgeable about their patch.
Better access to and responsiveness from public services, with residents being closer to decision makers and better tailored to the needs of local people.
This structure allows for stronger, more locally accountable governance while still achieving the efficiencies of reorganisation.

While discussions are still ongoing, we have now reached a point where we want to hear directly from residents, businesses and organisations across the district.

A public survey has launched today and will run until Monday 1 September 2025. It is a vital part of shaping the full business case we intend to submit to Government this autumn.

Click on the link to access our an explanatory document
Shaping your Council’s Future

👉 Our dedicated webpage with the survey: Devolution and local government reorganisation – What you need to know

To support this, we’re running a programme of local engagement, including social media campaigns, community drop-ins, parish briefings, and wider communications. Councillors have a valuable role to play in helping us raise awareness of the survey, support residents with questions, and help ensure as many voices as possible are heard.

I’d be grateful if you could share the link within your local networks and encourage participation where appropriate. If you have suggestions for local engagement opportunities or would like additional materials (posters, briefings, FAQs), the communications team will be happy to assist and send over all of our prepared materials.

This is a pivotal moment for the future of local government in our area. Thank you, as always, for your support in helping us represent our communities as this work progresses.

Best regards,
Cllr Doug Pullen
Leader of Lichfield District Council

Defibrillators: When to Use Them and How to Find One

The Parish Council has been proud to support the provision of several defibrillators across the Parish. If someone near you goes into cardiac arrest, knowing that you will be expertly guided by the emergency services on what to do, keeping calm and acting quickly will significantly improve their chances of recovery. We believe that reading this short guide, really could make the difference between life and death.

What is a Defibrillator?
A defibrillator, also known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), is a life-saving device that delivers an electric shock to the heart in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

When to Use a Defibrillator
A defibrillator should be used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. If you witness a person collapse and they do not respond to verbal or physical stimuli, follow these steps:

1. Call Emergency Services – Dial 999 immediately. Listen carefully to their instructions. If you are alone with the patient, the emergency services will fully guide you on the action to take which may include commencing CPR.
2. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a life-saving technique used in emergencies when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. CPR involves chest compressions to help maintain circulation and oxygen flow until medical help arrives.
3. Defibrillator Retrieval – If you are not alone with the patient, the emergency services will advise the location of your nearest working defibrillator – The defibrillator closest to your location may not be working. Only the emergency services will have the most up to date information on your nearest USABLE defibrillator. This is why 999 must always be contacted in the first instance and on their instruction a second person should then be sent to bring back the Defibrillator.
4. The Defibrillator must be retrieved from the location advised by the emergency services. There is a list/map? of these possible locations at the end of this article. Critically, you must remember emergency services will tell you where the nearest working the defibrillator is. This may not be the closest defibrillator as detailed on the list/map.
5. Turn on the AED and Follow Instructions – AEDs provide clear voice prompts guiding you through the process. Don’t worry if you have never used one before it will tell you exactly what to do.
6. Continue CPR – Perform chest compressions until emergency responders arrive.

Defibrillator Locations:

SHENSTONE VILLAGE HALL, BARNES RD, SHENSTONE

SMARTS AVENUE TELEPHONE KIOSK, SHENSTONE WOOD END

SHENSTONE COUNCIL OFFICE, MAIN STREET, SHENSTONE

STONNALL VILLAGE HALL, MAIN STREET, STONNALL

STONNALL COMMUNITY CENTRE, MAIN STREET, STONNALL

HOLLYBUSH PUB, LITTLE HAY LANE, LITTLE HAY

LITTLE ASTON RECREATION GROUND, LITTLE ASTON

LITTLE ASTON GOLF CLUB

CO-OP STREETLY VILLAGE

There is also a defibrillator inside Trinity Methodist Hall, Shenstone.

More Information

If you would like to know more, please visit:

Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you.

If you select ‘Learn More’ from the menu there is lots more information on both CPR and using a defibrillator.

Additionally, more information on training available locally can be found at.

www.sja.org.uk/courses/workplace-first-aid

www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/health-at-work/cpr-training

06.07.25 – Please use this link to access details of the road closure and this link to access the authorising documentation

Shenstone Heat Network Project
Find out more on July 16th

The Shenstone Heat Network outline business case is now nearing completion and all Shenstone residents are invited to have the conclusions explained during the afternoon and evening of Wednesday 16th July.

Funded by the Government, commissioned by Shenstone Parish Council and Lichfield District Council, the project work has been undertaken by decarbonisation specialists HI Group who have examined the physical works required, the costs to homeowners and the operational management of a low-carbon heating system for Shenstone village.

The project has assessed whether a heat network powered by the aquifer beneath Shenstone could offer a more sustainable and viable alternative to traditional heating for both homes and businesses.

On 16^th July, two presentation sessions will be held
at the Richard Cooper Room, Main St, Shenstone,
at 2pm and 6.30pm.

Each 30 – 40 minute presentation will be followed by a question and answer session for you to ask individual questions and share your views.

This is a valuable chance for all residents to understand the options being considered and what that might mean for the future of heating in Shenstone. Whether you own or rent your home or run a local business you will find the presentations very informative.

The next generation is also getting involved. In June, Year 6 pupils at Greysbrooke Primary School will take part in a special activity day led by HI Group. Using creative workshops and hands-on teamwork, the children will explore sustainability and design their version of a low carbon ‘School of the Future’.

Deputy Head Teacher Dan Rowlands has kindly offered to display the children’s projects at the July 16th presentation sessions giving everyone a chance to see the inspiring ideas our young people have come up with.

We hope to see you during the afternoon and evening of Wednesday 16th July whether you’re curious about what a heat network could mean for heating your home or if you simply want to find out more about how Shenstone can play its part in a more sustainable future. Refreshments will be provided for all attendees.

Staffordshire Police Council report

Between 11 May and 8 June 2025

A total of 156 calls to police – Including:

• 3 incidents of anti-social behaviour
• 26 crimes
• 8 road traffic collisions

Shenstone ER80

Total of 120 calls – Including:

• 1 incident of anti-social behaviour – a report of a suspicious vehicle on Little Hay lane possible taking drugs. Ongoing work is continuing and patrols are spending time in the area
• 7 road traffic collisions
• 17 crimes
• 0 Burglaries
• 5 vehicle crimes (3 occurring at the wall island area)

• • 2 Theft of Motor Vehicles (1 Bike and 1 car)
  • 0 Theft from Motor Vehicles

Stonnall ER81

Total of 16 calls Including:

• 0 incidents of anti-social behaviour
• 1 road traffic collision
• 4 crimes
• 0 Burglaries
• 2 Vehicle crimes

• 0 Theft from Motor Vehicles
• 1 Theft of Motor Vehicle

Little Aston ER82

Total of calls 20 – Including:

• 2 incidents of anti-social behaviour- relating to drugs around the recreational ground – On going work is happening
• 0 Road traffic collisions
• 5 crimes
• 4 Burglaries
• 0 Vehicle Crime
• 0 Theft of Motor Vehicles
• 0 Theft from Motor Vehicles

Update on Policing Area Coverage and PCSO Support

We would like to share a brief update regarding recent changes to our local policing areas and the support provided by our Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Andrea and I will continue to cover the South Lichfield area, maintaining our commitment to the community. We are now supported by PCSO Hilary Barrett, who is the Early Intervention PCSO for Lichfield. While Hilary’s primary responsibilities remain within her main role, she will be assisting us in South Lichfield when available.

In addition to South Lichfield, we will now also be covering the Fazeley & Bourne Vale area, which includes Mile Oak, Drayton Bassett, Hints, Canwell, and the surrounding communities.

As part of these changes, PCSO Racheal Orwin has now moved to the Burntwood area. We wish her all the best in her new role and thank her for her contributions to our team.

These adjustments are aimed at providing more consistent coverage across all our designated policing areas. The goal is to reduce the need for officers to be diverted from their assigned patches, allowing us to focus more effectively on the communities we serve.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working closely with all residents across our expanded area.

Your flexible, on-demand bus service for rural villages

SHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL 

Would you like to make a difference to your
community?
Do you want to be involved in making decisions that matter?
Do you have skills and experience that could benefit the whole parish?
Then we would like to hear from you.

These are in the Wards of Shenstone and Stonnall.

What does a Parish Council do? 

Parish Councils are the part of local government closest to the people.  Very importantly, these councils can raise ‘precept’ – raising a sum collected with the council tax each year to improve facilities and services for local people.

Their powers and duties cover many things that we take for granted in making the lives of local communities more comfortable.

These include the provision and maintenance of playing fields, litter bins, street furniture including bins, bus shelters & benches, public footpaths and the cenotaph, offering financial support to community organisations with annual grants and managing the cemetery in Shenstone.

They also comment on planning applications and can be represented at local public inquiries, compile the Neighbourhood Plan, and liaise with District & County Council re highways matters & traffic calming.

You may wish to attend a Parish meeting before deciding to apply or not – it will offer the opportunity to see how things work. Also, existing Councillors will be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. Visit our website www.shenstone-staffs.gov.uk

How much time does it take up? 

The Parish Council meets on the second Tuesday of every month except for August.  It is very important that you attend as many meetings as you can.

There are also other committees that meet bi-monthly which you may become a member of. As a representative of the Parish Council, you may also be contacted directly by members of the public asking for your help. 

To qualify you must be: –

Aged 18 years or over- Either a UK or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen of a member state of the EU

In addition to the above a candidate must qualify under one of the following:

Be registered as a local government elector of the parish concerned; or:

Have lived either in the parish or within 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) of it during the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he or she is nominated as a candidate; or

Had their principal or only place of work in the parish for twelve months; or:

Occupied land or other premises in the parish, as an owner or tenant, during the whole twelve months preceding the day on which they are nominated.

INTERESTED?  Apply in writing to The Parish Clerk, Shenstone Parish Council, 25C Main Street, Shenstone WS14 0LZ. or email admin@shenstonepc.pcwpreview.co.uk

Please include in your letter any relevant experience you wish to be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FRIDAY 13^th June

November 2024:
The Parish Council is very pleased to share with you this approved management plan for the Lammas Land.

It is in the Parish Council’s view an excellent way forward, but we would like your views too.

Please follow the this link to access the full report and if you would like to share any comments or ideas contact the Parish Clerk who will pass on to both Council & the Lammas Land Committee.

Many thanks to the Lammas Land Committee for the continued hard work and efforts to keep the Lammas Land such an enjoyable green space for the community to enjoy.
Shirley O’Mara, Parish Clerk
Shenstone Parish Council, 25C Main Street, Shenstone
WS14 0LZ
01543 481 947.
admin@shenstonepc.pcwpreview.co.uk

Do you represent a community group or organisation?

The 2024/5 Community Grant application process is now open and the Council welcomes requests from groups which help and involve local people.

The usual amount awarded is between £250.00- £1000.00.

You can apply for a grant if:

• Funds are to be used within Parish boundaries.
• You are a non-profit making group or, any profit made will be used for the good of the community

• You can spend any grant monies within the current financial year.
• You have made certain that any work carried out complies with all relevant legislation, e.g planning permissions, etc.

The Deadline for applications is 3rd January 2025.

Click here to download or print off an application form

or contact the parish clerk