Tamworth Blog

Tamworth's Recycling boxes

Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council are to join forces, bringing the waste and recycling schemes together at the Lichfields purpose built recycling depot in Burntwood.

The scheme which will see the councils services combined by the summer of 2010 will be combined, providing savings to the two local councils.  A combined service gives the councils the ability to negotiate better contracts with service providers.

Councillor John Garner, Portfolio Holder for Public Health & Wellbeing at Tamworth Borough Council said:

“To make sure our waste and recycling services work well, the teams at Lichfield and Tamworth regularly speak to local residents through feedback, questionnaires and face to face meetings. In designing the shared service, we’ve taken on board what people have told us, and shaped our proposals to fit their needs. A good example of this is making the change from recycling boxes to a single recycling bin. What’s more, by joining forces we’ll be able to work more closely with local residents which will help to make the new service even better. We’ll also be able to promote simple techniques that will make a big difference to the amount of waste we all produce, and above all cut the amount of waste we send to landfill.”

We have already seen some of the changes come into effect, with Tamworth residents no longer needing to sort their recycling into the blue boxes and an increase in what can be recycled.  This is already reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites.

Of course, this also effects residents of Lichfield (You can read The Lichfield Blogs post here).  The hope is that this new partnership will also reduce the greenhouse emmisions of both our councils by reducing the miles travelled by the trucks.

Councillor Louise Flowith, Cabinet Member for Operational Services at Lichfield District Council added:

“By working together we’ll cut carbon emissions by reducing the amount of miles our trucks travel. As a bigger customer we’ll also be able to get better value from suppliers, and test out new recycling methods more quickly.  And, we’ll be better placed to respond to emergencies such as bad weather and pandemic sickness. Above all, we’re confident the partnership will deliver better value for money and help to boost the amount of waste we recycle.”

Location of new Ventura stores

Ventura Park is set for 2 new retail units on land behind the Sainsburys Supermarket at Ventura Park.
Whilst it is unclear what these 2 stores will sell, they are cleared to sell DIY products, electrical goods, office supplies, pets products and/or sports products.

Having realised developers already had permission from the Secretary of State through an appeal to sell anything in the store, the committee changed its decision when the plans were resubmitted recently.

John Gunn, chief planning officer explained during a committee meeting last Wednesday

“The applicants quite clearly say that the difference now is that they are willing to accept that it will be bulky goods,”.

“If it’s refused then they would go for permission granted by the Secretary of State, which would have a greater impact [on the town centre].”

The meeting heard there had been objections to the application by the group behind the Gungate precinct scheme and the company which owns Middle Entry.

New developments at Ventura have been blocked in the past due to worries about traffic and the effect on the town centre, something which has been highlighted through comments on Tamworth Blog, but Mr Gunn insisted the stores selling bulky goods would be less of a threat to other retail centres in town.

The application though received a unanimous vote by the committee in favour of its going ahead. Councillors sited the fact that if they refused, it would go ahead anyway without so much control.

Cllr Martin Summers told the Tamworth Herald:

“If we take it as a goodwill gesture that this will have less of an impact on the town centre, I don’t see that we can say no to it.

“I think we should accept this.”

On a positive note, these new developments will bring new jobs to the town during difficult times.

McDonalds Drive Thru frontage in the midst of a remodel

The McDonalds Drive Thru at Ventura Park has re-opened it’s kitchen to drivers in the area.

Following our story last week, the kitchens have re-opened with the drive-thru open for business.

The restaurant is still undergoing major re-construction, so for now it is Drive Thru only.

Staffordshire County Council have offered their backing to an ambitious project by the people behind the Eden project.

On Sunday 19 July, the Big Lunch will see road closures across the country for a good old fashioned street party with neighbours eating together outside, preferably using food they have grown themselves.

There are two Big Lunches already organised in the Tamworth area, why don’t you join in with your street?  To organise an event in your street you simply need to register, organise it and let the council know you want to close the street for the day.

County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture said:

“This is a great initiative and we hope as many people as possible decide to become involved.

“Bringing people together for a street party or outdoor meal is a fantastic way to get to know people you live near but have probably never spoken to. It can have a knock-on effect and get people helping each other and making neighbourhoods much more enjoyable and safe places to live.”

If you want to organise your own Big Lunch then simply let the County Council know (Staffordshire County Council are responsible for the roads in Tamworth) to arrange road closures.  You can contact them on 0800 23 23 23 or email them at nmu@staffordshire.gov.uk.  The next step is to get your neighbours involved and register your event at Big Lunch.

Any lunches taking part in the event and would like to post photos on the blog then please let us know.

Pop a raffle ticket on your shopping list and help St Giles Hospice continue to provide high levels of care for local people.

St Giles “Countdown to Summer” raffle is quickly coming to an end with local supporters having till the end of the month (31 July) to have a flutter and put their name in the hat to win one of the big prizes available.

Tickets are on sale from the lottery office or from the St Giles Hospice store in Tamworth on Little Church Lane.

The big draw takes place on August 13th where one person will win the £5,000 jackpot, whilst others will win one of the 200 other prizes on offer, ranging £2,000 to £5.

Richard Simmonite, St Giles Hospice Promotions’ Commercial Manager, says:

“We’re giving away a total of £12,000 in prizes in our ‘Countdown to Summer’ Raffle, and with so much on offer it’s well-worth a £1 for each chance to become a winner!

“Participants not only stand a chance of winning a cash prize, but will also help us continue to provide high levels of care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.”

So what you waiting for, support your local hospice today.

Christopher Pincher with County Councillors Matthew Ellis (Fazeley) and Lee Bates (Dosthill and Two Gates)

The Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Mile Oak will not be closing according to Tamworth’s Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Chris Pincher.

In a letter from the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust Mr Pincher was informed of the temporary closure of the Philip Ward, but this was temporary whilst the PCT negotiated a new service agreement after the Heart of England Health Trust scaled back their services in Tamworth and Lichfield.

In the statement, Anne Heckels, Chairman of the PCT said:

“South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust Provider Services are currently appointing a new supplier for a range of speciality services delivered in both Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield.

“These services include Trauma Clinics and Orthopaedic Sessions, which will be provided by Burton Hospitals NHS Trust from 1 July 2009.

“The change also comes as a result of Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT) scaling back on services that it delivers at both hospitals.

“This change will not result in any alterations to, or reduction in, the actual services being delivered and will in no way compromise the safety and wellbeing of patients.

“The care we give to patients is always a key priority and we are coordinating these changes in a way that causes least inconvenience and disruption to the patients. However, patients may have to see a different consultant, if it is an on-going problem, or may be asked to change the day or time of their appointment.”

Rumours have been rife around the staff at the hospital since the announcement on the closure of the Philip Ward which the PCT say is due to a change in policy of non-admittance and discharge.  However it will be re-addressed in the winter if numbers increase.

Chris Pincher said:

“I was contacted by the relatives of concerned hospital staff so I took up the matter with the PCT.  I am reassured that the future of the hospital appears safe despite the cuts to healthcare spending buried deep in the government’s budget forecasts  However, I remain concerned about plans for Philip ward.  It may be that its closure is described as “temporary” but there is no firm date for its reopening – which means the date could be pushed back and back.  I shall monitor developments here closely and will keep in touch with staff and patients.  I also want to see how the new services provided by Burton Hospitals NHS Trust perform.”

A Royal Artillery soldier headed for Afghanistan, hopes to raise cash for armed forces charity Help For Heroes, in Polesworth.

Aaron Bridges, who goes on tour in September, will be joined by Mum Bev Jukes, and her workmate Katie Guild, to run a stall at Polesworth Carnival on July 4, where there will be a chance to win prizes including £50 and £150 eyecare vouchers for Specsavers Tamworth.

Staff at the opticians in Sainsbury’s Superstore, Bonehill Road, will be selling Help for Heroes merchandise and offering spectacle MOTs – cleaning and adjustments – in return for donations to the charity.

For more information or make a donation call 01827 60622 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk.