2020

As Twelfth Night fast approaches and we return to work and school after the festivities it's time to take the Christmas decorations down for another year.

Christmas presents have now been exchanged for another year - and the people of Staffordshire Moorlands have been given an extra special gift that will last for generations to come.

As we embark on a new decade one of the greatest challenges we face is addressing climate change.

Share the love with your local sporting stars and heroes by submitting them for the 2019 Sports Awards before nominations close on Valentine's Day.

Tackling climate change was on the agenda when business chiefs at one of the Moorlands biggest employers met leading councillors on Friday (7 February).

It's never been easier to make your metal matter in Staffordshire Moorlands District Council area!

The public toilets at Leek Bus Station will close next week whilst work to fully refurbish the facilities takes place.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has set its budget for providing essential services at £9.8m for the coming year.

From 1 April 2020 we will be increasing the Empty Homes Premium.

Survey work to identify opportunities to improve and expand natural green spaces in the Staffordshire Moorlands is set to begin this Spring.

Joint statement from Cllr Sybil Ralphs MBE and Cllr Anthony Mckeown

The Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) is celebrating after securing over £1.4m to bring this hugely popular visitor attraction to Leek.

With measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus affecting many aspects of our daily lives Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is keen to reassure people that there is help and support available for residents and businesses.

Waste crews across the Moorlands are continuing to collect your waste and recycling despite the changes to our day to day lives as a result of national efforts to halt the spread of the Coronavirus.

Over 1,000 Moorlands businesses have received more than £12.2 million pounds in grant funding to help them through the Coronavirus emergency - with hundreds more set for pay outs in the coming days.

Being at home more means more time for clear-outs and tidy-ups - and possibly extra household and garden waste - so Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is reminding people to make sure they dispose of any waste responsibly.

As the Coronavirus continues to affect all aspects of our lives the support our communities can offer to each other is more important than ever.

The Government's lockdown announcement at the end of March meant an immediate change to all our lives - but the one constant is the support available to communities and businesses from the District Council.

From today (Monday 1 June) small businesses experiencing a significant drop in income as a result of Covid-19 can apply to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for a Discretionary Business Grant Fund.

Amongst the many things the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted is the critical role volunteers play in their local communities.

With lockdown restrictions set to ease a little more and plans being developed to help communities and businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has pledged support for actions which encourage a green recovery.

Next week sees a further easing of the Covid-19 restrictions with more non-essential retail businesses opening their doors and towns and villages across the Moorlands gearing up to safely welcome back shoppers and visitors.

Being able to take part in team sports, community activities, exercise classes and visit the gym again is something so many people are looking forward to when the Covid-19 restrictions allow.

With statistics showing that 80% of plastics in the world's oceans come from sources on the land, reducing our reliance on plastics - and particularly single use plastics - is something many people aspire to.

The world has changed a great deal since Staffordshire Moorlands District Council declared a climate emergency 12 months ago - but the commitment to tackling climate change remains the same.

Dog owners are being urged to bin the bags after they've picked up after their pets.

Round two of a grant funding scheme for Moorlands businesses - described by recent recipients as 'a life saver' that has made 'a world of difference' - is set to re-open for new applications on Friday (17 July).

Leisure centres across the Staffordshire Moorlands are set to start a phased re-opening from Saturday 25 July with measures in place to ensure they are Covid-secure.

As shops, businesses, leisure facilities and visitor attractions across the Moorlands welcome people back following the Coronavirus lockdown, the Council is offering its support with free parking throughout August.

Despite the changes we've all had to make due to Covid-19, residents across the Moorlands have continued to recycle their waste leading to an increase in the district's recycling rate.

Being able to eat out with friends or family is back on the menu again - and this month there's the added bonus of up to 50% off the bill at many Moorlands cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels.

Measures to keep public spaces across the Staffordshire Moorlands free from dog fouling and nuisance dogs are being considered.

Essential structural works to the pool hall at Brough Park Leisure Centre are set to start this week following the unavoidable delay caused by the Covid-19 closure earlier this year.

As sporting activity begins again across the Moorlands following lockdown, the District Council is offering grants to help clubs, groups and athletes meet the additional costs of being Covid-secure.

As the Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease Leek Farmer's Market is amongst the latest much-missed amenities to be making a welcome return and, from September, it will be in a new location in the town centre.

Groups and communities across the UK are gearing up for the Great British September Clean - and Moorlanders are being encouraged to get involved!

Mountain and motor bikers using a biologically important Moorlands nature reserve for recreation are risking damaging the site the District Council has warned.

Recent changes to how Moorlands markets are set up will see a reduction of thousands of HGV vehicle miles and carbon emissions and an end to the use of 3,000 single use plastic cable ties every year.

Taking care of others and helping the people who need support is the positive legacy we will all benefit from as the Moorlands and the country emerges from the Covid-19 health pandemic.

The Council's Audit of Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2020 is now available for public inspection.

Exciting plans to invest in and improve facilities at Leek's Brough Park are taking shape - and the District Council is starting to share its proposals with groups and individuals who value this green space at the heart of the town.

Leek Town FC's grass pitch at Harrison Park looks set to the be first in the Moorlands to be converted to an all weather 3G pitch following a District Council grant of £100,000.

Plans for the new, improved play area at Brough Park in Leek are set to be unveiled this month - and people are being invited to tell us what they think of the designs.

The Local Plan - the District's key planning document which will shape development in the Staffordshire Moorlands up to 2033 - has been formally adopted by the Council.

This week is Recycle Week and - as we're recycling more than ever - it's the perfect time to say a big thank you to everyone for helping Staffordshire Moorlands increase our rates to over 56%.

People using the disabled toilet at Leek Bus Station are being urged to make sure they only use genuine RADAR keys to access the facility.

Staffordshire Moorlands is set to join a growing list of over 20 countryside councils working together to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions to net zero.

With Autumn now upon us, and many of us spending increased time indoors as a result of Covid, keeping our homes warm and cosy has never been as important - and help is available to Moorlands residents who currently don't have central heating.

Calendars are usually filling up with seasonal events at this time of year but things are going to be different this autumn and winter following a decision not to allow public events on Council land.

Ambitious plans to regenerate Cheadle will focus on returning the vibrancy to the town by revitalising the high street and investing in community health, leisure and well-being facilities and new homes.

Eligible individuals in the Moorlands who are entitled to a Test and Trace support payment or discretionary support payment of £500 can now apply online. This is to support people on low incomes who are unable to work from home if they are told to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace and will lose income as a result.

People living and working in the Staffordshire Moorlands are being urged to protect themselves and their friends and families from Covid-19 and do their bit to help keep the District in the 'medium' alert category.

The Park is one of a record-breaking 2,000+ UK parks and green spaces to receive the prestigious award - a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Andrew Stokes has been appointed Chief Executive of the alliance authorities Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and High Peak Borough Council.

People across the Moorlands are being asked to mark Remembrance Sunday safely from their homes this year as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus continue.

Private landlords across the Moorlands are invited to join a virtual forum taking place next week aimed at preventing homelessness in the district following the six-month ban on evictions.

Staffordshire Moorlands is set to join the rest of Staffordshire in Tier 2 - the high alert Covid category - from 00.01 on Saturday 31 October.

Staffordshire's High Sheriff and the Chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands have thanked some of the groups and individuals who have worked tirelessly to support their local communities during the Covid pandemic.

Whilst remembrance events this year will be different due to Covid one thing remains constant - the Council's support for the annual Poppy appeal.

With England entering a second lockdown period from today (Thursday 5 November), the Council is urging people to follow the rules, reduce the infection rate and keep themselves safe over the next four weeks.

As the nation prepares to fall silent on Armistice Day to honour our Armed Forces past and present, the Chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands has thanked local communities for remembering at home.

Lockdown 2 has meant the return to tougher restrictions on our social lives and many shops, hospitality and sports and leisure facilities across the Moorlands being forced to close to help bring the Covid infection rate down.

Public Space Protection Orders to keep the Moorlands free from dog fouling and nuisance dogs have been approved by the District Council.

Businesses in the Staffordshire Moorlands that have been forced to close during lockdown 2, and those that haven't yet been able to re-open since the first lockdown, can now apply to the District Council for financial help.

Communities and businesses across the Staffordshire Moorlands will move into the very high alert Covid category when lockdown 2 ends this week.

Picking up Christmas gifts and goodies will be top of many of our 'to do' lists as shops and businesses across the Moorlands re-open - and the Council is offering free parking on Saturdays this month to help make that a little easier.

More grants for Moorlands businesses affected by the restrictions in force to control the spread of Covid have now opened for applications.

Christmas is a busy enough time in any year and especially so this year with the Covid restrictions to factor in - so remembering any changes to your bin collections is probably not high on your list!

With the number of shopping days left until Christmas rapidly diminishing, the announcement of additional trading dates for Leek's markets will be good news for many people.

Staffordshire Moorlands, along with the rest of Staffordshire, remains in the very high alert category following this week's review of the Covid tiers by the Government.

Moorlands pubs that predominantly serve alcohol can now apply for the Christmas Support Grant Payment to compensate them for the impact of closure over the festive period due to Covid restrictions.

The Moorlands is renowned for its rural beauty and outdoor spaces and, as we say goodbye to 2020, that could be just the tonic we all need to improve our sense of wellbeing.

Sporting successes and achievements in fields as diverse as fencing and martial arts to athletics and rugby have been celebrated in the Moorlands once again this year - albeit a little differently than in previous years due to the Covid pandemic.

Council chiefs have reaffirmed their commitment to investing in and regenerating Cheadle - and to doing so in full partnership with the local community and the town's organisations.