Following the news that Stafford hospital has again delayed the return to full time opening of its Accident and Ermergeny ward, Cannock MP Aiden Burley has called for the board to be on ‘red alert’ if the department does not return to nornal service by October.

The department has been closed overnight since November last year, when the Mid Staffs NHS board took the decision to reduce hours to ensure patient safety.  The department has since been increasing staffing levels and training in an attempt to resolve deep-set issues at the scandal-hit hospital, with some success, but the board have raised concerns about the ability to sustain the improveents required.

Mr Burley said:

Whilst I pay tribute to those doctors and nurses on the hospital floor who have worked hard to meet the stringent criteria for re-opening, the Trust Board are now on red alert. If the Hospital does not open in October, or earlier, the Governors should sack the Board who have had long enough to solve this problem. It should not take more than a year to make an A&E Department fit for purpose and clinically safe

A local resident raised their concerns about the safety of a ‘quick’ opening, stating that “if you ask people if they want they Accident and Emergency department opened, they’ll always say yes.  If you ask if they want it open and safe, then that’s much more important.”

The accident and emergency department is now set to reopen in October, leaving local residents travelling to hospitals further away.

The return of full time hours to Staffords Accident and Emergency department has once again been rescheduled following an announcement by Mid Staffs Foundation Trust.

Stafford hospitals Accident and Emergency department was reduced to ‘part time’ hours in December last year, only opening between 8am and 10pm each day, with local residents left concerned about the  consequences of emergency incidents being rerouted to other hospitals.

So far, estimated dates have included ‘early May‘ and June - but the Foundation Trust are now suggested that, as long as current progress is continued, the Accident and Emergency department will only return to full time operation some time around October – a full 6 months later than originally projected.

Aidan Burley, MP for Cannock Chase, said:

“I am deeply disappointed by the Board’s decision to delay the night time re-opening of Stafford A&E for a second time.

“I will be asking some very serious questions about who made the decision to announce that the re-opening was on schedule, what setbacks have happened in the last six weeks, and whether the Board is really in control of this situation.

Police are seeking witnesses after a vicious assault over the weekend left a local man requiring hospital treatment.

A local man was attacked in the Linford Arms pub just after 10pm  on Sunday, 6th of May, where an altercation left him with requiring surgery and stitches.

A 41 year old man was arrested by police shortly afterwards.

DC Ian McDonack said:

“The pub was busy at the time and many people will have witnessed the incident which started in the rear of the building.

“The victim required surgery and numerous stitches to his ear.

“Staffordshire Police treats such violence very seriously and works closely with licencees and other partners to make sure town centres are safe.”

Anyone with information should ring DC McDonack or DC Christopher Lovatt on 01785 234205 or Staffordshire Police’s non emergency number 101, quoting incident number is 727 of 6 May. Alternatively, they can ring independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A Flame Ambassador is being sought to bring the Paralympic torch from London to the district for the Paralympic Flame Celebration in August.

The District’s Flame Ambassador will attend the London Flame Lighting event on 24th August and bring part of the Flame back to the celebration in Cannock Chase in a special Paralympic lantern.

The celebration in Cannock Chase District takes place on Saturday 25th August with a day of celebration at Chase Leisure Centre, with a Party In The Pool and lots of have-a-go sessions including multi-sports, cricket, trampolining, football and golf.

The Flame will be kept at Chase Leisure Centre for the public to view and will also be touring other leisure facilities in the District.

The hunt for Cannock Chase’s Flame Ambassador was launched at Hednesford Valley High School, a special school that has a thriving programme of sporting activities for its youngsters.

Deputy headteacher Anne Tracey said:

“It’s fantastic for the local area to be part of the London Paralympics and for the district to be hosting a Flame Celebration in August. It will be a great experience for all the young people in Cannock Chase to help form a real connection with the 2012 Paralympic Games.”

There’s lots going on over the next few months in Cannock Chase to mark the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Log on to www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/chasegames to see the Chase Community Games calendar and to take part in the summer of celebrations.

 

If you’d like to nominate somebody, you can do so by emailing Deborah Pearce at deborahpearce@cannockchasedc.gov.uk with details, or posting nominations to Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock, WS11 1BG.

You can nominate more than one person, but please ensure that you include some brief information (max 250 words) as to why you think your nominee should be an ambassador, along with your contact number.  Don’t forget that the Flame Ambassador should live or work in the Cannock Chase District, or be involved with a sports club in the area.

Pictured: Students from Hednesford Valley High School

Brereton and Ravenhill
Previously Held By: Liberal Democrats
Alan Dudson
Labour Party 
611
Ray Easton
Liberal Democrat
547
Vic Hardcastle
Conservative Party
189
Cannock East
Previously held by: Labour Party
Christine Mitchell
Labour Party
982
Susan Jayne Snape
Conservative Party
341
Cannock North 
Previously held by: Labour Party
Gordon Alcott
Labour Party
992
Phil Jones
Conservative Party
234
Cannock South
Previously held by Liberal Democrats
Maureen Freeman
Labour Party
882
Mark Green 
Liberal Democrat
94
Steve Mate
Conservative Party
349
Cannock West
Previously held by: Liberal Party
Chris Anslow
Conservative Party
1002
Paul Witton
Labour Party
709
Etching Hill and the Heath
Previously held by: Liberal Democrats
Diane Bennett
Liberal Party
93
Gary Grant
Liberal Democrat
310
Justin Johnson
Conservative Party
426
Charlote Stubbs
Labour Party 
379
Hagley (2 seats)
Previously 1 Liberal Party / 1 vacant
Richard Alexander
Conservative Party
105
Pat Ansell
Liberal Democrat
79
Paul Blake
Conservative Party
95
Brian Bottomer
Labour Party
356
Les Grindey
Liberal Democrat
72
Andy Lovell
Labour Party
387
Neil Stanley
Liberal Party
236
Tony Williams
Liberal Party
237
Hawks Green
Previously Held by: Conservative Party
Ann Bernard
Conservative Party
410
Sarah Giles
Liberal Democrat
71
Colin Markley
English Democrats
167
John Preece
Labour Party
376
Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury
Previously held by: Labour Party
Alan Dean
Conservative Party
445
Diane Todd
Labour Party
707
Hednesford North
Previously held by Conservative
Graham Burnett
Conservative Party
392
Alan Pearson
Labour Party
924
Ron Turville
Chase Independent Party
171
Hednesford South
Previously held by: Conservative Party
John Burnett
Conservative Party
371
Brian Gamble
Labour Party
586
Ann Turville
Chase Independent Party
164
Norton Canes
Previously Held by: Conservative Party
Ken Ansell
Liberal Democrat
69
John Beddows
Conservative Party
633
Zaphne Stretton
Labour Party
881
Western Springs
Previously Held by Liberal Democrat
Carl Bennett
Labour Party
430
Jim Bowater
Conservative Party
384
Becky Williams
Liberal Party
74
Pat Williams
Liberal Democrat
215

The Council are hoping to set up two separate groups, which will meet sometime around June and September.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Consultation and Engagement Officer at Cannock Chase Council victoriahenderson@cannockchasedc.gov.uk (01543 464548) or visit http://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/consultation to leave your contact details.

Cannock candidates will be making their final appeals for votes over the next 24 hours, as residents around the district prepare to vote in the local elections Tomorrow (3rd of May, 2012).

You can see who is vying for what seat via our detailed list here, and you can see their responses – at least, those who we could contact or replied to us – via our official Local Election page.

The current council is fairly evenly matched between parties, with Labour and Conservative parties holding most seats at 16 and 13 seats respectively.  Two seats are also available for the Hagley ward, following the resignation of Gordon Brown earlier this year.

Cannock Chase Council will be updating their website live this year on their District Elections page, and you can also follow their live tweets at @cannockchasedc

Cannock Police are appealing for witnesses after a 72-year old driver was attacked in a road range incident near the center of town Yesterday (Tuesday, 1st of March) afternoon.

The man was punched in the face while sitting in his car after an accident involving his red Citroen C3 and the offenders white panel van.  After the assault, the offender then drove off, leaving the man with minor injuries which were treated at hospital.

The driver of the van is described as white, slim, aged in his late 30s, around 6ft tall with a shaved head.  The van is believed to have a partial registration of BX54.

Any witnesses, or anybody who might know the offender, are asked to contact PC John Picken at Staffordshire Police by calling the non-emergency 101 number,  quoting incident number 421.  Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The project, designed to help residents gain skills and experience in a real working environment, includes basic training useful in the work place, how to complete job applications and CVs. The Project will introduce people to health and safety in the kitchen and healthy living practices and domestic skills.

Courses available include gardening, First Aid, Health and Safety and food hygiene. Job skills include interviewing techniques, job search, assessing future goals, awareness and how to progress.

This is an excellent provision delivered in a relaxed and friendly environment where people are made to feel welcome and at ease so would particularly benefit people with confidence issues. The staff are also experienced at delivering the provision.

In order to be eligible for the courses, you need to meet the following criteria:

• 16-24 JSA (Jobseekers Allowance) customers
• JSA Customers who are in the following groups
• Offenders and Ex offenders

o       Persons With Disability

o       JSA Care-leavers

• o       Homeless person
• o       Ex – HM Armed forces
• o       Partner of current or former   armed forces personnel
• o       Person with history of substance dependency not undergoing treatment

·       Customers in receipt of ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) or IB (Incapacity Benefit)

People who are participating on Work Programme are not eligible.

If you meet the above critera, and are interested in attending the course, please contact Heather Preece 01543 571698.

A development at the Mill Green site is all set to go ahead after the securing of a funding package for the area, continuing on from an earlier report.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership has announced that Mill Green, on Eastern Way, will receive £1.78 million of Growing Places funding, matching the funding for the project recently secured from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP.

The total funding of £.3.56 million will now enable extensive infrastructure and servicing works to take place at Mill Green, which will create 68 construction jobs.

The development is set to eventually create almost 2,000 jobs for the area, including full time positions and construction work.

Tony McGovern, Cannock Chase Council Corporate Director, said:

“This really is fantastic news for the District and we’re delighted to have received funding from both LEPs to develop the Mill Green site into a high quality business park. The site has been designated as a major employment location for a number of years and will deliver substantial investment and employment growth when completed.”