Covid ambassadors helping to keep the Moorlands safe

Every action counts as we all work together to protect each other from the spread of coronavirus – and in the Moorlands our Covid Ambassadors are playing a key role in supporting local businesses to ensure they are operating safely.

Since the end of November the Ambassadors, employed by the District Council and its Alliance partner High Peak Borough Council to cover both areas, have carried out over 450 inspection visits with 90% of businesses visited showing high levels of compliance.

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: “It’s really great that we’ve seen such high levels of compliance with the guidelines and requirements that are in place to keep us all safe and I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their ongoing commitment to following the rules.

“These results show the fantastic response from local businesses who have been at the forefront of managing the impacts of the health pandemic and I commend them for all the work they have done and continue to do keep everyone safe.

“They are being supported by our Ambassadors who are a key part of our collective efforts and are doing a great job in assisting local businesses to ensure they are operating in a Covid secure manner.

“Their role is particularly important at this time because, even though we are in lockdown, the virus is still very much circulating in our communities so it’s critical that we all do what we can to try and slow and stop it spreading.”

As well as working closely with businesses, the Ambassadors can advise members of the public with any concerns they may have about breaches. Members of the public can report any concerns via the Council’s website:

www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/ContactEnvironmentalHealth

The number of people testing positive remains at very high levels across the country so it’s more important than ever that we all stick to the rules to keep ourselves and those we love safe.

Councillor Ralphs added: “Now more than ever it’s critical that we stay at home as much as possible and, when we do go out for essential reasons, we must all keep our distance from others, wear a face covering where required and wash our hands frequently.

“Our businesses and Ambassadors are working together to give us confidence that we can shop safely but we all have to do our bit to slow and stop the spread of the virus.

“If you do need to leave home for work for essential shopping, and you are not displaying Covid symptoms, that also means getting tested regularly. The testing centre is now up and running at Biddulph Leisure Centre to enable you to do this – just book a slot online.

“The vaccine roll out offers us hope of brighter days to come but, for now, let’s remember that our actions count and do what we can to take care of ourselves and those we care about. Stay safe.”

To book a testing appointment at Biddulph Leisure Centre please go to: https://staffordshire.zipporah.co.uk/TrackAndTrace

Knypersley First School to benefit from share of £1.3m refurbishment funding

  by Jack Lenton Biddulph Nub News

Knypersley First will be one of three schools in the Moorlands to benefit from over £1.3m million of Government funding to improve their facilities.

Schools in the Moorlands have been allocated a share of £560 million Government investment, aimed to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and improve education standards.

Churnet View Middle School and Westwood First School join Knypersley First as the three Moorlands schools to receive a total of £1,352,805.93.

Parking charges suspended in Biddulph for August

Short-term car parking charges will be suspended in Biddulph in August.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have made the decision to allow free parking in the town for the month in an effort to attract shoppers back to Biddulph’s High Street following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Biddulph’s Mayor, Cllr John Jones, announced the decision at a Biddulph Town Council meeting, saying that any parking in the town for under three hours would be free from 1st of August until the end of the month. 

However, any stays of over three hours must still be paid for.

[Read more…]

£200k grants keep community organisations and clubs active

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.

And fortunately, much-valued clubs and organisations across the Moorlands are still in business thanks to being awarded grants totalling almost £200k to support them during this challenging period.

[Read more…]

Dog owners urged to ‘bin the bags’

Dog owners are being urged to clean up after their pet

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

The call comes from members of the Cabinet at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council following an increase in the number of bags being left on streets and paths across the area.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: We all want to enjoy streets and public areas that are free of dog mess and I’m pleased to say that most dog owners do behave responsibly and do the right thing by cleaning up after their pet.

[Read more…]

Biddulph Library set to re open

Biddulph Library set to open 27 July

Biddulph Library is scheduled to re-open on Monday 27th July as part of Staffordshire County Council’s phased reopening of their 43 libraries which began on Monday, 6th July.

Community Managed Libraries are being fully supported by the county council and are being encouraged to reopen at their own pace.

[Read more…]

Moorlands leisure centres set for phased re-opening


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.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and its leisure partner Lex Leisure have worked together to ensure the centres at Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek are safe for users and staff and are looking forward to re-opening gyms and re-starting classes, initially with reduced numbers of participants and opening hours, from this weekend.

[Read more…]

Biddulph’s proposed Action Plan

Changes to the town centre, highways work and more support for young people are just some of the things included in Biddulph’s latest proposed Action Plan.

The Action Plans are prepared annually by Biddulph Town Council to ensure that the authority’s decision-making process is transparent, and its finances are effectively managed.

This year’s proposed Action Plan is currently available for public download on the council’s website.

These are some of the Action Plan’s main points, and how the council is hoping to work towards the town’s improvement in the coming year.

[Read more…]

Aldi selected for Biddulph site

Aldi has been selected by Staffordshire County Council to invest in a plot of land off Tunstall Road, Biddulph.

The site was formerly The Meadows School but has been disused for a number of years, with Staffordshire County Council seeking a buyer for the site. A previous deal appeared to have been made with Aldi last year but fell through in the summer. There had also been discussions with different developers regarding the site with another budget supermarket chain Lidl expressing a long term interest in opening a store in Biddulph but it now appears that Aldi is again the favourite to get the site.

[Read more…]

Gold for Biddulph in Bloom

gold2Biddulph have again won a Gold Medal in the RHS National in Bloom Competition.

Hilda Sheldon chair of Biddulph in Bloom said;

“We were delighted to receive a Gold Award from the RHS National in Bloom, in the Large Town Category. [Read more…]