Home talk Summer 2013
The magazine for Cannock Chase Council tenants
Inside:
How to
get FREE
internet
access!
Centre
Page
Feature.
What have Pete Harrison, Project Manager Dyson Associates (left), Mark Tunstall, Senior Council Property Services Officer (centre) and Barry Orme, site manager for Keepmoat (right) got to be jolly about? The refurbishment of the Moss Road Estate, of course. Turn to Page 3 for the full story.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
search for ‘Cannock Chase Life’
a £50 gift voucher -see P8 #CannockChaseDC
g n i s u o h e s a h c
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The latest issue of Quids-In magazine is included with your Summer HOMETALK, giving money saving tips, tasty recipes and scam-busting alerts. We would like your views on Quids-In, as to whether it is worth having future issues. Email
serviceimprovements@ cannockchasedc.gov.uk Or text your verdict to 07814 758558.
All responses will be entered into a prize draw for a £25 gift voucher, so please get in touch.
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nline social networking is now a way of life for most of Britain’s adults and young people.
Cannock Chase Council has joined the club and currently uses Facebook & Twitter for: two-way conversations with residents and businesses; receiving complaints, compliments and feedback;
A helping hand up the housing ladder
Walk &
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annock Chase Council has linked up with banking giants Lloyds-TSB to help firsttime buyers purchase a home.
Under the ‘Lend a Hand’ scheme, new homeseekers will only need a 5% deposit to get a mortgage. The Council has set aside £2 million for the Pictured at the launch were: ( L to R) Jas Dhillion, Bank scheme, which Manager, Lloyds TSB; Gail Crowsley, Housing Options Advice should help Assistant, Cannock Chase District Council; Katie-Jane Jaggers, around 100 local Mortgage and Protection Adviser, Lloyds TSB and Cllr Frank buyers on to the Allen, Housing Portfolio Leader, Cannock Chase Council. property ladder. comes with terms and conditions: First time buyers often find the deposit Borrowers can select any property is the biggest stumbling block, but Lend (excluding new builds) in the area covered a Hand requires a much smaller one than by Cannock Chase District Council up to a most mortgage lenders now demand. In maximum loan of £142,500. addition, fixed-rate mortgages available First-time buyers will put down a under this scheme will also be at a lower minimum 5% of the property price, and rate of interest than normal for this level of Cannock Chase Council will provide a deposit. cash backed indemnity of up to 20% as Cllr Frank Allen, the Council’s Housing additional security. The Council will earn Portfolio Leader said: “Many people in interest on this amount. Cannock Chase are struggling to get on Anyone interested in the local scheme the property ladder because they can’t should visit the Cannock branch of Lloyds raise the deposit. We are delighted to join TSB in Market Place for more information. forces with Lloyds TSB and help around Opening times are: 100 first-time buyers. This will hopefully Monday- Friday 9am-5pm; stimulate the local housing market and Saturday 9am-4pm. Advisers are also benefit the wider local economy.” available every Thursday 5pm-7pm. Inevitably, the Lend a Hand scheme
Tenants and residents stepping out on their local Estate Walk now have the chance to win a FREE month’s Leisure membership to use the Council’s leisure facilities. All walkers will be entered into a quarterly prize draw to win this membership and in addition there will also be a free day-long swimming pass which will be given out to all estate walk attendees on the day of the walk. Estate walks are a good way to get a bit of exercise in friendly company of others while helping the Housing Department spot things that need combating on the estate within your neighbourhood. For a ‘fixture list’ of Estate Walks, go to
www.cannockchasedc. gov.uk
tw i tter New online service for sharing information quickly; helping to build networks with residents and businesses. Why not ‘like’ us on Facebook ‘Cannock Chase Life’. Or ‘follow’ us on Twitter -
@CannockChaseDC
Chase lettings
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new online lettings service where Cannock Chase tenants and prospective tenants can apply for a property is now up and running.
The Council has decided to set up its own Choice Based Lettings Scheme and will no longer use the scheme called UChoosehomes. The new service, which got under way on 1 July, is called Cannock Chase Homes and its internet address is:
Anyone already registered with UChoosehomes need not do anything - all details and data has already been switched automatically to Cannock Chase Homes. All new applications must now be made direct to Cannock Chase Homes at www.cannockchasehomes.co.uk Or via the Council’s own website www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk For further information or clarification, contact the Housing Department’s Allocations section on 01543 462621 Or email
www.cannockchasehomes.co.uk
allocationeoi@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
news
Benefit cuts begin to bite
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Work is now well under way on giving a new lease of life to more than 100 Cannock Chase Council homes. The task to remedy the structural problems of the “Reema” and “Cornish” houses on Moss Road estate and Pye Green has been carefully planned out in two stages by the Council. Stage One, the 63 Reema houses on the Moss Road Estate, started in April and is due for completion in September. Stage Two, the 44 Cornish houses at Pye Green in the Rowley Close\ Bradbury Lane Area started in June and should be completed by December. The scheme is designed and co-ordinated by Michael Dyson Associates Limited with Keepmoat carrying out the work on site. Each property will have insulation put all around the outside walls with a new rendered finish over the top, new loft insulation, roof tiles, entrance doors and double glazed windows! When finished, all the houses will not only have an extended life of 30 years, but will also have improved energy-efficiency.
We’ll pay for Bright Ideas!
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��� f you think you’ve got a Bright Idea, to benefit the Housing Service, contact the Service Improvement Team. Text message them: 07 814 758558; Phone them on: 01543 464757; E-mail them at: serviceimprovements@ cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Write to them at: The Civic Centre, The Bungalow Annexe, PO Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG. Or use the suggestion forms available in Local Council offices.
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nuisance neighbour has been evicted from her Council home in Chadsmoor - and another from Heath Hayes suspected of vandalism will soon be following.
The tenant in Grimley Way had been causing problems for 15 months - noise and undesirable visitors - and the Council gave her a chance with a suspended eviction. But after breaching that order, she was given her marching orders by a judge. After she left, housing officers also found extensive damage to the inside of the property, which was left in a filthy condition. Another tenant will shortly be evicted from a council flat at Brooklyn Road, Heath Hayes. Although his tenancy was terminated last August, he was refusing to leave and was suspected of removing the boiler and copper pipework from the house, which was in a state of disrepair. After a trial at Stoke on Trent county court, the Council has been given an order to remove him. Belinda Wildey, Estate Management Team Leader said, “It is important to warn the small minority of tenants who cause anti social behaviour, vandalise our properties and let their homes fall into terrible states of disrepair, we will not stand for it.” Cannock Chase Council’s Housing Estate Management Team have worked closely with the Police and Community Safety Team Partners to tackle problems like these and get the right result. Cllr Frank Allen, Housing Portfolio Leader said: “This is a great example of local partnerships working together to tackle anti-social behaviour and a stark warning that we won’t tolerate such behaviour.”
he Government’s Benefits reforms featured in the Spring issue of HOMETALK are already beginning to hit home.
Tenants who previously had full Housing Benefit are now being asked to pay between £4 and £14 per week rent depending on the size of the property. The under occupancy charge for one spare bedroom is an average of £11 and for two spare rooms £21. Indications are, however, that tenants being charged bedroom tax and who initially did not pay their rent, are now accepting that payments are necessary in order to keep their home. Discretionary housing payments provide further financial assistance when the local authority housing benefit department consider that extra help with housing costs is needed. Whether you are granted a discretionary payment or not is based on your individual circumstances. You must provide any information that is relevant to your claim to help the decision maker assess your claim, this includes all income including income that is not normally used in the calculation of housing benefit e.g. child benefit and DLA. If you are disabled and your property has been specially adapted for your needs or you are a foster carer and if you think you may qualify for help, pick up a leaflet on discretionary housing payments from Rugeley Office, Hednesford Library or the Civic Centre, visit the Council website or call the benefit helpline on 01543 464292. Latest information from the Council’s Housing Benefit section is that the Benefit Cap being introduced in September will affect only a small number of Council tenant families. This could mean that some families will be paying full rent or receiving reduced Housing Benefit. Families affected have been contacted by the Department of Works & Pensions and the housing benefit section. They will also get a visit from a rent officer prior to being asked to make payments. Remember if you are in debt or worried about how the welfare reforms may affect you, contact your rent officer for a priority appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau for a benefit check and budgeting help.
Home improvements at the double
Double-glazing is coming to Cannock Chase tenants’ homes.
The Council’s Housing chiefs pushed through this energy-efficient improvement and the contract is under way as you read this. The work can’t all be done at once, so the programme will run over seven years; the following homes have been lined up to get their double-glazing this financial year (2013-14): Estate 35 - Moss Road Area – started May; Estate 48 – Lomax Road Area - started May; Estate 28 – Norton East Rd Area – started July; Estate 32 – Huntington Terrace Road Area – start due August; Estate 33 – Mount Street Area – start due September; Estate 36 – McGhie Street Area - start due November; Estate 10 – Avon Road Area – start due January 2014. Along with double glazed sealed units, the job also includes new locking handles, the hinges will be checked and the existing window frames will be cleaned. In a few instances some windows may not be suitable for refurb so we may have to completely change the whole window, but if this applies, you will be advised at survey stage. Window Programmes for years 2-7 will be advised in future editions of Hometalk.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
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Why you should know about the internet
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ike it or not, the internet is now a vital part of everyday life. People use it for shopping, banking, paying bills - and now claiming state benefits is going online. The Council’s Housing Service provides the option to register to move house, pay your rent or report repairs via the internet. Most of us are already well used to the web through our computers, iPads and more recently mobile phones, but for some it is still a mysterious place. It need not be - and with the introduction of Universal Credit, thousands of tenants and other claimants with no previous internet experience are going to have to learn the ropes. A lot of people do not have, or simply cannot afford, their own personal internet access, typically a computer with a broadband contract linked to the telephone. That need not exclude you from using online facilities.
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hase Housing chiefs want to ensure that ALL tenants can take advantage of the internet and this special HOMETALK photo feature explores the way to do it even if you don’t have a computer or other mobile device. Your local library has computer access for anyone to use free of charge. You only need to become a member of your library (also free). The bar code on your library ticket is used for you to log in and you will be given your own 4 digit pin number. All of our local libraries have this facility to use the computers but please check with them first as you may need to reserve a timeslot to use them if it is busy.
Let us help you to a…
World Wide Welcome! The Internet can make your life a lot easier - if you know the ropes. Hometalk takes you through it, step by step…
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1. Tenant Trish, who doesn’t have an internet connection got a letter from the Council telling her about new online services.
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Once you are up and running you may want to follow the Council’s Twitter or Facebook pages to see what’s going on in your area. (See page 2 for more details).
There are TWO computer screens for FREE use by tenants at The Bungalow Housing Office in Beecroft Road, Cannock They are linked directly to the choice-based lettings site Cannock Chase Homes. You can also access the nationwide Homeswapper and the Council’s own website - but nothing else!.
4. Signing up to be a member was a doddle. It’s FREE for Staffordshire residents, you don’t need to bring any identity documents, just know your full address including postcode
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Don’t worry if you do not know how to use the computers as the library do offer basic computer courses to show you how. This service is also free of charge but you will have to contact them beforehand to book yourself a place on the course. They also offer an IT Buddy which is a ‘one to one’ service to help and assist you and they will sit with you during your session. You will need to book in advance to have an IT buddy. There are libraries in Cannock, Hednesford, Brereton, Norton Canes, Heath Hayes and Rugeley which all offer a computer service. Please contact your nearest library for opening times and availability. Call the 24 hour information line 0845 330 0740 for more information.
3. There was a notice on the door of the library explaining about the internet facilities and where to go to get started. 2. Undaunted, she found out her local library - in this case Rugeley - had FREE internet access for members.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
HOUSING OFFICE COMPUTER
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Many thanks to our tenant Trish Turner for helping us to illustrate how you can get internet access.
5. Online for the first time, Trish got help from an IT buddy, who also explained how to keep your personal information secure online.
6. It didn’t take long for Trish to get the hang of it and she was soon clicking away on her own.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
They cannot be used for applying for Universal Credit, surfing the net or other online business. Housing staff will help you use these computers for the lettings service. All you need do is ask at the counter. ( See Page 2 for details of the Council’s NEW choice-based lettings service.)
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You don ’t have Sensors save lives! to suffer in silence N - now call us 24\7 ew state-of-the-art fire and carbon monoxide detectors are being fitted in all Chase Council dwellings to give tenants maximum protection.
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enants and other Cannock Chase residents suffering from anti-social behaviour can now get to talk to an adviser with a new outof-hours call service launched by the Council.
Many, if not most, nuisance problems come to a head when offices are closed, but now victims calling to report it can get straight through to a real person, who will listen and route the caller to the right organisation. This could be either the Housing Estate Management Team, the Police, Environmental health, or the Community Safety Partnership team. To report ASB out of hours, Please call 01543 464657. ALL calls are treated in the strictest confidence. The out-of-hours service is aimed at making it as easy as possible for people to report anti-social behaviour. The Council has made tackling the problem one of its priorities, as have the other partner organisations. IMPORTANT: For less urgent crime or general police enquiries, Staffordshire Police can be contacted on 101. There’s also Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. FOR GENUINE EMERGENCIES ALWAYS DIAL 999! ASB Don’t Just live with it, report it!!! You can also report on line:
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Multi-Sensor Fire Alarms will detect blazes caused by either smoke OR heat - the first to do this. A Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm will be put in the living room or next to the central heating boiler to detect this invisible, odourless yet deadly gas. If it goes off, immediately open doors and windows to let the gas disperse, then contact the Council’s Maintenance/ Repairs team or National Grid. The Council’s policy now is to install all these alarms and link them together in all bungalows and properties being rewired. If one alarm is triggered, they will all go off, thus giving the best chance of escape. To control this system, a Fire and CO Alarm control Switch is also installed. It allows you to test all the alarms in one go - just press the white TEST button on the control switch. You can identify which one has detected a problem by pressing the red LOCATE switch on the left side to silence all the alarms except the one that has triggered. If you’re sure that there’s NO danger, press the red SILENCE ALARM button on the right
Dodd Group electrician Oliver Bagnall fits a detector in a Council property. side of the switch to reset the alarms into STANDBY MODE. It will take a while for ALL of the Council’s properties to have this system installed, but you will have at least SMOKE DETECTORS powered from the mains with battery back-up It is important to test these systems regularly.
REGULAR CHECKS CHECK THAT DETECTOR HAS A GREEN LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON CHECK THAT A RED LIGHT FLASHES EVERY 40 SECONDS PRESS THE TEST BUTTON FOR 10 SECONDS AND THE ALARM WILL SOUND LOUDLY. VACUUM AROUND THE SIDE VENTS TO CLEAN.
DO YOU HAVE A WORKING SMOKE ALARM AT HOME? IF NOT YOU ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE IF A FIRE STARTS IN YOUR HOME 226 people die each year in fires in their homes, caused by smoking materials, cooking, candles and other things such as faulty electrical wiring or appliances. You can reduce the risk of fire in your home by following some simple fire safety steps. Social housing landlords have a responsibility to you and your home and must ensure that gas and electrical appliances they supply are safe and in good working order. Your landlord may also fit smoke alarms in shared accommodation and communal areas. Speak to your landlord if you have any questions or concerns. Contact your local Fire and Rescue Service for futher fire safety information.
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Test your smoke alarms weekly. Never remove the batteries.
Put it out. Right out! Make sure you put cigarettes out properly and never smoke in bed.
Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows it and where door and window keys are kept.
In the event of a fire
Get out, stay out and call 999 Don't attempt to tackle a fire yourself
www.facebook.com/firekills
Home insurance: Are YOU covered?
W
hatever the weather, it is now officially summer and the holiday season will soon be upon us. You may be considering a short break or planning a holiday, but which ever you choose it is likely that your property will be unoccupied* during the time you are away.
There are a number of simple precautions you can take such as, arranging for a friend or neighbour to look after your home and collect your mail, remembering to cancel milk and papers and fitting door and window locks. But however secure your property may appear to be, it will always be at risk from a truly determined thief. A burglary at your home can be devastating, but can be eased if you have home contents insurance cover. It doesn’t bear thinking about, but these things do happen. All of us believe that it will never happen to us, and if they do, we wish we’d been prepared. But by then it’s too late.
From as little as 99p a week, 66p a week for residents aged 55 and over and 44p a week for those tenants who live in sheltered accommodation, you can have the peace of mind in knowing that your furniture, belongings and decorations are insured against theft, fire, vandalism, burst pipes and other household risks. The policy includes extended accidental damage cover at no extra cost.
premium Other optional extensions are also available for an additional premium, such as cover for hearing aids, mobility scooters, personal possessions away from the home and buildings cover for sheds, garages and greenhouses. Cannock Chase Council has joined with the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Tenant Risks contents insurance scheme to offer you the chance to insure your contents and furnishings in an easy and affordable way.
For more information or a free information pack please contact Cannock Chase Council, Insurance Department on 01543 462621 ask for extension 4679 or 4258. * The policy excludes certain loss or damage if no one is living at the property for more than 35 consecutive days. Exclusions and limits apply to all covers; further details are available within the free information pack.
Hometalk’s Great Garden Tips! All Council tenants are responsible for maintaining their gardens and that includes trees, shrubs and lawns. Those allowed to become excessively untidy or overgrown or have rubbish dumped on them could amount to a breach of Cannock Chase’s Tenancy Agreement and the Estate Management Team will take action. The Council’s groundsman, ‘Goldie’, has loads of useful tips on keeping your garden in shape. Here’s his advice on the use of garden sprays.
Do: Use the correct product i.e. selective weedkiller for lawns and total for other areas Store in a safe place away from children Wash hands after use Wear corrective protective clothing
Don’t: Use in wet or windy conditions Pour any excess down drains Use weedkiller in a watering can over hard surfaces such as paving - spot treat only Use more than the required amount. Above all, take extreme care always when using hazardous products like weedkiller.
Goldie at work at Grace Moore Court.
Everyone a winner
Gas Servicing Draw January Mrs D Matthews, Heath Hayes Mr G Johnson, Hednesford February Miss M Harper, Cannock, Mrs E Sproston, Heath Hayes March Mrs J Slatcher, Cannock Mrs J Jackson, Norton Canes Wordsearch Winner Mrs J Jennings, Cannock Pull Cord Alarm Winner Mr J Parkes, Hednesford Repairs Questionnaire February Mr P Jellyman, Cannock March Mrs C McGahan, Rugeley April Mr J McKinley, Hednesford Estate Walk Winner Mr P Mumford, Hednesford.
For many years, Bromford Support has worked with Cannock Chase Council to help tenants with a range of support services. A recent addition is a Drop-In service at Rugeley Community Church, Fernwood Drive, Rugeley, every Thursday between lpm and 3pm. Sessions are open to any tenant. Bromford can offer support on tenancy issues, debts advice, benefits, health issues, training and work.
The dangers of ������ � t is a fact that elderly people Fusion Credit Union, the not-for-profit savings and loans service, is now open for business at the Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock on Mondays between 10am and 2pm. Backed by the Council, it is available to people living or working in the Cannock Chase District and costs just £2 a year to become a member. Credit Unions are generally seen as a safe and secure alternative to payday loan companies and backstreet lenders. For more information, call 01543 415032, or log on to
www.fusioncreditunion.co.uk or email:
info@fusioncreditunion.co.uk
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are more likely to have an unexpected fall and the risk increases with age.
One major source of tumbles is tripping in their own home. Hazards include rugs, clutter, lack of sufficient lighting or a combination of risk factors. Health issues such as poor eyesight, low blood pressure, an infection or balance problems make falling more likely.
Reducing the risk. Exercise can help strengthen muscles and bones and enhance a person’s confidence. Begin a gentle exercise programme to improve your leg strength & balance. Have an annual eye check-up and update your glasses. Ask your GP or pharmacist to review any medicines you take. Make your home safer - railings on stairs, grab bars in bathrooms, good lighting, removing clutter and trip hazards are all good ideas. Fall prevention classes are available in the Cannock Chase area. For an informal chat or more details contact: Annette Walker 07858 770 388.
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Tenants who suspect their electricity meter box may have a fault or is damaged in any way, are urged to report it to the Council as soon as possible - phone 01543 456861. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
CHECK THOSE ALARMS! Tenants & all other clients using Cannock Chase Council’s alarm system are reminded to carry out their monthly check: ONCE A MONTH pull the cord to alert the call centre. This will test the alarm is working and reassure operators that you are all right.
CContact entre
Emergency Repairs…
All areas outside office hours: Tel: 01543 456816
Repairs Reporting…
All repairs: Tel: 01543 462621 or Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Report it’
Housing Enquiries… General enquiries: Tel: 01543 462621
Anti-social behaviour Out of hours service…
Hometalk is available in LARGE DON’T LIVE WITH IT - REPORT IT! Tel: 01543 464657 PRINT and ON TAPE. Contact ONLINE: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk the Service Improvement Team Benefits Enquiries… Housing and Council Tax Benefits enquiries: 01543 464292 on 01543 462621.
A £50 gift voucher
exclusively for tenants! Find these Disney films in the WORDSEARCH grid: JUNGLE BOOK HERCULES ALADDIN CARS PETER PAN GUS PINOCCHIO TRON BOLT MULAN CANDLESHOE CINDERELLA TONKA
Tiebreaker: Olive Oyl’s sailor friend:
_ _ _ _ _ _ Send entries to: Hometalk Wordsearch The Civic Centre Beecroft Road Cannock
(or hand it in at your local
P H E R C U L E S J I A M S A N A L U M N P U S N A E N J L O G E T D C G I O A C S A T L L D M T L C I N D E R E L L A H B I B S R O L T D I R O R H B P P R D O O A T O N K A O I K C E Y E P O P N N Your name ................................................. Your address ............................................ ................................ Post Code ............... Tel. ............................ I am aged over 16
Council Office). NB Closing date is: Fri. 30th August. First correct entry drawn (Employees of the Council and their families not eligible to enter) out wins the prize. Housing Services may wish to contact you concerning housing matters. If you do not wish to be contacted, tick this box Published by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL HOUSING DIVISION
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Rent Paymen ts…
Pay by Phone: 0845 2340080 Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Pay it’
Council Online…
Cannock Chase Council website: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Opening Hours… The Council’s Housing Office at the Bungalow in Beecroft Road, Cannock, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Local Council Office in Anson Street, Rugeley is open the same times EXCEPT Wednesdays, when it is 9am to 1pm. The One-stop Shop at the Library in Market Street, Hednesford is now open for general inquiries 9am - 5pm (closed 1pm - 2pm). Appointments can also be made.
Writing to us… Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, P O Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock Staffs. WS11 1BG.
Editorial Consultants: MID STAFFS NEWS AGENCY 01785 823489
Printed by: RENFOR, Watling Street, Tamworth B77 5AE.