David Smith

Lichfield District Council, the University of Birmingham and partners celebrate winning prestigious environmental award
 
Lichfield District Council and its partners are celebrating after winning a prestigious Bronze Green Apple Award at the House of Commons this week, in recognition of the partnership initiative ‘Chasewater Green Park Projects’.
 
The trophy was presented by The Green Organisation at the sixteenth annual international awards ceremony on Tuesday (17 November). The ceremony was hosted by The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, and the presentations were made by star of screen and stage, former Bond girl Alexandra Bastedo.
 
Cllr David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, explained: “As a council we are passionate about our role as a community leader in tackling the causes and impacts of climate change, both locally and further afield. We helped to set up Chasewater Green Park Projects in late 2008, and the Green Apple award firmly cements the initiative’s role at the forefront of helping to cut carbon emissions and the amount of non-renewable energy sources we all use."
 
The award comes only days after the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Birmingham, which will see students and staff from the university working as part of the initiative to research and develop greener technologies and approaches. 
 
Professor Nigel Weatherill, Head of the University of Birmingham’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, says, ‘The University of Birmingham is delighted to be involved in the Chasewater Green Park Projects.  Energy and climate change are key themes for our researchers and the expertise of our scientists and engineers is crucial in tackling the serious global challenges we face. This is an example of a project where our research can have a real and direct impact on the local community.’

Chasewater Green Park Projects includes projects ranging from researching greener ways to energy manage historic buildings, such as Lichfield Cathedral, to looking at ways to create carbon neutral business parks, through to demonstrating how to harness unused energy from coal fired power stations.
 
“The Council is also working to help fight climate change at a local level, by fostering and creating low carbon community action groups in parishes across the district, in partnership with Whittington & Fisherwick Environmental Group (WFEG) and Low Carbon Lichfield (LoCaL). We firmly believe that local businesses and public partners, as well as residents, need to come together to tackle climate change, and Chasewater Green Park Projects is helping us and our partners to achieve this, ” continued Cllr Smith.

Partners involved in Chasewater Green Park Projects also include Advantage West Midlands and Staffordshire County Council. A number of private partners including Lichfield Cathedral and Lingfield Developments are also involved and set to come on board.

Congratulations to Lichfield District's Tourist Information Service for scooping a silver award for the second year running at this year's Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards, that took place in October. Hosted by BBC presenters Nick Owen and Suzanne Virdee, the awards celebrate the very best in tourism from Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire, Coventry and Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Congratulations also to Drayton Manor who were awarded The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award 2009. Find out more at www.tourismawards.visittheheart.co.uk

Following the release of an independent report into the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Leader of Lichfield District Council has stated the council’s intention to oppose any increase in local housing numbers, should the Government accept the report's findings.
 
Lichfield District Council has received the news that it will have to find space for 2,000 more new homes within the district, which would severely impact on the local countryside.
 
The news comes on the back of the release of the independent inspector's report into the review of the West Midlands’ Regional Spatial Strategy - a document that amongst other issues defines the number of new houses that need to be built across the West Midlands up to 2026. The report is being considered by the Secretary of State, and the council could find out later in the year whether or not the Government will accept the report's findings. 
 
Over recent years, Lichfield District Council has strongly opposed any major hikes in housing numbers, but accepted it would need to find space for 8,000 new homes from 2006 to 2026. Planning for where these homes will be built has been taking place as part of the council's 'I Love Lichfield District' public consultation on its emerging Local Development Framework. The independent report has now proposed that 1,000 of these homes should go towards Cannock Chase district’s targets, and an extra 1,000 needs to be found within the district to meet Tamworth's needs. As a result, Lichfield District will need to find space for 2,000 more homes to meet these new requirements.  
 
Councillor David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “We are shocked at the report's proposals to alleviate the difficulties Cannock and Tamworth are facing by suggesting sites for 2,000 more homes are found within our district. If accepted by the Government this will take the district's total new housing numbers from 8,000 to 10,000. 
 
“We are even more concerned that the inspector suggests that we look into development opportunities to the north east of Lichfield City. In effect, this would mean developing homes on Greenfield land in open countryside to achieve our target. We have worked hard to involve local people in our decisions on where to build new houses, and this dictatorial approach would mean much of the consultation we have carried out with local people, to find the best place for new homes, would be overridden. The resulting housing development could also irreparably damage the character of our district. 
 
“We will strongly oppose the increase in housing numbers, should the Government accept the inspector’s recommendations. We would also call on our local residents, who I am sure will be as upset about these proposals as we are, to oppose any possible increase when the Government’s Proposed Modifications to the Regional Spatial Strategy comes up for public consultation.”

Hundreds of local people took part in a north Lichfield’s lantern procession on Friday 30 October

Around 500 people took part in a spectacular lantern procession, parading over 160 handcrafted lanterns through the streets of north Lichfield.

The lantern procession was organised by North Lichfield Initiative and North Lichfield Community and Learning Partnership, with lots of support from local groups, agencies and volunteers.

Mike Kinghan, Chair Person of North Lichfield Initiative, said: “Seeing so many community members join in this year’s procession was brilliant. The lanterns were beautiful and it was plain to see all the hard work that has gone into creating them. This kind of event shows what can be done when we work together to create something wonderful. A huge thank you must go everyone who helped to make it such a success.”

Deputy County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Ian Parry, added: “Staffordshire County Council is proud to be involved in this year’s procession which proved to be a real success and I am delighted with such a high turnout. I am certain that all those involved enjoyed themselves immensely.”
 
The lantern procession has been made possible by the kind support of: North Lichfield Community and Learning Partnership, Staffordshire County Council, North Lichfield Initiative, Lichfield District Council, B Arts, Adult and Community Learning Partnership, Lichfield & District CVS, Lichfield City Council, Curborough Community Centre, St John Ambulance, Staffordshire Youth Service, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue,  South Staffordshire Age Concern, Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership, Staffordshire Police, HomeZone Living, Lichfield Adventure Playcare Association (LAPA), Midlands Heart, and plenty of volunteers.

Lichfield District Council is adding their voice to local action groups who are asking people across the district to join them in their aim to go low carbon and fight climate change.

This week Lichfield District Council met with members of Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group (or WFEG) and Low Carbon Lichfield (or LoCaL) to discuss ways to encourage more people across the district to create low carbon action groups in their area.

We are committed to reducing Lichfield District’s carbon footprint, and commend local groups such as WFEG and LoCaL, who are working on ways to fight climate change and reduce energy use in their area.

I am sure there are lots of people across the district that are worried about climate change and want to make a difference. This is why we’re helping local people to form their own action groups. Simply visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/gogreen to see hints and tips about how to reduce your carbon footprint and to log your intention to start or to join a low carbon group.

Michael Kinghan, Chairman of Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group, commented: “Climate change affects everyone and we need to reduce our use of fossil fuels dramatically. The good news is 'green living' is smart living. Saving energy makes sense for our pockets as well as for the planet and its inhabitants - both human and animal. Governments, businesses, organisations and individuals all have an important part to play in fighting climate change.

“If you would like help to set up your own group please contact me at mike@wfeg.org.uk. Or, if you are interested in joining us, come along to one of our informal social evenings on the first Thursday of every month at 8pm in The Bell Inn, in Whittington. For more information, please visit www.wfeg.org.uk.”

Robin Taylor, Founder of Low Carbon Lichfield, added: “We’re delighted the District Council is so supportive of our aims, and has pledged to help create more low carbon action groups.

“As a fast growing network of local people, businesses and organisations, we are working together to transform Lichfield into a low carbon city. Our aim is to encourage and advise households, businesses and private and voluntary organisations in the district to reduce their carbon footprints, and to get behind the call to invest in alternative, sustainable sources of energy.

“Everyone is welcome to join us. We meet for the Green Drinks open forum every third Wednesday of the month and formally every fourth Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at the King’s Head in Lichfield. For more information please call 01543 263704 or email r.taylor@virgin.net.”

Find out more and log your intention to start or join a low carbon action group by visiting www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/gogreen

Lichfield District Council’s tourist information service has been shortlisted for a top award at this year’s Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2009
 
The awards, funded by Advantage West Midlands, celebrate the diversity of tourism in the West Midlands.
 
We’re delighted to be finalists for such a prestigious award. It confirms the hard work of the Tourist Information Centre and Visit Lichfield teams, both providing a top notch service to our visitors, and behind the scenes running of our website, hosting events - such as the recent heritage weekend, and creating promotional material to encourage more people to visit Lichfield. The nomination reinforces our commitment to promoting Lichfield District as a top visitor destination.
 
Judges have said they face the toughest year of judging ever to find winners in each of the 20 categories.
 
The council now has a nail biting wait and will find out if they have won an award at a glittering ceremony on 29 October. Hosted by BBC presenters Suzanne Virdee and Nick Owen, the awards night will take place at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. 
 
Tourism West Midlands Chairman, Brian Summers, said the sheer breadth and diversity of entries had proved a challenge for the judges in choosing a shortlist.

He commented: “I am delighted to say we have been spoilt for choice this year, with every category having a number of strong contenders, but it has made choosing finalists very difficult.
 
“The awards will be a celebration of the Heart of England region and I am looking forward to congratulating not just the winners, but all the entrants for taking part.”