Citylife in Rugeley and Cannock Chase March and April 2022

Future of Pye Green
Community Centre
Cabinet members at Cannock Chase
Council have listened to concerns made
by residents about the plans of
Hednesford Town Council to transfer the lease
of the Pye Green Community Centre to the 1st
Hednesford Scouts.
At its meeting in March, Cabinet decided against
allowing the town council to transfer the lease.
They believe the lease should remain with the town Councillor Phil Hewitt
council so the popular centre continues to provide
benefit to the wider community.
Hednesford Town Council has two lease arrangements with Cannock
Chase Council which allows it to run the community centre on payment
of a peppercorn rent. The current leases have 105 years remaining.
The lease arrangements require the town council to formally obtain
the permission of Cannock Chase Council where any major change to
the building or its letting is planned.
The Cabinet was making its decision in the light of significant public
concern that several community groups currently using and hiring the
community centre would be directly affected by the scouts taking on the
lease.
At a Cannock Chase Council meeting on 16 February a petition with
1,453 signatures was presented to councillors, opposing Hednesford
Town Council’s plans. The petition was accepted by the Portfolio Holder
for Innovation and High Streets, Councillor Phil Hewitt, who gave a
commitment to review residents’ concerns and said a decision on the
lease plans would be made at its next Cabinet meeting.
Explaining the reason for Cabinet’s decision, Councillor Hewitt said:
“We have been advised that the scouts are looking to use the
community centre for five nights a week and for 14 weekends during the
year. Buit unfortunately this will mean that five current hirers of the
building - from the local community - would no longer be able to use the
centre and would be displaced. One of these groups has 60 participants.
“The scouts do a fantastic job in Hednesford but when a change in the
leasing arrangements could have such an impact on residents’ use of a
facility designed for wide community use, we do have a duty to listen and
act as we see fit.”
My Month in
Parliament
By Amanda Milling MP
The ongoing situation in Ukraine is one we all watch with worry
and concern.
The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary
have already taken action against Russia. We have made crystal clear our
commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
We will continue to work with our allies and partners to uphold the
rules-based international system in relation to Ukraine and the
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institutions that underpin it.
The Prime Minister has spoken to President Zelensky on a number of
occasions to reiterate the UK’s support.
As a Foreign Office Minister, I am echoing this support both in the
House and as I hold calls with counterparts around the globe calling for
solidarity with Ukraine.
Our support for Ukraine, alongside our allies, is unwavering. Similarly,
we must be clear to Russia that any further incursion into Ukraine will
come at a serious cost.
Many constituents have contacted me asking for ways to support the
brave people of Ukraine.
The best way to help is by supporting the Disasters Emergency
Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
The Government is also matching pound-for-pound the public’s
donations up to the first £20 million.
If you would like to help those in need visit
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal where you can
make a donation.
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