A Bus<strong>in</strong>ess & Community Hub By Doug Pullen, Leader of <strong>Lichfield</strong> District Council About 18 months ago, I was discuss<strong>in</strong>g our Frog Lane council build<strong>in</strong>g with my newly appo<strong>in</strong>ted CEO at <strong>Lichfield</strong> District Council. We both readily acknowledged the excessive space at the offices designated solely for the council, prompt<strong>in</strong>g us to contemplate ways for the build<strong>in</strong>g to "earn its keep." With a long-held aspiration for closer collaboration between the council, bus<strong>in</strong>esses, and the voluntary sector, we arrived at what seemed to be a compell<strong>in</strong>g solution – establish<strong>in</strong>g a bus<strong>in</strong>ess and community hub, which would not only br<strong>in</strong>g small bus<strong>in</strong>esses together but also generate funds to offset build<strong>in</strong>g ma<strong>in</strong>tenance costs. Fast-forward to <strong>2024</strong>, and it's immensely gratify<strong>in</strong>g to see the fruition of that vision. The Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Hub now hosts a thriv<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess community over 30 bus<strong>in</strong>esses alongside a delightful public café. Citizen's Advice is both a tenant and partner, and we even successfully secured a home for Barclay's bank's community bank<strong>in</strong>g provision. This approach, balanc<strong>in</strong>g commercial viability without transform<strong>in</strong>g the council <strong>in</strong>to a bus<strong>in</strong>ess, and <strong>in</strong>novatively reth<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g services rather than solely "spend<strong>in</strong>g more" on the challenges that we have with<strong>in</strong> the District forms a golden thread <strong>in</strong> our approach at LDC. Over the past 18 months, we've worked hard to re-th<strong>in</strong>k how we might approach the remit we have at LDC; this laser-focus has created £1.7 million <strong>in</strong> sav<strong>in</strong>gs, but even more importantly an enhancement <strong>in</strong> service quality to residents. For example, among the council's lesser-known functions is adm<strong>in</strong>ister<strong>in</strong>g the Disabled Facilities Grant. This grant enables those with limited mobility (whether through age or disability) to stay <strong>in</strong> their homes longer by mak<strong>in</strong>g bespoke adaptations. Br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g this responsibility <strong>in</strong>house and re-th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g the team has seriously sped up the process - facilitat<strong>in</strong>g quicker adaptations for residents and ensur<strong>in</strong>g they can stay <strong>in</strong> their own homes for longer. In 2023, we also brought our leisure centres back "<strong>in</strong>-house" revitalis<strong>in</strong>g Burntwood Leisure Centre and elevat<strong>in</strong>g it back to modern standards. Burntwood Leisure Centre now boasts a new soft play area, resurfaced tennis courts and a climb<strong>in</strong>g wall is on its way. Membership and unique visitors have risen, and Burntwood once aga<strong>in</strong> as a leisure centre of which it can be proud. As we approach <strong>2024</strong>, our commitment will rema<strong>in</strong> steadfast <strong>in</strong> genu<strong>in</strong>ely serv<strong>in</strong>g the community, whilst tak<strong>in</strong>g a prudent approach to the funds of which we are stewards. New Year, New Beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gs By Darren Ennis, Leader of Burntwood Town Council The new year marks a new adventure for Burntwood Town Council <strong>in</strong> <strong>2024</strong>. We have excit<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs com<strong>in</strong>g this year, some return<strong>in</strong>g and some new, but always for the benefit of our town. The biggest project of <strong>2024</strong> is our excit<strong>in</strong>g new community build<strong>in</strong>g. Follow<strong>in</strong>g a successful campaign backed by residents to reta<strong>in</strong> the build<strong>in</strong>g for community use, the purchase of the former Chase Terrace Methodist Church is complete and the hard work now beg<strong>in</strong>s. We will be work<strong>in</strong>g to modernise the build<strong>in</strong>g and get it ready for the community groups who will be mak<strong>in</strong>g use of the space, offer<strong>in</strong>g additional activities and services for local people. Another project kick<strong>in</strong>g off the new year will be the <strong>in</strong>stallation of cycle racks across the town. Throughout January, our Response and Repair team will be out fitt<strong>in</strong>g racks <strong>in</strong> all our retail areas, encourag<strong>in</strong>g residents to ride rather than drive to the shops where possible, by provid<strong>in</strong>g a secure place to park their bikes safely. Look<strong>in</strong>g forward <strong>in</strong>to <strong>2024</strong>, the Council will cont<strong>in</strong>ue its support and runn<strong>in</strong>g of our Producer’s Market on the second Sunday of each month from April - October. The markets were requested by residents and have been a great success, and they also support local bus<strong>in</strong>esses at Sankey’s Corner. Our community events will also cont<strong>in</strong>ue, with Play <strong>in</strong> the Parks and the Burntwood Wakes return<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the summer. These events are always well supported by residents and it’s great to see the community out and enjoy<strong>in</strong>g themselves. We will be look<strong>in</strong>g for partners to support these events and help us offer even more than before. We are always seek<strong>in</strong>g ways <strong>in</strong> which we can better communicate what we do with our residents, and this month Burntwood Town Council have launched a brand-new website, ensur<strong>in</strong>g our <strong>in</strong>formation is more accessible. The website has been designed by Burntwood bus<strong>in</strong>ess InLife Design as local procurement is really important to our Council. F<strong>in</strong>ally, councillors were delighted to present two students with the Burntwood Town Council Student Award <strong>in</strong> memory of Stephen Sutton at the end of December. Both w<strong>in</strong>ners received £1,000 to support them to cont<strong>in</strong>ue to develop their fabulously unique skills. Daniel Ball, who is a future England Powerchair Football star risen from Burntwood, and Scarlett Crompton whose artistic skill are phenomenal. Anyone who can make a graphite portrait look like a photo taken on a 4k camera is worthy of support. We received some amaz<strong>in</strong>g applications from Burntwood students, and it makes me so proud to hear about the wide-rang<strong>in</strong>g skills our young people have. Congratulations to the worthy w<strong>in</strong>ners. If you need further <strong>in</strong>formation on our events, services, or sponsorship opportunities, this can be found by follow<strong>in</strong>g Burntwood Town Council on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or on our NEW website at www.burntwood-tc.gov.uk. 10
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