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All the current local news from within the parish is located on the left.

15th March 2021

You will notice from your council tax bills received recently that the precept has gone up 59p per week (on a Band D property) and the total precept is a 39% increase on last year.   The costs of running the parish including the 120 streetlights, public toilets, grounds maintenance, play area and a new community building have increased significantly in recent years.  The workload involved in running these services and a new community building has also increased and we are employing an additional member of staff to help with the workload.  Our new community building has provided a permanent home for Pontesbury Library and will soon provide a base for the local policing team.  The community hub has already provided significant support for the community during the pandemic by housing the foodbank, providing an administrative base for the Good Neighbours Scheme and offering debt advice sessions.  As we come out of lockdown the building will provide a much- needed social space with drop-in sessions led by organisations offering information and support and a venue for many exciting community events and meetings as we all begin to come together again.  For many years the precept was not increased in line with the real costs of running the parish and this situation is not sustainable.  The additional staff in place and the community building, we believe, will contribute to this parish being better able to meet the demands of the next couple of years, as we support our community through these difficult times.  It will also ensure that we can meet the demands of the future as more services are passed to us at parish level to manage.

Please contact your local councillor if you would like more information

 

15th March 2021

Please find below the Notice of Election from Shropshire Council

15th March 2021

Please find below the Notice of Election for Pontesbury Parish

11th March 2021

MAKE A CHANGE BECOME A COUNCILLOR - Elections 2021

Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to help make a long-lasting change? Do you have innovative ideas for the council? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it? If this is you, then we need you. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for election. Make a change and become a councillor.

Here, you will find everything you need to know. We explain what local councils and councillors do, how you can become a councillor, details of the role and what to expect, and local councils a range of resources to help recruit candidates.


WHAT DO LOCAL COUNCILS AND COUNCILLORS DO?

Local (parish and town) councils and councillors make a massive difference to local people's quality of life. They are passionate about their communities and seek to make a change to help improve their residents' lives. 

Local councils run numerous services, depending on the size of the council. Many you will see day-to-day, but some are less known. These include introducing solar panels, setting up dementia-friendly groups, organising community buses, creating neighbourhood plans, implementing suitable housing, establishing youth projects, managing allotments and open spaces, maintaining footpaths, public seating and litter bins.

Councillors are elected to represent the local community, so you must either live or work in the council area. Becoming a councillor is a rewarding experience as you will be able to make a change in your community to help improve residents' lives. A councillor’s role can include developing strategies and plans for the area, helping with problems and ideas, representing the community, working with other local community groups, decision making and reviewing decisions and talking to the community about their needs and what the council is doing.

HOW TO BECOME A COUNCILLOR?

Local councils can only be as helpful, connected and energetic as the people elected to run them, so we need councillors capable, enthusiastic and engaged to reflect their communities. You can find out more about becoming a councillor on The Electoral Commission and Local Government Association website.

There are six simple steps to becoming a councillor:

  1. Check for elections in your area by emailing your elections officer
  2. Submit your nomination to the returning officer — find out more about the process and the criteria
  3. Wait for your nomination to be accepted
  4. Your nomination is made public by the principal authority
  5. Start your elections campaign
  6. Polling day
3rd March 2021

Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to help make a long-lasting change? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it? 

Shropshire Association of Local Councils invites you to join us at this free open discussion event: 

6.30 ON FRIDAY 12 MARCH 2021 via ZOOM

You will have the opportunity to ask our Panel about local councils, what they do, the role of a councillor and how to become one.

Meet viral sensation, Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer at the Cheshire Association of Local Councils and a group of community heroes to discuss getting involved with your local (parish and town) council. 

 

Speakers: Cllrs Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council, Dan Harman, Bomere Heath Parish Council, Dan Thomas, Town Mayor of Much Wenlock Town Council, Helen Ball Town Clerk, Shrewsbury Town Council and Justin Griggs, Head of Policy and the National Association of Local Councils.

To join, please book your place by visiting: https://www.alcshropshire.co.uk/events/2021/03/12/make-change-become-councillor

 

 

2nd March 2021

The Parish Council has taken the decision,  following Government guidelines, to only produce an online version of the Newsletter for this month (Click on document link below). If you know of any of your
immediate neighbours who don’t have access to a computer, please feel free to print a copy and give it to them using gloves. Thank you.

24th February 2021

The community of Ashton Hayes have been involved in carbon reduction activities since 2005.  They have produced a carbon zero action plan and are involved in community energy production.  Join us for a talk from representatives from Ashton Hayes on Wednesday 24th February 2021  at 7pm on Zoom.  More information about Ashton Hayes activities can be found at https://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/

 

Thank you

Pontesbury Climate Emergency Action Group

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87236095514?pwd=a2g1WlEyYUZXSzNVQjhPaGN2MndIZz09

Meeting ID: 872 3609 5514

Passcode: 939823

15th February 2021

Important changes to the eligibility criteria and distribution routes for an Emergency PPE supply for unpaid carers

 

Following on from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) Social Care Working Group announcement on 25 January,2021 all unpaid carers can access an emergency supply of PPE through the local authority.

 

Unpaid carers in Shropshire can access emergency PPE supplies from Shropshire Council using the following link:

 

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/information-for-social-care-services/ppe-request-form/

15th February 2021

Important changes to the eligibility criteria and distribution routes for an Emergency PPE supply for unpaid carers

 

Following on from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) Social Care Working Group announcement on 25 January,2021 all unpaid carers can access an emergency supply of PPE through the local authority.

 

Unpaid carers in Shropshire can access emergency PPE supplies from Shropshire Council using the following link:

 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPage.aspx#FormId=oKtgpiGaoUyJm5sDLJcBLD1VMoGoQAlPhFIbiWrxuNdUNjJDV1hWV0xLRVRLR0NRSUFWQ1Q0NTY2RyQlQCN0PWcu&Token=24e1b94a00c74eef8ce90321da87947e

 

12th February 2021

With the COVID-19 vaccination programme continuing to gather pace in Shropshire, the council’s director of public health is reminding residents who have received their vaccine that it is vital to keep following the rules to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.

While being vaccinated provides good protection from becoming unwell with COVID-19 and we’re all looking forward to being able to see our friends and family again, it’s very important that when you have been vaccinated you continue to follow social distancing rules and any Government guidance on restrictions.

This includes:

  • Staying at Home and only making essential journeys
  • Maintaining social distancing measures from those not in your household or support bubble
  • Self-isolating if you’re required to do so
  • Booking a test and self-isolating if you have symptoms of coronavirus
  • Wearing a face covering if you are able, where it is required to do so.

This is because:

  • You will not be protected straight away. It usually takes three weeks to develop immunity.
  • No vaccine is 100% effective. Even after you’ve waited those first three weeks, and even after your second dose later, your vaccinations may not offer you complete protection from becoming unwell with COVID-19.
  • Restrictions will remain in place as long as there are large numbers of people in the UK with the virus.
  • We don’t yet know how well the COVID-19 vaccines work at preventing transmission of the virus. It’s therefore possible that after vaccination you could develop COVID-19 but have no symptoms, so still be able to pass the virus on unknowingly to someone else.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change said:

‘The NHS rollout of the vaccination programme marks a significant step forward in the fight against COVID-19. The opening of our two large vaccination centres in Shrewsbury and Ludlow means we now have the capacity to vaccinate tends of thousands of more people across the county.

“I know how keen everyone is to get their jab and get back to normal, but for those who have received their first dose, it can take three weeks to build up protection from the virus, and it is not yet known whether people who have had the vaccine can still transmit the virus.

“It’s vital to continue following the rules after being vaccinated, to ensure that you don’t unknowingly pass on the virus to anybody else. This is especially important if you are caring for or seeing someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, over 50 or has an underlying health condition, because you could be putting them at risk of severe illness or even death.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

“The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. The vaccination programme is continuing to rollout over the weeks and months ahead, with more and more people benefitting. The vaccine is being offered to those in the top nine priority groups first (Phase 1), before being rolled out to the rest of the adult population in Phase 2.

“We all want an end to lockdown, so it is now more important than ever that we continue to observe these simple behaviours, to prevent further spread of the virus and protect our communities. Remember: just because you’ve had a vaccine, does not mean it is safe for you to socialise. We do not yet know whether it will stop you from catching and passing on the virus, but we do expect it to reduce this risk. So, it is still important to follow the guidance in your local area to protect those around you.”

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating or shielding), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.