Cannock Chase Cannock Chase


Chamber of Commerce


Council licenses first electric taxi


Cannock Chase Council has licensed the first electric taxi in its locality. The vehicle has been licensed by Leigh


Andrews, who lives in Cannock and works at AJ’s Taxis in Rugeley. Chase Council said that cleaning up the


environment by encouraging a transition to zero carbon emissions was one its key aims. A motion was approved by the council in July


2019 which declared a ‘climate emergency’ and committed the organisation to ensuring carbon neutrality by 2030. Councillor Josh Newbury, portfolio leader for


environment and climate change, said: “Studies have shown that over the lifetime of a vehicle, electric vehicles are responsible for considerably lower emissions than conventional vehicles, especially as Britain is managing to decarbonise the electricity supply system at a rapid rate. “Poor air quality is known to have a serious


impact on public health and is responsible for 23,500 premature deaths per year in the UK.” Cannock Chase district currently has three ‘air


quality management areas’ where levels of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhausts are higher than national standards. The council says road traffic is by far the most significant cause of local air problems throughout the country. The Government has already declared its


intention to ban the sale of conventional petrol and diesel vans and cars from 2040. Councillor Christine Martin, portfolio leader for


health and wellbeing, said: “Cannock Chase Council will shortly be consulting with taxi drivers and other interested parties on attitudes towards new vehicle technology and how the provision of charging points and costs etc. can help overcome obstacles to electric vehicle take up.”


Contact: Chris Plant T: 0845 6036650


Chase Chamber Patrons


MP welcomes 1000-pupil free school in Rugeley


Cannock MP Amanda Milling has welcomed the announcement that a new free school will be built in Rugeley. The school – one of 21 announced by the


Government – will house 1,000 pupils, and will open in September 2023. The new Rugeley John Taylor School will


open to nursery, reception, and Year 7 pupils, and will be built on the town’s old power station site. The John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust


already runs a number of schools in Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, and the new school will focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).


‘Since being elected I have worked hard to help improve education and employment opportunities’


Amanda Milling said the new school would


ensure future generations would be taught the skills they would need for future employment. She said: “This is great news for Rugeley


and I look forward to seeing the school take in its first pupils. The redevelopment of the power station site is the perfect place to build a school that will ensure that future generations leave school with a wide range of skills and a good education.


Loan recipient is giving back


One of the first recipients of Staffordshire County Council’s start-up loan scheme is already helping to support local businesses, after launching her own company. The scheme, launched last autumn, provides


interest-free loans between £3,000 and £5,000 to people who have successfully completed the Staffordshire Start-up Support Programme or similar mentoring scheme. Among them was Rugeley-based Sarah Hodgson, an experienced HR professional who decided the time was right to launch her own business last summer. Her company, SJH Coaching Ltd, provides both life coaching and HR support to individuals and businesses. She said: “I was coming into this as a


complete novice in terms of building my own business. I made the decision to start as a limited company and heard about the start-up support programme and loan scheme. “The support has been fantastic – giving advice on areas such as marketing and legal


38 CHAMBERLINK March 2021


which is a real weight off my shoulders. This and the loan have meant that I can really focus on the business using my own experience, positivity and determination.” While starting a business during a global pandemic is far from ideal, Sarah said this has presented her with positive challenges to help take her business forward. The support programme focuses on the county’s


priority sectors and provides advice and guidance on a range of issues. It is administered by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, while the loan scheme is delivered by the county council. Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader


and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The start-up programme has been hugely popular as we anticipated, and our follow- on loan scheme is already making a difference. “Sarah’s knowledge and experience combined


with the advice and financial support we can provide is a fine example of how the programme should work.”


New school, new skills: Amanda Milling “I am also delighted the school will be the


first all-through school in the county and offer a seamless education path for children from a very young age until they are ready for further education or to enter the world of work. “Since being elected I have worked hard to


help improve education and employment opportunities. I have no doubt that this new school will provide students across Cannock Chase the necessary skills to get on in life.” Free schools are state funded non-profit


establishments that can be set up and run by teachers, parents and community groups.


More funding for social housing plans


A further £12m is to be ploughed into social housing by Cannock Chase Council. The council announced the extra funding


as part of the second phase of its social housing investment programme. Phase one of the existing Housing


Investment Fund programme, which cost £12.9m, focused on building new social housing, including a scheme at the council’s former Hawks Green Depot. The additional £12m of resources will see


the commencement of a retrofit programme to the existing stock and the continuation of the new build programme. Council leader George Adamson said:


“Tackling Climate Change is a key priority for the council and so it is especially pleasing to address this and to create much needed additional housing as part of this concerted approach.”


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