LawCom

Help for voters applying for photo ID   27 APR 2023 People wanting to vote in the local elections in Dudley borough can get face-to-face help and support with their photo ID. People wanting to vote in the local elections in Dudley borough can get face-to-face help and support with their photo ID. Anyone wanting to vote at a polling station On May 4 now needs photo ID under new national rules. If people do not have one of the approved forms of photo ID such as a passport or driving licence they can apply for a free voter authority certificate which works in the same way. Dudley Council is offering a free drop-in service where people can get their photos taken and support filling in the form. They will then receive their voter authority certificate in the post which they can use to vote at a polling station. People can visit Dudley Council Plus in Castle Street, Dudley, 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Kevin O’Keefe, chief executive and electoral returning officer at Dudley Council, sa...

  Voters deciding 25 seats in Dudley borough elections 27 APR 2023 Voters will be heading to the polls on May 4 for the Dudley Council local elections – with 25 seats being decided. Residents will be able to vote for up to two candidates in St Thomas’s ward in Dudley, meaning there is one extra seat available this year. The extra seat in the St Thomas’s ward was prompted after the resignation of one of the councillors, creating a by-election. The council opted to include the seat as part of the local elections to reduce the costs and the need to hold a separate by-election. People need photo ID if they want to vote at a polling station. Kevin O’Keefe, Dudley Council chief executive and electoral returning officer, said: In a normal local election we have 24 seats available. This year there are two seats available in St Thomas’s after one of the members resigned although the seat was not due for re-election. This just means that residents in that ward only, can vote for up to two ca...

Geopark selected for national pilot project   05 APR 2023 The Black Country Global Geopark has been selected to take part in a pilot project, which will help shape the future of UNESCO designated sites across the UK. The geopark is one of three UK UNESCO designated sites to be chosen as part of the ‘Local to Global’ project. The project, led by the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC), is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. The other chosen sites taking part in the pilot are Antonine Wall, a World Heritage Site in Scotland and Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere, a Welsh Biosphere Reserve. Over the course of the next 18 months, UKNC will work with the pilot sites to look at the best way to create a resilient network of sites. Its work will focus on how to better engage with audiences, how to make UNESCO sites financially sustainable and develop digital platforms. It is hoped the results of the project will benefit all UK designated sites, with t...

  Dudley Pop-up Tip Announces More Dates   03  April 2023 Dudley's Pop-up Tip has announced more opening dates. Due to the positive response from residents, additional dates have been announced for Dudley's Pop-up Tip. Located on Lister Road, the Pop-up Tip will re-open from April 1st to 15th. The Tip has been open since October last year. Andy Vaughn, Director of Environment, said "I'm pleased that we can announce more dates for Dudley's pop-up tip. Following the success of it last October, we encourage residents who wish to use the tip to register online for a slot before arrival." Tyres, oils, liquids, car batteries, gas cylinders and hazardous waste cannot be accepted. No vans or cars with trailers are permitted at the site. To book slots at the Pop-up Tip, please register online at:  https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-recycling/household-waste-recycling-centre/       Images from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Related Articles Help f...

Volunteers needed for Park Active 3 APR 2023 Calls for volunteers to help coach free fitness sessions across borough parks. Park Active, a Dudley Council-run initiative, has seen more than 3,000 people participating in volunteer-led activities since launching more than four years ago. The Park Active initiative is ran by dedicated volunteers, holding sessions suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Park Active volunteers deliver and support outdoor sessions across the borough. All Park Active volunteers are given free training including first aid, safeguarding and fitness qualifications as well as a suitable fitness kit. Active Director of Public Health, Mayada Abuaaffan, said "Volunteers are a vital part of keeping these free fitness sessions going across the borough. Not only is it a great way to stay healthy, but also a good way to meet new people and unite the community. "We strongly urge anyone interested to sign up to participate in this amazing opportunity." Ses...

  Black Country Impact training opportunities 3 APR 2023 Living in the Black Country and ages 16 to 29, and ambitious to get that dream job? The Black Country Impact offers bespoke free training, tailored support, and one-to-one training to help young people take the next steps towards training or a job. The Black Country Impact supports 16 to 29-year-olds, living across the Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton boroughs, who are not in employment, education or training. By forging relations with local businesses and taking part in specialist one-to-one training, we can help young people achieve their goal of employment or gaining lifelong skills and trades. The project offers tailored packages of support and opportunities through traineeships, apprenticeships, coaching, work placements and self-employment advice. With no tuition fees to pay, the Black Country Impact is the best alternative to traditional training courses. There is no time limit to the support, but it is usua...

  Summer opening hours start at Stourbridge Recycling Centre 3 APR 2023 Summer opening hours will be adopted at Household Waste Recycling Centre in Stourbridge. From Monday April 3rd, the summer opening times at Birmingham Street's Recycling Centre will be in operation for household, garden, recycling and general waste disposal. Opening times on Mondays will increase from 4pm to 6pm, so the last available slots to book each day will be 5:40pm.  Balvinder Heran, Deputy Chief Executive of Dudley Council, said: "We remind the public that if they want to use the facilities at Stourbridge's Household Waste Recycling Centre, booking a slot if vital." Summer opening hours run until September 30th, with the site opening to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The pop-up tip in Dudley is now also open on the first and third Saturday of each month for residents to dispose of their waste. To book slots, please visit Dudley Council's website . Image from Dudley Metropolitan Borough ...

  Dudley Council commended in           Land Charges Awards 2023   3  APR 2023 Dudley Council has been highly commended in this year's Land Data Local Charges Awards. The awards celebrate outstanding management of their Land Charge Register and good communication with HM Land Registry, helping property buyers to achieve the best outcomes. More than 250 nominations were submitted by solicitors, licensed conveyancers, customer service experts, and Local Land Charges personnel. The finalists were drawn from a shortlist of 46 local authority teams and 18 individuals. Chief executive Kevin O'Keefe said "I'm so proud that our Local Land Charges team here at Dudley Council have been recognised for their work in this year's national awards ceremony for land charges work. "I hope that they continue their hard work in making land and property searches." The Land Data Local Land Charges Awards are the only national awards for the Local Land Charges prof...