Margaret Jones

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Open Gardens and Scarecrow Festival

Lichfield District Council has secured £120,261 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), to support the growth and diversification of rural businesses across the district.
This capital funding is now open for Expressions of Interest, enabling micro and small rural enterprises to apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £30,000. Successful applicants must provide at least 30% match funding and complete all spending by 31 March 2026.
The funding aims to support small-scale investment projects that develop new products, services, or facilities with a wider economic benefit to the local community. It is particularly suited to farm businesses looking to diversify their income and other small enterprises seeking to grow sustainably.
Councillor Richard Holland, Cabinet Member for High Street & Economic Development at Lichfield District Council said: “We’ve already seen how Rural England Prosperity Funding can spark innovation, whether that’s enabling a local catering business to expand into rural markets or supporting the creation of a new nature trail that attracts more visitors to our countryside.
“Lichfield District Council is fully committed to backing our rural economy. These communities are vital to the character and strength of the district, and this fund is a key part of ensuring they can thrive, innovate, and continue to play a central role in our local economic success.”

Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
• Small businesses (less than 50 employees and under £10.2m turnover)
• Registered charities
• Sole traders and partnerships (with HMRC UTRs)
• Parish councils, public sector bodies, and educational institutions
Applicants must be located within a rural area as defined by DEFRA. A step-by-step guide is available online via the Magic Map Application to help determine location eligibility.
How to Apply
The Expression of Interest window runs from Monday 2 June to Friday 27 June 2025. Interested parties will be able to apply via a dedicated online portal.
For more information visit Community and business funding – Rural England Prosperity Funding – Now open
For questions or support, contact the Lichfield District Council Policy Team at: policyandstrategy@lichfielddc.gov.uk

For details of the Planning application for change of use from a pub to residential please see https://planning.lichfielddc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SNXB49JEKXR00

Details of how to comment on applications can be found here
https://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/planning/comment-planning-application/8

The road through the railway bridge on Croxall Road will be closed overnight 10th – 11th June

Lichfield District Council is pleased to announce that the popular LinkUp on-demand bus service has been extended and funded for an additional five months, continuing through to October 2025.
LinkUp has been a lifeline for many rural communities across the district, offering flexible and accessible transport for residents in villages where traditional bus routes are limited or unavailable.
The service enables people to travel to local town centres, medical appointments, workplaces, and other key destinations — supporting independence and reducing social isolation.
Thanks to continued UKSPF funding, the service will now run until the end of October 2025, giving more residents the opportunity to benefit from reliable, responsive transport. Two buses were trialled for a six month period, and the service will continue with one bus to match the demand.
Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Cabinet Member for UKSPF at Lichfield District Council, said: “We know how important the LinkUp service is to people living in our rural communities. Extending it means we can continue to support those without access to a car or public transport and help them stay connected to essential services, employment, and social opportunities.
“It’s part of our commitment to improving transport links and reducing social isolation across the district.”
LinkUp operates as an on-demand bus service, meaning users can book their journey via an app or by phone. It’s ideal for shorter local trips and provides an essential link between villages and Lichfield city and Burntwood.
The extension follows strong demand and positive feedback from residents, particularly in areas where traditional bus services have been reduced or withdrawn. Since the service launched, over 250 five-star reviews have been submitted through the booking system.
In addition, nearly 200 users recently took part in a customer survey, offering valuable insights, positive case studies, constructive feedback, and suggestions for new stop locations helping the council better understand how the service is being used and where it could be improved.
For more information on how to use the LinkUp service or to make a booking, visit: LinkUp bus service – Your flexible, on-demand bus service for rural villages

On May 8th Cllr Anthony Mason attended a celebration of 80 years since VE Day at Mary Howard School. A commemorative flag was raised and the children learnt all about the event and its significance.

Please see the link for details of the Open Gardens and Scarecrow event including how to make your scarecrow and the entry form.