Kate Pritchard

A range of fantastic free activities are on offer to young people during half term organised by Lichfield District Council.

From Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February, Active Lichfield Communities is hosting a series of sessions from basketball, street dance and soft archery to kickboxing, dodgeball and football.

Activities, aimed at 7 to 19 year-olds, are taking place at Burntwood Leisure Centre, Lichfield Leisure Centre, Fusion Studio and Curborough Community Centre in Lichfield.

Part of the council’s Getin2it programme and led by qualified coaches they are a great way to be active over the school break.

Councillor Andy Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said: “Our team has arranged an exciting programme of free activities for young people to enjoy over the half term break. They support our aim of people in Lichfield District being more active, more often and for longer.

“Come along and join in the fun over half term.”

There are also a range of swimming sessions available at Lichfield Leisure Centre.

To view the full programme of activities, including locations, dates and session times, visit: Holiday fun – Active Lichfield District.

Lichfield District Council has launched a new partnership with Citizens Advice South-East Staffordshire (CASES) to deliver enhanced face-to-face customer services at District Council House.

The two-year pilot scheme sees CASES provide front-of-house reception and in-person support services, helping residents access council services and citizens advice more easily and efficiently.

The partnership forms a key part of the Lichfield District 2050 Strategy Delivery Plan and supports the council’s ambition to improve customer experience while strengthening support for residents who need it most.

Under the new arrangement, residents visiting District Council House are supported by the CASES team, who provide a welcoming front-of-house service from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Residents can access face-to-face support for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Blue Badge applications.
Lichfield District Council’s customer services team will continue to staff reception outside of the commissioned hours and will focus on improving response times across telephone, WhatsApp, live chat and digital services.

Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
“This partnership is about delivering better outcomes for our residents by working smarter and in closer collaboration with a trusted local partner. By working with Citizens Advice South-East Staffordshire, we’re strengthening face-to-face support for those who need it most, while allowing our own teams to focus on improving access through digital and telephone services.
It’s a practical, resident-focused approach that supports our long-term vision for modern, accessible and resilient public services.”
Wendy Dee, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice South-East Staffordshire, said:
“We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Lichfield District Council to deliver this important service. By bringing our experienced advisers into the heart of the council’s customer services, we can help residents access the right support more quickly and reduce the need for repeat visits or referrals, including offering appointments and support, which is a real enhancement to CASES services. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting residents, particularly those who may be vulnerable or need extra help navigating services.”

For more information about council services, visit: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk

Feb 2026 v03

Residents in Alrewas are benefiting from a £45,000 refurbishment of the village’s Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), following a successful allocation from Lichfield District Council’s 2024/25 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) pot.

The funding was awarded to Alrewas Parish Council to improve the MUGA off Kings Bromley Road, enhancing a key community asset that supports sport, recreation, and wellbeing for residents of all ages.

The project involved upgrading the 15 year old, well used community asset, by resurfacing the court and replacing the fencing and basketball hoops.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge placed on new developments, calculated per square metre, and is used to help deliver new or improved facilities for public use.

Councillor Alex Farrell, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Local Plan, said: “The Community Infrastructure Levy provides vital funding for capital projects that make a real difference to residents’ lives.

“This investment in Alrewas has helped improve a valued facility and will ensure the community continues to benefit for years to come.”
Cllr Dave Whatton, Chair of Alrewas Parish Council said: “Alrewas Parish Councillors are extremely grateful to Lichfield District Council for grant funding obtained via the Strategic CIL Fund to refurbish our Multi-Use Games Area.

“The MUGA has been an important facility within the village for many years, used by a growing number of children and teenagers as the population has increased. Councillors are keen to encourage an active lifestyle in our younger community and the MUGA sits alongside tennis, cricket and football clubs on our community green space.

“The funding will enable this valuable provision to continue for many years to come and councillors are appreciative of the support given by the CIL team throughout the process.”

Lichfield District Council has confirmed it will deliver the Lichfield Food & Drink Festivals in 2026.

The popular events will return as free, community-focused celebrations of local food, drink and makers, while providing a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors of all ages. The 2026 festivals will take place on Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 May for the Spring Food & Drink Festival, and Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August for the Summer Food & Drink Festival.

Building on the strong footfall, trader participation and positive feedback received during the 2025 Summer Food Festival, the council will once again work closely with local businesses, partners and stakeholders to showcase the very best of Lichfield. The festivals continue to play an important role in supporting the city centre, attracting visitors and encouraging people to spend time and money locally, while also helping to strengthen the city’s visitor economy.

A key focus for 2026 will be the community-led nature of the events, the council is offering a range of community and start-up grants for the 2026 festivals. This includes fully funded pitches for eligible new and local traders, as well as small grants to help community groups, charities and organisations deliver fringe activity such as performances, workshops and demonstrations. The funding is designed to reduce barriers to entry and encourage a diverse, community-led programme that adds to the overall festival experience.

Ensuring the events are safe, well-managed and enjoyable for everyone will remain a priority. The council will continue to work closely with partners, traders and emergency services to deliver well-planned festivals with appropriate safety, accessibility and welfare measures in place.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Cabinet Member said: “Following the success of the 2025 Summer Food Festival, we’re really pleased to be bringing back both a spring and summer Food & Drink Festival in 2026. These events are a great celebration of Lichfield, supporting our local food and drink businesses and bringing people into the city. We’ll be working closely with traders, partners and community groups to deliver vibrant festivals that are safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.”

Expressions of interest are now open for traders who would like to take part in either or both festivals. Grant funding will also be available to support start-up businesses and community organisations, helping to reduce barriers to entry and encourage wider participation.
Residents, traders and community groups can find out more about the 2026 Food & Drink Festivals, including trader applications, fringe opportunities and available grants, at Lichfield Food & Drink Festival 2026 – Events – Lichfield District Council

Running a Play Street in your neighbourhood enables children to play safely and brings people together

Residents across Lichfield District can sign up in time for spring for a special scheme enabling children to play safely outside their homes.
Play Streets allows residents to close their road to traffic for a couple of hours, creating a safe space for their children to have fun enjoying activities outside.

Promoted and supported by Lichfield District Council’s Active Lichfield Communities Team, a Play Street is organised by a lead resident and supported by at least four other volunteers who support with set up and safely direct any vehicles that need to enter or exit during the activity period.
The team is inviting expressions of interest from residents across the district who would like to run a Play Street from Spring 2026.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said: “Being able to play outside is very important for children to maintain health and boost confidence.

“If you would like to hold a Play Street please contact our Active Lichfield Communities Team. They will be delighted to help.”
The Active Lichfield Communities Team can support residents in setting up a Play Street by

• Providing templates and resources needed to run a Play Street including consultation letters to residents to explain the initiative.
• Supporting with an application for a Temporary Play Street Order to close your street.
• Providing informal training and support for volunteers to safely lead a Play Street
• Providing all equipment free of charge to get started

If a group of neighbouring residents would like to get involved by running a Play Street for their children, please visit www.activelichfield.co.uk/play-streets and complete the expression of interest form or contact sportsdevelopment@lichfielddc.gov.uk

Residents in Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough are invited to sign up or renew subscriptions to have their garden waste collected in 2026.
The collections, by Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council’s Joint Waste Service, save residents from having to take their garden waste to the household waste recycling centre themselves or pay for it to be removed privately.

They are also good for the environment as all the collected garden waste goes to an outdoor composting facility and is used on local farms.
For £42.50, residents will receive up to 23 fortnightly collections running from late January/early February until December 2026.
The collected waste includes:
• Grass cuttings
• Plants and weeds
• Flowers
• Prunings
• Hedge clippings
• Leaves and bark
• Pot plants
• Pond plants
Payment can be made by debit/credit card or by direct debit and residents will be sent a garden waste sticker to put on their garden waste bin and present with the stickered side facing the road on collection day.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks & Waste, said: “Our garden waste service continues to offer residents a reliable, convenient, and great-value way to keep their gardens tidy all year round.
“Direct Debit makes it even easier for households to stay subscribed without the need to reapply annually. I encourage residents to sign up early so they’re ready for collections early next year.”

Councillor David Foster, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling at Tamworth Borough Council added: “The garden waste service is a great example of successful collaborative working between both councils.
“I am pleased that we continue to offer this valued, efficient service to our residents.”
To sign up for garden waste collection please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/mygardenbin or call the Tamworth and Lichfield Joint Waste Service on 0345 002 0022.