News & Updates

We need your help! 

We are looking to get this information out to as many residents in Worcestershire as possible – through community centres and hubs, village halls and parish councils (any means possible) etc.

Helen Mehaffey

Project Manager HUG2

Economy and Infrastructure

Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP

Tel:  01905 845398 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     

Free home improvements now available to residents in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire County Council has received Government funding as part of the drive to save energy and make homes warmer.  Warmer homes can also improve well-being and help with certain health conditions.

The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUGs) is designed to tackle colder homes that do not have mains gas central heating.  Homeowners and tenants in Worcestershire could benefit from a variety of measures to help reduce energy bills including: internal and external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, draught proofing and many more.

To qualify, households must not use mains gas to heat their home (but may have a supply for cooking, and have a gross annual income of less than £31,000 with a current Home Energy Performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.

Funding is also available for landlords in the charity and private rented sector.

Those who qualify for the scheme, will undergo a free technical survey to see which improvements would be most suitable and help improve energy efficiency the most.

Worcestershire County Council is working in partnership with local energy charity Act on Energy, along with Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove, Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils to deliver this programme. 

If you live in Worcester City or Wyre Forest District, visit your council’s website for information on the schemes operating in your area. 

If you think you might qualify or know of anyone that might benefit from this scheme it is easy to apply.  

For more information, including full eligibility, and to register your interest visit:     

Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG2) | Worcestershire County Council  OR

 To speak to an energy advisor contact Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881

Please find below the lastest Civlitiy and Respect Newsletter.

https://worcscalc.org.uk/administrator/index.php?option=com_edocman&task=document.download&id=170&Itemid=402

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been notified by the Local Government Association (LGA) that it has come to an agreement on the 2023/24 pay offer with the unions representing local government employees

 E01-23 Pay Agreement 2023-24

Model Financial Regulations Consultation

NALC is working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update its 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales. The model financial regulations are part of a support package that parish and town councils receive through their WALC (and therefore NALC) membership. They are an essential tool for councils of all sizes, setting out the framework within which the council ensures responsible, sustainable and compliant management of its finances.

NALC is seeking views on the technical aspects of the regulations. The responses will inform the revision and content of the model financial regulations.  Tickets are of course free, but booking is required. Please click on the links below to join this essential consultation.

2 October 2023          12.00 – 13.00
12 October 2023        18.30 – 19.30

The Royal British Legion (RBL) recently launched Councillor Network. The aim is to enhance the support RBL provides to those who serve in local government. All elected representatives from every level of local government – including from local (town and parish) councils – are invited to join.

Members of the Network will receive regular communication about how local government can support the Armed Forces community, and about the wider work of RBL, ranging from Remembrance, to Fundraising, to Membership. If you would like to be in touch with a member of the Campaigns, Policy and Research team to learn more about the RBL Councillor Network, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Read the blog

Staying Healthy in Worcestershire survey

What should our priorities be when helping people stay healthy for longer?

We want your views. Tell us in our new survey, Staying Healthy in Worcestershire. It takes just 5 minutes of your time. 

To access the survey click on this link Staying Healthy in Worcestershire

The next training course on commons, greens, and open spaces is just around the corner, and it's perfect if you're looking to learn the fundamentals of protecting land.

You are invited to attend a course with Open Spaces Society.

Core modules include:

• What are commons and village greens, why they are important and relevant legislation
• Finding out about commons and greens
• Works on common land and greens
• New village greens: registering land as a new green
• Management and dealing with encroachments
• Local Green Space designation

The course will run online (via Zoom) on 31st October and 1st November (9:30am to 1pm both days). The cost is £80 per attendee. You can find out more on our website here.

‘Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust are thrilled to announce the second phase of the Natural Networks Programme. The programme’s goal is to improve biodiversity and create a network of wildlife-rich habitats throughout Worcestershire. Natural Networks offers free professional Biodiversity surveys and grants between £1000-£15,000 (for up to 40% of project costs) for improving areas of land or water for wildlife. For information on eligibility and how to apply please click here (please note, the programme only offers tree planting advice for Bromsgrove & Redditch Districts and not other forms of advice or grants).’

If the above link on the ‘here’ isn’t copying, here it is again: Natural Networks Programme | Worcestershire County Council

As part of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Programme, Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce funded Suicide Prevention Training for anyone working or living in Herefordshire or Worcestershire supporting over 18s.

The training is a three hour online session aimed to improve skills and confidence to support someone and guide them to the help they need. After the training, all participants will have the option to sign up to the Orange Button Community Scheme.

Places can be booked through Herefordshire & Worcestershire Group Training Association’s Eventbrite page:

• If you live or work in Herefordshire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Herefordshire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
• If you live or work in Worcestershire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Worcestershire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

For any enquiries please contact HWGTA directly on 01432 274310 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Many Thanks

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Programme

Public Health

Worcestershire County Council, County Hall,
Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP

Tel: 01905 845312

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) are undertaking boundary review for Worcestershire.

In early June 2023 they undertook a presentation. The slides are available below

Worcestershire Parish Council and Community Group Briefing Presentation

With the formal elections taking place today in the County We are releasing the new Induction Guide which we would recommend giving to all Councillors on taking up their office, especially those who haven't been Councillors previously.

Thank you to Gill Lungley our trainer who has put this together.

Councillor Induction Guide for clerks

The Alliance is a newly formed collective of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations working together to make health and wellbeing service provision stronger and develop partnerships that benefit Worcestershire communities.  We work alongside statutory agencies using our influence and insights to bridge the gap that exists between voluntary and public sectors, helping to improve public services to better meet the needs of our local population.

The Alliance would like to offer Worcestershire Parish Councils the opportunity to learn more about the work of the VCSE Alliance.

WorcsAlliance

If you would like to be part of a breifing to find out more please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.