Beyond The Noticeboard

Footpaths are one of the most common things people contact us about, blocked routes, overgrown edges, or access problems. But who’s actually responsible for fixing them? In this episode, I’m talking about how parish councils get involved, even when it’s not technically our job, and why keeping local routes safe and accessible matters more than ever in rural communities like ours.

What do parish councils have to do with Christmas lights, summer fayres, and bunting down the high street? Quite a lot, actually. In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes role that parish councils play in community events — from funding and planning permissions to risk assessments and volunteer coordination. We don’t just show up on the day. We help make it happen. Find out what goes int...

This episode is part of my A to Z of Parish Councils, giving you a real look at what local councillors deal with behind the scenes. I’m Stephanie Akerman, Chair of Checkley Parish Council, and today we’re diving into drains. Blocked gullies, overflowing sewers, confusing responsibilities, drains are one of the most reported issues we deal with. But getting them fixed isn’t always straightforward....

This episode is part of my A to Z of Parish Councils – where I lift the lid on what really goes on beyond the noticeboard. I’m Stephanie Akerman, Chair of Checkley Parish Council, and today’s focus is on committees. What actually happens between those monthly meetings? Who gets stuck into the detail, from planning and highways to youth clubs and green spaces? In this episode, I’m sharing how commi...

This episode is part of my A to Z of Parish Councils – a series breaking down what local councils really do, beyond the noticeboard. I’m Stephanie Akerman, Chair of Checkley Parish Council, and today we’re talking budgets. Where does a parish council’s money come from? What do we spend it on? And how are those decisions made? From youth clubs and park maintenance to planters, lights, and local ser...

Welcome to the first video in my A to Z of Parish Councils. I’m Stephanie Akerman, Chair of Checkley Parish Council, and I’m starting with the real foundations: Agendas. Not sure what a parish council is? You’re not alone. We’re the closest layer of local government, handling everything from green spaces and benches to planning comments and community events. It’s hands-on, it’s constant, and it af...

In this episode of Beyond the Noticeboard , I break down the latest stakeholder meeting with Severn Trent Water, from sewage on the High Street to statutory deadlines under WINEP. I talk through the short, medium, and long-term plans, what it means for Tean and surrounding areas, and why these meetings matter. As someone with over a decade of experience working across councils, charities, and comm...

In this episode, I share what goes on behind the scenes, the reality of chasing repairs, struggling with clunky reporting apps, and working with the Parish Council to sort things that affect us every day. From dodgy repairs and endless follow-ups to small wins that make a big difference, this is the real work happening Beyond The Noticeboard.

In this episode of Beyond the Noticeboard, I explore how communities across the Staffordshire Moorlands are taking action to protect and restore green spaces through the Nature in Your Neighbourhood project. From sewage issues in the River Tean to local environmental monitoring, this episode covers the real, behind the noticeboard work involved, including what’s happening next, and how residents c...

Flooded roads, contaminated play parks, and misreported pollution, this episode goes beyond the noticeboard to talk about what’s really happening in our communities. I’m sharing what we’ve dealt with in the River Tean area, from collapsed drains to chasing answers from Severn Trent. If you’ve ever wondered who steps in when systems fail, this one’s for you.

This is your starting point. In this short trailer episode, I introduce who I am, what this podcast is all about, and why it matters. I’m Stephanie Akerman, parish councillor, charity chair, trustee, community volunteer, and founder of Savvy Business Management, and I created Beyond the Noticeboard to share the real stories behind community life. From local councils and charities to community grou...