Smethwick has reached a major milestone with the submission of its plans for regeneration and investment as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. In March 2025, the government announced Smethwick is set to benefit from up to £20million over the next decade through the Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme. The Smethwick Partnership Board, which oversees the programme, working closely with Sandwell Council, has led extensive engagement with residents, businesses and community groups throughout July and August 2025 to understand local priorities. The top five priority areas identified through engagement are: Regeneration, high streets and heritage Community cohesion Health and wellbeing…

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, with the vehicle used for fly tipping A truck used to fly tip in the city has been seized and destroyed as City of Wolverhampton Council sends out a clear warning in its battle against the crime. The tough action has been taken in an attempt to deter offenders and prevent the vehicle from being used in future environmental crimes. In this case, security cameras captured a fly tipping incident on land off Millfields Road, Ettingshall, in May last year. The driver of a Ford Transit…

Police and council teams have warned that off-road motorbikes bought for Christmas could be seized and crushed if they are used illegally near to homes, in parks or on footpaths and other public land. Sandwell Local Policing Area (LPA) and Sandwell Council are jointly tackling nuisance caused by the illegal use of motorbikes and other off-road vehicles, with a significant drop in reports recorded this year. Bikes are being seized and CCTV footage, together with information from the public, is used to identify hotspots and track down people who are riding illegally and dangerously, putting themselves and others at risk.…

The impact that Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is having on people in Wolverhampton with care and support needs is demonstrated by one resident who says it has enabled her to get her life back. The City of Wolverhampton Council launched its new TEC service earlier this autumn, following a highly successful pilot programme. It will help residents access innovative technology tailored to their eligible care needs, such as sensor devices and voice activated wireless technologies including fall detectors, smart speakers, video doorbells, and remote monitoring sensors – enabling people to live the independent lives they want. One of those benefiting…

The City of Wolverhampton Council is joining a national Winter of Action campaign, designed to keep city and town centres safer during the busy Christmas period. It is teaming up with West Midlands Police and other partners as part of a national Home Office initiative to deliver a comprehensive programme of activity tackling anti-social behaviour, retail crime, street crime and offences linked to the nighttime economy. The campaign builds on the success of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Summer initiative and will see targeted action in Wolverhampton city centre and Bilston town centre, including increased patrols, a higher police presence,…

City of Wolverhampton Council has paid tribute to its incredible foster parents and the vital role they play in caring for vulnerable children and young people, at the annual For the Love of Fostering Awards, recently. The celebration, held at Molineux Stadium on Wednesday 4 December, brought together over 150 guests, including foster parents, council leaders, and supporters, to recognise the outstanding commitment of Wolverhampton’s fostering community. Awards were presented for their number years of service, permanency – which celebrates foster parents who provide a stable, long-term home for children who cannot return to their birth families – and those…

Visitors to Wolverhampton city centre can now enjoy parking at any time of the day or night at the council’s Civic Centre car park. The 332 space car park is trialling 24/7 opening hours following its recent hi-tech upgrade, which is making parking easier and more convenient. Just steps away from University of Wolverhampton at The Halls and other major venues, it serves thousands of people every year including concert goers, Wolves fans and those enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife. The technology upgrade introduced a ticketless automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system, offering quicker entry and exit, flexible payment options…

A new project will help Wolverhampton residents thrive and not just survive by increasing their income, opportunity and life chances. Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins revealed the new approach called BOOST at last night’s (Wednesday 3 December) Full Council meeting. A team will take support right into the heart of communities helping maximise the income of working people, families, older people and those already accessing support. The council’s Welfare Rights Service has already helped residents access £3.2 million in money they were entitled to but didn’t know they could have. But with data currently showing £21 million is…

Over 1,200 liver scans have now been completed at a pioneering series of pop up clinics across Wolverhampton designed to bring non invasive health screening directly into the community. The free Fibro-scan clinics, which have taken place in community locations, businesses and within faith settings including gurdwaras, Hindu mandirs, mosques and a Buddhist centre, are helping to break down barriers to accessing treatment services and enabling residents to take control of their liver health. Fibro-scans are a quick, painless test similar to an ultrasound which check for scarring and fat build up in the liver. These are early indicators of…

Wolverhampton Youth Voice held its first ever UK Parliament Week Question Time event recently, giving young people the chance to directly challenge local decision makers on the issues that matter most to them. The panel featured the Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council Councillor Stephen Simpkins, Leader of the Opposition Councillor Simon Bennett, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Wolverhampton North East MP Sureena Brackenridge, Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss, and Alison Hinds, the council’s Executive Director of Families. Pat McFadden MP sent apologies but contributed a video message responding to questions from young…