Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together, a bold vision setting out the shared ambitions of the city, its partners and citizens, and the Corporate Plan setting out the council’s priorities, were approved. Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together (SBFT) approved at full council (17 June 2025) – which is a partnership plan for the next decade – aims to address challenges, grasp opportunities and tackle inequalities Birmingham and its residents face. This vision – produced through consulting and engaging partners and communities across Birmingham and which will be delivered by working closely with city partners – is for Birmingham to be a city that…

Mel Chevannes and Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE shaking hands in front of Mel’s bust at Wolverhampton Art Gallery Dignitaries and members of the public joined together as the City of Wolverhampton Council celebrated Windrush Day with a flag raising and the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of the city’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes, on Sunday (22 June). Windrush Day is celebrated annually and honours the contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to British society. Dignitaries and residents gathered outside the Civic Centre for the flag raising ceremony as speeches were made by…

The former Clive Marks school uniform shop in the Saddlers Shopping Centre is being transformed into a place where young people can chill out and have fun in a safe space. Funded by UK Government, the hub is one of fifteen projects planned for Walsall following a successful, £20 million funding bid aimed to regenerate the local area. The hub is being developed following calls from young people in Walsall for more welcoming and safe spaces to spend time and connect with each other. Planned to open in the next few weeks, the hub will offer free Wi-Fi, gaming consoles,…

Vulnerable families in Birmingham in need of temporary accommodation will benefit from the acquisition of a property in the city. Birmingham City Council has purchased Washington Court, which it intends to use to provide suitable temporary accommodation for several families in need of a home. The council expects to complete the necessary work to prepare the building for use in the latter half of 2026. Once ready, the building will feature dedicated one-on-one support to help families find permanent homes. Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “Providing warm, safe, suitable accommodation for everyone who needs it…

When the 46 billion different colour and trim combinations available through Bentley’s mainstream palette don’t meet a customer’s vision for their Bentley, Mulliner – Bentley’s bespoke studio – is on-hand to create something totally unique and a one-off. After owning a number of Bentleys, an American customer wanted their new car in a precise shade of her favourite colour: pink. Mulliner was happy to fulfil her dream supporting the personal commissioning of a bold and vibrant Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB) painted in the eye-catching shade of Candy Pink. The exterior is teamed with an interior accented with Cherry Blossom hide…

The City of Wolverhampton Council and the NHS in the Black Country are holding a series of cancer awareness drop-in sessions at Bilston Indoor Market over the next few weeks. People are invited to pop along to get information and advice about the signs and symptoms of cancer, screening programmes and treatment, as well as how to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. The drop-ins are taking place on Thursdays 26 June, 17 July, 31 July, 14 August, 28 August and 11 September, with each session running from 9.30am to 1.30pm. People will be able to get information on how to check…

Over 200 young care leavers from across England gathered at Molineux Stadium for the highly anticipated National Championship Cup 25 recently – with the event receiving praise in the House of Commons. Organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Reach Leaving Care Team in collaboration with Wolves Foundation, the inspiring six-a-side football tournament offered care experienced young people aged 16-24 the opportunity to compete, connect, and showcase their skills on Molineux’s hallowed turf. Following a series of knock out matches involving 20 teams from as far afield as Yorkshire and Milton Keynes, Warwickshire County beat Redcar and Cleveland in…

Access to more affordable homes, increased funding for schools and their pupils, and investment in Birmingham’s transport networks are among the Chancellor’s spending priorities. These headlines come from the Government’s Spending Review, which unveiled on 11 June, outlining their spending plans for the next three years. Finance officers are assessing what the Chancellor’s announcement means for the council’s own finances and services and the picture will become clearer later in the year. Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I welcome this Spending Review, and I’m encouraged the Chancellor has included funding for projects like the extension of…

An upgraded council enforcement car is to hit the streets tackling dangerous parking near schools and bus stops to help safety and traffic flow in the city. The Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) has been fitted with high definition cameras and will patrol problem areas blighted by illegal parking such as school keep clear zones and bus stops. It will help boost safety for pupils and pedestrians; cut traffic congestion, improve bus journey times and passenger boarding safety and act as a visible deterrent to car related crime. The MEV has been equipped with an intelligent enforcement system using GPS to…

South Asians have a high risk of heart disease, diabetes, excess body fat, fatigue and a number of other health conditions, mainly due to genetic factors and their high-carbohydrate lifestyle. Many other Americans, while often eating different types of carbohydrates than those found in a traditional South Asian diet, are also at risk for such health problems due to their dietary habits.  Ronesh Sinha, M.D., an internal medicine doctor with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and author of the “South Asian Health Solution,” says white rice and flatbreads are staple foods in the traditional South Asian diet, but eating uncontrolled portions often…