Walsall Council’s Parking Services has received reports from members of the public regarding suspicious text messages claiming they have outstanding parking charges. Please be aware that these messages are a scam. Walsall Council does not send text messages requesting payment for parking charges. If you receive one of these fraudulent messages, please do not respond or click on any links. Instead, report it to Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Vaccination UK are holding two further catch-up clinics for pupils who have missed a vaccination in school, and for children who are home educated. The following vaccinations will be available: The Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) vaccine, also known as the three-in-one teenage booster, which is offered to children in Year 9 and above. This booster is the last routine dose that provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood The Meningococcal (Men ACWY) vaccination for children in Year 9 and above which helps protect young people against four types of meningococcal disease which can cause both meningitis and septicaemia…

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge, the Story Garden, gets underway in Wolverhampton on Saturday (12 July). Young readers are invited to sign up at any of the city’s 16 libraries for free, join the adventure and discover a magical world where stories grow. The annual Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency. Last year over 1,200 young bookworms took part, visiting their local library at least three times and reading at least six titles over the summer. Participants can take part in competitions and will receive a certificate and medal on completion of the challenge. To…

A series of free family fun days will take place across the city this summer to encourage everyone to love their community. The Love Your Community fun days will be taking place at Pendeford Dovecotes TMO on Wednesday 30 July, the Cannock Road Gurdwara on Thursday 7 August, Lanesfield Church on Wednesday 13 August, and St Joseph’s Church, Coalway Road, on Wednesday 20 August. Each will run from 11am to 3pm and all are welcome. Partners including the City of Wolverhampton Council, community organisations and charities, the police and other service providers will be on hand to provide a day…

Residents, community groups and businesses in Smethwick are being urged to take part in an important online survey to help shape the town’s future. Smethwick is set to receive up to £20million in government funding through the Plan for Neighbourhoods – a 10-year investment programme that will support local communities and drive positive change across the town. The Smethwick Partnership Board, which is overseeing the delivery of this ambitious programme, has launched a short survey to understand what matters most to local people. Feedback from the survey will help identify key priorities for the town and guide how funding is…

Illegal goods with a retail value of approximately £365,000 were seized in an operation carried out by Walsall Trading Standards and West Midlands Police on 2 July 2025. Officers, supported by a specialist search dog team, investigated four retail premises, one associated vehicle, and a storage unit. The operation uncovered approximately 100 kilograms of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, 287,000 illicit cigarettes, and 350 illegal disposable vapes. Sniffer dogs Griff, Cooper, and Bran—highly trained in detecting tobacco and vapes—assisted the team. At a self-storage yard, Griff identified a unit containing the illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. Inside, some counterfeit cigarettes were even…

With high temperatures forecasted, Walsall residents are advised to take steps to stay well during the hot weather, as the UK Health Security Agency (in partnership with the Met Office) issues a yellow heat health alert for the West Midlands. The alert is in place from Wednesday 9 July to Tuesday 15 July. High temperatures can pose a risk to health, particularly for older adults, young children and individuals with long-term health conditions who may need extra help to stay cool. “ As warmer weather is forecast, there are things we can do to stay well. Keep indoor spaces cool…

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Wolves at Work team is continuing to deliver a range of community drop-in events across the city to support local people with employment, training, and career development. The latest events come during Employability Week (7 to 11 July) and are open to all Wolverhampton residents aged 16 and over, who are looking for work or considering their next career steps. Further drop-in sessions taking place this week are: Oasis Café, Whitburn Close, Wolverhampton, WV9 5NJ, on Wednesday, July 9, between 1pm and 2.30pm Bilston Public Library & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant, Bilston, WV14 7LU, on Thursday,…

The city council is running a phase 3 consultation on the future of its three council-run care centres: Kenrick, Perry Tree and Ann Marie Howes. Perry Tree care centre This follows feedback from the previous two consultations and takes into account the government commitment to integrated health and social care and an analysis of the current and future demand for social care support in Birmingham. The revised proposed option would mean Birmingham City Council keeping the three care centres open, providing residential and respite care at Kenrick centre and integrated and intermediate care across Ann Marie Howes and Perry…

Students repurpose old materials to create a blooming gorgeous flowerbed For the second year running, Malvern Park in Solihull town centre has welcomed another stunning flowerbed designed by the talented students from Newlands Bishop Farm. This year’s theme – chosen by the council’s environmental contractor, Veolia – was re-use and upcycle. The team repurposed old materials, including tyres and a wheelbarrow, to creatively display plants to create striking focal points within the flowerbed. The display includes bee friendly plants as well as sensory aspects, creating a colourful vision for all park users to enjoy. The team has also sourced, grown…