City of Wolverhampton Council is set to establish a new Housing Advice Service based on a successful 6 month pilot. The pilot between August 2025 and February 2026 enabled city residents to access housing advice and support earlier in person or by phone. Based at the Civic Centre, it created a single front door to Housing Advice, Homeless Services, Call Us First and Family Help (Children’s Services). This resulted in a reduced number of households experiencing homelessness, through earlier intervention and effective housing solutions. The overall benefits included increased face to face contact, helping to build trust,…

Walsall residents will notice some key changes at this year’s Local Elections taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026. “ Emma Bennett, Returning Officer at Walsall Council, said, “With important changes taking place at this year’s Local Elections, I want to encourage every eligible resident to make sure they are registered to vote. The introduction of new ward boundaries, changes to some polling station locations, and the ability to vote for up to three candidates mean that 2026 will look a little different for many voters. Registering only takes a few minutes, but it ensures you can have your…

City of Wolverhampton Council has successfully prosecuted a waste carrier after a large amount of household rubbish was found dumped in the city. Mattresses, household rubbish, lengths of wood and bagged waste were found strewn on land at Meldon Drive in Bilston on 18 February last year. Packaging found in the abandoned waste meant environmental crime officers were able to investigate, and the trail led to waste carrier Jordan Delaney. Delaney, of Dimmocks Avenue, Dudley, was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to four charges at Dudley Magistrates Court on 11 March. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay…

They became foster carers sixteen years ago after the birth of their son Luke, choosing a path that allowed them to spend more time together as a family while supporting children who needed a loving home. After many years of dedicated service, Paul and Dianne have now retired from fostering. To thank them, the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, welcomed them to the Mayor’s Parlour on 17 March. Speaking about their time as carers, Paul and Dianne said, “Fostering has been the most rewarding and life‑changing journey of our lives. Over 16 years we’ve been privileged to offer children…

Leader of the Council, Kerrie Carmichael was joined by Tunmi Agbona and Natalie Nyengerai from Sandwell College and representatives of Sandwell’s Culture Forum Sandwell Council is entering Smethwick into the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, celebrating the town’s vibrant and cohesive community, rich heritage and growing arts and culture scene. Made 50 years ago from six proud towns, the borough of Sandwell is a place built on making things happen. It’s where industry met innovation, and where strong, creative, diverse communities shape its future. Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of the Council said: “If it can be made, it’s…

A new detached youth work programme, delivered as part of a wider package of support for young people at risk of exclusion or offending, is already making a positive impact in key areas of Wolverhampton. Commissioned by the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, the programme is being delivered by Wolves Foundation and Inpower Academy and sees trained youth workers and mentors engage directly with young people in community locations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Over recent weeks, they have been spending time in the Bentley Bridge and Whitmore Reans areas, speaking with young people, offering help and advice, and identifying…

Bilston will celebrate the return of its annual carnival on Saturday 4 July with exciting plans announced for a bumper day of family fun. The revival of the carnival – brought back by popular demand as part of the town’s Pride in Place programme – will honour the event’s rich history with a 1960s theme, in a nod to the decade when it first took place. The festivities will begin with a vibrant carnival parade at 11am, weaving its way through Bilston town centre. Local businesses, community groups and organisations are invited to take part by entering a themed…

Sandwell Council has begun work on a series of 38 new priority road safety projects across the borough as part of its Community Road Safety Concern Programme this year. Six are already completed or nearing completion and more are on the way. Over the past 25 years, Sandwell has halved the number of casualties on its roads, including reducing child casualties by 60 per cent. This significant reduction follows a long-term programme of targeted engineering measures, road safety education, and support for police enforcement action. The council is continuing this work through its Community Road Safety Concern Programme, which focuses…

Residents who would like help and support on a range of money, health and safety matters can attend an open event in Bantock Park. Help at the Hub will see a wide variety of city organisations offer free advice and information. The event will take place on Friday, 17 April between 12pm (midday) and 3pm at The Coach House, Bantock Park, Finchfield Road, WV3 9LQ. The event has been organised by the council’s Public Protection Scams Team who will be handing out free scams awareness and prevention packs. Residents can speak with officers from Act on Energy, Admiral…

A number of vehicle safety concerns have been addressed during a targeted enforcement operation by Walsall Council’s Licensing Services. The operation was carried out in Brownhills on Friday 28 March and was delivered in partnership with West Midlands Police, Community Protection Officers and specialist vehicle testers. During the operation, 12 licensed vehicles were stopped and brought in for inspection. Of those, six vehicles were suspended from use due to safety concerns, with three also issued prohibition notices preventing them from being driven until defects are addressed. A number of the issues identified related to tyre safety, including damage, excessive wear…