Staff involved in the campaign together with the Cabinet Member for Adult Services Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jackie Taylor and Dr Frances Howie, Director of Public Health holding campaign materials. Sandwell Council has been shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the 2026 Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards for its impactful men’s mental health campaign, You ok, mate? This national recognition reflects Sandwell’s commitment to being a caring, community‑focused council that puts residents’ wellbeing at the heart of everything it does. It also comes at a time when the council is being recognised more widely for its improvement and transformation…

City of Wolverhampton Council has worked with an 11-year-old girl and her family to turn her heartfelt messages of positivity into lasting feature for the city. Neriyah-Faith Spencer created handwritten posters with uplifting messages such as ‘you are amazing’ and ‘you are stronger than you think’ in a bid to help cheer up people across the city. After becoming aware of the positive messages, City of Wolverhampton Council contacted the family to propose a more permanent location for the artwork and help spread Neriyah’s messages. Working together, Neriyah’s cheerful messages were selected, designed and enlarged then displayed on…

Two of Wolverhampton’s historic landmarks will be lit up after dark all-year round to make for a more vibrant and safer night out in the city centre. As part of ‘Night Vision’ – the city centre’s new evening and night-time economy strategy – St Peter’s Gardens and Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be illuminated in celebration of their heritage and importance to the city’s identity. The lighting will be installed by Wolverhampton Council in the summer, subject to Listed Building Consent and Lichfield Diocese faculty approval, with Studiotech now appointed as the contractor to carry out the works. The…

More than 50 businesses and practitioners have joined a first of its kind scheme, supporting City of Wolverhampton Council’s work to improve safety in beauty services. 51 cosmetic and aesthetic businesses and practitioners have been approved for the voluntary Cosmetic Compliance Scheme which was launched by the council’s environmental health team in November. The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, was introduced following growing local and national concerns around high risk procedures in the beauty industry and poor levels of care. It aims to improve standards and provide reassurance to customers who…

Almost 7,000 primary school pupils from across 20 schools in Walsall have recently taken part in a national programme to encourage children to eat more vegetables through fun, engaging activities. Image reads Eat Them to Defeat Them. Eat Them to Defeat Them. Eat Them to Defeat Them, a programme by Veg Power, is a well-established initiative that has been running for several years in other areas of the country, including in Walsall. The programme is funded by Walsall Council’s Public Health team. Veg Power is supported by schools, catering teams and public health partners across the country and…

Lanesfield Primary School is celebrating after being awarded the Platinum OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Award – the highest level of accreditation – with an exceptional score of 94%. The award recognises schools that provide outstanding play opportunities and environments for children. It places Lanesfield among the leading schools in the UK for high‑quality, inclusive and imaginative play. Before Lanesfield began its OPAL journey, playtimes were challenging, with limited activities, restricted spaces and children separated by age. Since then, the school has transformed its approach to play, creating a vibrant, creative and collaborative environment for pupils of all ages.…

The council is to invest around £1.66million to create and enhance Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) resources at Ocker Hill Academy in Tipton and Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury. This funding will help more children and young people to learn, grow and thrive in their local communities and contribute to new purpose‑built facilities being delivered as part of the Department for Education’s national School Rebuild Programme, which is comprehensively redeveloping both academy sites. At Ocker Hill Academy, the existing SEND resource offer will be expanded from 10 to 15 places, strengthening an already well‑established offer for pupils…

People in Wolverhampton are being urged to know the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease following an outbreak of Meningitis B in Kent which has sadly claimed the lives of 2 young people. Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness caused by meningococcal bacteria. Very rarely, these bacteria can lead to meningitis – inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord – and septicaemia, or blood poisoning. The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital to prevent serious illness which can lead to permanent damage to the brain or…

A major new Learning Campus is set to open on the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital site, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of Smethwick and the wider Sandwell area. The campus will expand access to education, training, and professional development for residents of all ages, helping local people gain the skills needed for future careers in a rapidly changing economy. Developed through a unique partnership between Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS trust and its Learning Works, Sandwell College, the University of Wolverhampton, Aston University, and Sandwell Council the Learning Campus will provide access to entry-level learning through…

Solihull Council’s adult social care services have been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published today (Wednesday 18 March 2026). The Council received a score of 84% and that places Solihull fifth in the country against other local authorities that have had a recent CQC inspection (as of 18 March 2026). The inspection looked at nine quality areas in which Solihull achieved three ‘Outstanding’ and six ‘Good’ ratings – very few councils have achieved ‘Good’ or better for all nine areas. Councillor Tony Dicicco, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health,…