New Park Village estate today saw a historic milestone as the excavators moved in to start demolishing decaying 1960s maisonettes and pave the way for new homes. It is part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will see 205 outdated residential properties flattened and replaced with 188 new energy efficient homes. Poor quality bungalows on Valley Road have already been removed by contractor DSM Demolition and now the main flats at Ellerton Walk, which sit within 8 linked deck access blocks each with integral garages at ground floor level are being pulled down. The regeneration…

The event, hosted by Connexions Sandwell, saw 2,542 young people/parents attending, which easily beat the previous record attendance of 2,329 in 2024. The record number of visitors were able to meet 50 exhibitors, all keen to inspire, recruit and educate the next generation of Sandwell young workers. Connexions advisers were on hand to give independent careers information, advice and guidance. In addition, and one young person on work experience with Connexions helped the event to run smoothly. Sandwell Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Jalal Uddin, said: “Sandwell’s young people are the future of the borough. We…

Patients’ chances of survival after cancer surgery is strongly linked with the standard of post-operation hospital care, a major international study suggests. Patients in low-and lower-middle-income countries were up to six times more likely to die from complications within 30 days of surgery compared with those in high-income countries, the report said. Hospitals in these countries were found to be less likely to have post-surgical facilities or care plans in place. Investing in appropriate recovery and ward space, trained staff, early warning systems and critical care facilities would result in much improved surgical care and reduce the number of deaths,…

EVs take more than a fifth of new car registrations as overall market contracts by -2.5% to 139,345 units. Slowdowns recorded by both fleet and private buyers against backdrop of weak economic confidence. Industry calls for halt to EV tax hikes as latest outlook anticipates 23.7% market share for 2025 below government targets. The UK new car market fell by -2.5% to 139,345 units in January, according to data released today by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as weak consumer confidence and tough economic conditions combined to deliver the fourth consecutive month of decline. Registrations by both…

Walsall residents are being called to help break the silence and stigma around mental health and wellbeing and encourage open and honest conversations as part of Time to Talk Day on Thursday 6 February. Time to Talk Day, a national initiative run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health and wellbeing. By talking about it, residents and others can feel supported. To encourage residents to get support to talk about their mental wellbeing, there are a number of services and resources available. The Let’s Chat…

According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the used car market has begun the new year on firm footing despite concerns around the economy, with cars selling at a record pace, engagement on Auto Trader accelerating to seasonal highs, and retail prices continuing to stabilise. Based on over 800,000 daily observations across the whole retail market, Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index reveals the average retail price of a used car (£16,774) was flat in January on a month-on-month (MoM) and like-for-like basis; a contrast to the -1.9% recorded in January 2024. And with trade values recently trending above retail,…

Collecting Cars is returning to Rétromobile Paris (5-9 February) with a star-studded stand, featuring a physical preview of its upcoming European Speed Collection online auction (2-9 February). With an estimated total collection value exceeding €3 million, The European Speed Collection represents the bookends of the collector car wish list, from performance heroes to modern-day sensations and rally greats.Headlining the online auction is a 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder. Coming to the sale from its first and only owner, who has used the car for just 930 km, it is presented in near-new condition, finished in Liquid Metal Silver over a striking…

Cllr Jayne Francis has said that the council is on track to ensure that all its residents can live in warm, safe, sustainable homes. Cabinet has approved proposals to unlock £1.6bn of investment over the next seven years into council homes. The council’s investment program began in April 2024 and has enabled just over £240m of investment over in its first year, improving the physical condition of just over 4000 homes. The investment programme for the second year will continue to accelerate this program, ensuring £1.6bn investment is geared towards making sure our homes meet decent home standards. The council…

People are being reminded that sexual abuse and sexual violence is not OK as part of an awareness week designed to promote dialogue and signpost the support that is available to victims. Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, which began yesterday (Monday 3 February), is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of these crimes and, using the hashtag #ItsNotOK, encourages people to raise awareness and help get more coverage of this important subject. Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “It’s Not OK to have to deal with sexual abuse…

Introducing Rolls-Royce Scent, an immersive fragrance concept Patented technology releases fragrances subtly for an elegant, long-lasting experience Scent composed by expert in-house perfumer of the Bespoke Collective Designed to complement the rich aromas of materials used in Rolls-Royce motor cars Debut fragrance combines notes of Amyris, Cedarwood, Rosewood and Iris Fosters a deep, multi-sensory connection beyond the visual and tactile “A Rolls-Royce interior is a unique space in which every element is meticulously curated to create an unparalleled multi-sensory experience. With our new fragrance concept, Rolls-Royce Scent, we move beyond the visual and tactile realms into a new dimension. Designed…