MILLIONS of vehicles could soon fail their MOT due to unresolved safety recalls – overwhelming workshops and leaving frustrated customers scrambling for repairs. That’s the warning from data experts ADS, who say that cars may soon be failed if a recall has been missed. ADS points out that the most recent figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency suggest that abrupt implementation of a new MOT failure or advisory rule relating to outstanding recalls would see dealers overwhelmed with workshop demand – and countless customers off the road. More than five million cars are potentially affected because franchise dealers…

Birmingham City Council has appointed a new Director of Public Health. Sally Burns is currently Director of Public Health and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council. She previously served as Corporate Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods at City of York Council before moving into public health. She developed her career in public health in authorities in East London. Sally is an experienced local authority director with a strong background in community and regulatory services. Throughout her career, Sally has overseen a wide range of services, including housing and housing maintenance, homelessness, environmental services, community safety, leisure, culture, community development, emergency…

Maintaining good posture is a daily struggle for many of us. Whether you’re working on your feet or at a desk, it’s all too easy to slump into bad habits. You probably know that sitting and standing poorly is bad for your back, but do you know about the trouble it could be causing for the rest of your body?  Below, we look at some of the most common side-effects of bad posture – some of which might even surprise you.  Pain This may be the most obvious consequence of bad posture, but sometimes it can be difficult to…

(L-R): Breaking ground at the Canalside South site are West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, Pat McFadden MP (Wolverhampton South East), Canal & River Trust Regional Director – West Midlands, Henriette Breukelaar, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Simkins, and Wavensmere Managing Director, James Dickens Wavensmere Homes has commenced work on site to redevelop 17.5 acres of former industrial land in Wolverhampton city centre into the £150m Canalside South scheme. Having lain derelict for 15 years, the brownfield site will be transformed into over 530 energy efficient homes, complemented by a range of new commercial and community amenities. Established…

Volkswagen Group UK Managing Director, Damien O’Sullivan, has become a Patron of the Automotive 30% Club, demonstrating the Group’s ongoing commitment to gender balance and its holistic DE&I agenda. O’Sullivan took over in December from Alex Smith, who was the first Patron and Gold member of the Club. The UK’s Automotive 30% Club is a network of over 70 automotive MDs and CEOs who have made a commitment to be inclusive leaders and build diverse gender-balanced businesses. Volkswagen Group UK has long been a part of the network, and is proud of its current achievements in the field of DE&I.…

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) will host its first arena event of the year at bp pulse LIVE (NEC Campus) in Solihull from 29 to 30 March 2025. RLCS 2025 Major Birmingham is expected to draw thousands of fans from across the world. Tickets are selling fast so people are urged to book their tickets now!  Esports (or electronic sports) are organised video game competitions (player-vs-player) with an engaging spectator element to it, like traditional sports. Rocket League is a fast-paced, action-packed esport that combines the thrill of football with rocket-powered cars!  RLCS 2025 Major Birmingham will have national…

Following the successful launch of the new MINI family, a range of additions and optional extras are set to further enhance the MINI offering from Spring 2025. Increasing personalisation across the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman, customers now have a wider choice of exterior colours and trim combinations, alongside new digital features and improved practicality. Improved exterior colour range Giving customers increased options to personalise their new MINI, an improved selection of optional exterior paint colours are now available on petrol powered MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman models, regardless of customer choice between Classic,…

This Valentine’s Day, Walsall Council celebrates the many reasons why over 280,000 people call Walsall home. From its vibrant leisure attractions and green spaces to its strong sense of community and diversity, Walsall offers something for everyone. “ Walsall is a borough with a rich, diverse community. From our beautiful green spaces to visitor attractions, there is lots to explore and love, not only on Valentine’s Day but every day of the year. “ Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council 1. Nature and thriving wildlife. Walsall boasts of 43 parks and green spaces, offering…

Could you reduce your meat consumption? Many red and processed meats are high in saturated fat. Too much saturated fat in the diet can raise the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. The NHS recommends a daily meat intake of no more than 70g. Reducing your intake of red and processed meats will not only benefit your health, but it is also good for the environment. We have some tips to help you reduce your red and processed meat consumption. What are red, white and processed meats? Red meat includes beef, lamb and pork and it tends to be…

Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra raised the roof at the city’s premiere music venue as they put on an incredible display of live music for more than 2,500 local students on Tuesday 11 February, 2025. Wolverhampton Music Service provided free tickets to secondary and special schools across the Black Country for 2 concerts at The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls. Students were able to learn about the development of orchestral music through the years, with performances of pieces by Charpentier, Beethoven, Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Holst, Christopher Tin and John Williams, and there was also…