The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet has approved plans for a new Communication and Interaction Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School. The proposals, agreed by councillors last night (Wednesday 18 March, 2026), will see the creation of a new, 20 place Resource Base focused on communication and interaction, designed to support children with speech, language and communication needs, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Resource Base is expected to open in January 2028 and will be integrated into the primary school, which is being modernised as part of wider rebuilding work by the Department of Education. Demand for specialist school…

On Friday 27 February the owner of Boss Mart 4, which was formally operating out of premises on Stratford Road in Shirley, was fined almost £7,000. In his absence at Birmingham Magistrates Court, Mr D Kharoty of Ferguson Road, Oldbury was sentenced for selling illegal vapes and ordered to pay £1,100, plus a victim surcharge of £440 and £5,189 towards costs, totalling £6,749. Solihull Council seized the illegal vapes during raids of the premises in 2024. Boss Mart 4 ceased trading from the premises in October 2025 but it was subsequently occupied by another company, operating under the name Boss…

Solihull’s flagship low‑carbon energy network is entering its final stages of delivery, with construction and fit‑out of the new Energy Centre at Tudor Grange Park now nearing completion. Landscaping works around the site are set to begin shortly, marking another visible step toward the network becoming fully operational. All pipework for the first phase of the scheme has now been successfully installed, creating the spine of the new town centre energy network. With the underground infrastructure in place the next phase of works includes final connections to customer buildings, and testing and commissioning of the system. Once complete, the…

On Sunday 8 March, residents, families and communities came together to celebrate the transformation of Britannia Park at special free open day showcasing the park’s extensive new improvements. The improvements have been made possible through grant funding of over £3million from the UK Government’s Towns Fund, with additional funding from Sandwell Council, the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The regeneration has introduced a new low-carbon community building with modern changing rooms, providing an improved space for community activities and sports users. The car park has been expanded to 90…

Wednesday (11 March) is no smoking day, when smokers across the country are invited to kick the habit and go smokefree. No Smoking Day reminds smokers that the best thing they can do for their health is stop smoking. This year’s campaign aims to highlight that “a smoke-free life starts with a smoke-free day”. An image of a heart on a yellow background, with the text Smokefree Solihull, stop smoking support Quitting smoking is easier with support. Anyone who lives or works in Solihull can contact the Smokefree Solihull team for free personalised support. The team…

This week I’ve got news of developments from our town centre energy network and £400k of funding available for community groups, but first – dodgy convenience stores. I welcome the news that the owner of Boss Mart in Shirley has been fined nearly £7000. I’m happier that the shop has now shut down after being given notice that the Council would be applying for a closure order. Shops like this blight our high streets, not just with their appearance but with the illegal and often dangerous products they peddle and their tendency to attract antisocial behaviour. We have a…

Residents are being thanked by Sandwell Council after recycling a record amount of quality paper, card and food waste since the borough’s new waste and recycling service launched last September. In just a few months, residents have increased the amount of paper and card recycled, while cutting non-recycling grey bin (residual) waste by around 16% compared with earlier in the year – a major step forward for recycling in Sandwell. The improvements mean the council can now collect higher-quality recycling, ensuring materials are reused rather than wasted. Paper and card collected separately can be turned into new cardboard…

Walsall Council was delighted to welcome the Mayor of the West Midlands to Bloxwich Launchpad this week, marking a significant moment as the centre continues to support local people and entrepreneurs since opening in September 2025. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of the Launchpad a dynamic digital skills and incubation hub created as part of the £21.3 million Bloxwich Town Deal investment and to hear from users, partners and local leaders about how the facility is helping to shape economic and community opportunity in Bloxwich and across the borough. Since opening its doors, over 1,100 visits…

Demolition has begun on the first of a number of brownfield sites on Moat Street in Willenhall, clearing the way for new homes. The project, which is a key part of Walsall Council’s long-term Willenhall Framework plan, will see over 100 new homes built to breathe new life into the area. The dilapidated industrial unit on Moat Street is the first of six sites that will be cleared in the area, many of which have been derelict for some time. A swathe of sites were acquired by the council in 2025 following a Compulsory Purchase Order, and plans will see…

As part of the West Midlands Business Festival, a business-focused We Are Walsall 2040 event will take place on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at Bescot Stadium. We Are Walsall 2040 is a long-term plan for the borough of Walsall that aims to accelerate growth and investment across the borough. How will this plan benefit local businesses and what can businesses looking to grow in Walsall expect over the coming years? As part of the West Midlands Business Festival, a business-focused We Are Walsall 2040 event will take place on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at Bescot Stadium. The event will give…