Walsall Council’s planning service has been recognised for its significant progress and transformation following a recent Planning Peer Challenge conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) in March 2025. The Peer Challenge, held from 5–7 March at the Council’s invitation, provided an independent and honest assessment of the planning service’s performance. The findings highlighted a service that has made substantial strides since its last review in 2021, evolving into a high-performing, customer-focused operation that consistently exceeds national targets. “ We are very proud of the progress our planning service has made. This recognition…

Approximately 4,500 people gathered at Walsall Arboretum on Saturday 5 July for the Bostin’ Black Country Bash, an all-day festival celebrating the rich cultural and geological heritage of the Black Country with live music, family entertainment, and local pride on full display. The free event marked the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, with the Black Country proudly recognised as one of its prestigious members. The designation reflects the region’s international significance in shaping the Industrial Revolution and its ongoing global legacy. Other Geoparks globally include the North Pennines, Ore of the Alps in Austria, the Azores and…

Ceremony echoes Sir Henry Royce’s tradition of personally signing off new designs Final steel beam of 40,000m² extension signed by Rolls-Royce Board of Directors Marks rapid progress – just four months after the CEO signed the first structural column Landmark extension is the largest single investment in the Home of Rolls-Royce since it opened in 2003 “Just four months ago, I signalled the start of above-ground construction on our £300 million extension project by signing the first steel column to be installed. My fellow Board Directors and I have now signed the last beam to be lifted into place, completing…

Young performers from across Wolverhampton will raise the roof of the city’s premier music venue with a series of concerts next week. Wolverhampton Summer Sounds is a four-night celebration of musical talent taking place at the Wulfrun Hall, University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, from Tuesday 15 July to Friday 18 July. Over 4 nights, 400 members of the Youth Choir, Concert String Orchestra, Keyboard Ensemble, Fusion Fives, Big Top SEND Ensemble, Bhangra Fusion Percussion, the Primary and Secondary Rock ‘n’ Pop groups, Guitar Group, Concert Wind Band, New Wind, Early Strings, New Strings, Jazz Big Band, Youth Wind Orchestra…

Sandwell Council continues to lead the way in maintaining roads and tackling potholes according to latest public satisfaction surveys. More investment is planned – more than £15million this financial year – to keep on top of these priority issues for residents and other road users. The percentage of residents satisfied with road maintenance in Sandwell is more than double the local government benchmark, according to latest research. And another recent survey put Sandwell in the top three local authorities nationally for the way it deals with potholes, and in the top 10 nationally for seven highway maintenance categories. Sandwell Council…

The UK’s new car market grew for the second consecutive month in June, as registrations rose 6.7% to 191,316 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the best June since 2019, helping lift first half performance 3.5% above the same period last year, although the market remains -17.9% behind pre-Covid levels.1 Despite a positive June performance, it too remained behind pre-pandemic levels, -14.4% lower than in 2019, and driven mostly by fleet activity with uptake climbing 8.5% to 114,841 units.2 Private retail demand grew 5.9% to 71,616 units…

Companies House starts to verify identities The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This landmark legislation gave Companies House new and enhanced powers to help disrupt economic crime and support economic growth. Identity verification will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK. There will be the same level of assurance…

left to right, are Alison Baggs, Participation Officer, Sarah Reynolds, SEND Early Identification, Helen Taylor, Head of SEND and Inclusion, Shama Hussain, Chloe Lambert, Ellie Parker Brewer and Ne-yo Makombe, all HY5! ambassadors, Alison Hinds, Co Chair SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board, Ellis Lees Griffiths and Dhiren Kumar, both HY5! ambassadors, Andrew Scragg, Participation Officer, Megan Baynham, Kieran Smith-Mills and Harman Kambo, all HY5! ambassadors, Paul Tulley, Co Chair SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board, Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Dr Cathy Higgins, Divisional Medical Director/Consultant Paediatrician, Pate Tate, SEND…

Renault has secured a trio of impressive wins at the 2025 Business Motoring Awards, including the overall award of ‘Business Car of the Year’ for the Renault 5 E-Tech electric. The emotive electric supermini was also named the ‘Best Small EV’ while the Renault Clio was crowned the winner in the ‘Best Small Car’ category. Judged by a panel of experts, the Business Motoring Awards recognise excellence in the automotive and fleet sector, specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and company car drivers. On selecting the Renault 5 E-Tech electric as their overall ‘Business Car of the Year’, as…

His Majesty’s Ofsted inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children are at the heart of, in a report published today, Tuesday 8 July 2025. The accolade builds upon the council’s previous rating of ‘good’ in 2021 and puts Walsall firmly on the map of excellence as the only outstanding local authority for overall effectiveness in the Black Country. Since 2018, children’s services have been on a transformational journey of improvement to provide better outcome for children, young people and their families, which is set out in the council’s Walsall Right 4 Children approach. Following an inspection in May,…