Sandwell Council has launched a new series of British Sign Language (BSL) videos to help residents access important information about council services more easily. The videos, commissioned by Sandwell Council and produced by Sandwell Deaf Community Association (SDCA) , cover a range of key topics including elections, benefits, housing, and council tax. They have been created to support Deaf communities by providing clear and accessible information in BSL, helping ensure residents can access services and information in the format that best meets their needs. The new resources form part of the council’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Sandwell Council’s…

Adult Education Wolverhampton learners are celebrating after achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate in both GCSE English and GCSE Maths. The outstanding results reflect the dedication of the 64 adult learners and the commitment of the service’s specialist teaching staff who support residents to gain the qualifications they need to progress in work, further learning and everyday life. The GCSE English and Maths courses are designed to help adults build confidence, improve their skills and achieve qualifications that can open doors to new employment opportunities, apprenticeships, higher level study and career progression. Anna Place, Deputy Head of Service…

Walsall Council’s Catering Team has achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association in recognition of the healthy, nutritious meals it provides to pupils at 35 primary schools across the borough. Food for Life Served Here is an independently assessed certification that recognises caterers for serving high-quality food, promoting healthy eating and sourcing ingredients responsibly. The independent certification is backed by annual inspections and recognises organisations that are committed to providing good food and supporting local producers. Food for Life Served Here certified meals are freshly prepared by trained cooks using quality ingredients. Meat…

Willenhall Market is set for an exciting transformation, with work due to begin soon to create a more modern, welcoming and sustainable market for traders and visitors. The improvements will see the market’s existing temporary stalls replaced with a new courtyard-style layout featuring 12 permanent stalls, complemented by newly fabricated, fully branded pop-up stalls. The new stalls will provide a more consistent and attractive look for the market, with a unified Willenhall Market identity helping to create a stronger sense of place. The permanent stalls will also provide traders with improved facilities throughout the year, including during the winter months,…

The council leader and cabinet members have written an open letter expressing extreme disappointment and concern that Greensquare Accord are no longer willing to sell at the initially agreed price. Dear Ruth Cooke, CEO of Greensquare Accord. We are writing to Greensquare Accord as Birmingham’s new political administration, in relation to the Stirchley Co-Operative Development. We note that Greensquare Accord stepped into develop out the site on behalf of the Stirchley Co-Operative Development after the previous developer pulled out to support the growth of community led housing in the city. We are, therefore, extremely disappointed and…

Councillor Matt Lloyd has been appointed Cabinet Member for Children and Families, replacing Councillor Mona Khurana. Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Nock, said: “I want to thank Councillor Khurana for her work over the last few months as Cabinet Member for Children and Families and I’m sad that an increase in her family responsibilities means she can no longer continue in the role. “My Cabinet is totally committed to making our borough an even better place to live and work, and I’m delighted that Councillor Lloyd is stepping up into this role. “Children and young people are the future…

A pioneering recovery programme in Wolverhampton is helping people struggling with addiction to make the difficult transition from treatment back into everyday life. The RISE Day Hab programme, co-facilitated by SUIT and Recovery Near You and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team, helps individuals to achieve long term recovery within their own communities. For many people recovering from drug or alcohol dependency, the period after detoxification, structured treatment or residential rehabilitation is one of the most challenging points in their recovery journey. The structure and support available during treatment can suddenly reduce, leaving individuals facing…

Birmingham City Council has hailed the success of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships following a wonderful week of sport in the city. The event reached its climax on Sunday after a week of bumper crowds both in Alexander Stadium and the city centre. Ticket sales surpassed targets set by event organisers, with a total attendance of 218,135 across seven days of competition, finishing with three successive sold-out evening sessions. The weekend also saw fans given the opportunity to experience the excitement of Birmingham 2026 free of charge, with Saturday’s race walking events and Sunday’s marathons taking…

Senior representatives from the Department for Education (DfE) and national government departments visited Wolverhampton yesterday (Monday 17 August) to see at first hand how the city is delivering innovative support for children, young people and families through its Families First for Children Pathfinder programme. Hosted at the Best Start Family Hub in Graiseley, the visit showcased Wolverhampton’s work as one of the country’s first Families First for Children Pathfinder authorities, highlighting the city’s collaborative approach to improving outcomes for children and families. Representatives from the Department for Education were joined by colleagues from NHS England, the Ministry of Justice,…

City residents will start receiving letters about a new weekly food waste collection service which is set to launch this autumn. The letters are being hand delivered to all kerbside properties during this week and next and will give details about the service. Under its Simpler Recycling legislation, the UK Government requires all councils to deliver the collections. They aim to offer people an easy way to recycle leftovers, food scraps and peelings. The new service will begin from the week of 26 October, with collections available to all kerbside properties initially, with a further roll out to…