Artists impression of the play area at Leamore Park Both Leamore Park and Bloxwich Park, Memorial and Prominade Gardens will soon be transformed thanks to funding from the Bloxwich Town Deal. Contractors were on site last week for a pre-start site visit and work has started in Leamore Park today (Monday 12 May). The work will be phased so that both parks aren’t closed to the public at the same time. The work will see both parks given a new lease of life, with new play areas designed by local schools, and various other improvements and repairs. “ Improving Bloxwich’s…

Cllr Hawkins (centre) with Solihull Council cycling trainers and some of the bikes available to try Solihull Council has teamed up with Peddle My Wheels to offer Solihull residents the ‘Try before you bike’ scheme. Part of the West Midlands Cycle and Walk Programme, this innovative scheme offers a flexible approach to hiring or buying a bike without the initial cost of purchasing a new bike and accessories. Residents can hire a bike from Peddle My Wheels for £40 a month on a rolling monthly contract which includes insurance, bike lock, lights and a helmet. At any point they…

Would be street racers are being warned that they could face jail if they breach a High Court injunction in place across the Black Country. It comes after another individual admitted being in contempt of court following an incident of street racing, also known as car cruising, in Bearwood, Smethwick in late March. Qamar Hussain, of William Road, Smethwick, appeared before the High Court in Birmingham on Thursday 25 April and admitted racing against another vehicle along the Hagley Road between Wolverhampton Road and Bearwood Road. He received a 21 day custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to…

Councillor Grinsall (left) and Councillor Qais (right) with young people, youth workers and representatives from Crabtree Hall Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Solihull Council has provided over £450k to improve facilities and foster a stronger sense of community for Solihull residents. Renovations to nine buildings, including improvements to youth spaces, community areas, kitchen facilities, a new music studio, roofing, car parks and toilets, have been made possible through Solihull’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This includes grants awarded through the Solihull Community Buildings Fund, delivered via the Heart of England Community…

(left-right) Lola, Skye, Trinity, Alex and Bailey with the Mayor of Solihull A group of young people have put their creative skills into play to raise awareness of neglect. With the support of qualified youth workers from Solihull Council, Meriden Adventure Playground, Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP), and a support worker from Solihull’s children in care council – OVOS (Our Voice Our Service), the group has written, recorded, filmed and edited a video to help show what life can be like for a young person experiencing neglect. The video was launched earlier this week to an audience including the Mayor…

Josh Wright, Senior Coach, Councillor Jacqui Coogan and Scott Pearson, Coach, with children and young people enjoying an activity session at Stow Heath Primary School Wolverhampton’s Yo! Wolves Easter activity programme was a great success with 12,400 places available over the school holidays, funded by the Department for Education. Over 35 local providers hosted activity sessions, including food, at 48 locations all over the city. A wide variety of opportunities meant there was something for everyone, with children and young people enjoying martial arts, drama, arts and crafting, cinema visits, sports activities, AI and coding skills, music workshops, life…

Sandwell Council is inviting residents, businesses and community groups have their say on the soundness and legal compliance of modifications to the Sandwell Local Plan. Three modifications are being proposed by Sandwell Council to the submitted Local Plan. We are inviting residents and other interested parties to have their say on the soundness and legal compliance of the modifications. We have provided information about what ‘soundness’ means and what the legal requirements are online. The modifications are: 1. Allocating part of Rowley Regis Golf Course for housing development. Some of the golf course is allocated for housing…

Prom season is approaching and parents and carers across the city are reminded to make vital checks before hiring vehicles for the special night. City of Wolverhampton Council’s licensing team is working with schools and other councils across the region to alert families to potential risks. Officers are warning that not all companies that advertise the services of stretched limousines and other luxury or performance vehicles are licensed. The following advice is being issued so people can be sure that the vehicle being booked is safe and legal. The type of checks needed depend on how many passenger…

The City of Wolverhampton Council is appealing for people with a passion for education to consider becoming school governors. School Governing Boards are made up of people from all walks of life with a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences – but they are all volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school and act as the link between the school and the community it serves. Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We are currently looking for new governors to work in schools across Wolverhampton and we’d be delighted to hear…

(L-R): Outside the new homes on the site of the former Happy Wanderer pub are Black Country Housing Group Chief Executive Designate, Adrian Eggington, Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, and Keon Homes Site Manager, Daniel Thomas The first new affordable homes being built on the site of a former eyesore Bilston pub and neighbouring derelict garages have been completed. The Happy Wanderer pub on Green Lanes was subject to arson attacks and anti social behaviour since closing in 2017 due to poor trade.…