Over the last 18 months, the council has been a key part of the Department for Education’s Families First for Children Pathfinder (FFCP) programme, designed to test ways to reform the children’s social care system, help children to stay with their families in safe and loving homes while protecting vulnerable children where needed and ensuring that families will receive the right support at the right time and be supported by the right professional. Wolverhampton, one of 3 local authorities chosen to take part in the first phase of the Pathfinder, has worked to deliver support to families based on 3…

The school’s eco-committee outside their polytunnel, with Let’s Go Zero’s Kumari Kher (left) and school sustainability lead Jane Newman (right Schools across Solihull are rolling out new climate action plans which could help them save carbon, money and contribute towards a more sustainable borough. The Climate Action Plan will outline how each school or college aims to work towards tackling the climate emergency, in a way that is unique and manageable for them. Solihull Council is hosting free online webinars with national campaign group Let’s Go Zero and the Climate Ambassadors scheme to help shape their plans. This builds on…

Solihull’s links to the Surrealist art movement will be celebrated with the opening of a brand-new exhibition – ‘Surreal Solihull’ – in Solihull town centre on Thursday 6 March. And to get everyone in a sur-really good mood, there’s a packed programme of free performances, tours and workshops for the opening night and weekend on Thursday 6 March and Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 March. ‘Surreal Solihull’ takes as its starting point the work of Solihull’s pioneering Surrealist artist and poet Emmy Bridgwater who founded and worked with the Birmingham Surrealists throughout the 1930s and 40s. As well as featuring…

The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has announced funding plans which sees 29 museums across the country receiving a share of almost £25 million to upgrade their buildings. The Fund is part of the UK Government’s long term plan to support local economies, allowing them to grow. It will support capital projects at museums, fund important repairs and improve the visitor experience, with funding awarded ranging from £50,000 to £5 million, to ensure local history has a home for years to come. In the Midlands, more than £5 million has been awarded across 4 museums. Wolverhampton Art Gallery has…

As part of regeneration plans for Tipton town centre, a wide range of improvements are being proposed to public areas. These include creating greener spaces and new public spaces and walkways, as well as safety improvements. You can have your say on plans set to benefit the whole town centre, including Owen Street, the precinct, Union Street and the former Tipton Green Branch Canal walkway. We’re after people’s thoughts, so come along to one of our drop-in sessions to find out more and have your say: Wednesday 26 February, 5pm-7pm St Paul’s Community Centre, Brick Kiln Street, Tipton. Thursday 27…

Adult Education Wolverhampton provides its students with ‘good quality education and training across the service’ according to Ofsted, which has confirmed that it continues to be a Good provider. Inspectors visited the City of Wolverhampton Council run service last month and, in their report published this week, praised consistently high attendance across all courses. Students ‘enjoy their studies’, ‘learn in a calm and purposeful environment’, ‘develop their confidence and feel well supported by staff’. Students who are looking for employment or higher skilled jobs receive ‘specialist high quality careers advice and guidance’, with a high proportion of students achieving their…

*Eligible families in Walsall will benefit from more activities during the school holidays as the council’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme has been extended. Walsall Council has received an additional £1.8million from the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver another 12 months of the well-established programme. Since launching in 2021, approximately seven thousand children and young people in Walsall have benefitted from the HAF programme, attending fun activities and receiving healthy and nutritious meals. The council works closely with 75 providers in the borough to put on activities for two weeks over the Easter break, four weeks during the…

Pupils in Smith’s Wood were joined by the Mayor of Solihull last week to help plant new hedgerows, as part of the Council’s ambitious Planting Our Future campaign. Solihull Council has committed to planting 250,000 trees by 2030. With the help of schools, businesses and community groups across the borough, the Council are on target with over 125,000 trees planted since the programme started five years ago. This latest event was organised by Planting Our Future who have partnered with Forest Oak School, Merstone School, and Smiths Wood Academy to plant new hedgerows around their school boundaries. During the week,…

Deputy Mayor of Walsall Cllr Louise Harrison with members of the Bloxwich Launchpad On Wednesday 19 February, Bloxwich Library and Theatre hosted the Bloxwich Launchpad Expo event, where residents were invited to speak to service providers and find out more about what will be on offer when the new centre opens in Spring.  Bloxwich Launchpad, which is currently being constructed on the site of the former Post Office in the centre of Bloxwich, will provide digital skills training and support, as well as business support for entrepreneurs. Walsall Council is delivering Bloxwich Launchpad as part of the Bloxwich Town…

Sandwell Council is reminding drivers of the potential catastrophic consequences of driving dangerously. street racing in the Black Country, including Sandwell, and applies to drivers, riders, passengers, organisers and spectators. Sandwell Council has successfully taken nine people to court for breaching the order by racing on Sandwell’s streets, including seven on Kenrick Way, West Bromwich. All nine received suspended prison sentences. Street racing also invalidates a vehicle’s insurance policy and police can seize and crush vehicles. Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can have tragic…