This Blue Monday (19 January 2026), Walsall residents are being reminded of the free and confidential support available across the borough to help with mental wellbeing. Blue Monday is an opportunity, particularly during the colder winter months to pause, check in and prioritise wellbeing. Mental health affects everyone and feeling low, stressed, or overwhelmed is more common than many people realise. Talking openly about mental health helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help earlier. If you are feeling low, small steps can make a big difference: connecting with someone you trust, taking a short walk, limiting stressful media,…

There’s still time to join a series of ‘Winter Warmth and Wellness’ sessions taking place at Wolverhampton Libraries – designed to bring together communities during the colder months. Hot drinks and mindfulness activities will be available during the free events, including board games, crafts and puzzles. A series of events took place last month, with 7 more to come. They are as follows: Wednesfield Library, Thursday 8 January, 10.30am to 11.30am Bob Jones Community Hub, Monday 12 January, 10am to 11am Finchfield Library, Tuesday 13 January, 10.30am to 12.30pm Penn Library, Thursday 15 January, 10.30am to 12.30pm Bilston Library, Tuesday…

People will be invited to have their say about proposals to introduce a ‘Public Space Protection Order’ (PSPO) to help tackle anti-social behaviour around the Bentley Bridge area when a consultation begins early next month. The order would give police powers to ask groups of 3 or more people to vacate the area if there is reason to believe they are causing or likely to cause a nuisance, and to remove face coverings if they have no reasonable grounds to wear them. These proposals are being put forward to tackle a steady increase in anti-social behaviour – largely involving groups…

Between January and March, there are plenty of free activities, workshops and family support at all four of the council’s Family Hubs across the borough. The Hubs provide a one‑stop shop for local families, offering play sessions, learning activities, health and wellbeing support, and access to partner organisations to help children get the best possible start in life. Here’s just a flavour of what’s in store this year: Have fun: Early years development and play Stay & Play, Peep Stay & Play, Storytime, and Magical Moments – sessions supporting communication, early learning and bonding. Little Einsteins – a 5‑week programme focused on…

A joint taxi enforcement operation was carried out on 28 November by Walsall Council, City of Wolverhampton Council and West Midlands Police traffic officers, as part of ongoing work to maintain high safety and licensing standards across the region. During the operation in Walsall, officers inspected 16 vehicles in the town centre between 8pm and 1am. This forms part of routine compliance checks carried out across the borough. The majority of vehicles inspected were found to be compliant, with eight passing all checks without issue. Where problems were identified, officers took proportionate and immediate action to protect public safety. One…

As the new year begins, Walsall residents are being encouraged to make 2026 the year they quit smoking and take control of their health, with access to a range of local services in the community, digitally and through specialist services. Between November 2024 and November 2025, 1,068 residents set a quit date, with a 60% quit rate at four weeks (which is above the national average of 53.6%). This highlights the growing demand for local stop smoking support across Walsall. Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps someone can take for their health, for their loved ones and…

Huge amounts of investment have been, and continue to be, attracted to the borough to improve local areas, restore buildings back into economic use, build new homes and create opportunities for work and leisure. “ We’re starting 2026 in a really strong position with lots to look forward to across the borough. We’re moving forward with transformative schemes that are already underway, and we’re implementing new frameworks and strategies to build on the incredible progress we’ve already made. 2026 will bring new housing, new railway stations, more jobs and opportunities, and the start of the major transformation of Walsall town…

Walsall Council officers, West Midlands Police and whg have been working together to respond to concerns about anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Bentley. On Thursday 11 December, council community protection officers were joined by two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and whg staff to carry out door-to-door visits on Western Avenue and Fambridge Road. The team spoke directly with residents to listen to concerns, gather information about ongoing issues and provide advice on how to report incidents such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. Residents were given clear guidance on the reporting process to ensure concerns can be logged quickly and acted upon. This will enable the council and partners to identify those involved and issue warning…

Smethwick has reached a major milestone with the submission of its plans for regeneration and investment as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. In March 2025, the government announced Smethwick is set to benefit from up to £20million over the next decade through the Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme. The Smethwick Partnership Board, which oversees the programme, working closely with Sandwell Council, has led extensive engagement with residents, businesses and community groups throughout July and August 2025 to understand local priorities. The top five priority areas identified through engagement are: Regeneration, high streets and heritage Community cohesion Health and wellbeing…

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, with the vehicle used for fly tipping A truck used to fly tip in the city has been seized and destroyed as City of Wolverhampton Council sends out a clear warning in its battle against the crime. The tough action has been taken in an attempt to deter offenders and prevent the vehicle from being used in future environmental crimes. In this case, security cameras captured a fly tipping incident on land off Millfields Road, Ettingshall, in May last year. The driver of a Ford Transit…