Today is an important day for almost 4000 Year 6 pupils in Walsall, who will find out which secondary has offered them a place for September 2025. 94% of pupils in Walsall have been offered a secondary school of their choice. A total of 3,923 applications were received on time. 3005 of those applications (76.6%) received their first preference, 469 (12%) their second preference and 130 (3.3%) their third preference. 100% of on-time applications have been offered a place at a secondary school for September 2025. Parents and carers can choose up to five school preferences, and 3697 children received…
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Walsall Council’s budget for the 2025/26 financial year was considered and approved at a Full Council meeting on Wednesday 26 February 2025. A balanced budget for 2025/26 was presented, which included proposals for spending, efficiencies and council tax. Council has received an 18.5% real term cut in funding, equivalent to £688 per household. Alongside this, the council has experienced the challenges faced by the pandemic closely followed by the cost-of-living crisis. What we and our residents need though is a fair, multi-year government settlement in future years and the Government must address funding for local authorities to enable councils to…
Left: Mike Foster, City of Wolverhampton Council rough sleeper coordinator, Paul Burns and Shaz Kaur (Good Shepherd), Paul Hale (Recovery Near You), Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing at City of Wolverhampton Council, Kate Downing (P3 Charity), Councillor Steve Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing at City of Wolverhampton Council, John Doyle (Recovery Near You), Cheryl Langford (West Midlands Police), Jo Leek (Wolverhampton BID) and Jim Corry (P3 Charity) Rough sleeper numbers in Wolverhampton remain in single figures as partnership work spearheaded by the council goes on, official statistics show. The data snapshot -…
A series of community events will be held across the Walsall borough to coincide with the COVID-19 Day of Reflection on Sunday 9 March 2025. The events will give residents an opportunity to remember loved ones lost to COVID-19, reflect on personal and collective experiences and give thanks to health and social care workers, key workers, community groups, volunteers and many more for their response to the pandemic. Some of the activities taking place include a lighted memory tree at Moxley Peoples Centre on Wednesday 5 March from 12pm to 2pm, where residents can write a message on wooden hearts…
Walsall Council collected approximately 115,000 tonnes of household waste last year, maintaining a 99.96% successful collection rate over that period. On Wednesday 26 February, Councillor Kerry Murphy, Portfolio Holder for Street Pride, will deliver an update outlining key achievements across areas including highways and waste. Walsall Council maintains approximately 520 miles of local roads. Over the past year, 16.5 miles of Walsall’s roads were resurfaced, and 4,000 road defects were repaired. Meanwhile, 34,000 of the borough’s drains were cleaned, while 10 miles of road markings were refreshed. “ The success of our services is driven by our dedicated staff and…
Sandwell Council has been shortlisted in the ‘Most Improved Council’ category at this year’s Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards. Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, said: “We’re really proud of the improvements we’ve made in recent years, and it’s fantastic to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. “Sandwell Council is completely focused on getting things right for our residents – delivering high-quality services that are easy to use and working for the people who need them. “We want our borough to be a great place for children to grow up. We want to make Sandwell a cleaner, greener and…
Two men talking in Walsall town centre The partners behind We Are Walsall 2040 have launched a new website and LinkedIn account to support the borough’s ambitious collective long-term vision for the borough. Partners include Walsall Council, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, the NHS, Federation of Small Businesses, Walsall College, Walsall Community Network, Walsall Football Club, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, whg, and the University of Wolverhampton. “ This new website and LinkedIn account will help showcase our collective vision and provide residents and businesses with the information they need to participate actively in shaping Walsall’s future.…
Volunteer run Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes charity uses four Dacia Jogger cars to support its vital and free motorbike delivery service of blood and other medical essentials for NHS hospitals across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire The Joggers are used to guarantee supplies in adverse weather conditions or for long distance deliveries, and for transporting volunteers or bulky kit to fundraising events The charity makes more than 7,000 urgent medical deliveries a year and travels over 375,000 miles. Combined, the Joggers have already covered over 20,000 miles in the first month with the charity Affordability, reliability and a spacious…
This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28 February 2025, and will conclude on the evening of Sunday 30 March 2025, with the exact dates contingent upon the sighting of the moon. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, liquids, and smoking. It is a month of reflection, generosity, and charity. “ On behalf of Walsall Council, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all our residents observing the holy month of Ramadan. May this sacred time bring you peace, reflection, and spiritual growth. Ramadan Mubarak to you and…
A city food business which was found to be trading despite an active rat infestation has been successfully prosecuted by City of Wolverhampton Council. Environmental health officers investigated Sweet Elohim Afro Market in Lichfield Street after a member of the public contacted them with concerns. Officers discovered rat droppings throughout the store, which was selling fruit and vegetables in open boxes as well as other food in packets, tins and jars. Evidence of the significant infestation was also found where the open food was handled and ready to eat packaged food was stored. Officers immediately closed the premises, and it…