With norovirus cases in Wolverhampton high, residents are being urged to do all they can to help stop the virus from spreading. Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes sickness and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but most people will make a full recovery within 2 or 3 days without needing any medicine. However, some groups – including young children, the elderly or those with weakened immunity – are at risk of suffering more serious and prolonged illness, which may require medical treatment. Symptoms include feeling sick, being sick and diarrhoea, as…

Councillors are being recommended to approve an above inflation increase in the amount the City of Wolverhampton Council pays to adult social care providers of 6.6% for the next financial year. A report will go before Cabinet on Wednesday (19 February) with councillors recommended to approve the proposed increase to help sustain the adult social care market. The hourly rate paid to home care providers, for reablement and home based respite, nursing and residential care providers supporting under 65s, older people and older people with dementia, supported living services, Shared Lives and providers of day care services will rise by…

Refurbishment work has brought new life into a grassroots football team’s changing room.  The changing facilities situated at Clayhanger Park were still in use by local teams, however, many would avoid them due to their poor condition. SUEZ recycling and recovery UK stepped forward to help through Walsall Council’s corporate social responsibility programme. The company re-decorated both the interior and exterior of the changing room in December 2024. Work included painting the floors and replacing the coat hangers in the changing room, most of which were broken. The changing room is now back in use for Walsall Wood Juniors…

Birmingham City Council is launching a targeted outreach campaign to support vulnerable pension-age residents aged 70-79, ensuring they receive the financial assistance they are entitled to. Many older residents may be missing out on vital support, with Pension Credit not only increasing income to help with living and housing costs but also unlocking additional benefits such as the Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax Reduction and free TV licences (for those over 75) and discounts on services like NHS dental costs and glasses. The Council aims to identify and contact eligible residents, raise awareness of available benefits, and provide direct support…

Ferrari North Europe is celebrating another successful National Apprenticeship Week after more than 200 young people visited Official Ferrari Dealerships across the UK to gain insight into careers with the Prancing Horse. Throughout the week, Ferrari Dealers opened their doors to showcase the opportunities available through the Ferrari Apprenticeship Programme, now in its 15th year. Attendees were given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Ferrari workshops and showrooms, where they discovered what it takes to work with one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands. Guests had the chance to meet both current apprentices and graduates of the programme, who shared their…

Veolia, in partnership with Solihull Council, is launching a third round of funding through the Solihull Community Environment Fund on 17 February with £20,000 available to support local eco-projects, clubs and communities. The Solihull Community Environment Fund, previously known as the Community Improvement Fund, has supported 13 projects since 2023, and is now back with its largest pot yet. The fund is open to community groups, parks groups and clubs that are looking to improve their local areas. Constituted groups and clubs in Solihull can apply for up to £2,000 to support projects that benefit the local community and the…

The Safer Walsall Partnership (SWP) has launched a five-week consultation from Monday 17 February, which will remain open until midnight on Sunday 23 March 2025. Respondents of the survey are asked to share their thoughts on key topics such as anti-social behaviour, crime, serious violence and environmental crimes in Walsall. Findings of the survey will be an integral part of the partnerships next three-year community safety strategy and will help shape the priorities of the partnership. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, Chair of Safer Walsall Partnership, said: “Working closely alongside our partners, we have been concentrating on our local priorities to…

The Birmingham and Solihull Tobacco Control Alliance (BSol TCA) has launched a campaign to help you light up your life, by giving up smoking. Throughout February and March, the “Light Up Your Life” campaign will feature across social media, radio, buses, and outdoor spaces to raise awareness of the stop smoking services available across Birmingham and Solihull. Ruth Tennant, Chair of the Birmingham and Solihull Tobacco Control Alliance and Director of Public Health at Solihull Council, said: “Smokers keen to start their smokefree journey should know that we’re here to help. “Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do…

Due to essential works to enable the continued development of the HS2 High-speed rail line, it is unfortunately necessary to close public access to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip) at Bickenhill for seven days. The site will be closed from 6am on Monday 24 February and will re-open at 6am on Monday 3 March. Unfortunately the council cannot allow access to the site during the closure, but residents can book bulky items via the chargeable bulky waste collection service. There is also a free, bookable collection service for small electrical items, paint and textiles . For more information see…

Walsall Council and its partners are taking decisive action to locate and seize a vehicle caught fly-tipping in Darlaston. On Thursday, 6 February 2025, a white van was recorded whilst disposing of numerous household items on Walsall Street, Darlaston. The discarded items included refrigerators, a child’s booster seat, and sofa cushions. The individuals involved reportedly returned to the same location twice within the same hour to deposit additional rubbish onto the existing pile. A vigilant resident documented the incident and promptly reported it to the council. “ I am shocked and appalled by the brazenness of these fly-tippers. It is…