Solihull Council is consulting on its new taxi and private hire licensing policy and would like to hear from taxi and private hire drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors within Solihull and outside the borough. The council would also like to hear from anyone who uses taxis and private hire vehicles or who may be affected by any of the proposed changes. The new taxi and private hire licensing policy includes: Guidance to applicants and existing licence holders; The suitability guidelines to determine fitness and suitability; and Conditions attached to any licence granted. The Department for Transport’s Statutory taxi and private…

During Learning Disability Week, Morgan is celebrating his success with his first paid job. This opportunity came about after he completed a Supported Internship which aims to support young people with additional needs into work. A structured study programme combining formal training and work experience, Morgan was placed with the Solihull Connect team for his Supported Internship. Morgan recounted: “I have learned customer service and time management skills, which helps me to support customers with confidence and be on time!” Baillie Carleton, Library Operations Manager, is Morgan’s manager. He shared: “Throughout his placement, Morgan had always made everyone smile. It…

The funding has helped deliver a range of enhancements at the reserve, situated in Willenhall, which are already making a big difference for both visitors and wildlife. Key improvements include: Over 750 metres of new, accessible pathways, replacing uneven ground and old, dilapidated steps with an easy-to-use new ramp New gates, offering better access and security for the site A refreshed ladder board and site map, helping visitors explore the reserve with ease Vegetation management in selected woodland areas to support long-term habitat health Dredging of one of the reserve’s key wildlife ponds, improving the aquatic environment for amphibians and…

A number of community-based organisations are set to deliver activities as part of a programme to promote and support good food choices and improved access to food. The Feeding Our Futures Small Grants Programme is funding 17 voluntary and community sector organisations in Walsall to deliver a range of innovative projects and activities. These initiatives are designed to enhance access to good quality food and support better food choices. The funded projects will encompass a diverse array of activities focused on food security, education, and community wellbeing. These include cooking, growing, and nutrition workshops; the development of budget-friendly recipe books;…

The ‘Black British Ballet Exhibition’ will be hosted at Lichfield Street Hub Library, open now until July 30, 2025. The exhibition will include 20 to 30 images taken over the past 60 years, archive posters, and audio and video clips of the dancer’s stories. The video clips will be sourced from interviews carried out by Oxygen Arts over the past 18 months with 20 black British ballet dancers. There will also be a range of events and activities including reading, photography, ballet and creative writing workshops, and a ballet show curated by Oxygen Arts. “ I am very excited we…

The New Art Gallery Walsall is getting a green makeover as part of a project to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy use, thanks to funding from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Work is currently underway to replace the Gallery’s old heating system with modern, eco-friendly air source heat pumps. Solar panels will also be installed on the building to help generate clean electricity, along with new double glazing, efficient hot water taps, and other upgrades to make the building use less energy overall. These improvements will make the 25-year-old…

The Local Offer includes information and services for children and young people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families living in Wolverhampton. We have taken on board valuable feedback received from families with children and young people with SEND and created a section on the website for local support available to families. Support for young people | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer Support for parents/carers | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer Autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer Parents and carers have shared that these pages are ‘ helpful, useful and definitely…

City of Wolverhampton Council is putting plans in place to remove the chewing gum that blights local streets after receiving a £20,155 grant to tackle the issue. The council is one of 52 across the country that have successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its fourth year, for funds to clean gum off pavements and prevent it from being littered again. Established by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to…

With the launch of new air quality webpages and the installation of air quality sensors across the borough, as well as our Engines Off anti-idling campaign with schools, 2025 has been a big year for air quality in Solihull. Council staff hosted an information stall at the Core, taking place to mark Clean Air Day. The annual campaign is focused on raising awareness of the impact of air quality on people’s health and wellbeing. Cllr Mackiewicz said: “We’re working with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham Airport and many more businesses to play our part in improving air quality across…

Walsall residents are being encouraged to play a role in creating cleaner, healthier air for all as Clean Air Day is marked on 19 June 2025. Clean Air Day is a national campaign which focuses on taking collective action to tackle air pollution, increasing public awareness of the health harms of air pollution, and demonstrating support for clean air. Air pollution remains a significant public health challenge and affects individuals from before birth through to old age. Although often invisible, air pollution is linked to a wide range of health issues throughout life, from premature births and effects on organ…