This year’s Commonwealth Day celebration will commemorate the annual event’s 76th anniversary, with performances by a local school at a special citizenship ceremony. Commonwealth Day, which is on Monday 10 March, is observed by people in 56 countries and all over the Commonwealth – in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas, the Pacific and Europe. The 2025 theme is ‘Together We Thrive’, and the day is an opportunity to promote the unity, diversity and shared values of the Commonwealth family across the world. The celebrations, led by the Lord Major of Birmingham, Councillor Ken Wood, will begin with a…

The first stage in preparing a new Local Plan for Solihull has begun, through a call-for-sites exercise. This was an opportunity for site owners, promoters or other stakeholders to identify what land is available in the borough for potential inclusion in the Council’s Local Plan. The exercise was conducted over a two-month period, from the end of November 2024 to the end of January 2025 and resulted in over 300 sites being suggested for potential development. It is important to note that this is a land availability exercise, and it does not necessarily mean that these sites are suitable for development. …

Black Country partners have today been awarded a £1,287,710 development grant from Sport England to help address inequalities that prevent people from being physically active. Walsall, along with Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton are among the 53 places set to benefit from a share of Sport England’s £250 million investment into the heart of communities across England. Active Black Country are the accountable organisation for the funding. Sport England research calculates that active lifestyles save £10.5 billion a year for the health and social care system. This relieves some of the NHS burden, preventing 1.3 million cases of depression, 600,000 of…

Upgraded Octavia vRS generates 265 PS from revised 2.0 TSI engine The flagship of the Octavia line-up is available in hatch and estate body styles, with a 15mm lower ride height compared to standard Octavia models The new Octavia vRS can be modified for specific functions with Škoda’s turnkey conversion service, with full approval for police use following MET brake test The Octavia vRS is available to order now Milton Keynes, 5 March 2025 – Škoda UK’s most powerful Octavia vRS production model has hit the beat as the latest exciting addition to the brand’s extensive emergency services lineup! The…

The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Sandwell to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively. The Commission has published proposals for changes to Sandwell. It is proposing that there should be 72 councillors representing 24 three-councillor wards. Most ward boundaries should change; one will stay the same. Proposed changes include: Adopting the Halesowen Conservative Association’s proposals for the Rowley Regis area to…

A partnership of different voluntary, community and statutory sectors marked six years of fostering community cohesion with a celebration event at The Walsall Hub. Walsall for All’s celebration event on 26 February 2025 highlighted the partnership’s journey and its transition into an independent community interest company (CIC). The celebration featured the launch of the Walsall Community Cohesion Strategy 2025-2035, which is aimed at creating a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous community. Developed between Walsall Council and Walsall for All, the strategy represents a significant milestone in Walsall for All’s ongoing efforts for Walsall to be a friendly and diverse borough.…

Oswald Clarke and Emma Price Two individuals who exploited vulnerable residents across the Heath Town area of Wolverhampton have been served with injunctions by the County Court. Oswald Clarke, aged 61 and of no fixed abode, and Emma Price, 39, also of no fixed abode, targeted vulnerable people, and coerced or threatened them to get into and take control of their properties, where they would then supply and use of class A controlled drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine. The Court heard that Clarke in particular would threaten and intimidate the residents, often supplying them with drugs to persuade…

Wolverhampton will join the nation in a day of reflection to mark the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic on Sunday (9 March, 2025). The day will remember the pandemic, and its impact on communities across the UK, with people invited to come together to reflect on this unique period of our history as well as their own experiences. The day will be an opportunity for the public to remember and commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic, reflect on the sacrifices made and the impact it had on their daily lives, and pay tribute to the work…

The government has released the annual rough sleeping figures for the country and despite supporting more people who are sleeping rough into safe and secure housing than the previous year, Solihull’s official figure for rough sleeping is 12 people, double last year’s figure of six. The national rough sleeping figures are produced annually as a snapshot by every local authority in the country on a single night in autumn. It is recorded annually in this way in order to monitor rough sleeping patterns year on year and region by region. Alongside this snapshot, Solihull Council tracks patterns and numbers of…

Walsall Council, together with the Walsall Community Network, is hosting a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday 7 March 2025. The event hosted at the Brownhills Community Association, WS8 7JE, from 12:30am to 2:30 pm, will focus on promoting inclusivity, women’s resilience, and the diverse career journeys of women. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Accelerate Action,” the event aims to foster collective efforts to drive meaningful change and promote inclusivity. Over 20 leads from voluntary organisations and community groups across the borough are expected to attend. Among the inspirational speakers will be two speakers from the…