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…

Work to create more ‘bee beaches’ and restore historic heathland habitats is being carried out across the West Midlands. This conservation effort is part of the Purple Horizons Nature Recovery Project, led by Natural England. The work involves using diggers to remove vegetation and create bare ground areas – known as ‘bee beaches’ – which are crucial habitats for many threatened pollinators. This project, now in its second year, has created even more bee-friendly habitats across seven sites: Shire Oak Park, Barr Beacon, Pelsall North Common, Chasewater Country Park, Brownhills Common, Wharf Lane and Muckley Corner.  The work is being…

Wolverhampton residents are being urged to remain vigilant and follow some important guidance when considering aesthetic procedures available on the High Street. Environmental Health officers at City of Wolverhampton Council are concerned that people are not always aware of the safety risks and potential complications involved. Officers want to encourage residents to ask questions and report any concerns before undergoing aesthetic procedures such as Botox, anti wrinkle injections, cosmetic or dermal fillers, chemical peels or skin boosters. They recommend the following: Make sure you have a pre-consultation before undergoing any procedure. This should look at your medical history and give…

Interactive water feature at Darlaston swimming and fitness centre Various sessions are being held between Monday 17 February and Sunday 23 February, including public swimming sessions at Bloxwich and Oak Park Active Living Centres and Walsall Gala and Darlaston Swimming and Fitness Centres. Ever-popular Big Bounce events will be held on Tuesday 18 February at Bloxwich Active Living and Friday 21 February at Oak Park, pre-booking online for these sessions is recommended. There will even be roller-skating sessions on offer, firstly at Oak Park on Wednesday 19 February from 1.30pm to 3:00pm, Followed by session at Bloxwich Active Living on…

Music for All, the charity of the UK musical instrument industry, is currently accepting applications for its first funding round of 2025. Groups, schools, any form of educational establishment, community projects, charities, and organisations that are bringing music to their communities in the UK can apply. Priority will be given to applicants who are most in need of help. In the current round, grants of up to £2,000 are available in the following areas: Working with primary school-aged children –  community-based groups providing music-making opportunities to young-people aged between 4–11 can apply, including groups operating in caring as well as…

Bentley Motors has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch. The new facility, opened today by Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG, and Bentley’s Board of Management, will be pivotal to the brand’s preparations for the first Bentley BEV. The world’s first Urban Luxury SUV will be launched next year and today’s opening sets a key milestone in transforming the 85-year old site for a new age of electrification. Bentley’s industry-leading Beyond100+ strategy will see the company reinvent its entire product range to support an electrified future. The company’s new digital,…