Walsall Council has successfully prosecuted six individuals for littering in the borough. All six perpetrators will now be required to pay substantial fines for improper disposal of waste. These cases were all adjudicated at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 24 March 2025. “ It is appalling to witness both visitors to the borough and local residents showing such disrespect for our communities. Shame on you. My message to perpetrators is clear: you will be caught and subsequently fined. This is the price you pay for your blatant disregard for our borough. I am proud of the consistent success of these prosecutions…

Work is starting on Monday 28 April on the Rose Hill to Pinson Road cycle scheme in Willenhall. The 1.2km route will comprise of a segregated cycleway and shared walking and cycling path between Pinson Road and the Rose Hill / Bilston Lane junction. The scheme connects to the Noose Lane to Pinson Road Cycle scheme, which is currently under construction, and aims to provide an onward dedicated cycle link between Wolverhampton and Walsall. “ With the construction of the new Willenhall Station, now is the right time to increase accessibility in Willenhall for local people. This scheme, along with…

Sandwell Council and its waste partner Serco have teamed up with pupils from Temple Meadow Primary School, to launch a new initiative aimed at reducing the amount of dog mess left near their school. The project, which encourages responsible pet ownership, was developed after students raised concerns about the ongoing issue of dog fouling on their walk to school. The children have been reminding dog owners to clean up after their pets and have sent out communications to local parents. The council has also increased signage and patrols in the area and is encouraging the community to report repeat…

The world’s greatest classical music festival comes to St George’s Hall in Bradford on Sunday 7 September with the UK premiere of Angélique Kidjo’s African Symphony, as part of the BBC’s partnership with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Alongside eight weeks of music making at the Royal Albert Hall featuring orchestras and soloists from across the globe, BBC Proms travels across the UK with a series of unique concerts, all to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3. For Proms Bradford, five-time GRAMMY Award-winner Angélique Kidjo joins the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Chris Cameron, to perform the UK premiere of…

Among those taking part in the Reverse Jobs Fair was Alyssa Dunn from Tettenhall Wood School The City of Wolverhampton Council teamed up with other local authorities recently for a ‘Reverse Jobs Fair’ – giving jobseekers with additional needs the chance to show off their skills to potential employers. It took place at the Black Country Living Museum to mark National Supported Internships Day and was facilitated by the council’s specialist Supported Employment team. Unlike a traditional jobs fair where employers host the stands, the Reverse Jobs Fair saw dozens of jobseekers showcase their skills to employers from across…

Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Garry Perry, has called upon agencies in Staffordshire in a bid to collectively tackle the use of illegal off-road bikes. In a letter to Staffordshire Police, the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office, and to the Canal & River Trust, Councillor Perry has requested a roundtable discussion to devise a joint operational approach to address the issue. The letter explains Councillor Perry’s concerns about off-road vehicles, the dangers they pose to the communities they disrupt, and how he believes agencies can work together better to deter the issue. Three hotspots on the Walsall/Staffordshire border…

Walsall Trading Standards, in partnership with West Midlands Police and a specialist search dog team, including sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper, searched seven retail premises and one associated vehicle. Illegal goods were found in the vehicle and all shops visited, including across storeroom floors, hidden concealments, and even inside a jigsaw puzzle box. The seizures removed more than 150,000 cigarettes, 20.5kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco, and 1543 illegal disposable vapes from Walsall’s streets. “ Our Trading Standards team really put the pieces together with this investigation, managing to find goods which pose a real danger to our residents…

Birmingham City Council is delighted to announce that three local schools have been granted the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant for the 2024-2025 academic year. Grestone Academy, Montgomery Primary Academy, and The Shirestone Academy will receive funding to expand and enhance nursery provision, creating more childcare opportunities for local families. This funding initiative is part of the government’s wider strategy to increase access to early years education, particularly in areas where demand for nursery places outstrips supply. The initiative aims to ensure that families across the country have better access to affordable, high-quality early years provision, supporting children’s development and preparing…

UK businesses and consumers could benefit from lower prices on imports of everyday essentials like spices and juices as the Government takes further action to make the UK the best place to do business and kickstart economic growth. In a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to free trade and responding to business need, the UK Global Tariff will be temporarily suspended on 89 products saving UK businesses up and down the country at least £17 million a year. The products include plywood and plastics, which are essential for construction – making life easier for chippies all over the country.…

Council homes in a Wednesbury neighbourhood have undergone a major refurbishment, with two new apartments also created to help provide much-needed housing. Sandwell Council and its contractor SWG Construction have completed the refurbishment and new-build project in Thorn Close, Wednesbury. SWG has revitalised 12 one-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom two-storey apartments, while also adding two brand new one-bedroom single-storey apartments within the original under-used underpasses. The project not only improves the quality of housing for residents but also enhances the surrounding environment with new landscaping, garden roofs, modernised communal spaces and upgraded facilities. Alongside the new apartments, SWG completed essential works…