Birmingham’s annual settlement to fund public health services has been announced to be £108 million in 2025/26. This confirms an increase to the existing annual public health grant of 3%. The government funding, announced on 7th February, will be used to continue driving vital services such as smoking cessation, addiction recovery, health visitors, school nurses, sexual health clinics, and public health support for local NHS services. It supports the government’s 10-year plan to shift the focus from treatment to local prevention programmes tailored to communities, which it hopes will reduce pressures on the NHS. This, in turn, supports Birmingham City…

Amrik Sangha, a Health Improvement Officer with the City of Wolverhampton Council, with one of the vape kits that are available to people who want to Swap to Stop smoking Smokers in Wolverhampton are coming forward to take advantage of help and support as they look to ‘Swap to Stop’. The Government aims for the country to become ‘smokefree’ by 2030, and is offering a million free ‘Swap to Stop’ vaping kits which, combined with behavioural support, are designed to help them quit smoking. The City of Wolverhampton Council has made these available at a range of community venues,…

In September 2019, the council declared a climate emergency, later committing to a Net Zero target of 2041. The Walsall Net Zero 2041 Strategy sets out the priorities and actions needed to achieve net zero into six themes. These are: Energy: Focusing on reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Circular and Green Economy: Promoting sustainable production and consumption, reducing waste, and supporting green skills and business opportunities. Homes, Workplaces, and Public Buildings: Improving energy efficiency in buildings, retrofitting existing buildings, and ensuring new buildings are net zero ready. Transport and Travel: Reducing emissions…

Being flued up is no uncommon occurrence during the chilly Winter Season. With the air being less humid in winter, flu viruses can live for longer periods indoors, where we spend most of our time if the weather’s looking dreary! Therefore, germs and bacteria can spread easier from one person or place to another. So, beware and follow the advice below to combat the flu this winter! Stay at home –  Take valuable time off school or work if you’re feeling unwell. Put your upcoming work and errands on hold until you feel better or you’ll just end up feeling…

A £20 million investment into the Canalside South regeneration scheme in Wolverhampton was today announced by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has provided the loan facility to Wavensmere Homes to bring about the £150 million redevelopment and provide hundreds of new homes, including 109 affordable plots. Canalside South is one of the biggest regeneration projects of its kind in the region with more than 530 new energy efficient homes to be delivered across the former British Steel and Crane Foundry site and land off Qualcast Road, which has lain derelict for 15…

Telling road users to not let worn tyres be the third wheel this Valentine’s Day TyreSafe, the UK’s road safety charity dedicated to raising awareness of tyre safety, is kicking off its February ‘Love Your Tyres’ campaign, a light-hearted yet crucial reminder to all road users to prioritise regular tyre checks. Despite an estimated three in five Brits parting with hard-earned cash to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a recent survey conducted in partnership with the RAC, revealed that only a third (33%) of drivers check their vehicle’s tyre tread at least once a month – the minimum recommendation by road…

Three of the Walsall Council’s Family Hubs have opened new clinical spaces. The rooms, opened in partnership with the NHS, will allow parents to book medical appointments for their child at Hubs, opposed to alternate locations such as hospitals. Appointments which families can book include antenatal assessments and development checks. The council launched four Family Hubs in the borough during 2023, offering a range of essential services for families all under one roof. The new spaces mean that should they wish to, families can attend appointments and health checks up to five times before their child is one years old.…

New Park Village estate today saw a historic milestone as the excavators moved in to start demolishing decaying 1960s maisonettes and pave the way for new homes. It is part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will see 205 outdated residential properties flattened and replaced with 188 new energy efficient homes. Poor quality bungalows on Valley Road have already been removed by contractor DSM Demolition and now the main flats at Ellerton Walk, which sit within 8 linked deck access blocks each with integral garages at ground floor level are being pulled down. The regeneration…

Cllr Jayne Francis has said that the council is on track to ensure that all its residents can live in warm, safe, sustainable homes. Cabinet has approved proposals to unlock £1.6bn of investment over the next seven years into council homes. The council’s investment program began in April 2024 and has enabled just over £240m of investment over in its first year, improving the physical condition of just over 4000 homes. The investment programme for the second year will continue to accelerate this program, ensuring £1.6bn investment is geared towards making sure our homes meet decent home standards. The council…

The Sporting Bears Motor Club is organising and promoting its inaugural Dream Rides Show this weekend – and not charging members of the public a penny in entrance or parking fees.The unique event runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday July 14 at an extraordinary venue – Wycombe Air Park (also known as Booker Airfield) SL7 3DP. Special guests on the day will include Mike Brewer, the legendary presenter of the Wheeler Dealers TV programme, plus the famous YouTuber, JayEmm on Cars. And apart from being able to see and photograph some equally legendary four-wheeled models, showgoers will have the…