Two more Cradley Heath convenience stores have been ordered to close following continued action by Sandwell Council to tackle shops selling illegal goods. The latest closures bring the total number of shops ordered to close in Cradley Heath to six since the start of July – following an eight-month-long intelligence-led investigation. Closure orders have been granted to close International Vape and All Day for the maximum period of three months. Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards team successfully secured the closure orders after officers discovered illicit tobacco products being sold from both premises. The order to close All…

Sandwell Council has won a national road safety award for its work to make the A4030 in Smethwick and Bearwood safer for everyone. The council received the Exemplary Urban Scheme Award from the Road Safety Foundation at a ceremony in the House of Lords. Judges praised Sandwell for turning road safety data into real improvements that make a difference to local people. The award recognises a major programme of improvements along the busy route, which includes new and upgraded pedestrian crossings, safer facilities for cyclists, wider pavements, and lower speed limits and measures to reduce road dangers. It…

Sandwell residents are invited to access free confidential advice and support through the new Smethwick Advice Centre, launching at Smethwick Library. The Advice Centre brings together experienced advisers from Sandwell Council and local voluntary and community sector organisations to help residents resolve a wide range of financial, housing and welfare issues. The service is open to all Sandwell residents on a walk-in basis every Wednesday from 9.30am to 2.00pm at Smethwick Library, with no appointment required. Residents can access support with: Benefits Debt Immigration Housing Education & Employment Consumer Rights Energy Debt and Utility Bills Rent…

Tammy Takkar, entrepreneur, CEO of Active Clinic and wellbeing expert A group of Birmingham and Sandwell women came together this week to attend a unique wellbeing evening dedicated to women who spend their lives looking after everyone else while often forgetting to care for themselves. Hosted by Boujie Mom Entrepreneur and longevity enthusiast alongside Tammy Takkar, entrepreneur, CEO of Active Clinic and wellbeing expert, the event was created for “exhausted ladies” — women juggling family, careers, businesses and everyday responsibilities who rarely take time to pause and recharge. The evening focused entirely on self-care, encouraging attendees to switch off from…

Councillor Ray Nock has been formally confirmed as the new Leader of the Council at Sandwell’s annual meeting. Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Nock, said: “I was born in Sandwell, and have lived and worked here all my life, so it is an honour and privilege to be elected the new Leader of Sandwell Council. “There is a lot to be proud of in Sandwell, and alongside my new Cabinet we’re totally committed to making our borough an even better place to live and work. “We are going to be working hard for all our residents and to…

Councillor Margaret Sutton (Great Barr, Tamebridge and Yew Tree ward) is the new Mayor of the Borough following a ceremony in the Council Chamber at Sandwell Council House on Tuesday (26 May). The Mayoress is Mrs Zoe Gallagher. The Deputy Mayor was named as Councillor Nathan Williams (Cradley Heath and Old Hill). At the ceremony, votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor Steve Melia and Councillor Elaine Giles. Councillor Sutton confirmed that the charities she will be raising money for are the Midlands Air Ambulance and Sandwell Victim Support. Midlands Air Ambulance Midlands Air Ambulance…

Families across Sandwell are being invited to celebrate play, creativity and community this half term as Sandwell Council launches its Festival of Free Play, featuring more than 25 free activities. Running from 25 to 31 May, the festival brings together outdoor play sessions, library activities, creative workshops and family-friendly performances in parks, libraries and community spaces across the borough, including Oldbury, Smethwick, Tipton, West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis. The festival is delivered by Sandwell Council’s GoPlay and Library services in partnership with local organisations and is designed with children at its heart, championing children’s right to play, feel safe,…

In Sandwell – and across the UK – hundreds of foster carers open their homes to provide love, stability and care to children and young people in need of safety, stability and love. But many more foster carers are urgently needed to ensure every child can be matched with the right home for their individual needs. That’s why, from this week until 24 May, Sandwell Children’s Trust is backing the nationwide Foster Care Fortnight campaign, as Emma Taylor, Chief Executive of Sandwell Children’s Trust, explains: “Foster Care Fortnight is really important because it shines a light on the…

Leader of the Council, Kerrie Carmichael was joined by Tunmi Agbona and Natalie Nyengerai from Sandwell College and representatives of Sandwell’s Culture Forum Sandwell Council is entering Smethwick into the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, celebrating the town’s vibrant and cohesive community, rich heritage and growing arts and culture scene. Made 50 years ago from six proud towns, the borough of Sandwell is a place built on making things happen. It’s where industry met innovation, and where strong, creative, diverse communities shape its future. Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of the Council said: “If it can be made, it’s…

Sandwell Council has begun work on a series of 38 new priority road safety projects across the borough as part of its Community Road Safety Concern Programme this year. Six are already completed or nearing completion and more are on the way. Over the past 25 years, Sandwell has halved the number of casualties on its roads, including reducing child casualties by 60 per cent. This significant reduction follows a long-term programme of targeted engineering measures, road safety education, and support for police enforcement action. The council is continuing this work through its Community Road Safety Concern Programme, which focuses…