The fight against loan sharks comes to the Black Country this month (SEPT) as Operation Sharknet hits the streets of Sandwell. The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is working with Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police to bring its campaign to the area next week to raise awareness about the dangers of loan sharks and keep residents safe. The IMLT, known as Stop Loan Sharks, is a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council. It was set up over 20 years ago to investigate and prosecute illegal lenders and support borrowers across England. The visit to Sandwell, which runs…

Sandwell is proud to announce that in the latest national Green Flag Awards, 15 of our parks and green spaces have once again been recognised as well managed. And we are even more pleased to announce that West Smethwick Park has joined them to win the prestigious standard! The Green Flag Awards are an international scheme recognising well managed parks and open spaces and it sets the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. This week’s award ceremony for the West Midlands, as well as for the East of England and…

Sandwell Council is proud to launch Stop For Life Sandwell, a new community stop smoking service designed to help people quit and live healthier lives. Run by behaviour change specialists ICE, the service is free and available to anyone living, working or registered with a GP in Sandwell. Support includes: One-to-one behavioural support Tailored quit plans Advice on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and vapes, plus 12 weeks of free products The Best-You healthy lifestyles app The service is welcoming, easy to access and here to help people take that first step – or try again – on their journey to…

Sandwell Council will continue supporting families of 46,000 children with vouchers during school holidays. The announcement comes as the council confirmed how it will spend just over £6million of Household Support Fund funding over the next financial year. The funding for April 2025 to March 2026 will be allocated as follows: £3million on providing vouchers for pupils who get benefits-related Free School Meals – worth £130 per child, per year. Find out more about Free School Meals, eligibility and holiday vouchers. £1.2million on helping council and private rented tenants with rent arrears and other housing costs. £300,000 on Local Welfare…

Sandwell Council is exploring online digital solutions for unpaid carers that provide information, guidance, advice and support at times when standard services are not available. Some of the £300,000 funding secured from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Accelerated Reform Fund has enabled our Adult Social Care team commission Bridgit Care – which is an online platform designed to offer localised content tailored to the needs of carers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Interactive workshops took place during May aimed at giving carers hands-on access to test the new website, with insights shared with the…

Approximately 4,500 people gathered at Walsall Arboretum on Saturday 5 July for the Bostin’ Black Country Bash, an all-day festival celebrating the rich cultural and geological heritage of the Black Country with live music, family entertainment, and local pride on full display. The free event marked the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, with the Black Country proudly recognised as one of its prestigious members. The designation reflects the region’s international significance in shaping the Industrial Revolution and its ongoing global legacy. Other Geoparks globally include the North Pennines, Ore of the Alps in Austria, the Azores and…

Sandwell Council continues to lead the way in maintaining roads and tackling potholes according to latest public satisfaction surveys. More investment is planned – more than £15million this financial year – to keep on top of these priority issues for residents and other road users. The percentage of residents satisfied with road maintenance in Sandwell is more than double the local government benchmark, according to latest research. And another recent survey put Sandwell in the top three local authorities nationally for the way it deals with potholes, and in the top 10 nationally for seven highway maintenance categories. Sandwell Council…

As we take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Black Country Day on Monday 14 July, Sandwell Council wants everyone to look to the future. Black Country Day has been celebrated for over a decade to honour and celebrate the heritage, history, culture and uniqueness of the people of the Black Country. Whilst inevitably the festival looks back on our proud industrial heritage, this year Sandwell Council looks forward to the future. Our region cradled the industrial revolution which powered first Britain and then the world. So, what will our role be in the future? That is the question…

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker went back to school to announce a new education programme that will help thousands more schoolchildren improve the air quality where they live. The Mayor visited Corngreaves Academy in Cradley Heath on Clean Air Day to speak to a class of seven, eight and nine-year-olds about air pollution, how it affects them and what they can do to limit their exposure. The new schools’ programme will provide every school in the West Midlands with specially written lessons and assembly plans, hands-on classroom activities and workshops that link into the National Curriculum. Primary schools will also…

Sandwell Council is currently running a Community Grant Scheme for projects which get people walking, wheeling, or cycling. It’s open to charities, community groups and schools. You can apply for up to £15,000 before the grant closes on 30 June 2025. Guidance and the online application form can be found here. Successful groups will be informed on the week commencing 7 July and project delivery, monitoring and reporting will need to be completed by 15 September 2025.