Students repurpose old materials to create a blooming gorgeous flowerbed For the second year running, Malvern Park in Solihull town centre has welcomed another stunning flowerbed designed by the talented students from Newlands Bishop Farm. This year’s theme – chosen by the council’s environmental contractor, Veolia – was re-use and upcycle. The team repurposed old materials, including tyres and a wheelbarrow, to creatively display plants to create striking focal points within the flowerbed. The display includes bee friendly plants as well as sensory aspects, creating a colourful vision for all park users to enjoy. The team has also sourced, grown…

Solihull Family Hubs are launching a new outreach hub located in Meriden. Whilst not a dedicated Family Hub building, the outreach hub based at Meriden Church of England Primary School will provide yet another support and activity site for children and families in Solihull. Meriden CofE Primary School is the second Family Hub outreach location in Solihull, with the first outreach hub being situated at Shirley Heath Junior School since November 2024. Leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Karen Grinsell, welcomed the news: “I’m delighted to see the Family Hubs continuing to grow and expand their presence to help more and…

Solihull Council is consulting on its new taxi and private hire licensing policy and would like to hear from taxi and private hire drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors within Solihull and outside the borough. The council would also like to hear from anyone who uses taxis and private hire vehicles or who may be affected by any of the proposed changes. The new taxi and private hire licensing policy includes: Guidance to applicants and existing licence holders; The suitability guidelines to determine fitness and suitability; and Conditions attached to any licence granted. The Department for Transport’s Statutory taxi and private…

Three new youth clubs have been launched in Smith’s Wood at a celebration event on Tuesday 17 June. The youth clubs provide new opportunities for young people in the area, and include the Solihull Youth Bus, part of a new mobile youth outreach programme. Jointly funded by Solihull Council and the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), the youth clubs aim to provide support and guidance to improve the lives of young people in the area aged 8-17. The youth clubs are run by three local organisations with experience in providing youth support across Solihull, led by Urban Heard and supported by…

With the launch of new air quality webpages and the installation of air quality sensors across the borough, as well as our Engines Off anti-idling campaign with schools, 2025 has been a big year for air quality in Solihull. Council staff hosted an information stall at the Core, taking place to mark Clean Air Day. The annual campaign is focused on raising awareness of the impact of air quality on people’s health and wellbeing. Cllr Mackiewicz said: “We’re working with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham Airport and many more businesses to play our part in improving air quality across…

Cllr Dicicco with Jennie and Leah from the Community Older People’s team, displaying the banner which will be outside the event venues. The Council is encouraging residents to come to events on 14 or 28 June to help you plan ahead for later life and make good decisions early. The drop in events take place at The Bridge in Shirley and The Onward Club in Chelmsley Wood, where people can talk to local experts including teams from the Council, NHS, Age UK Solihull, and Carers Trust Solihull. Councillor Tony Dicicco, cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health, explains…

Cllr Dicicco and Cllr Grinsell with the updated Carers Strategy. To mark the start of Carers Week (9-15 June), Solihull Council has published its updated Carers’ Strategy and action plan for the next two years. This sets out how the Council will support the estimated 20,000 adults, young people and children in the borough who have caring responsibilities for a family member or friend. Cllr Karen Grinsell, Leader of the Council and cabinet member for Children’s Services, acknowledges the valuable feedback from Solihull Carers’ Forum which has helped to refresh the strategy and plan. “We understand that carers in Solihull…

Councillor Grinsall (left) and Councillor Qais (right) with young people, youth workers and representatives from Crabtree Hall Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Solihull Council has provided over £450k to improve facilities and foster a stronger sense of community for Solihull residents. Renovations to nine buildings, including improvements to youth spaces, community areas, kitchen facilities, a new music studio, roofing, car parks and toilets, have been made possible through Solihull’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This includes grants awarded through the Solihull Community Buildings Fund, delivered via the Heart of England Community…

The Mayor of Solihull ahead of the VE Day 80 event at Elmdon Park on Thursday 8 May 2025. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and to honour those who fought during the Second World War, the Mayor of Solihull will be lighting the beacon at Elmdon Park on Thursday 8 May. There are also many other commemorative events taking place in different corners of Solihull. The beacon lighting ceremony will begin after 9pm and includes poetry readings in the park beside Elmdon Church. The beacon at Elmdon will be our opportunity to reflect on the peace…

Pop Voices and Boogaloo Babes member Anya Small, The Mayor of Solihull Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE, and Solihull Council Councillor Wazma Qais A variety performance showcasing the best musicians and performers that Solihull has to offer will help celebrate the grand reopening of The Core Theatre. ‘We are Solihull’ will be the first performance in the main auditorium since August 2023, following the completion of remediation works to the roof. Hosted by The Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Shahin Ashraf MBE, to celebrate her year in office, the variety performance brings together an eclectic mix of music, dance and spoken word…