Latest news with #WalsallCouncil
BBC News
24 minutes ago
- Business
- BBC News
Date set for first stage of Walsall's £1.5bn revamp
Work on a major part of a £1.5bn project to regenerate a town centre is set to get underway at the start of 2026. The Town Centre Connected Gateway will see Walsall's Saddlers Centre overhauled and a clearer link created between the rail and bus work on the shopping centre is set to be completed this autumn before more extensive renovation work will begin at the start of next year. A spokesperson for Walsall Council said the project would help diversify the town centre, moving away from it having a focus on retail. The plans will see Park Street opened up, creating a clear sight-line from the railway station entrance through to the bus station, they greenery will be planted, walkways will be resurfaced and the Saddlers Centre will be revamped into a light, modern and welcoming space, under the plans. The deputy leader of the authority, Adrian Andrew, said: "What we need to do is change our town centre because people aren't just coming to town centre to shop for retail. "So we've got to bring leisure, we've got to bring education and other reason for people to come into the town centre."We're working with our partners and the community to build a better future for Walsall town centre where people feel safe, happy and healthy and where there are ample opportunities to live, work and spend time."According to the council, Walsall College is planning to take on the former Marks and Spencer store to bring a brand new adult learning facility into the town authority is also working with the Canal and River Trust to improve the canal basin in the town to encourage boaters and make better use of the waterfront area. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Walsall Council displays sculpture made from seized vape boxes
An art sculpture made of empty boxes from approximately 4,000 seized illicit vapes is on display to the public in an attempt to spotlight the potential harms of sculpture, which is a large-scale model of a pair of lungs and a heart, will be on display at Walsall Council House this artwork was part of a collaborative project between Walsall College and Walsall Council's Trading Standards and Public Health Council said the aim was to raise awareness of the harm associated with vaping, especially to young people, and stressed the issues of vaping illicit products. The 4,000 vape boxes which comprise the lungs had been seized by the council's Trading Standards and provided to the college to create the artwork last statue was officially unveiled at Walsall College in June 2024, and over the last six months has been on display in secondary schools across the Walsall borough to support ongoing health and wellbeing Council House will now host the sculpture until September, and people can visit the artwork and also find out more about the smoking support on offer from services, including Be Well Walsall and the Quit with Bella app. Councillor Gary Flint said: "We're delighted to host this powerful sculpture at the Walsall Council House. "It serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by illicit vapes, which often contain unknown substances and exceed legal puff limits, making them harmful to people of all ages, including adults."The project is a great example of how art, education and public health can come together to protect our communities."Councillor Adam Hicken added: "This sculpture is a striking visual reminder of the scale of the problem we're tackling. "These products are not only harmful but often linked to wider criminal activity." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Poundland founder backing plans for Walsall's future
The founder of chain store Poundland is "backing a bright future for Walsall" amid worries from local businesses about a lack of footfall in the town. Steve Smith, who grew up in Willenhall, started his career working at Bilston businessman recently spoke at the first We are Walsall 2040 conference, where businesses and organisations discussed "opportunities for the borough to thrive".Mr Smith also described a "long-term plan" for the area, and said: "It won't be the same as when I used to work on the market stalls, but it can be a future where our children do well for themselves and succeed in life." "It is the people of Walsall who make me most proud to come from this area. "I built my business with good people, and with good people who work hard you can achieve a great deal." Mr Smith added. It comes as new figures revealed the town was economically below average on nearly every front. Despite this, the council maintains the view that the borough is "full of potential" and is laying out its ambitions through its We are Walsall 2040 vision includes becoming the most improved borough in the region, a vibrant place where people are proud to live, and residents in all neighbourhoods have the same life Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, said: "More than 10,000 Walsall residents and local businesses helped us to shape the 'We Are Walsall 2040' vision, the ambitions set out are everyone's ambitions.""Walsall is my home. I've lived here for 51 years. I've been a local councillor since 1980. "I want the very best for this borough and for those who live and work here. There are many things that we can be proud of, but there are also things that need fixing and together we're going to fix them." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Walsall Council opposition leader calls for review of authority's culture
Walsall Council's opposition leader has called for an investigation into the "conduct and culture" of elected members at the authority following the resignation of its leader last leader Garry Perry resigned on 21 May, stating that he had been subject to a "campaign of political attrition, deliberate undermining, and personal hostility".Leader of the Labour group Matt Ward had written to the council's chief executive, Emma Bennett, demanding a review into the allegations.A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: "No specific complaint has been received by the council from anyone to investigate." Ward said: "Councillor Perry described a toxic environment marked by political hostility, sustained personal undermining, and behaviour that he said prioritised internal self-interest over the needs of the borough."These are serious and credible concerns that, while directed at some elected members, reflect poorly on the institution if not addressed transparently and with urgency."I also request confirmation that the planning peer review report will be released publicly, and that the council commissions a peer review into licensing. I believe a formal review would now be both timely and necessary."These actions are needed to restore confidence, ensure accountability, and reaffirm that this council operates with integrity at every level."The council did not comment on the planning or licensing peer reviews.A spokesperson for the authority said: "The council takes concerns about bullying very seriously. "No specific complaint has been received by the council from anyone to investigate."The council has a robust process to investigate all issues and complaints that are raised through our formal processes." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Major improvements' made at Fibbersley nature reserve
A nature reserve has been transformed thanks to a grant of £75, Local Nature Reserve on the Walsall-Wolverhampton border near Willenhall, is a wetland site containing many ponds and green spaces, as well as 200 different plant species and dozens of species of improvement project was delivered by Walsall Council, with support from the Friends of Fibbersley Local Nature Reserve changes included nearly half a mile (750m) of accessible pathways and new gates. Also added was a new site map. Undergrowth was cut back in some woodland areas, as well as dredging of one of the site's key to Walsall Council, it is one of the only places in the borough that is home to the great crested newt - a protected species."We have a wide array of green spaces in Walsall, and any improvements to make them more accessible should be celebrated," said councillor Gary Flint, portfolio holder for culture, health and reserve is managed by the authority, and is supported by a group of volunteers, who carry out litter picking, habitat management and building benches. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
