February 2024 - Pioneer Magazines

Public disorder interrupts Walsall Council Chamber meeting

A meeting held at Walsall Council was interrupted this evening (22 February 2024) following a “public disturbance” from the gallery.

Following prayers by St. Martin’s vicar Jenny Mayo-Lythall, the meeting, hosted by Walsall mayor Chris Towe, was disrupted by multiple members of the public shouting out “ceasefire now” and other inaudible remarks.

The mayor called for a temporary adjournment to clear the gallery as elected members swiftly left the chamber.

Pioneer Magazines contacted Walsall Council for comment. A spokesperson stated: “The meeting of Full Council on Thursday 22 February 2024 was adjourned shortly after 6pm due to a protest in the public gallery. The meeting will be rescheduled for another date.”

£30m Aldridge train station project begins

Preparations are underway to secure the future site of Aldridge Railway Station, marking a significant milestone in the region’s transportation infrastructure. The ambitious £30 million project aims to breathe new life into the area by constructing a modern single-platform station complete with a 40-space car park and convenient road access from Westfield Drive.

**Walsall mayor Andy Street with Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton and stakeholders at the site of the new Aldridge railway station**

Collaborative efforts between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), and Network Rail are driving the initiative forward. This joint endeavor will culminate in the restoration of passenger rail services to the town after a hiatus spanning six decades.

Anticipated to debut in 2027, Aldridge Station promises to enhance connectivity for local residents. Initially, the station will offer a half-hourly service to Walsall town centre, facilitating transfers to Birmingham-bound trains. Furthermore, passengers will have the opportunity to access a broader network of regional and national services.

Looking ahead, ambitious plans envision the electrification of the line, enabling direct services to Birmingham and beyond. Additionally, Aldridge Station is poised for upgrades as part of the broader reopening of the Sutton Park Line to passenger services.

Developments on the horizon include plans by the newly established Wrexham, Shropshire, and Midlands Railway Company (WSMR) to operate services from North Wales and Shropshire to London Euston via the Sutton Park Line. Discussions are also underway to explore opportunities for these services to include stops at Aldridge, further enhancing regional connectivity.

Pupil attendance in Walsall “significantly” improving

Following concerns of persistent absence of pupils in schools since the Covid pandemic, latest figures show that attendance is improving in Walsall.

Due to a sharp rise in absentees post-pandemic, the Department for Education issued non-statutory guidance to schools in 2022 to help improve attendance.

This required schools to track attendance data and devise a strategic approach for improvement.

Absentee figures peaked in the 2021/2022 academic year to 29% of children who were considered as persistent absentees (missing 10% or more sessions). The latest confirmed figure shows that the percentage has now decreased to 23.10% for the 2022/23 Autumn/Spring term.

Unpublished figures for the 2023/24 Autumn terms show that the level of persistent absentees stands at 22.49%, a further decrease year-on-year.*

A national government campaign was launched earlier this year with the strapline “moments matter, attendance counts” to further increase awareness to parents and children about the importance of attending school.

*This is currently an estimated figure until officially published.

Source: Education and Overview Scrutiny Committee minutes

Youth unemployment in Walsall almost twice the national average

At a Walsall Council meeting held yesterday by the Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the latest figures show that youth unemployment in Walsall is almost twice the national average.

Though it was noted that progress had been made between 2000 and 2020, recent statistics show that youngsters not in education, employment and training (NEET) are rising.

The current UK average is 5%, while the rate in the borough of Walsall stands at 9.2% (2,060 aged between 18-24). The highest area of youth unemployment in the West Midlands is in Wolverhampton (10.9%).

The figure for Walsall is up 11.4% compared to the previous year.

From the minutes:

“In addition, recent increases in economic inactivity have been driven largely by young people, many of whom are inactive because of health-related reasons. The picture is even more stark for young people in our most deprived wards, and furthermore for those with particular characteristics, including care leavers, young offenders, young people with disabilities and some ethnic minorities.

On skills levels, 16,400 of the working age population have no qualifications in Walsall requiring 5,693 to be upskilled to meet regional averages. At a higher level, only 27.2% or 46,900 of Walsall residents possess a NVQ Level 4+.”

Walsall Council plans to work alongside the WMCA as well as training providers, employers and partners to help develop solutions.

Full Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes

Walsall police search for man who was “deliberately struck” by car

A 27-year old man was arrested on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of wounding following an incident on Hospital Street near the centre of town.

Police are appealing for information after a man was deliberately struck by a car in Walsall after officers were alerted to the incident near the junction with Gladstone Street at approximately 4.40pm on 15 February.

While the man who was hit has not been found, the driver attempted to escape before being stopped and arrested in Smethwick shortly afterward.

The suspect is currently in custody, while police try and track down the injured man.

New York museum gifts seven Epstein artworks to New Art Gallery

A museum in New York has gifted seven artworks by American/British sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein to the New Art Gallery in Walsall.

Six tinted plaster casts from the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), featuring depictions of Epstein’s family members, Haile Selassie (Emperor of Ethiopia), and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (the First Prime Minister of India following Independence), have been brought to the UK with support from the Art Fund in 2019. However, due to the pandemic, their conservation and display were postponed until this year. These artworks will be permanently housed alongside the Garman Ryan Collection and a significant Epstein Archive at the Gallery.

Additionally, a sculpture of the renowned violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin, originating from the Jewish Museum in New York, has been unveiled to complement the existing series.

The artwork is currently being displayed on the first floor of the New Art Gallery. A guided tour will be taking place on Saturday 2 March with free entry.

Fingerpost pub in Pelsall available to let

Admirable Taverns is looking for a new manager to run the Fingerpost pub in Pelsall.

Situated next the Wyrley and Essington Canal, the tenancy agreement will require an initial investment of £15,000, which includes a £5,000 security deposit, £5,000 working capital and £5,000 stock.

Annual rent costs are £28,000 per year.

From the Admiral Taverns website:

“The Fingerpost stands as a distinctive detached establishment, nestled in a picturesque canal-side setting on the outskirts of Walsall. Upon arrival, you are greeted by a convenient front car park, offering ease of access. Step through the inviting front door, and you’ll find yourself in a spacious, open-plan bar area featuring a generously sized bar counter. This seamlessly transitions into a cosy, intimate dining section before leading you further into the heart of the establishment – the expansive main dining room. Here, the space opens up to reveal a splendid, elevated decked area, partially covered, which offers great views of the tranquil canal.

Positioned in close proximity to the main A5 route, connecting the M6 to Cannock and Walsall, The Fingerpost enjoys an ideal location for attracting passing travellers. Moreover, its longstanding presence in the area ensures a steady stream of loyal patrons from both the local community, drawn to its inviting ambiance for casual dining, and those seeking a welcoming spot to enjoy their favourite beverages.”

Interested parties can register their interest here > https://www.admiraltaverns.co.uk/pubs/fingerpost-walsall/

Free cancer community events aim to spread awareness

Public Health Walsall and the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) are running a series of community events to raise awareness of cancer screening and support services.

Free to attend, the events will take place throughout February and March at the following locations from 10am until 2pm:

Willenhall Chart Centre – Wednesday 21 February
Pelsall Community Centre – Wednesday 6 March
Bloxwich Active Living Centre – Friday 22 March

These drop-in events will give visitors the opportunity to talk with NHS organisers, charities and independent organisations and cancer symptoms, how to spot signs and get support.

Diabetes and health checks will also be available free of charge.

The events have been organised jointly by Public Health Walsall and the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS). Each event will raise awareness of cancer screening and support services available, how residents can reduce their risk and create opportunities for anyone affected by cancer to meet others, as well as getting support from clinical specialists, local providers and experts.

Free health and diabetes checks will also be offered at these events.

Park Street will also see the arrival of the cancer bus on Wednesday 28 February, where wellbeing and cancer screening advice will be available to passers-by.

Walsall Council improving on EHC assessment deadlines

In a cabinet meeting this week, Walsall Council praised the work of its inclusion team dealing with education, health and care (EHC) assessments as demand rises across the borough.

The council confirmed that 82 percent of assessments and plans are now completed (data from July-September 2023) within the statutory 20-week time frame compared to just 8.5 percent in 2022.

“Timely completion of EHC plans has been a tricky and challenging predicament over many, many years, and this is against a backdrop of a 14 percent increase of demand and a backlog of requests,” said Councillor Mark Statham, Porfolio Holder for Educations and Skills at Walsall Council.

“Now, having improved the timeliness so significantly, we find ourselves in a really good position, which would not only put us in the top 5 percent in the country, but will have such positive and direct impacts upon children and young people in Walsall.

“EHC plans are there to ensure that those children who need more support are getting it, at the right time from the right people and organisations, to support their learning and development.

The inclusion team who have worked so hard to deliver these successes deserve all the commendations we can give them in terms of their robustness, professionalism and dedication, and we’re now moving forward positively to maintain these figures.”

Bloxwich charity shop break-in leaves staff heartbroken

Thieves who broke into the St. Giles shop on Bloxwich High Street last week are estimated to have caused up to £7,000 in damages to the local charity.

The break-in occurred on Monday 5 February with thieves successfully stealing goods, while causing damage to the local store.

Images from inside the Bloxwich charity shop

Nicola Brannen-Mott, Head of Retail at St Giles Hospice, said: “We are heartbroken to face yet another break in, so soon after our Kingstanding shop was targeted in December.

“This has caused more heartache to our community, along with additional bills to pay for repairs – money which should be spent on supporting our patients and their loved ones.”

A JustGiving fundraiser is aiming to help recoup some of the losses > https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stgileshospicebloxwich