Walsall Council Archives - Page 2 of 11

Walsall Mayor wishes King Charles a swift recovery

Walsall’s Mayor has issued a public statement wishing King Charles a “swift and full recovery” following news that he was diagnosed with cancer early this week.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the diagnosis on 6 February stating that the King remains positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

“It is with great sadness that I heard the news and I commend him for being so open about his recent cancer diagnosis. I’m sure this will help promote greater public understanding for all those who are affected by cancer,” said Councillor Chris Towe.

“On behalf of Walsall Council and our residents, I extend all our best wishes to the King. Our thoughts are with his family at such a worrying time. Wishing you a speedy recovery Your Majesty.”

Feedback wanted on proposed Walsall boundary changes

The Local Government Boundary Commission is embarking on a mission to redefine council wards in Walsall, and they want your input. A comprehensive 10-week consultation on these proposals is now underway and will continue until April 8, 2024.

The objective of the commission is to ensure equitable representation of electors by redistributing the wards effectively. The Commission has put forth proposals for Walsall, advocating for the establishment of 20 three-councillor wards, heralding a significant shift in the ward landscape.

Notable changes include:

The renaming of Willenhall North ward to New Invention based on local input.
A substantial redesign of wards in Walsall town centre.

“ We want people in Walsall to help us,” said Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission.

“We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Walsall. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities.

“We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people. Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions. It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved.”

The Commission has dedicated a section on its website where you can delve into the proposal details and offer feedback on ward names and boundaries: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/walsall

Additionally, a high-resolution map is available on the Local Government Boundary Commission website.

Your views can also be shared via email at reviews@lgbce.org.uk.

Changes To Bulky Waste Collections in Walsall

Fees for bulky waste collections are being increased in Walsall from 5 February, 2024.

The service will be upgraded allowing residents to request the collection of more than three items. Prior to the change, Walsall Council would collect up to three items for a charge of £10.00

The new tiered system will allow residents to arrange the pick-up of up to nine bulky items.

1-3 items – £30
4-6 items – £50
7-9 items -£70

Collection slots can be booked online with a registered account and paid for via debit or credit card.

Further details can be found on Walsall Council’s bulky waste collection website.

First Pictures of Walsall’s Guildhall

Following on from the news that the Guildhall in Walsall will be transformed into a creative hub, the Council has released some digital designs showcasing what it may look like once complete.

Work on transforming the historic Grade II listed building begins in the Spring with £1.8 million set aside from the Government’s Town Deal Fund to bring the building back into use.

Alongside a gallery area, a café and conference facilities, the new space will also feature a courtyard and spaces that local creative industries can use.

New designs for the Guildhall, give us an insight on what it could look like with digital images showing the café area and courtyard.

“These new images really bring the project to life and it’s exciting to see the plans coming together,” said Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration
Walsall Council.

“This project is a great example of how we can diversify town centre buildings away from retail offerings, to provide facilities that will help local people access resources to build creative businesses.”

“Walsall is a hub of creativity and with the right facilities, there is real opportunity and scope to support and grow talent within the borough. We acknowledge the need to move away from retail purposes for our town centre buildings and I think that once it’s up and running the Creative Centre will be a hive of activity.”

The transformation of the building is part of a wider project by Walsall Council, which sees multiple investments and regeneration plans across the borough.

Walsall Food Summit Aims To Put Together Food Plan For Borough

Taking place at Walsall Football Club on January 17, the Walsall Food Summit will see 40 leaders and multiagency partners in the food industry discuss a borough-wide food plan.

“The Walsall Food Summit promises to be an exciting day for everyone, bringing together people who play a role in our food system,” said Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces, Walsall Council.

“As part of our We are Walsall 2040 Borough Plan, our ambition is for Walsall to be healthy and well. We hope the summit will enable further collaboration among partners to identify opportunities that will enable everyone to eat well, live healthy lives and promote a sustainable food environment for everyone.”

“Food for Life have been working with Walsall Public Health since 2017 to improve food quality and education both within schools and nurseries and beyond the school gates. The Walsall Food Summit is a positive next step towards creating a joined-up food system within Walsall which will help drive innovation and best practice in making healthy and sustainable food accessible to all. This is a great chance to bring together the passionate people across the area to make valuable connections which will further strengthen our local food system.”

The event has been organised by Food for Life, who helped push forward initiatives such as Universal Free School Meals.

Black Country Saddlery To Be Transformed Despite Petitions

Two petitions aimed at preventing planning permission to convert the former Black Country Saddlery building on Wednesbury Road haven’t prevented the renovation from getting the green light.

Following a proposal by Keystone Homes Ltd to turn the property into an assisted living facility for vulnerable people, 220 signatures were gathered by campaigners who were concerned about crime, privacy for nearby residents and other issues if planning was to go ahead.

“Enough is enough. We already have the Glebe Centre, YMCA hostels, a Big Help hostel, a traveller transit site, drug rehabilitation centre, a probation centre and a domestic violence refuge all within a one mile stretch of one another”, said local campaigner Karl Moseley.

The new facility, which will consist of 11 one-bedroom flats, including two rooms for staff, will be run by the charity Aspire Living.

“The facility will cater for people whom require help excluding high risk individuals,” reads the initial application. “None of the tenants are on drug abuse or any other addiction.”

Walsall Arboretum 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Walsall Council will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town’s Arboretum later this year.

Officially opened on 4 May 1874, the Arboretum will play host to a series of events over the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2024.

This will include exhibitions detailing the history of the Arboretum with a full schedule of events due to be announced later this year.

The Walsall Arboretum currently attracts over 1 million people per year, spans over 170 acres and is home to over 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs.

“The Arboretum is one of Walsall’s most loved and cherished attractions which holds memories for generations of people,” said Walsall Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces.

“For 150 years it has been a place for exercise, play, relaxation, community activities, as well as providing a home for wildlife and nature to flourish. In this important year, we will be showcasing all the fantastic work, the people that make it what it is, and encouraging residents and community members to connect with their local green spaces.”

Free Stop Smoking Programmes Launch in Walsall

As many residents of Walsall are considering their New Year resolutions, two new services dedicated to helping stop people from smoking have launched.

Closeup view of woman breaking cigarette in hands

Firstly, there’s the My SmokeFree Life App, which delivers a 12-week programmes to help people quit. This includes tips, motivational content and the ability to set up a personalised plan.

There’s also the option to self-refer to Be Well Walsall Services, which is available to anyone who lives in Walsall and is registered with a GP. Help, which can be over the phone or face-to-face, includes access to expert health coaches who can help you plan positive lifestyle changes.

“ We know quitting smoking can be challenging. This is why we are offering a range of free local resources to help you achieve your smoke-free goals in 2024,” said Councillor Gary Flint, portfolio holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces.

“The My SmokeFree App provides a wealth of personalised guidance, weekly content, tips, and support at your fingertips.

We also want you to know you are not alone. Our team at Be Well Walsall are also on hand to help you breathe easy, break free from smoking in 2024 and beyond. “

More information can be found on the Be Well Walsall website. The My SmokeFree Life app is available to download for free via Google Play or the App Store.

Walsall Man Scoops National Award For Supporting Families

Alan Savill, a prominent member of the parenting team at Walsall Council, has achieved recognition as the recipient of the prestigious “Making An Impact” award at The National Facilitator Awards. The ceremony took place on 17th November at York Racecourse, where exceptional trainers were celebrated for their outstanding contributions.

With a wealth of experience in providing crucial support to parents and families across the UK during challenging periods of domestic conflict, Alan Savill has been instrumental in designing comprehensive training programs tailored for frontline professionals. These programs empower professionals to offer vital assistance to families in need.

Since 2019, Alan has successfully trained over 9500 professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to assist families facing various challenges. His commitment to improving the lives of families in crisis is evident in his dedication to the cause.

Joining Walsall Council as part of the parenting team last year, Alan continues to work directly with families and accepts referrals from various sources. Additionally, he collaborates with practitioners across the council and partners within the local community. This collaboration focuses on training on-the-ground staff to recognise and address parental conflict effectively. Furthermore, Alan plays a pivotal role in facilitating support groups and workshops for parents grappling with conflict, separation, divorce, and its impact on their children.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Alan Savill said, ” This is a huge honour for me. I only train in subjects I believe in and have strived so hard to make the training around parental conflict relevant, inspirational, and interesting.”

He added, ” To know that I have made an impact to professionals across the country makes me so proud. Walsall Council believed in me since 2019 and so I jumped at the chance to work directly for them since last year. I work with so many dedicated people who care about children and I witness them making lives better daily. To be a part of this makes me very, very proud.”

Walsall Borough Council Calls for Site Proposals to Shape Local Plan

In a bid to chart the future of Walsall Borough, the council’s cabinet is set to consider an important proposal. The proposal entails inviting residents to participate in a “call for sites,” encouraging them to submit suggestions for potential development locations.

Continuing the Vision: Walsall Borough Local Plan

This initiative arises in the wake of the cessation of the Black Country Plan’s production in October 2022. Instead, Walsall Borough will forge ahead with the creation of the Walsall Borough Local Plan. This comprehensive plan will play a pivotal role in identifying sites to fulfill the borough’s burgeoning requirements for employment opportunities, housing, and green spaces. It will also emphasize the preservation of land for ecological purposes and the safeguarding of the historic environment.

Inclusivity in Planning

Under the proposed plan, the council is extending an open invitation to residents, businesses, and landowners to contribute their insights. They are encouraged to propose potential development sites and recommend areas, including open spaces, that should remain protected. Notably, the council is keen to hear about underutilised land, especially brownfield sites.

Consultation and Future Steps

All submissions will be taken into account during the formulation of the plan, with a formal consultation to be conducted at a later date. Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “A call for sites will give us an opportunity to hear the proposals of local people when writing the plan. We want people to put forward ideas, not just for land for houses or employment uses. We also want ideas for land for open space and other uses too. This is an opportunity to identify small pieces of vacant land. We welcome all ideas big or small. This might include potential land for green spaces, nature conservation enhancement, and other uses. I’d also urge anyone that submitted a proposal under the previous Black Country Plan to please re-submit it for this new plan.”

Mark Your Calendar

The call for sites is set to commence in January 2024. As part of this process, outreach efforts will target previous participants in the former Black Country Plan and extend to other landowners interested in offering their land for development.

Tag: Walsall Council