News-Walsall

Shock at Walsall Gala baths £300k revamp

11 Mar 10 14:47

News
Shock at Walsall Gala baths £300k revamp
The YamYam 9 Mar 10
The surprise announcement by Walsall Council to spend £300,000 on improvements to the Walsall leisure centre has caused “disgust” in campaigners battling to keep Willenhall Leisure Centre open.

The Gala baths in Lichfield Street will undergo an electrical rewiring, the Brine pool will be redecorated and a new suspended ceiling will be installed in changing rooms. The £300,000 expenditure has caused outrage to users of the Willenhall Leisure Centre which has been earmarked for closure as one of the massive cuts in the recently approved council budget. The cost of the improvements to the Walsall centre did not appear in the controversial budget.

Councillor Ian Shires, Libdem councillor for Willenhall, reacted angrily to the news. “My reaction, in a word, is disgust” he said. “I have not seen anything through scrutiny in respect of this. To be honest, if we had had that kind of money spent on Willenhall, it would then be a well-used centre.”

Walsall cabinet member for leisure and culture, Councillor Anthony Harris said: “We believe very strongly that attractive venues are popular venues and I’m pleased to see investment in the Gala baths. “Much of the work will be unseen but vital none the less. It’s important that we re-wire the building since it is many years since this was done and it needs renewing. “There will be lots of night working when the centre is closed in order to minimise disruption which I’m sure people will be pleased to hear. We are also letting people know well in advance about any disruption through the Press, through our website, through Twitter, Facebook and through posters at the Gala itself. “No-one likes to have their fitness routine disrupted everyone will see the improvement once these works have been completed. This investment of £300,000 shows how seriously Walsall Council takes its commitment to provide facilities that are fit for purpose.”

Work is due to start on 15 March and last for around three months. The Gala swimming pool will be closed from 22 March for two weeks. The entire centre will be closed for seven days from April 5 with the Brine pool closed for three weeks from 3 May.

The unexpected nature of the announcement, the fact that the work will start within days, and the comments made by Councillor Harris regarding the need for a rewire has led to speculation that the urgent works are more than merely decorative.

In May 2004, the gym at the Walsall complex was gutted by fire caused by an electrical fault it the air conditioning system and the centre was closed for four weeks while structural engineers made the building safe. Work to replace the gym started two years later following settlement of an insurance claim.

Campaigners trying to save Willenhall Leisure Centre have been given a three months reprieve to formulate a plan to save it.

Walsall Advertiser 11 Mar 10 An 'attractive' refit for Walsall Gala Baths

Walsall Council Walsall Gala Baths

Cllr Ian Shires 3 Mar 10 Fight to save Willenhall Leisure gathers momentum
Matt Lloyd B’ham Mail 26 Feb 10 Willenhall baths given stay of execution

Cllr Ian Shires 22 Feb 10 Crunch meeting for Willenhall Leisure centre
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Feb 10 Plans to save Willenhall Leisure Centre discussed
Express & Star 16 Feb 10 Cuts in opening hours could save centre

Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for Consultation PDF
Walsall Council Willenhall regeneration area

Cllr Ian Shires 11 Feb 10 Will Tories fund Willenhall Leisure Centre if costs are reduced?
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Feb 10 Willenhall Leisure Centre “closure by stealth”
Express & Star 8 Feb 10 Listing hope in drive to keep Willenhall Leisure Centre open

Express & Star 4 Feb 10 Willenhall Leisure centre granted short reprieve
Cllr Ian Shires 4 Feb 10 Comment: Willenhall’s challenge

The YamYam 25 Jan 10 Last chance for Willenhall Leisure Centre
Cllr Ian Shires 26 Jan 10 Window of opportunity needs to be grasped - use it or lose it
Express & Star 25 Jan 10 Rescue hope for leisure centre

YamYam links 23 Jan 10 Walsall councillor withdraws request for scrutiny conduct inquiry
Express & Star 22 Jan 10 Axe looms over Walsall swimming pools
Cllr Ian Shires 22 Jan Some hope for Willenhall centre?
YamYam 20 Jan Walsall awash with swimming pools says council
Ian Shires blog 20 Jan Comments: Council counting private pools
Yahoo groups Pooling resources

B'ham Mail 24 Dec Willenhall Leisure Centre facing closure
Express & Star 17 Dec 09 Pensioners join fight for Willenhall Leisure Centre
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Dec Is there a glimmer of hope for Willenhall's Leisure Centre?
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Dec Scrutiny process reduced to farce
Cllr Ian Shires 10 Dec Concern expressed as plans to develop LNPs unveiled

The YamYam 8 Dec Council boss says “put up or shut up”
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Dec Community condemn plans to close Willenhall's leisure centre
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Dec Attempts to debate Leisure Centre closure rejected
Express & Star 2 Dec Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall centre
Cllr Ian Shires 2 Dec The nonsense of scrutiny
The YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Express & Star 30 Nov Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov Comment: the theory and practice in health equalities

YamYam 23 Nov Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
Cllr Ian Shires 19 Nov Cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for Consultation PDF
Express & Star 13 Nov Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Walsall Council 13 Nov Have your say on leisure facilities online questionnaire
Express & Star 12 Nov Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Express & Star 12 Nov Battle vow on plans to shut down centre
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out

Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council

Walsall Council Willenhall Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP)
Walsall Council Willenhall Leisure Centre

Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre

Tags: Leisure facilities, Swimming pools

Staffordshire Hoard should return to 'real home'

11 Mar 10 14:27

Tags: Staffs Hoard, Heritage

'Fairer' charges for Walsall social care policy

11 Mar 10 14:15

News
'Fairer' charges for Walsall social care policy
Walsall Advertiser 11 Mar 10
A 'fairer' charging system is to be introduced to support residents who require services to remain independent in their own homes. Walsall Council will launch a revised Fairer Charging Policy for adults who receive home care and other non-residential services – as directed by the Government. This will be subject to Cabinet approval, which is anticipated in June 2010...

Walsall Advertiser 26 Feb 10 Anger over 'cynical' Walsall £5m budget cuts
Walsall Advertiser 11 Feb 10 The disabled and elderly will suffer due to closures
Express & Star 3 Feb 10 Walsall East Day Care Centre to close
Walsall Council 22 Jan 10 Changes to social care for adults
YamYam 29 Aug Walsall Council care budget slashed
Bob the Black County Brummie 29 Aug The big debate
Express & Star 19 Aug Walsall Council pull plug on Willenhall day centre
Express & Star 3 Aug Council pull plug on Streetly OAP centre
Express & Star 24 Jul Beechdale day centre jobs axe sparks controversy
Walsall Council 21 Jul Adults and older people
Walsall Council 21 Jul Changes to social care for adults
Walsall Council 19 Jul Day care page removed
Express & Star 15 Jul Plan for new charges at luxury care homes
B'ham Post 10 Jun Recession and demographics causing a 'perfect storm' for pensioners
The Times 1 Jun Elderly left at risk by NHS bidding wars to find cheapest care with reverse auctions
BBC News 15 May (video) Walsall home care system 'in chaos'

Tags: Social care

Google Streetview comes to Brownhills

11 Mar 10 01:41

News blog
Google Streetview comes to Brownhills
BrownhillsBob 11 Mar 10
Fiddling with Google Earth this evening, I’ve noticed with some delight that the Streetview feature has been enabled for huge sections of our local area. For anyone intrinsically nosey, like me, this is set to provide hours of amusement...
BBC News 19 Mar 09 Google Street View goes live
Google Streetview

Tags: Co-Google

DJ recalls car ploughing into Chester Road pub goers

11 Mar 10 00:36

News
DJ recalls car ploughing into Chester Road pub goers
B’ham Mail 10 Mar 10
A disc jockey watched in horror as a car driver ploughed into a group who had just left a Birmingham pub, a court heard. Stephen Ullah said he had gone to try and help one of the victims who lay stricken on the ground when the driver returned and hit him again...
B’ham Mail 29 July 09 Two charged over Chester Road hit-and-run
B'ham Mail 27 Jul Two quizzed hit and run killing
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Police arrest 33-year-old
BBC News 26 Jul Man held after hit-and-run death
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Witnesses on victims last moments
B'ham Mail 25 Jul Murder hunt launched after hit and run
BBC News 25 Jul Man killed after car mounts path

Tags: Crime, Pubs, Courts

Fly-tippers strike yards from Bentley church

11 Mar 10 00:06

News
Fly-tippers strike yards from Bentley church
Express & Star 10 Mar 10
Fly-tipping just yards from a Walsall church is threatening to put people off staging weddings and funerals at the spot, it is claimed. Piles of waste has been strewn across Bentley Cairn and Cairn Drive close to Emanuel Parish Church...
Express & Star 22 Dec 09 Fly-tippers return to Bentley pub site
BrownhillsBob 2 Dec What we're up against
BrownhillsBob 1 Dec Am I missing something here?
Express & Star 3 Nov Huge pile of rubbish dumped in Bentley
BrownhillsBob 11 Oct Comment: Scum
Express & Star 21 Aug 30 tons of trash dumped each week
BBC News 20 Aug Walsall residents warned over fly-tipping
Express & Star 20 Jul Fly-tipping crackdown is paying off
Express & Star 30 Jun £2m bill to tackle fly-tippers (video)
Street Pride fly-tipping hotline 01922 65 33 44
Walsall Council Envirocrime

Tags: Fly-tipping, Crime

Walsall Council accounting cock-up

10 Mar 10 19:56

News
Walsall Council accounting cock-up
The YamYam 10 Mar 10
After failing to account for at least £1million in European Union grants, Walsall Council finds itself the subject of an independent inquiry. External auditors Grant Thornton are investigating how cash dished out to local groups remains unaccounted for.

Walsall Council has had to admit that it cannot find the receipts for grants issued between 2001 and 2006 and has had to reimburse the EU at tax-payers expense. The true cost of the blunder is not known as council bosses remain secretive about the mistake. But speaking last June, Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration, said that “the worst case scenario” could result in a figure as high as £4million.

Last year, following a five year investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service and the City of London Police, the council was cleared of any criminal activity involving mismanagement of £42million in government grants from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The affair led to a massive £600,000 pay out to whistleblower Peter Francis who was wrongfully dismissed after alerting council bosses to the irregularities.

In this latest investigation, Grant Thornton has interviewed a number of former and existing council officers. Blakenall Councillor Ian Robertson, a member of Walsall Council audit committee, said: “I am aware they have been interviewing quite a number of people. This has seen a substantial amount of money lost to the tax-payers of Walsall. I will be very interested to see what they have to say and I’m sure I won’t be the only one.”

Commenting on the latest probe into money being wasted, cabinet member for finance, Councillor Chris Towe, said: “I can certainly assure people in Walsall that it won`t happen again.”

The results of the inquiry are expected next week but it is not known if they will be made public. The cost of the inquiry has not been revealed.

YamYam 15 Nov Audit: Walsall Council could do better
Express & Star 29 Oct 09 Highways manager blames departure on Walsall Council
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Walsall Council Governance Audit Report PDF
YamYam 17 Nov Council discrimination decision due in weeks
YamYam 15 Nov Audit: Walsall Council could do better
YamYam links 25 June Inquiry’s legacy still lingers says councillor
Express & Star 7July 09 (am) Whistleblower in row over EU cash crisis
BrownhillsBob 7 Jul That's alright then, it was that other bloke's fault
BrownhillsBob 30 Jun Lost property - can you help?
Express & Star 29 Jun Council must pay back up to £4m
Advertiser 25 Jun 09 Misspending legacy lingers on
Advertiser 18 Jun 09 Council cleared over £42m spending
E&S 13 Jun Council get all clear in police & CPS probe
B'ham Post 14 May 08 Council surveyor life threatened over bungs (Kemp: on-going)
TheyWorkforYou 7 Mar 08 Walsall Council Hansard debate (Francis, Parish, Kemp, McDonald)
Blog Bob Piper 17 Sep 07 What Walsall did to him (Francis)
Audit Commission 11 Sep 07 Range of failings led to payout (Francis)
Blog Bob Piper 6 Sep 07 Walsall cover-up
Blog Bob Piper 6 Sep 07 Report to blast Tory Council
Personnel Today 26 Jan 07 Out-of-court settlement for worker sacked by fax (McDonald)
Express & Star 23 Jan 07 Fax sacking woman wins cash (McDonald)
B'ham Post 6 Dec 06 Whistleblower's £650k payout (Francis)
Walsall Council 5 Dec 06 Council agrees settlement (Francis)
B'ham Post 25 May 06 Walsall pays out after sacking (Francis)
Blog Peter Francis What Walsall did to me (Francis)

Grant Thornton Home

Tags: Council, Scrutiny

Cherry picker gets to work at Barr Beacon memorial

10 Mar 10 14:44

News
Cherry picker gets to work at Barr Beacon memorial
Walsall Council 10 Mar 10
A detailed inspection will be carried out on the roof and timbers of Barr Beacon’s vandalised war memorial later this week. Copper was stolen off the roof of the stone structure which lies on a 240-acre site off Beacon Road, Aldridge, and the inspection is key to future decisions on repair work...

The Plastic Hippo 11 Mar 10 Comment: Lest we forget
Black Country Kid 11 Mar 10 Comment: What is going on?
Walsall Advertiser 11 Mar 10 Copper stolen from Walsall war memorial

B’ham Mail 8 Mar 10 Barr Beacon War memorial thieves ‘should be sent to the front lines’
Express & Star 8 Mar 10 Fury as metal thieves target war memorial

BBC News 6 Mar 10 Copper roof on Barr Beacon war memorial stolen
B’ham Mail 7 Mar 10 Copper thieves target Barr Beacon war memorial

Express & Star 25 Sep 09 Barr Beacon visitor centre put on hold
Express & Star 24 Sep Dog shot in head at Bar Beacon
Walsall Advertiser 10 Apr 09 Is there a ghost of Barr Beacon?
BBC Black Country Barr Beacon panoramic view QTVR
Aldridge Web Bar Beacon Park

Express & Star 23 Feb 10 Manhole cover thefts cost Walsall £280k
Express & Star 22 Dec 09 Metal thefts on rise as scrap price soars
Express & Star 30 Oct Prison for Alumwell thief who blacked out Willenhall homes
Express & Star 21 Oct Bloxwich thieves use canal for getaway
Express & Star 11 Aug Arrests in Willenhall lorry armed hijack case
Express & Star 25 Jul Lorries targeted by gangs of hijackers
Express & Star 24 Jun Jail for Coal Pool man who handled stolen metal
Express & Star 6 Aug Pelsall man admits £6k copper theft
BBC News 12 Jun Cable theft men gassed in seconds
Express & Star 6 May Roof lead theft shocks vicar
Express & Star 26 Apr Wednesbury church repairs after theft
Express & Star 20 Mar 61 tons of metal taken by raiders

Tags: Heritage, Vandalism, Council

St George’s parade planned for Walsall

10 Mar 10 14:35

News
St George’s parade planned for Walsall
Express & Star 10 Mar 10
Plans are afoot for the first ever St George’s Day parade through Walsall town centre. Hundreds of people are expected at the proposed march on 24 April, which will take place separately to a series of patriotic council-run events...
E&S 22 Feb 10 Wolves St George’s day scaled down
E&S 19 Feb 10 W Brom St George’s parade faces axe
E&S 2 Nov 09 W Brom St George's fundraising starts
Royal British Legion Home
St George's Day A sight for England

Tags: St George's day

Concerns voiced in Walsall over M6 gantries

10 Mar 10 14:31

News
Concerns voiced in Walsall over M6 gantries
BBC News 9 Mar 10
Some people living near the M6 motorway say gantries for new signs which are taller than their houses were put up without them being warned. Trees which formed a barrier between homes and the motorway were also torn down, according to some residents on Murdock Way, Beechdale...
Cllr Ian Shires 10 Mar 10 Resident’s concerns over M6 gantries

Express & Star 23 Feb 10 Beechdale residents anger at huge M-way gantries
Walsall Advertiser 25 Feb 10 M6 'eyesores' blight the lives of residents

Facebook Murdock Way Residents Association gantry photos

Walsall Advertiser 18 Feb 10 M6 Toll charge rise traffic fears

Cllr Ian Shires 12 Feb 10 Tough talking greets Highways Agency boss in Walsall
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Feb 10 Crunch Meeting over M6 Traffic Management Today
The YamYam 10 Feb 10 Beechdale & New Invention residents to meet M6 boss at last

Cllr Ian Shires 9 Feb 10 Pleck residents latest victims of M6 noise
B’ham Mail 9 Feb 10 Tree planting to shield Walsall residents from M6 motorway noise
Express & Star 8 Feb 10 Complaints see M6 roadworks speed up
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Feb 10 Highways Agency chief to visit Walsall
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Feb 10 M6 closures could cause weekend chaos

Cllr Ian Shires 30 Jan 10 Angry Walsall residents force high level talks on M6 roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 21 Jan Carillion to fell more trees along M6
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Jan 10 Highways boss’s message met with scepticism
Express & Star 14 Jan M6 chief apology on noisy widening

B'ham Post 18 Dec Highways Agency slammed over M6 Walsall residents
Cllr Ian Shires 13 Dec Frustration as Highways Agency runs ruff shod
Advertiser 10 Dec Roadworks keep family awake

Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov M6 misery to continue until February 2010?
Advertiser 25 Nov Transport chief to visit Beechdale estate
Express & Star 10 Nov Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents

Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans

Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update

B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute

Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions

Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers

The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Facebook Murdock Way Residents Association

Tags: Roads-M6-noise

Another Walsall councillor to step down

09 Mar 10 16:06

News
Another Walsall councillor to step down
Adam Lumley The YamYam 9 Mar 10
Following the decision by councillors Bill Madely and Graham Wilkes not to stand in the 2012 local elections, another Labour councillor has announced her intention not to contest the 2010 election in May.

Councillor Anne Young, who has represented Blakenall ward for Labour since 2004, is standing down to concentrate on returning David Winnick MP to the House of Commons at the upcoming general election. She said: “After being unanimously re-selected by the Ward Party, it is with much regret I have taken the decision not to stand in the forthcoming local elections. I was selected as election agent for David Winnick MP many months ago and it now seems a strong possibility the general election will take place at the same time as the council one, it would be very difficult for me to do both.

“In my time as councillor, I believe I have been active and successful on lots of issues. I would like to think I have helped many people and groups and played a big part in projects such as Leamore Park, which was a “no go” area until I founded the Friends Group and by supporting the regeneration issue, I believe as a born and bred Blakenall Ward resident, I played my part in what I believe will be a new and much better Blakenall Ward.”

“I would like to thank all of the electorate who have supported me, my family and my many friends whom I have met along the way and the Ward Party for their continued confidence in me.”

Councillor Young is a member of Walsall Council Corporate Committee and, like fellow councillor Graham Wilkes, is part of the School Holiday Camp Fund of Walsall, owners of the threatened Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre in North Wales. She has not ruled out a return to the Council Chamber and added: “In the words of a well known Californian Governor, “I’ll be back”.

Aldridge & Brownhills Lib Dems 6 Mar 10 Lib Dem candidate named for Aldridge and Brownhills
The YamYam 28 Feb 10 Two Walsall Labour councillors to step down
BNP 26 Feb 10 BNP candidate announced for Walsall North seat
Walsall Advertiser 25 Feb 10 Walsall North MP will stand for election
The YamYam 21 Jan 10 Democratic Labour candidate selected for Walsall North

Tags: Council, Lib Dems

Tough checks for prom limo drivers

09 Mar 10 14:45

News
Tough checks for prom limo drivers
Express & Star 9 Mar 10
Chauffeurs dropping off teenagers to school proms this summer will be challenged by licensing officials as part of a new get-tough approach on illegal limousine firms. The move, which will see three officials waiting for drivers, comes after unlicensed drivers were found to be ferrying prom-goers around. There has also been a surge in complaints that youngsters could be in danger from potentially unvetted drivers...
Express & Star 21 Dec 09 Chuckery coach bosses lose licences over limo case
Express & Star 6 Aug 09 Bilston novelty limos branded ’safety risk’
Redhot Rescue Home
Oddball Limos Home
Dept of Transport Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones

Tags: Taxis

Dog owners facing tough new regulations

09 Mar 10 14:34

News
Dog owners facing tough new regulations
Express & Star 9 Mar 10
Dog owners could be required to insure themselves against the risk of their pet attacking someone. Government proposals suggest forcing every dog owner to take out third party insurance and to have their dog microchipped...
Ed West Telegraph 9 Mar 10 It's time to ban dangerous dogs from council estates
Deborah Hyde Citywire 9 Mar 10 Why compulsory dog insurance is a barking mad idea
Deborah Citywire 9 Mar 10 Insurance plan 'will penalise responsible owners'

BBC News 24 Feb 10 video Huge rise in WM banned fighting dogs
B’ham Post 23 Feb 10 Dangerous dogs seized in swoops in Lozells and Small Heath

Express & Star 10 Feb 10 Bloxwich pub boss fined for danger dog
BBC News 26 Jan 10 Wounded Walsall animal had been in a 'dog fight'
Express & Star 26 Jan 10 Fighting fear as dog is hurt
Express & Star 23 Jan 10 WM Police take 160 dogs in one year
B'ham Mail 23 Jan Jan 10 RSPCA & police raid Rosedene kennels
The YamYam 15 Jan 10 Third suspected Pitbull seized in Bloxwich
The YamYam 8 Jan Suspected pitbull terrier seized in Bloxwich
B’ham Mail 30 Nov WM Police seize 147 dangerous dogs
Express & Star 7 Nov Police round up 100 illegal danger dog
Express & Star 23 Oct RSPCA halts Walsall dog rescue service
Express & Star 22 Sep Boxer dog which bit Yew Tree mother to be spared
Mercury 2 Aug Asian gangs behind soaring cases of dog-fighting in Midlands
Express & Star 10 Jul Boy savaged in Walsall Akita dog attack
B’ham Mail 2 July 09 Walsall pensioner tells of dog attack terror
K9 Magazine 8 Jun Gov’t admits dangerous dogs mistake
BBC News 21 May Fighting dogs 'used as weapons'
Birmingham Mail 19 Mar WM dog-fighting increase
OPSI Dangerous Dog Act
WM Police Home
RSPCA Home

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Tags: Anim, Dogs, Crime

Killer of Wednesfield boy to be deported at last

09 Mar 10 14:08

News
Killer of Wednesfield boy to be deported at last
Express & Star 9 Mar 10
An illegal immigrant whose car knocked down and killed a 12-year-old Wednesfield boy is finally set to be thrown out of Britain more than five years after the tragedy. The news comes on what would have been the 18th birthday of victim Jamie Mason...
Express & Star 1 Aug 07 Child killer set to stay
Express & Star 12 Jan 07 Death driver free in Britain
Express & Star 11 Jan 07 Fury on Jamie’s killer
BBC News 4 Mar 05 Town protest over killer drivers
BBC News 2 Mar 05 Family angry at drink-drive death
BBC News 10 Jan 05 Court appearance over boy's death
Brake Road Safety In memory of Jamie Mason
SCARD Support for people affected by Road Death and Injury

Tags: Accidents, Crime, Motoring

Candidate questions Pelsall health centre plans

09 Mar 10 13:42

News
Candidate questions Pelsall health centre plans
Adam Lumley The YamYam 9 Mar 10
A recently selected Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge Brownhills has wasted no time in taking an interest in local issues and has commented on projects in Pelsall and Aldridge.

The announcement that Welsh born Ian Jenkins will stand for the Liberal Democrats against sitting MP, Richard Shepherd, was made on Saturday. Mr Jenkins, 59, is Chairman of Wolverhampton East Liberal Democrats and the next general election will be his fifth attempt to gain a parliamentary seat.

Following a meeting with Pelsall Heritage Group, Mr Jenkins has raised concerns over the proposed new health centre and the possibility of an extension of the Heritage Area in Pelsall.

“The plans under consideration involve an expansion of the Conservation Area,” Mr Jenkins said. “I am fully supportive of the need for the unique character of The Green to be respected, and would not approve of any proposed development which would impinge upon it. I am, however, concerned that there is always a balance which needs to be achieved, so that householders can continue to develop and improve their properties without the need for bureaucracy, as long as such improvements do not spoil the look of the area.”

Regarding the proposed new Medical Centre he said “This is most welcome, and the people of Pelsall will find it of great benefit. But we need to know more details…what will it include, and will the design suit the local environment?

“Furthermore, it seems that the area behind Town Fold has already been surveyed and staked out, yet planning permission has NOT yet been granted. Are ‘they’ trying to get it started before a General Election, so that it isn’t cancelled by an incoming Conservative Government taking an axe to all kinds of public spending?”

Funding for the £4 million project was secured last August and is a joint venture between Walsall Council and NHS Walsall. The centre will be built on the site of the existing GP’s surgery on Pelsall High Street and will incorporate a health centre, children's centre and Pelsall Library.

Walsall Council has received funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families of around £600,000 for the children's centre aspect of the development. The library element has £350,000 of capital funding from the council and the Strategic Health Authority is providing £3million over two years for the health centre. Speaking in August at the time of the announcement, Denise McLellan, chief executive of NHS Walsall, said: "It is a great step forward to improving the health needs of the people of Walsall.

"We are already in talks with many Pelsall residents and want to continue to work with them and the other residents of Pelsall to get their ideas about what they want from the new building not just in terms of the services but also the design."

Walsall Council Cabinet member for communities and partnerships Councillor Garry Perry, again speaking in August, said: "Walsall Council and NHS Walsall have listened to what residents want and this combined centre will make a real difference to their lives and their future."

Mr Jenkins, along with Roy Sheward, the Lib Dem council candidate for Aldridge South & Central Ward, attended a public consultation day held on Saturday at Aldridge Shopping Centre. The consultation showcased proposals for improvements to The Croft open space. Brian Wheat, Aldridge Rotary Club president, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this initiative with Walsall Council and the Aldridge Village Business Partnership which aims to improve public access to The Croft and help it to become a focal point, adding to the family and heritage features that the community currently enjoys.”

Mr Jenkins said: ”I congratulate the parties involved because I welcome genuine consultation events, such as this, which offer residents a real opportunity to be involved in influencing what happens in their own community.

“We wish the Council and Rotary Club all the best and hope they are able to secure the funding to bring those ideas backed by the community to life.”

Aldridge & Brownhills Lib Dems 6 Mar 10 Lib Dem candidate named for Aldridge and Brownhills
Walsall Advertiser 25 Jan 10 £4m Pelsall centre plans will go on show
Advertiser 18 August 09 Funding for £4m Pelsall health centre plan is finalised
Express & Star 16 Jul Pelsall health centre plan go-ahead
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 27 Jun State-of-the-art combined facility for Pelsall
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 27 Jun Combined family centre
Wolverhampton Lib Dems Contacts
Walsall Council Aldridge Consultation

Tags: Health, Council, Politics, Planning, Lib Dems

Barr Beacon War memorial thieves ‘should be sent to the front lines’

08 Mar 10 13:36

News
Barr Beacon War memorial thieves ‘should be sent to the front lines’
Matt Lloyd B’ham Mail 8 Mar 10
“Despicable” thieves who stripped a Great Barr war memorial of its copper roofing should be sent to the front lines in Afghanistan a leading councillor said. Coun Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, slammed the crooks who stole the metal from the Barr Beacon memorial, Beacon Road, leaving the structure vulnerable to the elements...
Express & Star 8 Mar 10 Fury as metal thieves target war memorial

BBC News 6 Mar 10 Copper roof on Barr Beacon war memorial stolen
B’ham Mail 7 Mar 10 Copper thieves target Barr Beacon war memorial

Express & Star 25 Sep 09 Barr Beacon visitor centre put on hold
Express & Star 24 Sep Dog shot in head at Bar Beacon
Walsall Advertiser 10 Apr 09 Is there a ghost of Barr Beacon?
BBC Black Country Barr Beacon panoramic view QTVR
Aldridge Web Bar Beacon Park

Express & Star 23 Feb 10 Manhole cover thefts cost Walsall £280k
Express & Star 22 Dec 09 Metal thefts on rise as scrap price soars
Express & Star 30 Oct Prison for Alumwell thief who blacked out Willenhall homes
Express & Star 21 Oct Bloxwich thieves use canal for getaway
Express & Star 11 Aug Arrests in Willenhall lorry armed hijack case
Express & Star 25 Jul Lorries targeted by gangs of hijackers
Express & Star 24 Jun Jail for Coal Pool man who handled stolen metal
Express & Star 6 Aug Pelsall man admits £6k copper theft
BBC News 12 Jun Cable theft men gassed in seconds
Express & Star 6 May Roof lead theft shocks vicar
Express & Star 26 Apr Wednesbury church repairs after theft
Express & Star 20 Mar 61 tons of metal taken by raiders

Tags: Crime, Metal, Robbery, Heritage, Vandalism

Walsall religious blackmailers behind bars

08 Mar 10 13:06

News
Walsall religious blackmailers behind bars
Walsall Advertiser 8 Mar 10
A Walsall law student told two Sikh friends she would inform their families they had Muslim boyfriends unless she was paid £6,000. Jaspreet Klair, aged 19, was given two years detention by Judge John Warner, sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, who said "blackmail is a very ugly and nasty crime". A second defendant, 20-year-old Opkar Singh, of Birmingham Road, Walsall, also admitted one charge of blackmail. He was sentenced to 18 months in a Young Offenders' Institution...

Sikh Times 8 Mar 10 Sikh blackmailers imprisoned

Sikh Philosophy Network Interfaith Marriage - Muslim & Sikh Discussion boards
Muslim 2 Sikh Guide For Muslim Girls Marrying Sikh Guys
Interfaith Sikhism and Islam Discussion boards

Tags: Asian News, Blackmail, Crime

Leamore Sons of Rest in lottery cash bid

08 Mar 10 12:53

News
Leamore Sons of Rest in lottery cash bid
Express & Star 8 Mar 10
A lottery funding bid is set to be launched to help a Walsall senior citizens group secure a permanent home. Cash is being sought for a new Sons of Rest building after the old dilapidated block was forced to close more than a year ago...
The YamYam 20 Feb 10 Leamore pensioners still out in the cold
Walsall New Deal New Horizons Community Enterprise (dead link)
Walsall New Deal Media releases (Oct 09)
Walsall New Deal Contact
Walsall New Deal Leamore Park
Walsall Council Bloxwich District Project: Leamore Park Youth Facilities
Blakenall Village Centre Home

Tags: Charity, Lottery

Pope not coming to Birmingham during UK visit

08 Mar 10 08:39

News
Pope not coming to Birmingham during UK visit
Christina Savvas B’ham Mail 8 Mar 10
The Pope will not visit Birmingham city centre when he arrives in the UK this year, it has been revealed. While he is expected to visit the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, as part of the planned beatification of Cardinal John Newman, that is either likely to be Birmingham International Airport or Coventry...
Mercury 7 Mar Hospitals in Midlands on Pope assassination alert ahead of his UK visit

Guardian 5 Mar Vatican hit by gay sex scandal
BBC News 4 Mar Petition against Pope's UK visit
Pink News 2 Mar Anti-Pope Downing Street petition
Pink Paper 24 Feb Tatchell in anti-Pope petition

B'ham Mail 1 Feb 10 Pope could turn his back on Birmingham
Guardian 1 Feb 10 Pope condemns gay equality laws ahead of first UK visit
Pink news 1 Feb 10 National Secular Society plans protest for Pope's UK visit
Independent 1 Feb 10 The ex-gay files: The bizarre world of gay-to-straight conversion
Telegraph 26 Jan 10 Equalities Bill: Church leaders defeat Government over gay staff
Mercury 20 Dec Staffs Hoard wanted by Pope and Vatican
Stirrer 14 Oct Pope wants to see Saxon Hoard

BBC News 8 Dec 09 New RC archbishop of Birmingham welcomed with Mass
B'ham Post 11 Dec Packed church greets Longley
B'ham Mail 8 Dec Bishop Longley interview
B'ham Mail 8 Dec Archbishop installed pictures
B'ham Post 2 Oct First job to welcome Pope to B'ham
B'ham Post 2 Oct Comment: welcome Bishop Langley
B'ham Mail 1 Oct New RC Archbishop of Birmingham named

B'ham Post 24 Sep Pope 'to visit Birmingham' in 2010
Times 22 Sep 11,000 venerate St Thérèse in Birmingham
BBC News 14 Sep Miracle cure deacon to visit UK
Independent 3 July Cardinal Newman: closer to sainthood
Times 3 Apr Vincent Nichols to be head of English Catholics
B'ham Post 30 Mar New leader for Catholics soon
B'ham Post 17 Mar Pope may visit Midlands in 2010

The Vatican The Holy See

Tags: Churches, P-Pope, Churches RC

Twitter being used in WM war on criminals

08 Mar 10 08:32

News
Twitter being used in WM war on criminals
B’ham Mail 8 Mar 10
Police are turning to social networking websites to catch criminals in a ground-breaking approach to law enforcement. Officers in the West Midlands have used services like Twitter and Facebook to trace potential murder witnesses and missing people, and prevent vigilante attacks against a suspected paedophile...
YamYam links 28 Feb 10 Inspector Knacker in hacker attack
Telegraph 26 Feb 10 Police force 'spends too much time on Twitter'
Mark Payne’s blog 14 Jan 10 Web Cops?
Mark Payne’s Blog 4 Dec 09 Warm police stations? Jack Straw must be joking
Mark Payne’s Blog 14 Dec 09 Police and Media: an evolving relationship
Mark Payne 26 Nov Police and social media, why are we waiting?
West Midlands Police Walsall
Twitter @WMPolice
Mark Payne Twitter @CIPayneWMPolice

Tags: Police, Co-Twitter, Crime

Hurt Locker dominates the Oscars

08 Mar 10 08:17

News
Hurt Locker dominates the Oscars
BBC News 8 Mar 10
Kathryn Bigelow has become the first woman to win the best directing Oscar, as her Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker took six prizes, including best film...
Telegraph 8 Mar Sandra Bullock best actress, The Blind Side
PA 8 Mar Jeff Bridges wins best actor Oscar Crazy Heart
Telegraph 8 Mar Full list of Academy Award winners
Los Angeles Times 8 Mar 10 Oscars show has no sense of timing
The Academy Awards Home

Asian News 8 Mar 12th London Asian Film Festival attracts Bollywood stars

Tags: Awards

Mossley £35k youth centre make-over

07 Mar 10 13:57

News
Mossley £35k youth centre make-over
Adam Lumley The YamYam 7 Mar 10
A series of open events are to take place at the re-opened Mossley Youth Centre, based in Sneyd Lane, Bloxwich next week. Special sessions for young people aged between 13 and 19 will take place on four evenings and one afternoon next week.

A community open evening takes place on Monday between 6:00pm and 8:00pm when parents and residents can find out more about the services on offer. On Wednesday 10, an internet café and homework support clubs will happen between 3:00pm and 5:00pm followed by a young people’s opening event between 6:00pm and 8:00pm. On Thursday 11, there is a young women’s session to mark International Women’s Day, again between 6:00pm and 8:00pm. The week rounds off with a Stay Safe session with West Midlands Police on Friday evening between 8:00pm and 2:00am.

The £35,000 to pay for the project comes from the Government’s Youth Opportunity Fund to pay for activities and money from the Youth Capital Fund Plus for building improvements. The refurbishment has included new toilets and improvements to the entrance, making it more accessible and secure for young people. Cabinet member for children's services Councillor Rachel Walker said: "I'm sure young people in the area will enjoy the great range of positive things to do in their spare time.

"I hope as many young people, their parents and members of the community, go along on Monday to see for themselves the type of things on offer.

"I'm sure this will be a great place for young people to gather and take advantage of the various services on offer with the added bonus of back up support from the youth workers based there."

YamYam 23 Oct Chuckery youth to remain on the buses
Dept for Children, Schools & Families Youth Opportunity Fund & Youth Capital Fund

Tags: Youth

Consultancy firms making a killing in Black Country hospitals

07 Mar 10 13:46

News
Consultancy firms making a killing in Black Country hospitals
The YamYam 7 Mar 10
The bill for employing external consultants to give advice on how local NHS Trusts should run hospitals in the Midlands has been revealed as being more than £5million last year.

Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust paid out £1,789,853 and 61p in 2008/09 compared to £1,358,079 and 88p in the previous year, an increase of over £430,000. Chief Executive at Walsall Manor Hospital, Sue James, said: “Our use of external consultancy firms has increased as we work towards the opening of our new hospital. The £170million redevelopment has meant a lot of hard work for our staff and in particular a number of specific service improvement projects have been initiated which sometimes needed the support of consultants who have those specialist areas of expertise.”

Elsewhere, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Hospitals Trust paid £1,405,087 compared to £1,328,041 the previous year, a rise of £78,000. Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust paid an extra £45,000 for advice but still had a bill for £2,179,659. Only the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spent less last year. Only £150,000 compared to £ £828,000 in 2007/08.

Fiona McEvoy of the West Midlands Taxpayers Alliance said: “With the number of highly-paid managers and executives in the NHS, it`s astonishing these hospital trusts are still spending millions of pounds on outside consultants.

“It’s essential that the NHS attempts to source the skills internally before spending money like this. The public want funds spent on medicine and operations, not on lining the pockets of expensive advisors.”

E&S 6 Mar WM hospitals £5m consultancy spend
YamYam links 8 Feb 10 Taxpayers spending £8 billion for new West Midlands hospitals
Express & Star 29 Aug 09 £174m hospital building filling Walsall skyline
Express & Star 16 Jun 09 Manor Hospital's new-look

Tags: Hospitals

Lib Dem candidate named for Aldridge and Brownhills

06 Mar 10 18:12

News blog
Lib Dem candidate named for Aldridge and Brownhills
Aldridge & Brownhills Lib Dems 6 Mar 10
Ian Jenkins has been named by the local Lib Dem party executive as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Aldridge and Brownhills to stand against the long-serving Conservative Richard Shepherd MP...
Wolverhampton Lib Dems Contacts
Guardian 6 Mar 10 More than 12m people have not yet decided how they will vote

Tags: Politics, Lib Dems, Elections, Parliament

Walsall wedding hall approved

06 Mar 10 13:53

News
Walsall wedding hall approved
The YamYam 6 Mar 10
Walsall Council's Development Control Committee has approved plans for a town centre banqueting hall that could cater for up to 500 people.

Developer Zahid Malik hopes to convert industrial units at the Phoenix Business Park in Stafford Street into a large function room complete with lobby, office, toilets and a prayer room. The venue is intended to be used mainly for Asian wedding receptions. The scheme is supported by Councillor Kamran Aftab, who represents Birchills-Leamore for the Conservatives. He told the committee: “Around £1million worth of investment is going into this scheme. Walsall currently lacks this sort of facility and I believe that it is needed.

“Residents currently have to travel to Birmingham for venues like this. How long can this be done for? Venues are often over priced in the city and it is inconvenient for people to keep travelling to Birmingham all the time.”

The Development Control Committee set aside the advice of council planning officers who objected to the proposal on the grounds of insufficient car parking, likely traffic congestion and nuisance to neighbours because of noise. Almost 400 people signed a petition supporting the venture. A similar proposal for a banqueting hall in St John's Road, Pleck was turned down last October amid concerns from local residents again over traffic and noise.

In December, the Development Control Committee rejected an application to convert a building in nearby Vicarage Place into a minority Ahmadiyya Mosque. Council officers did not object to the plan but West Midlands Police feared that the scheme could increase sectarian tension. Over 800 people, mostly members of a mainstream mosque, signed a petition objecting to the scheme, citing parking, congestion and noise. The Ahadiyya Muslim Community has launched a legal appeal against the decision.

Councillors have approved the latest banqueting hall on condition that the developer pursues an agreement with the owner of land on Short Acre Street, some 300 metres away, for additional parking.

The YamYam 23 Jan 10 New Walsall mosque appeal goes ahead after delay
B'ham Mail 6 Dec Plans for Walsall mosque rejected
Express & Star 4 Dec Walsall centre mosque plan is thrown out
Express & Star 2 Dec North Walsall fly-tip site may become a car park
Express & Star 27 Oct Site for Dudley mosque may be seized
Express & Star 27 Nov 09 Darlo Town Hall left standing at the alter
The YamYam 21 Oct 10 Growing opposition to Pleck banqueting hall proposal
Islam & the West 2 Jul 08 Muslims join protest to stop Pleck mosque
Euro Islam 2 Jul 08 Muslims join battle to stop new Pleck mosque
Birmingham Post 8 Apr 09 Lichfield businessman fears mosque response
Aisha Mosque, Walsall Home
Mazhar-ul-Haq Khan, Flickr Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosques photos
Wikipedia Ahmadiyya
Al Islam - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Home
Walsall Council Development Control Committee

Tags: Planning, Asian News

Marston’s raises beer price by 5p

06 Mar 10 13:11

Business news
Marston’s raises beer price by 5p
Express & Star 6 Mar 10
The price of a pint of beer across the Black Country and beyond has gone up by at least 5p. Banks’s brewer Marston’s confirmed that it had increased the wholesale price of its beers by two per cent this week – meaning a pint of Bank’s Bitter will cost drinkers at least £2.50, and as much as £2.80 or more...

B’Post 5 Mar Marston’s Jennings moves back to Cumbria
BizDesk 4 Mar 10 Marston's seal major Tetley's deal
B'ham Post 29 Jan 10 'Robust' Christmas for Marstons
Express & Star 28 Jan Ale sales revival cheers brewers and pubs
Express & Star 22 Jan 10 Tours of Banks’s brewery to begin in the spring
B'ham Post 14 Dec Banks's Mild returns to the nation's pubs
Express & Star 28 Sep Marston’s £40m deal on hotels
B'ham Post 29 Sep Marston's join forces with Travelodge
Express & Star 25 Aug Marston’s sells extra million pints at Ashes
Express & Star 4 Aug Brewery Marston's riding storm
B'ham Post 23 Jul Investors back Marston’s and GKN in £600m rights issue
B'ham Post 29 Jun Marston's facing potential shareholder rebellion
Express & Star 18 Jun Marston’s unveil £140m pub plan
Express & Star 22 May Marston's sees 20 % profit drop
Express & Star 15 Apr Meals & real ale boost for Marston'
Marston's plc Home page

Tags: Drinks industry, Pubs, Co-Marstons

Roadworks misery for M6 drivers

06 Mar 10 13:01

News
Roadworks misery for M6 drivers
Express & Star 6 Mar 10
Drivers face fresh motorway misery next week with the closure of a stretch of the M6 for three consecutive nights – as transport bosses claim the roadworks are boosting the economy. The carriageway was shut between Junctions 10 and 11 around Wolverhampton and Walsall from 10pm last night to 8am today causing severe disruptions...

Ian Shires 5 Mar M6 closures this weekend

Highways Agency Home page
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
BBC Black Country Travel updates
The AA AA travel alerts

Traffic Cameras Traffic England Motorway flow

	M6 North-bound	M6 South-bound
J10
J6

Trains
National Rail Enquiries Train service disruptions

Planes
BAA UK airports update
Birmingham Airport Home

Plan a journey
Transport Direct Route and mode planner

Tags: Roads-M6