Blistering Attack on West Midlands Regeneration as Former Mayor Condemns Neglect of Stourbridge Wednesday, February 11, 2026 stourbridge regeneration dudley council investment neglect westmidlands urbanplanning towncentre infrastructure At a recent meeting of Dudley’s Communities and Growth Scrutiny Committee, former mayor and long-serving councillor Ian Kettle delivered a scathing critique of the local authority’s approach to Stourbridge town centre … Read More
Exposed: Birmingham 'HMO' Landlords Pocket Over £400 a Week in Public Money Per Room Tuesday, February 10, 2026 birmingham hmo landlords housingbenefits exemptaccommodation reliancesocialhousing council regulator tenants homelessness Birmingham’s supported exempt accommodation sector has been described as both a ‘cash cow’ and a state-sanctioned scandal — reshaping neighbourhoods while raising serious concerns over public fund usage. … Read More
Gender Pay Gap Narrowed at Dudley Council by Reducing Lower-Paid Female Roles Tuesday, February 10, 2026 genderpaygap dudley council employment wages women part-time paygap workforce roles Dudley Council has reported a reduction in its gender pay gap, a change primarily driven by cutting jobs held by lower-paid female staff, according to a recent report set to go before the council’s cabinet on February 11. The … Read More
‘Cramped’ HMO Conversion Rejected Over Crime Concerns in Wolverhampton Neighborhood Monday, February 9, 2026 hmo wolverhampton planning crime community housing spacestandards noise council heathtown The City of Wolverhampton Council has refused an application to convert a home on Woden Road into a six-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO), citing concerns that the change would exacerbate crime and community disorder … Read More
Licensing Decision Looms for New Smethwick Restaurant Amid Police Concerns Saturday, February 7, 2026 smethwick ghanaian restaurant licensing police fireservice westmidlands council safety music The future of Kotoburaba, a new Ghanaian restaurant in Claremont Road, Cape Hill, Smethwick, is set to be determined at an upcoming licensing hearing following objections from regional emergency services. Sandwell Council’s … Read More
Walsall Council to Approve £1m Payment and 125-Year Lease for New £50m Free School on Reedswood Park Woodland Friday, February 6, 2026 walsall education woodland lease council school development environment funding planning Walsall Council is poised to approve a significant investment next week, granting a 125-year lease of 13.7 acres of Reedswood Park woodland for the construction of a new £50 million secondary free school. Alongside the lease … Read More