Black Country news and blogs Tuesday 20 June 2017
Council »
FREE SWIMMING AT SANDWELL LEISURE CENTRES 
Sandwell Council News PR 20 Jun
Sandwell residents under 16 and over 60 can register for free swimming at any of Sandwell’s leisure centres across the borough.
Scam warning after elderly man almost loses £20k
Sandwell Council News PR 20 Jun
Sandwell residents are being warned to be on their guard for scams after an elderly man nearly lost £20,000.
Advice to keep cool during hot weather
Sandwell Council News PR 20 Jun
Public health chiefs in Sandwell have issued advice to help people keep cool during the current hot weather.
Smethwick allotment holders star in new BBC TV advert
Sandwell Council News PR 20 Jun
Allotment holders from Smethwick are appearing on TV screens across the country, after being chosen to star in one of the BBC’s newest adverts.
Family fun lined up for Armed Forces Day in Sandwell
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
There's fun for all the family at Sandwell's Armed Forces Day event on Saturday (24 June).
Biggest ever artist line-up for Sandwell & Birmingham Mela 2017
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
Thousands of visitors will head to Victoria Park, Smethwick, on 1-2 July for the Sandwell Birmingham Mela 2017.
Victorian fun for the family at Haden Hill this weekend
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
Head along to Haden Hill House and Park in Cradley Heath this Sunday (25 June) for an afternoon of family fun with a Victorian steampunk twist.
Celebrate 125th anniversary of Galton Valley pumping station
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
Staff and volunteers at Galton Valley Pumping station in Smethwick will celebrate the building's 125th anniversary with a free family and community fun day next month.
An ‘Oustanding’ hat trick for Sandwell Academy
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
Sandwell Academy is celebrating once again after being graded as ‘Outstanding’ in their most recent Ofsted inspection.
An ‘Outstanding’ hat trick for Sandwell Academy
Sandwell Council News PR 19 Jun
Sandwell Academy is celebrating once again after being graded as ‘Outstanding’ in their most recent Ofsted inspection.
Sandwell Council staff awarded MBEs in Queen’s birthday honours
Sandwell Council News PR 16 Jun
Two members of staff at Sandwell Council are thrilled to have been awarded MBEs in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
From Nashville to Smethwick – country band coming to Thimblemill library
Sandwell Council News PR 16 Jun
It may not be one of the classic rock ‘n’ roll journeys, but American alt.
Joy of jazz as Sandwell joins international festival
Sandwell Council News PR 16 Jun
Top musicians will be sharing the joy of jazz in Sandwell as the borough teams up with a major international festival.
Follow those bears! The Big Sleuth comes to Sandwell
Sandwell Council News PR 16 Jun
Sandwell is getting ready to welcome The Big Sleuth – a public art trail bringing bear-illiant bears to Sandwell, Birmingham and beyond.
Fitness advice for men to combat obesity
Sandwell Council News PR 15 Jun
Public health experts in Sandwell are urging men to do something about their ‘belly fat’ as part of this week’s national Men’s Health Week.
Pupils design new signs for road safety campaign in Great Barr
Sandwell Council News PR 15 Jun
Children have picked up their pens and pencils in a bid to improve road safety outside their Great Barr school.
Join the Great Get Together in Sandwell to celebrate Jo Cox MP
Sandwell Council News PR 15 Jun
Come along to Sandwell Valley Country Park on Saturday (17 June) for a Great Get Together as part of nationwide events to celebrate the life of Jo Cox MP.
Check out award-winning creations at Creative Arts
Sandwell Council News PR 14 Jun
Sandwell’s adult social care chief is encouraging people to check out materials produced by the council’s award-winning Creative Arts team.
Reassurance for Sandwell residents after tragic London towerblock fire
Sandwell Council News PR 14 Jun
Sandwell Council is reassuring residents that its 55 High Rise blocks are safe, following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London overnight.
Temporary closure of Smethwick swimming pools
Sandwell Council News PR 14 Jun
Pools at Smethwick Swimming Centre will close next month to allow essential maintenance work to take place.
Council website wins top rating for fourth year running
Sandwell Council News PR 14 Jun
Our website has been named among the best in the country.
More Council
FOI requests »
Nick Bubalo’s Delegated Powers
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 20 Jun
Request sent to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council by Julian Saunders on 20 June 2017 .
Permanent Recruitment
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 19 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Jack Foster on 19 June 2017 .
Serious Care Review for "…female subject died aged 40 years" Sandwell: SSAB, 2011
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 19 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to G Spencer-Humphrey on 19 June 2017 .
Serious Care Review for "…female subject died aged 40 years" Sandwell: SSAB, 2011
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 18 Jun
Request sent to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council by G Spencer-Humphrey on 18 June 2017 .
In-House Dog Warden Service – Sub-Contracting
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 15 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Darryl Magher on 15 June 2017 .
Permanent Staffing
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 14 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Sarah Jones on 14 June 2017 .
Questions asked by your selves to Uber regarding their application for an Operators License
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 14 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Lee Ward on 14 June 2017 .
Questions asked by your selves to Uber regarding their application for an Operators License
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 12 Jun
Follow up sent to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council by Lee Ward on 12 June 2017 .
Sandwell council organisational chart
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 12 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Taylor on 12 June 2017 .
Questions asked by your selves to Uber regarding their application for an Operators License
FOI request: Sandwell Council MBC 12 Jun
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Lee Ward on 12 June 2017 .
More FOI requests
FixMyStreet »
Broken open black bags in road, 11th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 11 Jun
At the end of st johns road, victoria road end, a black household rubbish bag has burst openj in the road, food etc spending out across the road Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 65 St Johns Road...
Travellers camp Stony Lane park, 10th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 10 Jun
Travellers have set up camp on the back field of Stony Lane park.
Impassible pavements Greenfield Road, 10th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 10 Jun
Every night, large areas of pavement are unusable to pedestrians due to bins, badly parked cars and vans, overgrown hedges, rubbish, building waste etc.
Litter in bus shelter, 10th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 10 Jun
There is a large amount of litter (chip wrappers/pizza boxes/drinks cans etc.
Overhanging bushes, 10th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 10 Jun
When you come from asda to join the main road when you look to the right the bushes overhang into your line of vision that the oncoming vehicles are hard to spot with out you pulling out into carriage way and risk collision.
Illegally parked, 8th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 8 Jun
Car keeps parking in path on white line and caused an obstruction Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 3 Castle Road East, Oldbury Report on FixMyStreet...
Lamp 15 on at noon, 8th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 8 Jun
Lamp 15, on the Eastern side of Whitecrest, at its junction with Queslett Road, is burning, at noon.
Potholes, 7th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 7 Jun
Needs filling/resurfacing Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): M5, Lyng Report on FixMyStreet...
Pavement re done after electric work in road January hole now appeared in in pavement in front of No 33, 7th June
FixMyStreet: Sandwell 7 Jun
Hole appeared in pavement this is new Tarmac only done couple of months ago outside No 33 Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 22 Jill Avenue, Great Barr Report on FixMyStreet...
More FixMyStreet
Westminster »
Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry | Home Office | Written Answers
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 6 Aug
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2015 to Question 5979, whether any files relating to child abuse have been destroyed by the intelligence and security services since 1 September...
Offences against Children: Victim Support Schemes | Home Office | Written Answers
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 4 Aug
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place in the Library copies of the assessment criteria used to determine applications received to the (a) Sexual Abuse Fund and (b) the Child Abuse Inquiry Support Fund since...
Afghanistan: Armed Conflict | Ministry of Defence | Written Answers
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 24 Jul
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2015 to Question 5927, if he will commission a lessons learned post-Afghanistan review to inform future military strategy.
Counter-ISIL Coalition Strategy | Oral Answers to Questions – Education | Commons debates
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 20 Jul
Will the Secretary of State tell the House on what date he authorised the first embed with US forces in Syria...
Counter-ISIL Coalition Strategy | Oral Answers to Questions – Education | Commons debates
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 20 Jul
Will the Secretary of State tell the House on what date he authorised the first embed with US forces in Syria...
Counter-ISIL Coalition Strategy | Oral Answers to Questions – Education | Commons debates
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 20 Jul
Will the Secretary of State tell the House on what date he authorised the first embed with US forces in Syria...
USA: Military Bases | Ministry of Defence | Written Answers
TWFY: Tom Watson MP (Labour) West Bromwich E 14 Jul
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the US has sought permission from his Department to use US bases in the UK in connection with airstrikes in (a) Libya, (b) any other country in North Africa and (c) Yemen.
Enterprise Zones: Derelict Land | Department for Communities and Local Government | Written Answers
TWFY: James Morris MP (Conservative) Halesowen & Rowley Regis 14 Jul
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on prioritising the development of Enterprise Zones on existing brownfield sites.
More Westminster
NHS »
Local health organisation named as best in country – for the second time in three years
NHS Newsroom 19 Nov
The NHS organisation responsible for planning and buying health services for the residents of Sandwell and West Birmingham is celebrating after scooping a national award – repeating its success from 2013.
Got diabetes? Get the flu jab! It’s World Diabetes Day
NHS Newsroom 12 Nov
World Diabetes Day (14 November 2015) is a timely reminder to all those with diabetes to protect themselves this winter with a free flu jab, say doctors in Birmingham.
Nominations open: put forward your health champions for the Equality Awards 2016
NHS Newsroom 15 Oct
Local groups and organisations that make a difference by reducing health inequalities in their community are being urged to enter Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Equality Awards 2016.
Listen up: final week to have your say on GP services in Sandwell and West Birmingham
NHS Newsroom 12 Oct
Patients in Sandwell and West Birmingham only have one more week to share their views and opinions of local GP services with their local healthcare commissioner.
Have your say on GP services in Sandwell and West Birmingham
NHS Newsroom 22 Sep
Patients in Sandwell and West Birmingham are being urged to give their views on GP services at two public meetings this month.
Local people encouraged to have their say on GP services
NHS Newsroom 1 Sep
Patients in Sandwell and West Birmingham are being urged to share their experiences of local GP services.
Bank Holiday advice from health commissioner to avoid a hospital stay
NHS Newsroom 28 Aug
By taking a little extra care over the Bank Holiday, you can stay well and enjoy the extended weekend avoiding an unnecessary trip to hospital, say doctors at Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
August Bank Holiday – GPs and Community Pharmacies open on Bank Holiday Monday, and how to access dental care over the weekend
NHS Newsroom 27 Aug
GP PRACTICES Practices will close at their normal closing time on Friday, 28 th August, 2015, and open at their normal opening time on Tuesday, 1 st September, 2015.
More NHS
LocalGov blogs »
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A Changemaking Vision for Local Government
20 Jun 17
At a time of intense financial pressures and when central government’s mind is on other things, many are asking themselves where local government goes next. In a think-piece launching NLGN’s new vision, Adam Lent and Jessica Studdert call …
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Guardian launches 2017 Public Service Awards
20 Jun 17
Judges, former winners and sponsors joined Guardian public services editor David Brindle at the launch of this year’s awards Categories and criteria How to enter Key dates FAQ The Guardian has launched the 2017 Public Service Awards, with…
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The Guardian view on public sector pay: time for a rise | Editorial
19 Jun 17
Nurses, teachers and firefighters will be thousands of pounds worse off a year in real terms by 2020 Harder work, for less pay. That’s the situation millions of public sector workers find themselves in. Their average real wages have steadily…
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Strategic writing, strategic reading
19 Jun 17
Things have been a bit quiet round here for a while. The list of posts which have been started continues to lengthen. The list of posts which have been finished and published remains rather stuck. One reason for that is that I have been spending…
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Three priorities for Sajid Javid
19 Jun 17
Having first assumed his role as communities secretary and local government last year as the aftershocks of the Brexit vote reverberated, Sajid Javid’s reappointment last week came at no less a turbulent time at Westminster. Without a working…
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Council sidelined in Grenfell Tower response as leader refuses to quit
18 Jun 17
Responsibility for taking care of survivors transferred to new response team after criticism of Kensington and Chelsea Kensington and Chelsea council has been relieved of responsibility for taking care of the survivors of the Grenfell Tower…
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Viewpoint: Universities in the London ecosystem – completing the puzzle
14 Jun 17
Jane Glanville, CEO, London Higher explains how London universities and local authorities can work together to create public value – and invites you to be part of the discussion.