Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Chamber patron Arup hosted the West mayor Andy Street at an event aimed at supporting his objectives to get the region’s transport system moving again.

Building upon the work of the recently published GBCC report on congestion, the mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority were given a platform to engage with a range of key regional stakeholders to share ideas on how the region can overcome congestion related issues.

The report found that congestion costs businesses £407 million a year, and emphasises that congestion affects staff punctuality (28 per cent), reduces productivity (21 per cent) and increases company costs (19 per cent).

The event, held at the National College for High Speed Rail, brought together representatives from transport bodies, local authorities and business organisations to discuss proactive solutions required to combat the region’s transport needs.

The mayor started the event by giving the audience an overview on his priorities for transport and movement in the region and how the agenda has progressed during his tenure.

Andy Street said: “We know that we’ve had a real turn around in our economy, and what today is all about is how transport is going to actually keep up with the demands of the economy.

“As you will see, there is quite a step change in the degree of public transport available across the region. Excluding the cost of HS2, there is £5 billion pounds worth of investment.”

“We can’t go on with congestion and people choosing the car as the first route, this [the new transport network] will genuinely give alternatives.”

Attendees from the event, including representatives from Transport for West Midlands, University of Birmingham and Highways England then discussed transport network resilience, implications of policy changes, and measures required to support change.

After the session concluded, Richard De Cani from Arup offered some closing remarks and next steps following on from the event.

Johnny Ojeil, director of transport planning at Arup, said: “Arup are delighted to be involved in helping shape the transport strategy for the region and in particular working closely with the Chamber and the many businesses they represent.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The businesses that participated in today’s event made it clear that not only are they affected by congestion, but they also want to play their part in overcoming these deep seated issues. In particular, it was great to see local firms bringing sensible and tangible solutions to the table.

“Whilst it is reassuring that the Mayor has made tackling congestion a key priority of his tenure, it is clear that these deep seated issues can only be effectively challenged if we adopt a holistic and joined up approach which encourages collaboration between public and private sector bodies.

“In the long term, we look forward to working with Arup and the Mayor’s office to ensure the views of business are recognised and reflected in the region’s transport programmes.”

A popular Sons of Rest building in Wednesbury is to be refurbished to help increase the range of activities for the local community.

The Brunswick Park Sons of Rest is to get a facelift to help develop additional activities and increase income to support existing and new groups.

Money towards improving a room and furniture at the Foley Street centre is coming from a Sandwell Council small towns grant worth £1,340.

The building is used as a leisure centre for older people to enjoy games such as snooker, crib, billiards and dominoes. A range of other activities are organised by members throughout the year.

The building is used by local groups including the Friends of Brunswick Park, Women's Institute, a bird club, whist drive and the Sons and Daughters of Rest.

The Sons of Rest has also applied for funding from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme, in which it has been shortlisted with an announcement due next week. A minimum of £1,000 is guaranteed from the scheme.

Wednesbury town lead member Councillor Pam Hughes said: "I am so pleased that we are able to help this long-established group who are looking to open up the centre to other user groups."

Sons of Rest treasurer Colin James said: "Once the room has been refurbished it will be a much better facility for local residents and groups to use."

Wolverhampton is pledging to become an Autism Friendly City – and ensure that people with autism are given the same opportunities as anyone else.

Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they see, hear and feel the world around them. People with autism experience it in different ways, but typically face challenges in social communication and interaction.

Around 1 in 100 people in Wolverhampton are estimated to have an autism spectrum condition, while of those around half also have a learning disability and 30% suffer severe mental health difficulties.

The ambition to make Wolverhampton an Autism Friendly City has been unveiled by the City of Wolverhampton Council ahead of World Autism Awareness Week, which starts today (Monday 26 March, 2018).

Councillor Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "I am delighted that the council and its partners have pledged to make Wolverhampton an Autism Friendly City by offering as much help and support as possible to people young and old with the condition, and their families.

"We want Wolverhampton to be a place where people with autism feel sale, understood and supported, have the same opportunities as anyone else, can live the life they choose, receive personalised support when they need it, enjoy meaningful activities and be active members of our community."

The aim is to make Wolverhampton an Autism Friendly City by 2021 – the end of the current Joint Autism Strategy, which was developed by the council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, schools and the University of Wolverhampton.

Launched in 2016, the strategy has already helped bring around a number of improvements including the development of a new diagnosis, treatment, support and care pathway for adults, and improving the support that is offered to parents or carers of children with autism after they receive a diagnosis.

Three City nurseries have created enhanced mainstream early years provision for children with autism and other complex needs, and autism training is being made available for school staff and frontline professionals.

A new specialist centre for autism was officially opened at the City of Wolverhampton College in December to cater for a dozen students aged 16-25, while Enable, the employment service, provides individualised support to people with autism who are looking for work, including help with CVs, interviews and job coaching.

A full review of SEND education has been completed with a number of recommendations being implemented to ensure there is the capacity and resources within special and mainstream schools to meet the needs of all pupils with autism, while work is underway with the voluntary sector to develop a network of services to support people with autism and their families.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "The council and its partners have already demonstrated a commitment to people living with dementia by making Wolverhampton a Dementia Friendly City, and by now pledging to become an Autism Friendly City we want to ensure that people with autism in Wolverhampton are also given the help and support they need to live life to the full.

"While we have made significant progress in implementing our Autism Strategy, there is much more we can and will do – and by setting ourselves the aim of being autism friendly by 2021, we hope to galvanise effort and interest in delivering real improvements for people with autism."

World Autism Awareness Week is organised by The National Autistic Society, which has launched its "Too Much Information" campaign to challenge the myths, perceptions and stereotypes around autism. People are encouraged to visit the website at www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/tmi, watch a short film and find out what actions they can take to make life easier for someone with an autism spectrum condition.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has completed its first phase of the ‘Lighting up the City’ project by bringing streets, public features and open spaces to life via LED lighting.

Since phase one of the Lighting up the City project began in August 2017, a brighter and more attractive environment has been created across the city. As well as forming a safer place for people to visit.

The focus of the scheme, which is also supported by contributions from the Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID), is on a 1.5-mile walking route through the city centre.

So far, the project has included the dressing of Dudley Street and Cheapside trees with lights along with other locations, as well as a light curtain in Exchange Street.

The Queen Square fountain and steps and St Peter’s Gardens have had new lights installed, while uplighters showcase the Lady Wulfruna statue and the Harris Memorial statue outside St Peter’s Church.

The Dudley Street light towers are also set to be replaced and long-term plans include the introduction of pocket parks - small green spaces in an urban setting.

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: “This project showcases some of the many fascinating features and buildings we have in our city while creating a more interesting and attractive environment – especially as the day turns to night.

“Lighting up selected areas of trees across the city centre and public features has already significantly enhanced the city centre environment by creating a more inviting and safer city.

“Once the project is complete, we hope visitors will follow the walking route leading them to the city’s individual landmarks and enjoy a true visitor experience when they visit our city.

“I look forward to the next phase of the project which will see more of our iconic buildings in the spotlight.”

Phase two of the project will begin this summer and following agreement and support from local partners, will see many of the city’s popular landmarks bought to life.

The council has had discussions with partners such as the University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, House of Fraser, and the Mander Centre, as the final proposal is developed.

The council intends to lead by example by proposing a specific lighting scheme to enhance the main entrance of the city’s art gallery to showcase the many architectural aspects of the building.

The council is also looking to introduce lighting schemes as part of new developments, such as the £55 million Westside project, and within forthcoming public realm improvement and connectivity projects that are being developed as part of the Connected Places Strategy delivery plan.

Efforts will also be made to introduce planning conditions that require developers to bring forward lighting schemes as part of any future sites in the city centre.

A £5,000 make-over to Wednesbury’s historic clock tower is now complete.

The iconic local landmark – a grade 2 listed building and a popular meeting place for local people – has benefitted from a total overhaul.

The facelift has seen the inside of the clock tower thoroughly cleaned and its internal electrics fully serviced and updated.

Its sandstone and brickwork exterior has been cleaned as  well  as the steps and limestone at the top of the clock and door revarmished.

The clock mechanism has been serviced, clock speeds corrected and times reset – as in recent times the four clock faces have not all been synchronised.

The outside of the clock has been fully cleaned, lighting circuits have been rewired with new LED strip lighting installed behind the faces replacing the old halogen fittings which were in poor condition.

This means the clock faces are now  much brighter and clearer at night.

The final phase of the restoration work has seen the globe stands remounted and repainted as they had started to rust and were looking worse for wear,  and new white opaque lighting globes have also been installed.

Councillor Pam Hughes, town lead for Wednesbury has praised the make-over which Wednesbury North ward councillors Elaine Costigan and Peter Hughes have lobbied for.

Councillor Pam Hughes, said: “It’s fantastic to see this much-loved local landmark restored to its former glory.

“It’s location in Wednesbury’s Market Place is one of the Black Country’s most recognisable historic locations and the clock tower has always been a popular meeting place for local people.”

Councillor Paul Moore, Sandwell’s cabinet member for regeneration, added: “I’m pleased that we have been able to give the clock tower, a really good ‘spring clean’, sprucing it up for local people to enjoy and preserving it for future decades to come.”

The clock tower was built in the place once occupied by Wednesbury’s old butter market cross which was demolished in 1824 and was built to commemorate the Coronation of King George V in 1911.

Free blood pressure checks are on offer at local libraries and community hubs in Haringey under new measures designed to reduce the number of people suffering strokes in the borough.

This year’s Haringey Annual Public Health report highlights how staff and volunteers from Bridge Renewal Trust, Embrace UK and Tottenham Hotspur have been trained to carry out the potentially life-saving checks at a range of convenient locations, such as libraries and community centres and at some community events.

General practices are also working to identify and offer checks to people at high risk of stroke, through measures such as offering a check at the same time as their seasonal flu jab. More than 10,000 blood pressure and pulse checks have already been carried out, leading to more than 2,000 additional diagnoses of high blood pressure and nearly 300 additional diagnoses of atrial fibrillation – a kind of irregular pulse rhythm that increases the risk of stroke.

This year’s annual public health report shines the spotlight on the issue of stroke, which is one of the biggest causes of death and physical disability in Haringey.

Until recently, Haringey had the highest rate of early death from stroke – defined as people dying from stroke under the age of 75 - of any London borough. While there has been a recent a fall in the rate of early death, likely due to lower smoking rates and local work on other risk factors for stroke, the overall number of strokes remains higher than in similar areas.

Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Jason Arthur, said:

"The fact is that too many people in Haringey suffer strokes. We’re pleased to have seen a recent reduction in the number of deaths from stroke in our borough, but we know there is still work to be done. Offering free checks at handy locations around the borough – and removing the need for people to make a doctor’s appointment for a simple check – means we can help more people understand their own blood pressure.

"We’re also continuing to champion healthier living and active lifestyles, including offering support to quit smoking and free exercise opportunities, so that we can continue to improve Haringey’s health.

"I would encourage everyone to take advantage of these free checks and find out more about how they can look after their blood pressure."

The annual health report – jointly penned by Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Director of Public Health at Haringey Council, Beverley Tarka, Director of Adult Social Services and Tony Hoolaghan, Chief Operating Officer, Haringey and Islington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – also details a number of other ways to reduce the number of people having strokes.

It pledges that the council, CCG, NHS and other community groups and partners will work together to create a healthy Haringey where it is easy to be active, eat well and stay smoke free. Haringey Council and Haringey CCG will also continue to work together to support people living with stroke and their carers to be as independent as possib