The award-winning conservation charity, Twycross Zoo, is celebrating the arrival of its first penguin chicks of the year!

The fluffy bundles of joy arrived to proud penguin parents Dory and Fin, one of the six breeding pairs at the Zoo. Hatching just in time for Easter, the Zoo is delighted to welcome the adorable Humboldt penguins, which are the first of many chicks to come this year.

Humboldt penguins are currently threatened by habitat loss, low food supply, and human disturbance leading to them being listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. As a result, the number of Humboldt penguins in the wild is now thought to be less than 30,000. Twycross Zoo experts hope to continue their work to protect this much loved species, having seen the arrival of over 100 chicks since 1969.

Twycross Zoo is doing its part to safeguard all marine life by using only sustainably sourced herring to feed its penguins. Humans also get to feast on sustainable fish at all of the Zoo’s catering facilities, including “the Catch” Fish Bar, with the hope to inspire visitors to take a small action to support the world’s oceans.

Yianna Cooling, Team Leader for Large Mammals, Birds and Pets, said, “We are so happy to see the first of our penguin chicks arrive, and just in time for everyone to come say hello at Easter! The family are all doing really well and the chicks are being kept well fed by mum and dad.”

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.

Keys to nine new council homes at a Smethwick estate have been handed over to Sandwell’s housing boss.

The properties represent the final phase of 38 newly-built council homes at the Galton Lock development, off Mafeking Road in Smethwick.

The council  has been working in partnership with developer Countryside to build the properties which are part of a larger 180-home estate.

The 38 two and three-bedroom homes are the first properties the council has bought off-plan – that is before they were built – under the £4.5 million scheme.

Tenants are already signed up for the properties and will be moving in shortly.

The development is part of the council’s millions of pounds worth of investment into new housing and was completed on schedule.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Sandwell’s cabinet member for housing, said: “I’m delighted to receive the keys to these last nine new council homes on the Galton Lock development which has seen a total of 38 new council  homes being built for local families to move into.

“This is another example of the council working in partnership with a developer like Countryside to increase the quality and choice of housing in the borough.

“By the end of March next year we will have created nearly 200 new council homes since 2016 with hundreds more in the pipeline.

“This is part of our on-going strategic housing plan to increase the number of council-owned affordable homes.”

John Gilbert, regional operations director for Countryside’s Midlands division, said: “With a strong partnership model in place, we’re committed to ensuring much-needed, residential growth for Smethwick. Galton Lock was our debut into the West Midlands and has been a driving force behind our continued growth within the region, making the handover of these final homes an even greater milestone for us.

“Through the creation of high quality homes and engaging with local residents, our vision for Galton Lock was to transform brownfield land into a thriving and welcoming neighbouring. The scheme has been an unwavering success since day one and is a testament to what can be achieved through a collaborative working between Sandwell Council and Countryside.”

The Galton Lock development is made up of 180 homes. In addition to the 38 new council homes which have been bought by and will be managed by Sandwell Council, the remaining  142 will be made up of 79 for sale and 63 for rent by Countryside.

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.

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."