Works on the latest phase of the Bilston High Street pedestrian and cycle link have now been completed – and it is now open to the public.

Temporary landscaping has been put in place ahead of the final development proposal being determined.

The council acquired and demolished seven derelict properties, improved the ground conditions and dealt with shallow coal workings, to pave the way for the works, which started in early February.

In addition to a wide path through the centre, the site benefits from grassed areas and shrubs, and the design of the temporary scheme enables the open space to be used for events in the town.

A new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Pinfold Street will also be installed later in the year to ensure the route is easy, safe and convenient to use.

The link runs past the Bert Williams Leisure Centre, South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy, through to Bilston Urban Village - where new and improved areas of open space will be developed this year and where up to 450 houses are being built – through to Ladymoor Pool.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The development of the Bilston High Street link is important to the economy of the town. It ensures that the town centre benefits from the investment being attracted onto the urban village site.

“Bilston Urban Village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment.

“All of this demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area.”

While the final development is yet to be determined, the council was keen to see the establishment of the route to the High Street. This follows the construction of the link across Pinfold Street car park in 2015.

Apprentices at a Brierley Hill insurance broker were at the forefront of celebrations for the opening of their new premises.  Insurance Protector officially launched their new office space in Quay House on the Waterfront where plans are now in place to more than treble its workforce in the next five years.  This includes the recruitment of a further 10 apprentices in partnership with Stourbridge College.

Julie Tibbetts, Employment Skills Advisor at Stourbridge College said: “By aligning apprenticeship programmes to their company growth, Insurance Protector has a solid foundation from which to develop their own experts to take forward their business values.  

“The apprentices they have welcomed into their business over the last year are coming on in leaps and bounds and have excellent professional prospects ahead. 

“Much has been said about growth of the financial services sector across the Black Country and it will be fantastic if others follow in the footsteps of Insurance Protector by using their recruitment strategies to train and develop their workforces.”

Insurance Protector currently has three customer service apprentices and two business administration apprentices receiving on the job training while Stourbridge College assessors deliver their qualifications.

Bhabinder Kumar, Head of Retail at Insurance Protector, said: “Our apprentices are a key part of our expansion plans, so it’s fantastic to be able to recognise their contribution to the business and the career journey they are taking.  They all know that it’s as much about them putting into the business what they’d like to get back.  They’ve fully embraced the opportunities made available to them so we’re pleased to continue investing in their careers.”

He continued: “As a company, we’re continuing to welcome new clients and this is one of the reasons we made it our goal to move to bigger premises.  Since setting up in 2012, we’ve worked incredibly hard to serve the needs of local home and business owners, as well as develop niche products for the hospitality and leisure sector.  Going forward, we aim to develop our product range and perhaps explore new markets.”

Insurance Protector is the first company to relocate as part of Dudley’s new DY5 Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone.  The new office is an open plan 8,000sq ft office, which they have signed up to occupy for a minimum of five years.

Tough powers that are helping put a stop to anti-social behavior in Seven Sisters could be extended for a further three years.

Haringey Council is consulting on plans to extend the duration of the existing public spaces protection order (PSPO), which bars a number of anti-social activities from taking place in the area.

Restrictions imposed by the PSPO, which was introduced last summer after being overwhelmingly backed by residents, are generally focused around the Wickes DIY store in Seven Sister Road and include:

Intimidating or obstructing others by congregating in groups of two or more

Persistently loitering

Approaching people for casual labour

Drinking alcohol in the street

Anti-social behaviour such as urinating in the street or being offensive

A gate has also been installed in the alleyway between Roslyn Road and Southey Road to keep out anti-social behaviour.

Since the PSPO was introduced, police patrols have seen more than 95 warnings issued. While anti-social behaviour has fallen, the existing PSPO is set to end this year and the council and the police believe an extension is the best way of continuing to tackle issues and achieve long-term solutions.

Cllr Eugene Ayisi, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “These measures have helped us to make South Tottenham a cleaner and safer place for those who live and work there, but we know there is more still to do.

“Extending the PSPO will allow us to continue our work with the police to patrol the area and take tough action against anyone found to be making life a misery for local people.”

PSPOs were introduced in the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act. Those who breach the order could be liable for a £1,000 fine or £100 fixed penalty notice, issued by the police or the council.

The PSPO currently covers: Kerswell Close; Victoria Crescent; Culvert Road; Russell Road; Elizabeth Road; Southey Road; Greenfield Road; Birstall Road; Brunswick Road; Brunswick Road Park; Suffield Road; Westerfield Road; Braemar Road; part of Seaford Road; Watts Close; Kirkton Road; Lomond Close; Bomond Close; Maynard Close; Gourley Place; Gourley Street; Durnford Street; parts of Seven Sisters Road; Wickes Store car park; Stonebridge Estate, and parts of West Green Road.

Birmingham City Council and the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) have agreed to launch a street fundraising agreement for the city. The agreement was initially piloted through a three-month trial, but has now been extended on a rolling one year basis, as agreed by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee on 12 April 2017.

This signals a long-term commitment from both Birmingham City Council and the Institute of Fundraising to ensure that one of the UK’s biggest and busiest city centres in the country will remain a space for everyone to operate in and to enjoy.

Chris Neville, Head of Licensing at Birmingham City Council, said:  “Following the success of our trial agreement with the Institute of Fundraising, introduced last July, there’s been a significant reduction in the number of complaints we receive about face-to-face fundraising and its impact on the public and local businesses.

“This new 12-month agreement will see fewer fundraisers in the city centre, which we welcome, and we will continue to work in partnership with IoF going forward.”

More than half of pet owners believe not having insurance is too risky given the potential costs for treatment they could face, new research from insurance market experts Consumer Intelligence shows.

Its nationwide study found 53% say not insuring their pet is too big a worry despite concerns about the different policies available and the terms and conditions. Around two out of five (41%) of pet insurance customers find policies confusing.

Owners who do not buy cover blame the cost with 50% saying polices are too expensive while 28% believe insurance is not worth it. Dog owners are most likely to insure their pets, the research found, with around 64% paying for cover while 44% have insurance for cats.

It has proved worthwhile for owners with insurance - around one in five (18%) have claimed in the past five years while another 11% have made claims more than five years ago. Those who have claimed are happy - 74% of customers say the claim was resolved quickly and 92% said the quality of care was good or very good.

Consumer Intelligence’s pricing data shows that there are affordable cover options out there dog owners can insure from as little as £66 a year for accident only cover to as much as £363 a year for the most comprehensive lifetime cover. Cat owners would pay between £47 and £171 for the same type of policies.

John Blevins, Consumer Intelligence pricing expert, said: “Owning a pet is expensive and many owners take the view that buying insurance just adds to the bills.

“Pet insurance is a very complex purchase given the varying cover levels and product options to choose from including a wide range of vet fee options. This can make it difficult for customers to choose.

“Vet fee bandings can range from £500 to as much as £12,000 and with the majority of customers shopping around through price comparison websites it can be difficult to understand what they are buying 

“More than half of customers are not shopping around but three-quarters of those who do switch are able to cut their annual premium highlighting the benefits of researching the market.”

A brave team of nurses, dubbed ‘Max’s Minions’, at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham are set to tackle a challenge of endurance in aid of their young patients.

Julie Thomas, Elizabeth Checketts, Emma Goodaker, Demi Butler and Helen Whitehouse work at the Children’s A&E Department at Heartlands Hospital, and have set a daring challenge to complete the Wolf Run, which is taking place at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire on Saturday 3 June, to raise money to support patients.

Julie said: “We are really excited to be taking part in the Wolf Run to raise money for Heartlands Hospital Charity. The money will help us to refurbish the children’s A&E Department, and provide toys and equipment for patients.”

“It’s great that we are doing this as a team and we can’t wait for the day! We’d love to raise £1,000 so any donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated.”

Sian Averill, Fundraising Manager at Heartlands Hospital Charity, said: “We are thrilled to hear that Max’s Minions will be taking on the Wolf Run and would like to wish them the best of luck for the day. The Charity is delighted to be able to support staff as they make improvements to the hospital, and we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved, either doing some fundraising themselves or supporting others in their quests!

“We can’t wait to see the photos after the event – good luck everyone!”

To sponsor Max’s Minions please donate to their JustGiving page by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Children-s-A-E-Dept-Heartlands. To find out more about how Heartlands Hospital Charity supports patients, please go to www.heartlandshospital.org.uk or call 0121 371 4852.