Two men talking in Walsall town centre The partners behind We Are Walsall 2040 have launched a new website and LinkedIn account to support the borough’s ambitious collective long-term vision for the borough.  Partners include Walsall Council, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, the NHS, Federation of Small Businesses, Walsall College, Walsall Community Network, Walsall Football Club, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, whg, and the University of Wolverhampton. “ This new website and LinkedIn account will help showcase our collective vision and provide residents and businesses with the information they need to participate actively in shaping Walsall’s future.…

Hagerty’s newly launched Hagerty Drivers Club UK partners with Mike Brewer and Petrolheadonism to present Wheeler Dealer Live at Bicester Motion Sunday 1st June. Mike Brewer has been buying, selling and talking cars on our TV screens since the late 90s, but it was Wheeler Dealers that made him a household name. Launched in 2003, Wheeler Dealers is now aired around the world, and has since seen a number of spin-off series, all with Mike as the frontman. Wheeler Dealer Live is the first show presented and hosted by Mike, along with leading automotive event presenters Petrolheadonism, creating an exciting…

A study has found that used combustion engine models are on average £2,560 more expensive than equivalent electric models from the same manufacturer, a difference of 10%. CarGurus – a leading automotive marketplace in the U.K. to shop, buy, and sell used vehicles – analysed the average prices of electric vehicles (EVs) that offer equivalent fuel-powered models from the last four model years to determine which option provides the best value. The study examined second-hand vehicle listings from the U.K.’s top 30 manufacturersi, comparing those that offer standalone electric and comparable fuel-powered models. The brands with the greatest selection of…

Over the last 18 months, the council has been a key part of the Department for Education’s Families First for Children Pathfinder (FFCP) programme, designed to test ways to reform the children’s social care system, help children to stay with their families in safe and loving homes while protecting vulnerable children where needed and ensuring that families will receive the right support at the right time and be supported by the right professional. Wolverhampton, one of 3 local authorities chosen to take part in the first phase of the Pathfinder, has worked to deliver support to families based on 3…

The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has announced funding plans which sees 29 museums across the country receiving a share of almost £25 million to upgrade their buildings. The Fund is part of the UK Government’s long term plan to support local economies, allowing them to grow. It will support capital projects at museums, fund important repairs and improve the visitor experience, with funding awarded ranging from £50,000 to £5 million, to ensure local history has a home for years to come. In the Midlands, more than £5 million has been awarded across 4 museums. Wolverhampton Art Gallery has…

The Big Community Switch is a community group buying scheme run by iChoosr in collaboration with councils across the UK. Solihull residents can now register to take part in the latest round of a scheme which has already helped thousands of residents go green and save money on their energy bills. Known as the Big Community Switch, the collective energy switching scheme is designed to secure better energy deals for households, helping them switch energy suppliers, move to a 100% renewable electricity tariff, and potentially save money on their energy bills.  It uses the bargaining power of a large group…

Renault Group and Geely Holding Group today jointly announced a framework agreement expanding their strategic cooperation in the production and sales of zero and low emission vehicles through Renault do Brasil, further strengthening their strategic partnership. Geely Holding would invest in Renault do Brasil to become a minority shareholder, enabling Geely Holding to gain access to localized production, sales and services resources. The venture remains subject to the entering of definitive agreements and prior approval of the relevant regulatory authorities. Through this cooperation, the two advanced production facilities of Renault Group’s Ayrton Senna Complex in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná,…

Kieran Smith Mills, winner of the Inspirational Child in Care Award, with, left, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Director of Children’s Services Alison Hinds and, right, Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education Hundreds of children and young people in, or leaving care in Wolverhampton were recognised for their resilience, hard work and achievements at an inspirational awards celebration. The City of Wolverhampton Council’s annual I Awards, held at Grand Station, saw children and young people receive awards in recognition of their achievements in 3 categories – individual, intellectual and independence. There were also special…

Jameel Motors Farizon Auto has welcomed the first delivery of Farizon SV vans to the UK. Arriving in Felixstowe, Suffolk, the first batch of vans encompassed two of the eight variants that will be available in the UK initially with further deliveries following. The UK introduction of Farizon – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, China’s largest private vehicle manufacturer – is on schedule, with the start of sales on track for Q1 2025 and first customer deliveries slated for Q2 2025. The eight panel van variants on offer to UK customers will range from L1 H1 (4,990 mm…

The Volkswagen Group and CGI, one of the world’s largest business and IT consulting firms, announce the deepening of their global collaboration. This move strengthens the Volkswagen Group’s long-term capabilities to further expand a powerful IT infrastructure for the future. As part of their joint efforts, both partners have launched the new entity MARV1N (pronounced “Marvin”) which will act as an international development unit for Group-wide digitalisation projects and support the developers at Volkswagen. With these additional resources, the Volkswagen Group plans to develop new IT systems faster and more efficiently. The Volkswagen Group is advancing the modernisation of…