A primary school which claims it has problems with some parents turning up ‘drunk’ has objected to a nearby shop obtaining an alcohol licence. There have been isolated incidents involving a small number of parents causing alcohol-fuelled disturbances and being abusive on the playground at Cotteridge  Primary School, said…

Hopes of an agreement on a controversial travellers’ site for Dudley has taken a step forward after Labour and Conservatives councillors met to thrash out a compromise. But the location for the hotly disputed caravan park is being kept under wraps as local authority officers and elected members seek…

Disorder offences have fallen by more than 50 per cent in West Bromwich town centre since the introduction of new powers in August last year. The dramatic fall comes after Sandwell Council introduced a public spaces protection order (PSPO) which allows authorised council officers, police and police community support…

Birmingham city councillors should get an immediate 4 per cent pay rise because of increased workloads and the growing impact of social media, an independent report has ruled. The recommendation has triggered an immediate backlash on social media. The rise in allowances would mean every one of the city’s…

Developers hoping to build new apartments in Walsall town centre will be hoping for a case of ‘third time lucky’ when their proposal goes before planning chiefs again. Bradford Street Developments Ltd are looking to build a four-storey block featuring 26 one and two bedroomed flats. The land, in…

There are ‘serious doubts’ about a public consultation which backed the transfer of policing powers to the mayor’s office, PCC David Jamieson has said. And local MP Steve McCabe has also hit out at the consultation, calling it “narrow and suspect.” Today (Friday) the results of a two stage,…

Police are to get an extra £100 million to fight knife crime, Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced. Delivering a statement updating MPs on the state of the economy, he said police nationwide would share in the funding over 12 months  “to pay for additional overtime targeted specifically on knife…

Businesses affected by the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram network are being offered a new package of financial support to cope with the disruption. West Midlands Combined Authority has announced the financial help which is aimed at those companies whose premises front directly onto land being used…

The Government has approved Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone proposals but left the city council with a £16m funding gap. The authority has been granted £38m from the Clean Air Fund to pay for mitigation measures out of £50m which which was sought, and £14.2m out of £17.8m requested to…

Children taught about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues at a Birmingham primary school ARE at an appropriate age, Ofsted has ruled. Heated protests have continued outside Parkfield Community School gates in recent weeks as parents have slammed lessons surrounding LGBT. Mums, dads and angry campaigners have been rallying against…