More cuts to day services for elderly residents in Solihull expected

Further cuts to Solihull’s day services for elderly residents are expected to be approved next week, with proposals to have just two council-run centres covering the borough. At present, the in-house service supports pensioners at three different locations but the latest cost-cutting exercise would reduce the number of facilities to two. Solihull Council has argued…

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Plastic cups set to disappear from Solihull Council

Plastic cups, straws and cutlery could become a thing of the past across Solihull Council after it agreed to aim to scrap the single-use items by the end of 2020. Councillors have given unanimous backing to a concerted push against these types of throw away products, which were described as “totally unnecessary and hugely damaging…

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Violent crime shoots up in the West Midlands with 10,000 extra offences in a year

The number of violent crimes in the West Midlands has shot up by a fifth in the past 12 months, new police figures show. West Midlands Police recorded 61,124 violent crimes in a year. That’s 167 violent crimes a day. It’s an increase from the figure of 50,699 violent crimes a year previously. And it…

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Touchwood to unveil poignant Armistice memorial

To commemorate the centenary of the First World War ending and Armistice Day, Touchwood will be unveiling a series of 6ft aluminium silhouette ‘Tommy’ soldiers – which will be on display in Poplar Arcade from Thursday 1st November, and throughout the lead up to Remembrance Day. The statues will stand alongside a poignant poppy memorial…

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Serious concerns over threat to public open space in Solihull

Building on land in Solihull’s most crowded ward would rob children living nearby of the last remaining place to play, the council’s cabinet has been told. Graham Craig, a former councillor, raised serious concerns about the proposals to dispose of public open space in Auckland Drive and Anglesey Avenue in Smith’s Wood. The plans for…

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‘True gent’ repairs elderly people’s fences for free

A young Solihull fencer is helping elderly people in the community by repairing their damaged fences for free. Jon Horne started offering the service after visiting a senior citizen who had to ‘decide whether to be warm or have a secure fence’. He was so touched he decided to do the job for free, and…

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Anger over ‘inadequate’ care home in Solihull

Concerns about damning reports into a Solihull care home – where a catalogue of failings were identified during the summer – have been aired at a Full Council meeting. Chelmund’s Court, in Chelmsley Wood, was ranked as “inadequate” in every area by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection a few months ago. Councillors…

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Businessman jailed after spiking women’s drinks

A businessman who spiked the drinks of two women in a bid to lure them into sex has been jailed for six years – after West Midlands Police foiled his attempts to hide evidence of being drugged. Ganga Siriwardhana, of Warwick Road in Solihull, arranged separate dates with the women in Birmingham city centre in…

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Life-size soldier sculptures to appear around Solihull

Statues of First World War “Tommies” are to be placed at locations around Solihull to mark 100 years since Armistice. The metal silhouettes are to take up positions at the War Memorial, in Robin Hood Cemetery, at Woodlands Cemetery and in Shirley Park. The Tommies – which depict a serviceman with helmet, pack and rifle,…

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Hundreds of jobs set to be created in Solihull

Around 800 jobs are expected to be created on the back of investments in Solihull in the last six months. Councillors have received an update on economic activity in the borough in the first half of 2018/19. The council’s growth strategy team said they had logged 24 investments during this period. A third of these…

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