who had started the afternoon in 20th place - a point clear of Wealdstone - broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Oscar Rutherford bundled in a loose ball after Shiloh Remy's shot had been saved Solihull equalised with 15 minutes left when Manny Duku nodded in from a corner at the near post Dagenham pressed for the late winner which would have kept them up and Josh Umerah saw his effort go just wide in stoppage time but relegation was confirmed following Wealdstone's 3-1 win over Halifax To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made Dagenham & RedbridgeManager: Lewis Young Wyllie Match OfficialsReferee: Elliot BellAssistant Referee 1: Matthew ArchibaldAssistant Referee 2: Mark RyderFourth Official: Matthew JacksonMatch StatsKey Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The visitors were well on top in the first half and had the best chance when Jili Buyabu drilled an effort on target but Laurie Walker did well to turn it behind Rochdale broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half as Leon Ayinde's blocked shot fell to Ian Henderson and the striker lobbed Walker on the rebound Solihull's best chance fell to Szhem Whyte-Hall who aimed high and wide Yellow Card at 80 minutesSubstituteshome team Yellow Card at 80 minutesSubstitutesNumber 33 Adebayo-Rowling at 58 minutesSubstitutesNumber 14 Weston Match OfficialsReferee: Melissa BurginAssistant Referee 1: Jason RobertsAssistant Referee 2: Declan FordFourth Official: Joseph LarkinMatch StatsKey Some Council services will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 5 May 2025 Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Solihull Council has provided over £450k to improve facilities and foster a stronger sense of community for Solihull residents have been made possible through Solihull’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund This includes grants awarded through the Solihull Community Buildings Fund delivered via the Heart of England Community Foundation Solihull Council estimates the changes will benefit over 20,000 people including attendees of community groups at Crabtree Hall Balsall Common Methodist Church and Meriden Adventure Playground a youth organisation dedicated to empowering young people through mentoring and peer-led support to help them succeed in life “The funding is transformative for our young people the improvements to Crabtree Hall have created a more functional welcoming and inspiring environment where young people want to spend time Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities “This project is about more than buildings We’re proud to be supporting projects that build stronger and more resilient communities we’re facilitating opportunities for individuals to gather build relationships and provide mutual support in meaningful ways These upgraded facilities will serve as safe and vibrant environments that promote social connection contribute to residents' wellbeing and strengthen the fabric of the community “We’re so pleased to see the positive impact the fund has had but across eight other buildings that hold their communities at the heart of their foundations It's a real example of how targeted investment can drive positive community impact.” Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader of Solihull Council “This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to children we are helping to create a borough where everyone can thrive “We’re committed to creating positive environments for our young people These projects are a powerful reminder of how vital our community spaces are in supporting families and helping young people thrive.” The funding underscores Solihull Council’s dedication to fostering vibrant local communities where people are supported and empowered to lead fulfilling lives Community organisations and charities are encouraged to look out for future funding from Solihull Council and the Heart of England Community Foundation who continue to support grassroots initiatives that bring lasting benefit to Solihull’s residents For more information about upcoming funding opportunities, visit the Heart of England Community Foundation. © 2025 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council A group of young people have put their creative skills into play to raise awareness of neglect With the support of qualified youth workers from Solihull Council Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) and a support worker from Solihull’s children in care council - OVOS (Our Voice Our Service) filmed and edited a video to help show what life can be like for a young person experiencing neglect The video was launched earlier this week to an audience including the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE, plus parents/carers and people who work with children in Solihull. Watch the video here: Young Peoples Project - Neglect (Solihull) The Mayor said: “It was an honour to attend this event and meet the young people behind this fantastic video Neglect is such an important topic and one we must all play a part in trying to reduce “It can be hard to understand what people experiencing neglect are going through but the way this has been captured within the video is really powerful and I hope it helps others learn more about it “I commend the young people for putting their heart and souls into this project - it was clear to see how much it means to them The project was made possible thanks to SSCP and a team of Neglect Champions* who successfully applied for a grant from the West Midlands Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner Young people developed many skills during the project and commissioned Solihull Music Service and Steve Friendship from Large Scale Film to help them learn the skills they needed As well as the video, they have produced resources for teachers and youth workers to use alongside the film to help others learn about neglect.  These resources and more information about neglect and the young people’s project are available here: Neglect – SSCP Children and Young People's page Neglect Champions are a group of multi-agency practitioners who volunteer to help SSCP deliver the neglect strategy Neglect is a priority for the SSCP, more information on what it means can be found on its website here: Neglect – SSCP Professionals page the Mayor of Solihull unveiled the new sign for ‘Albert Price Way’ at Hillfield Park to honour the life of the D-Day veteran who passed away last year The Mayor was joined by Albert’s wife Betty Price and daughter Karen and local councillors Cllr Ken Hawkins and Cllr Keith Green The unveiling of the new road sign was a celebration of his life and it will stand as a symbol of the remarkable impact he had on the community Albert Price was just 18 years old when he took part in a D-Day test run in April 1944 on Studland Beach in Dorset he and the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards landed on Gold Beach in Normandy Albert witnessed the loss of many of his friends on that fateful day but he always carried with him the pride of having done his part Albert Price had lied about his age two years before D-Day to join the army early but would be blessed with a long life and even reached the age of 98 He used his time to commemorate the young men he served with and was instrumental in the building of the Armed Forces Garden in Hillfield Park in 2022 As well as being involved in the design consultation Albert was a special guest at the grand opening of the garden after it was delayed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Armed Forces Garden is a place for veterans of any conflict to come Anyone can come to the garden and reflect on the many sacrifices of the brave that never came home Albert passed away in April 2024 with hundreds coming to pay their respects Proud standard bearers escorted the hearse that carried him to rest “I am very proud to have been invited to help officially unveil Albert Price Way with Albert’s wife Betty and daughter Karen Albert loved Hillfield Park and did so much to shape the Armed Forces Garden There is also the poppy mural walk which he helped to create this sign for Albert Price Way will also stand as a reminder of his life and his spirit.” “Albert was a well-known and popular figure in Monkspath and a great supporter of the Armed Forces Garden in Hillfield Park He was very modest about his exploits and bravery during WW2 and determined to do his duty from joining the Home Guard at age 14 to landing on Gold Beach with the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards on D-Day “He would feel very honoured by having this road named after him If you would like to find out where you can attend VE Day 80 events around the Solihull borough, and celebrateheroes of the Second World War like Albert, then click here: VE Day 80th Anniversary events in Solihull | solihull.gov.uk © 2025 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. City needed a monumental swing for Barnet to give away top spot and with their aggregate score over that period 23-6 scoring three minutes in when he poked in from close range after a ball in from Malachi Fagan-Walcott And Dipo Akinyemi confirmed the win a minute from time slotting in to leave City on course for 96 points for the season if they win their final game next weekend Whyte-Hall Match OfficialsReferee: Michael BarlowAssistant Referee 1: Ryan AldredAssistant Referee 2: Drew DuttonFourth Official: Kavan HurnMatch StatsKey Hosts Tamworth opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Tom McGlinchey found the top corner But Solihull hit back five minutes after the break with Conor Wilkinson getting his 15th goal of the season in all competitions Whitmore won it for Solihull three minutes before the end to move them seven points clear of the drop zone Whyte-Hall Match OfficialsReferee: Isaac SearleAssistant Referee 1: Jack ForderAssistant Referee 2: Oliver NolanFourth Official: Jake AllsoppMatch StatsKey Solihull Council has teamed up with Peddle My Wheels to offer Solihull residents the ‘Try before you bike’ scheme Part of the West Midlands Cycle and Walk Programme this innovative scheme offers a flexible approach to hiring or buying a bike without the initial cost of purchasing a new bike and accessories Residents can hire a bike from Peddle My Wheels for £40 a month on a rolling monthly contract which includes insurance At any point they can opt out of the scheme and return the bike or go on to purchase it If the bike is purchased any money paid in the hire period will be taken off the purchase price making it extremely cost-effective the first 25 Solihull residents who sign up have the chance to get a half price deal of just £20 a month for the first six months of the hire period, subject to the make and size they want being available Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure said: “Cycling is a great way to keep fit and now the days are getting longer it’s a great time to try it out It’s also a really cheap way of travelling and good for the environment too “As a council we’ve invested in improving our cycle networks and providing cycle training so that people can cycle more safely across the borough but we’re always looking for new ways to help people start their cycling journey “We recognise that when you first start cycling there’s an initial start-up cost so this new scheme with Peddle My Wheels will help people to see if it’s for them with a low hire charge on all the kit that you need to get in the saddle If you decide it’s something you’d like to continue with all the hire money paid will be deducted from the cost of the bike.” To find out more about ‘Try Before you Bike’ or register you can meet staff from Solihull Council and discuss the options on: Tuesday 29 April at Chelmsley Wood shopping centre from 10am – 3pm You can also visit – Welcome | PeddleMyWheels If you decide to go ahead and register please use the code solihullpedal25 and subject to the make and size you want being available you could get 50% off for the first six months SEASON TICKETS               CLUB SHOP               COMMUNITY TRUST Watch below via our official YouTube channel Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Accessibility | Company Details Rochdale AFC, The Crown Oil Arena, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 5DR Elliot Thorpe cut inside to brilliantly fire Solihull ahead in the 10th minute with Noor Husin denied a similarly spectacular equaliser by goalkeeper Laurie Walker Nick Hayes saved from Thorpe just before half-time with Nathan Ralph clearing Marcel Oakley's follow-up off the line Southend's Tom Hopper went close with a diving header moments after the interval and Walker later made a superb fingertip save from Harry Taylor with Macauley Bonne heading wide Whyte-Hall Match OfficialsReferee: Wayne CartmelAssistant Referee 1: Bradley MingayAssistant Referee 2: Christopher MyattFourth Official: Evans RobertsMatch StatsKey proudly displayed in Touchwood Shopping Centre celebrates Solihull through a series of colour swatches showcasing the borough’s rich history Jointly funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Touchwood The Solihull Colour Palette on Cloister Walk boasts 32 different colour references historians and archivists were invited to help shape the development of The Solihull Colour Palette by suggesting the people and things they associate with the borough then turned these suggestions into the final artwork Colours include Shirley Poppy Red which represents the metal poppies on display in the centre of the roundabout on Stratford Road; Moors Yellow for our beloved Solihull Moors FC; Chelmsley Bluebell to remember the deep violet-blue of Chelmsley Wood’s bluebell woods that were once so popular with day trippers; and BHX Blue which gives a special nod to our major international airport Cabinet Member for Communities at Solihull Council said: “The Solihull Colour Palette is a vibrant visual representation of why Solihull is so unique It’s wonderful how the different colours not only represent the beautiful places in our borough but also the special moments in history and the influential people that helped to make our borough what it is today “The iconic Touchwood brick features a stunning terracotta earthy tone exuding a warm and inviting glow that perfectly captures the centre’s enduring charm and welcoming spirit It’s exciting to think that Touchwood has been part of Solihull for so long and we’re thrilled to continue supporting creative initiatives like this one." Stacey Barnfield added: “I love seeing the colour palettes popping up across the country especially those that feature suggestions from local people in each of the areas in which they appear It is this local interest and pride in places that makes the designs so much more special “As a former Solihull College of Technology student nothing makes me prouder than seeing The Solihull Colour Palette at Touchwood I hope it might provide a little bit of inspiration for the next generation of art and design students in the borough to create new artworks and typographic designs.” There are plans to develop the palette to create colourful wayfinding and maps new artworks inspired by the swatches and more This will be a great way to engage and encourage a new generation of Solihull artists and designers See The Solihull Colour Palette on display at Cloister Walk, Touchwood. For more information on all the colour references go to the Visit Solihull website Learn more about The Colour Palette Company A vintage Ian Henderson finish early in the second-half for his 14th goal of the season ensured of a crucial win on Tuesday evening A total of five alterations were made by Jimmy McNulty to Saturday’s game with Kyle Ferguson Jay Bird and Kairo Mitchell all getting the nod.  Dale had the first shot in anger on four minutes and a brilliant effort it was from captain Kyron Gordon who strode forward and whipped one from 30 yards which forced Laurie Walker into an early save as he tipped over Dale possessed much of the early attacking intent with Bird and Aidan Barlow both having efforts Bird’s shot outside the box flew over with Barlow placing one towards the corner which was palmed wide Leon Ayinde was picked out down the right by Gordon with the Ipswich loanee drilling a teasing delivery across goal evading everyone before he was found in a more promising area bearing down on goal but his stabbed attempt was saved with the loose ball cleared just in front of the determined Mitchell All of the first-half attempts were coming the way of Dale Bird aimed for the top corner but the strike deflected wide before a well-worked move saw Mitchell turn well and use Buyabu who smashed one at goal The Moors ended the half strongly though when Jamey Osborne latched onto the second ball and hit a low effort which Killian Barrett managed to get a strong left hand to Dale kept the pressure up in the second when Henderson centred into the path of Ayinde who allowed Tarryn Allarakhia to race onto the ball and curl a left-footed sighter narrowly over That pressure eventually told when Dale took a deserved lead cut inside and saw his shot blocked before the bouncing ball fell to Henderson who adjusted his body well and hooked over Walker to open the scoring Barlow showed great skill as he bundled his way into the box and worked the ball onto his left but his effort was well blocked by Alex Whitmore Tobi Adebayo-Rowling then struck from a similar angle with the deflection just dropping wide and Ayinde put his follow-up effort wide of the near post Harvey Gilmour picked the ball up outside the box and on his second touch played in Kairo Mitchell Whitmore headed over at the other end and Dale hit back soon after with a strong effort from Devante Rodney Walker somehow stretching his arm out to deny the in-form striker Mitchell had another turn and shot which was well held by Solihull’s Man of the Match in between the sticks Dale held on for all three points and extended the unbeaten run to five We play our penultimate match of the regular league season on Tuesday night when we visit Solihull Moors A win would secure 4th spot in the league table and guarantee a home tie in the playoffs against the team that finishes 7th Tickets for the game can be purchased via our opponents’ website HERE Dale supporters will be located in Block L and M for covered standing and Block N for uncovered seating Tuesday’s game will be screened live in the the Ratcliffe Bar at the club We will open at 6.45pm and a Happy Hour will run up until kick-off Pints of San Miguel and Manchester Craft are priced at £4 Somersby Cider and JW Lees Original/Smooth/Cask MPA/Stout are £3 Food will be available to purchase courtesy of our partners Scratch Catering You can follow the game by tuning in to our live commentary on Dale Player. Our commentators go on air at 7.35pm on Tuesday. Click HERE for full details All supporters can watch the game live on DAZN, with information on how to sign up HERE Moors are in good form having won three out of their last four and were only been beaten by second-placed York City last time out That run of three consecutive wins steered them clear of any relegation danger having picked up just seven points between the New Year and the end of March Former Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor is the man in charge of Solihull now following Andy Whing’s departure to Barrow in January A complete guide to our hosts’ ground, including directions, parking and layout, can be found HERE We have met Solihull just three times in our history with Moors coming out on top on every occasion A 2-0 defeat on the road last year was followed by separate 2-1 defeats at the Crown Oil Arena Referee | Melissa BurginAssistants | Jason Roberts & Declan FordFourth Official | Joseph Larkin Solihull residents can now recycle plastic bags and wrapping along with their usual recycling at the kerbside Everything that’s ‘soft plastic’ - from plastic bags foil lined coffee bags and biscuit and sweet wrappers food wrapping and fruit and vegetable net bags - can now all be placed in the mixed recycling bin for fortnightly collection Solihull’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure said: “Thanks to the state-of-the-art recycling facility in Coventry we were able to introduce mixed recycling a little over a year ago dispensing with the need to separate out glass bottles and jars To now be at the stage where residents can add plastic wrappings for recycling too is fantastic Two years ahead of the government’s target “Plastic bags and wrapping represent about 20% of all plastic packaging but until now people have only been able to recycle them at supermarket collection points Offering residents an easy way of recycling packaging means we can all recycle easily in a hassle-free way Just make sure your crisp bags and wrappers are empty and clean before recycling just as you would with empty tins and bottles.” For full details please visit the council’s waste and recycling pages here - Rubbish and recycling Solihull residents struggling with energy costs and other household essentials are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for help through the Household Support Fund The Government has provided Solihull Council with £1.4 million for the sixth round of the Household Support Fund Solihull Council is making some of this funding available to support residents with energy costs working in partnership with local food banks energy advice charity Act on Energy and Age UK Solihull Eligible households could receive fuel vouchers of up to £147 and fuel debt relief of up to £500 through Act on Energy payments of up to £147 to help towards their energy costs through Solihull Council while pensioners could receive fuel debt relief of up to £500 and £200-£300 Winter Fuel Card through Age UK Solihull energy efficiency advice to help residents reduce their fuel bills and clothes and blankets to help keep people warm Details of what support is available, eligibility criteria, and how to apply is available here we’re committed to supporting residents and the most vulnerable households who are struggling to access essentials including water and energy and with energy prices rising and nights getting colder over the winter months this latest round of funding will provide vital support “Round five funding between April and September saw us support 279 Solihull households directly with energy costs and an additional 154 supported in costs associated with energy such as boiler repairs A considerable number of requests for support came for food and we provided over 10,000 food parcels or supermarket vouchers to households in crisis during this time “Applications are now open for round six of the Fund and we encourage those who need help to apply through the details provided “We will be working with our partners to process new applications in addition to those made from the previous round relating to energy efficiency upgrades which will help residents to make their homes warmer and reduce their energy bills.” applications must be made through the contact method outlined above Solihull Trading Standards advise residents to contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 As well as energy support, the Fund also helps those most in need with support ranging from the cost of essentials, urgent household items, and access to food. Further detail is available on the Council’s Here2Help page People over state pension age (66 years or older) can also apply for Pension Credit It is worth on average £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including winter fuel payment Information events will be held at The Core midweek between 25 November to 6 December Residents could also save an average of £156 on their annual energy bills and move to a green, renewable electricity tariff through the Big Community Switch. Further detail and how to register before the deadline on 9 December is available on Solihull Council’s Big Community Switch webpage We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Benjamin Summers ignored a formal Notice from the Environment Agency to remove the waste and also operated a waste facility without the necessary environmental permit At Birmingham Magistrates on Friday 21 March 2025 He was fined £1107 and ordered to pay costs of £6545.85 the magistrates imposed a Remediation Order of 4 months to completely clear any outstanding waste from the land The Environment Agency commenced an investigation in February 2023 having been notified by the Local Authority They provided evidence that approximately 35 cubic metres of mixed waste was being stored on the land Environment Agency officers made a total of 5 site visits and requested Summers to clear the waste the waste remained on site and was added to over time a formal Notice was served on Summers to clear the waste by 1 January 2024 Environment Agency officers made a further site visit and discovered that no waste had been removed A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: The Environment Agency will pursue any person or company that fails to uphold the law to protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111 B94 5BJ failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a Notice dated 1st November 2023 to remove controlled waste from the land contrary to sections 59ZB (2) and 59ZB (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 prior to and between 17 February 2023 and 3 May 2024 operated a regulated facility on land at Summerhill Cottage B94 5BJ which was not authorised by an Environmental Permit namely a non- exempt waste operation involving the deposit contrary to Regulations 12 (1)(a) and 38 (1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Key business and industry leaders across the region came together at an esports business and innovation summit to identify future growth opportunities in this fast-growing industry held on Friday 28 March at bp pulse LIVE (The NEC brought local and regional stakeholders together to discuss the economic benefits and opportunities offered by the flourishing esports industry and how partners could work together in the future held as part of the ‘Game on Birmingham’ event series featuring the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2025 Major Birmingham and the inaugural British Esports Cup and heard from local students about their esports experiences Themes emerged around how the skills required to succeed in esports – not only the more obvious digital skills collaboration and communication – can be utilised and help forge career pathways in tech Leader of Solihull Council and Lead Member for Business and the Economy “On the back of two global events in the last 12 months Solihull is fast becoming the place to be for esports “Not only do we have Solihull College and University Centre with its esports course supported by a new state-of-the-art esports lab but we also have the best esports facilities in the country nearby at Warwick University “We have a growing digital and creative business sector here in Solihull and the whole region must harness the resource opportunity and momentum that we have and put the West Midlands on the map as a centre for esports “I was inspired and motivated by our discussions and the energy in the room and I look forward to working with partners to ensure we can make the most of these prospects.” “Game on Birmingham was a resounding success bringing together key senior stakeholders and game-changers who share our vision for the future growth of esports in the West Midlands and across the UK “Alongside the excitement of our inaugural British Esports Cup and the RLCS Major these crucial conversations have laid the groundwork for collaborative initiatives that will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the region in the years to come we are poised to deliver long-term economic and social impact for Solihull and the West Midlands leveraging the power of esports to create new opportunities and elevate the region on the global stage.” “We’re proud to have partnered with local stakeholders to help further position the West Midlands as a leading destination for esports activity." The action-packed week not only boosted the region’s hospitality and visitor economy, but also the employment potential of young people and students who were able to gain  valuable work experience at the prestigious events. Solihull Council has worked in partnership with BLAST, British Esports Federation, NEC Group, West Midlands Growth Company and the University of Warwick. The West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Government supported the organisers of the event with funding from the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund. This is being used to boost trade and tourism sectors and bring vital footfall to local businesses in the region. Privacy PolicyTerms Of UseAccessibilityCompany DetailsContact Us Copyright Southend United FC 2024 Southend United’s seven-game unbeaten run at Roots Hall came to an end with a 1-0 loss at home to Solihull Moors The visitors scored the only goal of the game after 10 minutes with Elliot Thorpe’s cross looping into the far corner The lineup remained unchanged from the draw with Sutton United last weekend although Collin Andeng Ndi and Charley Kendall returned to the squad on the bench.   It was a frustrating start for the Shrimpers who fell behind after only 10 minutes A cross from Thorpe looped goalwards and dropped into the far corner past a rooted Nick Hayes Southend threatened a response with a 20-yard strike from Noor Husin being parried away by Laurie Walker and six minutes later the Afghan bent a shot wide from a similar distance On the stroke of half time both Hayes and Nathan Ralph were called into action to stop Solihull from doubling their lead skipping away from James Morton and Harry Taylor and then shot from 20 yards which Hayes got down to parrying away into the path of Marcel Oakley whose follow-up effort was headed off the line by Ralph Half Time: Southend United 0-1 Solihull Moors  Blues came out to the second half on the front foot with Tom Hopper and Leon Parillon both having attempts go narrowly wide but ultimately failed to test Walker with 15 minutes remaining Walker produced a save from the top drawer to keep the visitors ahead A blocked Parillon shot deflected to Harry Taylor in space on the edge of the box and his sweetly struck effort was tipped over superbly by the Moors ‘keeper The Shrimpers just couldn\'t break a resilient Solihull down and fell to the defeat at home for just the second time in the league since November Full Time: Southend United 0-1 Solihull Moors  We remain ninth in the table and are three points off the play-offs with Gateshead set to play later today We have a double header of games next weekend entertaining Braintree Town on Good Friday before travelling to Ebbsfleet United on Easter Monday Goals Southend United: n/aSolihull Moors: Thorpe 10’  Yellow Cards Southend United: n/aSolihull Moors: Whitmore 68’ Nationwide place maker, Muse Ltd, has submitted a planning application for the regeneration of Mell Square in Solihull town centre The application includes plans for up to 1,600 homes as part of a new mixed-use neighbourhood which includes shops If you’d like view and comment on the planning application for Mell Square, you can do this by visiting our online planning portal, Public Access Solihull Council acquired ownership of Mell Square a thriving shopping hub in the heart of Solihull Town Centre As part of the Council’s Town Centre Masterplan which is a bold blueprint for development opportunities and investments across the borough Mell Square will undergo an exciting redevelopment The Council has partnered with Muse Places Ltd to transform Mell Square into a mixed-use community including The redevelopment will focus on attracting new restaurants bars and retailers to complement the town centre’s existing offer and diversify its night-time economy The Mell Square regeneration project is in the early stages. You can learn more and keep up to date on the next steps at mellsquare-shopping.com Solihull Council is hosting its first Electric Vehicle (EV) Experience Event in Solihull town centre on Saturday 5 April The open event will showcase the growing range of EVs now available and allow residents to explore some of the benefits of EV adoption Visitors will have the opportunity to test drive a range of exciting new electric cars and bikes ask questions and learn from industry experts about the latest advancements in EV technology Exhibitors confirmed for the event include: BYD while many more are set to be announced in the coming weeks Organised in partnership with Let’s Experience Electric the free event will be taking place in the town centre with displays along the High Street and across the Council House car park on Manor Square Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change “Road traffic currently accounts for nearly 40% of the borough’s overall greenhouse gas emissions By accelerating the switch away from fossil fuelled vehicles we have an exciting opportunity to tackle this while also driving improvements in air quality that will benefit the health and economy of Solihull “As an EV driver myself I know the benefits but I also recognise that making the switch can be a daunting “Making your next car an EV still won’t be right for everyone but with a growing range of vehicles now available at different price points and advancements in battery technology they are becoming increasingly accessible I hope this event is chance to showcase what’s out there and an opportunity for people to explore whether it might be right for them “We are delighted to be working alongside Let’s Experience Electric who share our passion to break down the barriers to EV ownership and bring us closer towards a cleaner and more efficient age of road transport “I would greatly encourage anyone who has thought about switching to an EV or just wants to find out more to come down and test drive the future of travel in Solihull.” has been planned to align with the Council's Electric Vehicle Strategy which seeks to facilitate the wider adoption of EVs across the borough and tackle some of the current barriers slowing the transition to cleaner air and more sustainable means of travel Find out more by visiting: Solihull Going Electric | Your Voice Solihull An exciting new autonomous vehicle trial is underway in Solihull Visitors to the NEC can now take advantage of a pioneering self-driving shuttle service which will be in operation during busy events The Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project is a collaborative initiative aimed at better understanding the role self-driving vehicles might one day play within our future transport system linking bp pulse LIVE Arena to the VIP & blue badge parking area was launched last week during an international trade delegation visit organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Zenzic Slovakia and Türkiye were among the first to hop on-board the state-of-the-art vehicles during a demonstration ride The trial service is now open for members of the public visiting upcoming major events at the NEC including the Commercial Vehicle Show The route will be extended in further phases to see the fleet of three electric self-driving shuttles carry passengers along a 7km route linking passengers from Birmingham International rail station to the NEC and Birmingham Business Park by the Summer The pioneering project is being delivered by a consortium led by Solihull Council including both WMG at the University of Warwick and Coventry University Coventry City Council and automated vehicle simulation specialists IPG and dRISK Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Planning “Connected Automated Mobility (CAM) technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we get around in providing learning on CAM deployments in different settings and scenarios.” “Taking place across one of the best-connected destinations in the UK and Europe this new Solihull-based route will join up three key assets within the UK Central Hub area operating in a busy but controlled environment and gaining further real-world operating experience colleagues at TfWM will be conducting a series of passenger surveys to better understand attitudes around this technology and potential barriers I’d encourage anyone who is interested in helping to shape the future of automated transport to check the next development dates and take a ride for themselves.” The accessible fully electric shuttles being used have been built by New Zealand based autonomous vehicle manufacturer Ohmio They use a sophisticated suite of cameras and sensors to understand their surroundings allowing them to interact with live traffic and move around safely the shuttles will have a human operator onboard who will have the ability to take control if required Each journey will also be tracked in real time from TfWM’s control centre on Summer Lane Funding for the multi-million-pound project has been provided by the Department for Transport’s Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) Find out more about the project and view upcoming deployments here: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/about-solihull/scale Built around You.Your expert business property advisers St. Bernards is an established family-run residential care home registered for up to 43 elderly residents a suburban village within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the West Midlands The home has been owned by the same family for 43 years and was brought to market because they felt that they had achieved so much and wanted to slow down to pursue other interests Following a confidential sales process with Paul Reilly at Christie & Co it has been sold to an established multiple-care home operator “With a highly competitive sales process achieving multiple offers and viewings Bernards shows how strong the market is for quality care homes across the West Midlands.” Bernards was sold for an undisclosed price Visit Christie & Co’s Business Search page to find out more about current listings. Keep up-to-date with our latest listings and more… © Christie & Co 2024 | A member of Christie Group Residents in Solihull are to get the chance to question Richard Parker about his policies and priorities at a face-to-face meeting The next Ask the Mayor Anything event is set for Tuesday Places are free but residents are encouraged to book using Eventbrite to guarantee their place said: “I want people across the West Midlands to have the chance to speak to me directly and ask questions I’ve set out my priorities for the region and it’s important for me to listen to the issues that matter most to residents “I’m looking forward to hearing from people in Solihull and making sure their voices help shape the work we do.” Receive email alerts when we post new articles subscribe today and be in the know at all times © West Midlands Combined Authority 2025 A new Family Helpline has launched today (Monday 3 March) to support families in Solihull Families and people working with parents and children in the borough are encouraged to call 0121 788 4327 to access support The phone line will be available between Monday-Thursday 09:00-16:30 A dedicated team of experts will be able to provide advice on key Early Help topics ranging from parenting guidance and child development to school attendance and support in coordinating Early Help assessments and plans Support also involves signposting to local services such as the Solihull Family Hubs ensuring health and emotional wellbeing needs are being met and referring parents to Family Support Workers The service comes as part of Children’s Services’ Early Help support designed to address issues before they escalate further. More information on the offer can be found on the Early Help and family support website. For safeguarding concerns, such as if a child is at risk of being harmed, please call the Solihull Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0121 788 4300. The defender headed home Szhem Whyte-Hall's long throw in the seventh added minute after Tahvon Campbell had earlier scored his first goal since August to level things up for the second time Campbell made his comeback after eight months out through injury in a 10-minute substitute appearance last weekend but made much more of an impact on his return to Damson Park he had been on the pitch just 15 minutes when he took responsibility from the penalty spot to score the equaliser after Noah Wadsworth had brought down Fletcher Holman as there is now have a nine-point gap over 21st-placed Dagenham & Redbridge with two matches remaining but Boston's four-point cushion is not quite enough firstly when Zak Mills scored in the second minute after Greg Sloggett had hit the post from a Bradley Nicholson throw Jamey Osborne volleyed home a brilliant equaliser five minutes later but Connor Teale's first goal since February put Boston ahead again after Nicholson kept alive Wadsworth's free-kick But the hosts turned the game around in a thrilling climax Marriott at 90 minutesSubstitutesNumber 20 Weston Match OfficialsReferee: Lee SwabeyAssistant Referee 1: James TewsonAssistant Referee 2: Ryan HeadFourth Official: Harry WarnerMatch StatsKey An exciting new scheme which could help people save money on energy bills and cut carbon emissions by investing in solar panels has launched in Solihull.   small businesses and community groups together to get high-quality solar panels from qualified installers at a competitive price.  The scheme also offers people optional battery storage and electric vehicle charging points as well as battery storage for those who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate.  People can sign up for free, without obligation, from Monday 31 March until Friday 6 June, by visiting Solihull Council’s Solar Together webpage. https://www.solihull.gov.uk/your-future-solihull/solar-together Those who register will be entered into an auction where pre-vetted solar photovoltaic panel (PV) installers will submit bids for the work They will then be emailed a personal recommendation with information on the winning solar panel installer If they choose to accept their recommendation a technical survey for their home will be arranged before setting an installation date.  who are experts in sustainable energy transition Solihull Council is supporting the scheme to help make the transition to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.  Solihull Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning “Having your own solar panels and battery storage could help you generate your own clean electricity and reduce your carbon footprint – therefore playing an important role in our commitment to tackling climate change.  it’s a perfect time to consider renewable energy and the long-term savings it can provide on bills which is why we are pleased to be working with Solar Together to offer this opportunity to people in Solihull for the first time.  "Solar Together provides a great opportunity as by coming together as a group the enhanced buying power creates more competitive pricing helping residents to potentially get a better deal on installing solar panels.”  Solihull Council has been supported with grant funding from the Midlands Net Zero Hub towards promoting the scheme iChoosr has been collaborating with UK councils since 2015 on its Solar Together scheme aiming to accelerate the energy transition nationwide It has launched 137 group-buying schemes for solar panels since 2012 and over 1.8 million solar panels have been installed for 162,000 households to date.  “With energy prices continuing to fluctuate residents of Solihull are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions and increase their independence from the grid.   “The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted If you are a MCS certified solar PV installer operating in the West Midlands area and would like to find out more about becoming part of this growing initiative, you can register your interest until Friday 4 April 2025 by visiting: https://solartogether.co.uk/info/are-you-an-installer Solihull Council has secured financing from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) to help deliver its ambitious town centre energy network The innovative new network will provide low carbon heating hot water and power (electricity) to a range of town centre buildings helping to reduce fuel bills and future-proof against changes in customer energy needs The project will be the first heat network to receive funding from the NWF via a £9.6m loan provided through its Local Authority function This low-cost long-term financing option will enable the Council and its delivery partners to complete installation of the pipework for the first phase of the project The project aligns with the NFW’s clean energy mandate and supports Government ambitions to increase the use of low carbon heat networks to 20% by 2050 This drive is intended to help decarbonise the UK’s building stock which is currently the second largest contributor to carbon emissions after transport The first phase of the network in Solihull will provide heat and power to public and private sector customers including Council-owned buildings and education campuses It is intended that future phases will then connect other buildings in the town centre and link to planned commercial or residential developments in line with the Council’s Town Centre Masterplan The project is being delivered by Vital Energi who will design Vital Energi is a leading national player in the heat network and low carbon energy sector and has successfully delivered a range of exemplar high-profile networks including Leeds PIPES and Mersey Heat The initial funding required to get this carbon saving scheme off the ground was provided by the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) and West Midlands Combined Authority Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: which will provide buildings in the heart of Solihull with low-carbon will play an essential role in the clean power transition “By helping homes and businesses in Solihull to stay warm in a cheaper and more efficient way this investment will help more people feel the benefits of our drive towards clean power as part of the Plan for Change.”  Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Planning said: decarbonising heat is expensive and often disruptive to occupants A town centre energy network enables existing buildings and new developments to benefit from centrally based low carbon heat generation with minimal disruption and in a cost-effective manner benefitting from economies of scale It also provides opportunities to instal rooftop solar panels that can supply the energy network customers utilising roof space and ultimately protecting the green belt “The real beauty of this scheme is that it can expand through subsequent phases to meet growing demand and link into new buildings and developments we anticipate signing up many more customers who will be able to see the obvious benefit it can provide we undertook detailed financial modelling as part of the business case the favourable loan we have been able to secure from the NWF improves the financial case for the scheme which will recover all of its capital investment costs over its lifetime.” “Heat networks have a key role to play in the nation’s transition to net zero and we’re pleased to support Solihull Council in this important project The NWF’s lower cost of finance will enable the council and Vital Energi to deliver the first phase of the heat network on time and within budget enabling consumers to cost-effectively decarbonise their buildings while providing greater energy price resilience in the future.” Pre Construction Director for Vital Energi “The Solihull Low Carbon Energy Network is making significant progress on site and this funding from NWF is more positive news.  We are all working hard to get the network up and running quickly so that the end users can benefit from low carbon heat which will be a key step in decarbonising their buildings We’ve also been making great strides with our social value commitments on the project ensuring that we are making a difference in the community as well as helping the borough decarbonise.”  April 2025 – GRAHAM has been awarded a new strategic partnership contract by Solihull Council for the delivery of hard facilities management (FM) services under the long-established Property Services and Maintenance Partnership The appointment follows a competitive procurement process and extends the relationship between GRAHAM and Solihull Council The new contract builds on the previous Building Partnership agreement and includes reactive maintenance (RM) and project works exceeding £25,000 with no upper limit per project and the introduction of an expanded scope of services including mechanical and electrical maintenance The contract is structured as a five-year agreement with the option to extend for an additional five years It is delivered under an Open Book Partnering Arrangement with an estimated aspirational annual value of £6 million Contractual arrangements with Tier 1 suppliers are aligned with GRAHAM’s contract and include defined Delivery Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments many of whom have supported the contract since its inception in 2013 will remain in place to ensure continuity and consistency in service delivery Regional Director at GRAHAM Asset Management said: “GRAHAM has been working alongside Solihull Council in a highly successful partnership since 2013 delivering their building fabric maintenance We are thrilled to have secured the full Hard Facilities Management (FM) contract which will enable both GRAHAM and Solihull Council through the Property Services and Maintenance Partnership to deliver exceptional services for the residents of Solihull.” added: “We are pleased to continue our relationship with GRAHAM under this new contract which has been awarded following a rigorous procurement procedure and we look forward to continuing working with them in the future so that residents can benefit from high quality facilities across Solihull and beyond.” the contract grew from approximately £2 million to £12 million driven by the inclusion of additional works delivered on behalf of other public sector clients through the Solihull-led model Acivico (on behalf of Birmingham City Council) The contract has also supported the employment of 24 apprentices over its duration Notable projects delivered to date include: The government has released the annual rough sleeping figures for the country and despite supporting more people who are sleeping rough into safe and secure housing than the previous year, Solihull’s official figure for rough sleeping is 12 people, double last year’s figure of six. The national rough sleeping figures are produced annually as a snapshot by every local authority in the country on a single night in autumn. It is recorded annually in this way in order to monitor rough sleeping patterns year on year and region by region. Alongside this snapshot, Solihull Council tracks patterns and numbers of people sleeping rough to inform and strengthen its rough sleeper outreach work and other support throughout the year. Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Mark Parker, said: “The annual figure for people sleeping rough in Solihull is usually low when compared with national and regional figures. This year’s increase is disappointing as the amount of people that our Rough Sleeper Outreach team has supported has increased. “From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 the Rough Sleeper Outreach team identified and offered support to 69 people who were rough sleeping in the borough. Of these, 39% stopped rough sleeping. Since 1 April 2024, the team has already identified and offered support to 105 people rough sleeping and 43% are making the journey off the streets.  “Without the team’s patient intervention and consistent work with other statutory and voluntary sector agencies it’s clear that the figure would have been much higher. “Streetlink, the national reporting website which residents contact with information about people sleeping rough, passed 303 alerts to the team last year – a rise of over 200% on the previous year. All of these alerts were responded to quickly and efficiently with the utmost care. “The St Basils Solihull Youth Hub drop-in centre at Chelmsley Wood Library, which we relaunched last year, continues to provide accessible early advice and assistance for young people in the borough who think they are going to be homeless. “But it’s not enough. We need residents, voluntary groups and local businesses to continue to work with us. Please report anyone you suspect of sleeping rough to Streetlink. The team can only support our vulnerable residents if they know where to support. The pile of cardboard by the bridge, the pop-up tent in the park. Is it someone homeless in need of help? Please work with us to get people into safe and secure housing. “Lastly, please continue to support our campaign Change into Action Solihull (CiA). Since its launch it has raised nearly £70,000 for local groups to provide additional items or training to help people into safe accommodation.” (If you use the what3words app that is especially helpful.) They will pass the details to our outreach team. Buoyed by their stoppage-time winner against Hartlepool on Saturday the Shots raced into a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes Cameron Hargreaves scored for the third successive game as he produced a fine finish in only the second minute before Aaron Jones volleyed in from a Ryan Jones cross Jones then got on the scoresheet himself eight minutes before half time when he slotted home after running on to Luca Woodhouse's ball over the top Substitute Fletcher Holman pulled a goal back for Solihull who ended the game with 10 men after Conor Wilkinson was sent off as they suffered an eighth loss in a nine-game winless run Yellow Card at 84 minutesSubstituteshome team Yellow Card at 84 minutesSubstitutesNumber 9 Whitmore Match OfficialsReferee: Alan DaleAssistant Referee 1: Jonathon WilksAssistant Referee 2: David PillingFourth Official: Nathan OakesMatch StatsKey Schools across Solihull are rolling out new climate action plans which could help them save carbon money and contribute towards a more sustainable borough.   The Climate Action Plan will outline how each school or college aims to work towards tackling the climate emergency in a way that is unique and manageable for them.   Solihull Council is hosting free online webinars with national campaign group Let’s Go Zero and the Climate Ambassadors scheme to help shape their plans.  This builds on the existing strong climate action between Solihull Council and the borough’s schools which sees students take part in initiatives including the annual Greener Solihull School Awards and the Solihull Schools Climate Conference.  Let’s Go Zero’s Climate Action Advisors have so far worked with 30 schools in Solihull on how they can reduce their carbon emissions and helped seven schools to develop their Climate Action Plans including Oak Cottage Primary School on Greswolde Road.  Oak Cottage Primary School’s plan looks at areas such as procurement and sustainable transport schemes for staff as well as hands-on learning experiences for children such as composting from the school kitchens growing plants and vegetables in the school polytunnel and engaging with families and the wider community through litter picking activities.  sustainability lead at Oak Cottage Primary School who were recent award winners at the Greener Solihull School Awards in November “We are incredibly proud to take this step forward as a school in creating a greener and more sustainable future.   we are not only teaching about sustainability but showing how every individual can make a difference in the fight against climate change.  “We are committed to ensuring that our students are not only aware of the environmental challenges we face but are also equipped with the knowledge and tools to contribute meaningfully to the solution.”  “Tackling climate change is a key priority for Solihull Council and we are proud to have a long history of climate action in the borough which includes working with a thoroughly engaged network of schools.  it’s great to see schools such as Oak Cottage Primary School making further fantastic progress by developing and implementing their climate action plans which offer an exciting opportunity for the school this could be how they make their premises more energy efficient – cutting their carbon emissions and saving money – or it could be how they improve biodiversity in school grounds and embed projects into the curriculum.   “I encourage schools and colleges in Solihull to sign up to our free events for further support and tap into the useful resources available to them on our dedicated education section of Your Future Solihull, our climate change and sustainability website.”  All education settings across the country have been set a target to have a sustainability lead and a Climate Action Plan in place by 2025.  Solihull Council’s Climate Action Plan webinar with Let’s Go Zero takes place between 3.45pm – 4.30pm on Tuesday 25 February while a Climate Ambassadors webinar takes place at the same time on Tuesday 4 March.   A free Climate and Nature Action event with information on building a Climate Action Plan takes place at the University of Birmingham between 10am-3.30pm on Tuesday 8 April.   The events are open to staff from education settings only. Full details of all the events, how to join, and further climate action support for schools is available at www.solihull.gov.uk/your-future-solihull.