A Tipton arsonist has admitted setting alight to the contents of a woman's in her living room Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Brandon Smith, 32, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday charged with arson and possessing an offensive weapon in private place Smith "committed arson and damaged by fire the contents of the living room within the property to the value of unknown intending to destroy or damage such property being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged." The maximum sentence for arson is life imprisonment but as no-one was injured in Smith's blaze it is unlikely he will be sent down for more than ten years When police attended the property they found Smith in possession of a black baton which is classed as an offensive weapon pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a private place Smith was remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the offence and the safety of his female victim whose property he set fire to Justice Michael Chambers KC ordered a pre-sentence report to be compiled by the Probation Service before sentencing Smith in July Judge Chambers said: "You have shown the courage to plead guilty and will get credit for when your sentence is passed." Sign up to our free daily Wolverhampton newsletter for the latest news, views and features  https://www.expressandstar.com/newsletters/ There are no changes to bin collections - please put your bins out on the usual day As part of regeneration plans for Tipton town centre a wide range of improvements are being proposed to public areas These include creating greener spaces and new public spaces and walkways You can have your say on plans set to benefit the whole town centre Union Street and the former Tipton Green Branch Canal walkway so come along to one of our drop-in sessions to find out more and have your say: You can also find out more and have your say online via the Consultation Hub. The deadline for comments is 21 March 2025. The image used with this article is an artist impression of how the improvements could look subject to public consultation. The Tipton regeneration project is supported by government funding and will deliver new affordable housing in the town centre as well as improvements to public areas. Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radiobirminghamnewsMan convicted of killing another in a collision in TiptonDarren Whitehouse was hit by a stolen car in 2021 A man has been found guilty of killing another man in a collision in Tipton 28-year-old Carlton Betts drove into Darren Whitehouse in a stolen car on St Marks Road in February 2021 Darren was left lying in the road and died at the scene Carlton was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 15th April 2025 Betts has been remanded into custody until his sentencing at a date to be determined Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This verdict won’t bring Darren back but it will help his family someway to moving forward "They have constantly fought for justice for Darren and have patiently waited for this verdict and I thank them for that patience and belief in my team “Despite knowing what he has put Darren’s family through Betts still tried to avoid facing up to what he did instead putting the family through more pain he can finally face justice for Darren’s death and the pain he has caused Darren’s family and friends.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) This is the face of Carlton Betts who killed popular carer Darren Whitehouse in Tipton by mowing him down in a stolen car four years ago West Midlands Police officers have now released a photograph of Carlton Betts who lost control of a stolen Nissan which mounted the pavement in St Mark's Road, in Tipton and struck the victim and a friend on February 27 Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter Mr Whitehouse was talking with a friend outside Greenlawns flats when the speeding car driven by Betts Despite the best efforts of emergency services Betts dumped the car nearby in Griffiths Street West Midlands Police launched an investigation and Betts was identified as a suspect and arrested He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and released on court bail but he failed to attend court and was absent for the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court last month A warrant was issued for his arrest and on April 24 officers picked him up in the Tipton area from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit "They have constantly fought for justice for Darren and have patiently waited for this verdict and I thank them for that patience and belief in my team After missing several appearances at court Betts was absent on the first day of his trial last month but Judge Simon Ward ruled the proceedings should go ahead in his absence Within days he was caught and reluctantly sat in the dock The jury was shown shocking videos of Betts speeding around Tipton in a stolen Nissan Infiniti before losing control and careering into pedestrian Darren Whitehouse shunting him 30 metres down St Marks Road Footage of Betts driving erratically moments before killing Mr Whitehouse will be released when he is sentenced The jury unanimously found him guilty of causing death by dangerous driving The community of Tipton helped bring Betts to justice raising £20,000 for a reward about the driver of the car after the police investigation stalled for a year The popular 43-year-old was a full time carer for his disabled mother and there were friends and family in the public gallery to see Betts found guilty His death prompted a massive outpouring of grief across the town and sympathy for his disabled mother who relied on her son for full time care could be sentenced to life imprisonment after the increase of the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving under the last Government Betts will be sentenced in May during a hearing which a date has yet to be fixed As part of Sandwell’s continuing green corridor improvements scheme in Tipton a community clean-up was undertaken at The Railer (Upper Church Road end) on Tuesday 3 December Over 80 volunteers undertook a huge community clean up and the volunteers filled over 300 refuse sacks but also discovered discarded plastic Many volunteers had travelled from as far as London A huge thank you to the Dakok Support Group and their members who worked tirelessly throughout the morning working in a positive and professional manner and making a real difference to the local area and community Many residents and dog walkers stopped to thank the group for all the hard work and efforts.  The Dakok Support Group helps and assists the Kurdish community throughout the UK supporting individuals with immigration and refugee support Arranging volunteering opportunities provides positive experiences for the group and develops skills and knowledge for social and economic integration This can also improve local communities by being proactive and enriching local diversity in supporting local activities on a regular basis.  Volunteering helps and assists individuals making new friends provides a sense of connection to the community and shows commitment in giving something back.  A spokesperson from the Dakok Support Group said: “This clean up beautifully highlights the positive impact of this activity and has the potential to inspire others to get involved we’re thrilled to confirm that 80 people participated in this activity—a fantastic turnout that reflects the strong engagement and enthusiasm within our community Working with the community has been such a rewarding experience and we’d love to continue collaborating on meaningful activities like this in the future.” Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community said: “I would like to thank all the volunteers for their hard work in making our borough a more pleasant place to live and visit I would like to thank all those volunteers from the Dakok Support Group who travelled form further afield to take part The next clean up will take place in January and I would encourage everyone to get in touch and come along.” Football legend John Barnes is to make a special appearance at the newly refurbished Gospel Oak pub in Tipton which has been transformed into Marston’s first ‘Grandstand’ sports pub will host a sold-out launch event on Thursday April 24 featuring a Q&A session with the former England footballing star The Gospel Oak reopened its doors on April 19 just in time for the Easter weekend unveiling state-of-the-art technology including large screens and sound systems which has been decorated with local sporting memorabilia and a variety of entertainment options including dart boards Customers can also use the new Order & Pay app to order from their tables so they don't miss a minute of sporting action Firefighter Lee Poole joined general manager Michelle Wood to pour the first pint at the revamped pub having been chosen as the pub's community hero as a result of his tireless work for the fire service and helping the local food bank The Gospel Oak was picked by Marston's as the first pub to receive the Grandstand makeover due to its involvement with local sports teams General manager Michelle Wood said: “We are so excited to be chosen as the first local to re-open under as a Grandstand pub We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they visit us "We reopened just in time for the Easter weekend and loved inviting all our locals in to be the first to see the new and improved Gospel Oak.” The new Grandstand concept has been introduced after industry research revealed 8.5 million consumers have watched sports games at the pub and 86 per cent of sports fans saying they watch games at sports pubs due to a livelier atmosphere and to enjoy the experience with friends and family The Gospel Oak will show all key sporting fixtures with dart boards and pool tables available to provide entertainment after the final whistle plus new competition leagues and free recreational sessions taking place throughout the week The pub will also host weekly live music on Friday and Saturday evenings regular quizzes and monthly rock-and-roll bingo A new range of bar food has been introduced alongside pub classics such as fish and chips with the new ‘Match Day’ menu featuring hand-held bites including Pukka pies All draught beer is available in two-pint cups and locals can enjoy 10 per cent off pre-match pints Pubgoers are invited to share photographs and merchandise for inclusion on the pub's walls which will celebrate local sports stars and teams The dangerous driver who tried to evade justice for years has been found guilty of killing Tipton carer Darren Whitehouse in 2021 Carlton Betts, who went AWOL before his trial, lost control of a stolen car which mounted the pavement and killed Darren Whitehouse on St Mark's Road, Tipton Jurors at Wolverhampton Crown Court were shown shocking footage of the high-powered Nissan Infiniti catapulting Mr Whitehouse, who had been chatting with a friend into the air and shunted 50 metres down the road His friend survived but the popular 43-year-old bore the brunt of the impact and sustained devastating injuries dying at the scene shortly afterwards Tributes have been paid to the Black Country non-league football coach who discovered Steve Bull who was youth-team manager at Tipton Town in the 1980s has died aged 87 after a period of illness At the time he was working as a scout for West Bromwich Albion and he recommended the trio to Albion manager Nobby Stiles who had scored 13 goals in 17 games for Tipton Town had been working in a factory when he signed for the Baggies on October 23 - three days after Burrows signed for the First Division club Stiles had just taken over from Johnny Giles as manager and Featherstone-born full back Thompson also signed the following month and the following year Bull and Thompson were off-loaded to neighbours Wolves - where they spearheaded a stunning revival for the struggling club Dudley-born left back Burrows remained at the Hawthorns until 1988 when he secured a move to high-flying Liverpool who went on to become Wolves' all-time record goalscorer described Mr Day as his 'friend and mentor' and said he had been a huge influence on his career "He was one of what we used to call 'Men with a Jack Russell' who would stand at the side of the pitch but I got to know him well after he recommended me to Nobby Stiles at Albion I think he discovered Thommo and David Burrows to name but two and he didn't do bad with me!" a stone's throw from Tipton Town's ground at what is now Tipton Sports Academy He played for Greets Green FC in the Smethwick League in the early 1960s His daughter Jayne Kiely said her father lived and breathed the game "I don't think people realise how dedicated he was to football," she said She said she later met Stiles while working at Villa Park where the former England legend was a guest and the pair reminisced about her father's work Jurors were shown sickening footage of the moment Sandwell carer Darren Whitehouse was catapulted into the air after a stolen car ploughed into him on the pavement A montage of clips showed a Nissan Infiniti speeding down St Marks Road, Tipton on 2021 whilst being pursued by an unmarked police car Mr Whitehouse was chatting to a friend with a cycle outside Greenlawns flats when the speeding Infiniti allegedly driven by Carlton Betts strayed onto the pavement and ploughed into the pair Two camera angles from a Ring doorbell and a passing bus showed the devastating impact of the crash Mr Whitehouse's family opted to leave the court room before the footage was shown West Midlands Police is appealing for help in locating three people officers want to speak to following a robbery in Tipton Police are looking for three people following an incident where two people were threatened and goods were taken from a store in Upper Church Lane, Tipton The incident took place at around 12.40pm on April 9 A force spokesperson said: "We want to speak to these three following a robbery in Sandwell "Two people were threatened as items were taken from a store in Upper Church Lane Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police via the Live Chat service on the force website A man has appeared before a district judge charged with arson allegations after a woman was rescued from a flat fire in Tipton Firefighters were called to the flat in Queens Road near Tipton Green on Monday night where a woman was found to have suffered the effects of smoke inhalation On Wednesday, Marcus Hunt, 43, of Tipton, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court charged with an offence of arson with intent to endanger life and an offence of making threats to kill in relation to the alleged incident on March 17 officially unveiled ‘The Railer’ and ‘The Cracker’ green spaces in Tipton at a ceremony on Friday 21 March  As part of funding from UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) £460,000 was allocated to a range of green space improvements for ‘The Railer’ and ‘The Cracker’ green spaces The funding was used to tackle anti-social behaviour issues and littering and improve green space design and community engagement improved green space aims to involve the community and other stakeholders to increase their participation in physical activity It will also provide a wide range of possible activities that the community can engage in including: The council is also now supporting residents to develop a Friends Group for the green space and is currently working to improve the play area and add a large piece of equipment on the Wednesbury oak open space made possible thanks to the Government UKSPF funding will act as a catalyst to improve these factors I hope these spaces will serve as hubs for health Sandwell Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community “This is wonderful result for the people of Tipton and beyond Having this improved ‘green corridor’ will give us the ability to work close with local community groups and residents to develop new activities and opportunities.” Beever Road is a housing development in Tipton that included 10 bungalows and 8 apartments There was a mixture of adaptable and wheelchair-accessible units across the site The development was designed by UDBS and was managed on site with UDBS serving as contract administrator delivered the project to support the council’s need for additional social housing the site housed some prefabricated postwar dwellings which were then demolished to make way for allotments the site became an underutilised grassed area that was prone to fly tipping and anti-social behaviour the ground conditions and location of existing constraints proved particularly challenging at Beever Road and contaminated ground that required careful consideration as part of the design development The project was collaboratively developed with a very experienced project team to ensure the provision covered both the needs of residents waiting for housing and those of the local area the project was designed with care for the existing setting and ‘protected’ pedestrian footpaths to allow safe pedestrian movement around the newly formed street with attractive planting for both visual pleasure and habitat creation and was funded through both the HRA budget and grant funding provided by Homes England Four fire crews are in attendance at a fire in Tipton West Midlands Fire Service has advised to 'avoid the area if possible' after a fire broke out on George Henry Road, Tipton with the fire service saying that four crews are in attendance to battle the blaze the fire service said: "We have four crews in attendance at George Henry Road Emergency services have been approached for more information More than 50 firefighters have been battling a fire at a recycling centre in Tipton Posting on its official X account, formerly Twitter, West Midlands Fire Service said six crews were in attendance at a fire on Bloomfield Road, Tipton The fire involves AB Waste Management's site in Tipton and locals have been advised to avoid the area if possible It was later confirmed that a further four teams were sent and between 50 and 60 firefighters have been battling the blaze Traffic in the area has been delayed as a result of the fire Thankfully no casualties have been reported A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "We have six crews in attendance at a fire on Bloomfield Road there are two main jets in use and water relays are being established A further update at 12.21pm said: "This incident is generating a lot of smoke and a lot of our crews are working at this incident - please avoid the area while our crews work as there are already traffic delays in the area." It comes the day after a major blaze at a waste recycling plant in Aldridge A Tipton paedophile whose church leaders convinced him to stop targeting children online to request sexual images has avoided jail was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children between February 2021 and June 2022 Hall would target children online and pretend to be a teenager even uploading an image of a child as his profile picture and quizzed them about sex and requested sexual photos The 32-year-old was flagged to officers from West Midlands Police sexual exploitation team who raided his home and found several devices Due to the difficulty of proving the age of the children Hall chatted to online Hall was not charged with communicating with a child in a sexual way A spurned ex-husband has walked free from jail despite stalking harassing and strangling his former partner which culminated in him repeatedly ramming her Tipton home with his car Coseley man Kevin Timmins left the area after his relationship broke down last year but returned in December to make his ex-wife's life a misery following her and besieging her with phone calls and messages he eventually strangled her during a week of violence in January Timmins broke into her Tipton home and kicked the front door several times He also drove his vehicle at the house and even at her when she left the house In one week in January the police were called five times due to Timmins' menacing behaviour His reign of terror finally ended when he was remanded in custody after failing to surrender to the police failing to surrender to the police and failing to provide a sample of breath whilst in charge of a vehicle A person has died near to Tipton Train Station Police and paramedics rushed to an area close to the railway station shortly after 12.30pm on Tuesday (March 4) to reports of a casualty on the tracks A British Transport Police spokeswoman added: "The incident is currently under investigation with officers working to establish the full circumstances behind the person’s death." West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed crews were called by the force to the railway line near Tipton Train Station at 12.37pm A spokeswoman said: "Two paramedic officers a critical care paramedic and the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team trauma team responded to the scene along with fellow blue light colleagues it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save a pedestrian and they were confirmed deceased on scene." A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman added: "We can confirm we've had crews in attendance near Tipton Railway Station "Crews from Tipton and Dudley (10 firefighters) have been supporting Network Rail and British Transport Police with an incident there The trains were stopped in both directions while emergency services worked to make the area safe." All rail lines between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street have closed due to the incident National Rail alerted passengers to the problem just before 1pm on Tuesday (March 4) with disruption expected to last until 5pm A notice to passengers on the National Rail website reads: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street "Whilst they carry out their work all lines between these stations will be closed." A number of police vehicles and a private ambulance could be spotted at Tipton Train Station on Tuesday afternoon Lisa McKinnley said she was having to get the bus as a result of the cancelled trains The 32-year-old told the Express & Star: "I'm not sure what's gone on It has been closed for a few hours I think The officer said it would be closed for a while yet said: "I was gonna get the train but they said all the services have stopped running now Avanti West Coast customers have been advised that some services could be diverted on alternative lines between Wolverhampton and Birmingham In cases where services are diverted, they will not stop at Sandwell & Dudley Avanti West Coast passengers can use their tickets on one of the two services immediately before their booked train West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway customers can use their tickets on CrossCountry trains on a reasonable route and West Midlands Railway trains between Smethwick Galton Bridge and Birmingham Moor Street / Birmingham Snow Hill These tickets are also being accepted on West Midlands Metro services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham and relevant National Express West Midlands bus services National Rail said rail replacement transport is on standby at Crewe Transport for Wales customers can use their tickets on CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International and on metro services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham People who experience a delay to their journey could be entitled to compensation. More information on this can be found on the National Rail website. It's a fast growing sport which counts David Beckham and Serena Williams amongst its fans and now it has arrived in Sandwell Three new Padel courts were opened at Tipton Sports Academy on Saturday with over 150 people attending the ceremony including leader  of Sandwell Council Kerrie Carmichael and the mayor Councillor Syed Khatun MBE Invented in Mexico in the 1960s, Padel is a cross between tennis and squash but played on smaller courts enclosed with glass walls  - played in doubles The new courts mark at £155,000 investment by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) which manages eight centres for the council and it will see the public get chance to participate in what is said to be the fastest growing participation sport globally Councillor Khatun cut the official opening ribbon and hit the first ball on the new courts and said: " I am always extremely proud of what we achieve and deliver in Sandwell and this is no exception as we open these wonderful new Padel courts at Tipton Sports Academy with our partners at Sandwell Leisure Trust " We hope bringing one of the fastest growing sports in the world to the borough will provide yet another opportunity for our residents to gettogether and enjoy something new whilst staying fit and active." Penny Venables added: “We always strive to provide high-quality leisure facilities that support the health and well-being of our community so we are thrilled to bring the highly exciting and social game of Padel to Sandwell "Inclusive and accessible community facilities like this make a real difference to people’s lives and we look forward to welcoming increasing numbers of players and enthusiasts locally and from across the region." Bookings from the public can be made at https://www.slt-leisure.co.uk/padel/ bravely saved three lives in a Tipton house fire in February and dog from a house fire in a Tipton maisonette has been recognised by West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) for his bravery “I really can’t believe it—I just did what anyone else would do and spend time with people who do this sort of work for a living is an absolute pleasure.” Steve has received several awards and accolades though he says he hasn’t been affected by the attention “I’ve been recognised on my rounds and even by footballers at events I’ve attended since this happened has been getting a few Greggs orders sorted out thanks to some vouchers that were sent my way!” Area Manager Martin Ward-White and Tipton Station Manager were also present for Steve’s presentation Richard Stanton said: “When I first read about Steve’s story But after meeting him and hearing about his heroic actions I can say this is one of the most well-deserved Meritorious Awards I’ve seen given in my career Read the details of Steve’s rescue from our news item in February To provide the best experience on our website we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these cookies and software will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour may adversely affect certain features and functions A 79-year-old man and a dog have died after a fire at a bungalow in Tipton The man's body was found inside the house in Elizabeth Walk after the fire which was reported at 6.20am on Sunday (March 30) The West Midlands Fire Service had earlier said the fire involved the ground floor and upper area of a dormer bungalow. Around 50 firefighters attended in total to get the blaze under control A statement from the fire service on Sunday evening said: "Further to our previous update about the severe house fire in Elizabeth Avenue was located inside the property by firefighters "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the man’s family loved ones and all who have been affected by this terrible news "Investigations continue into how the fire started." An investigation is continuing after a man was found dead near Tipton Railway Station The family of the man, who has not been named, have been informed after a police appeal for help to identify him following the incident which happened near Tipton just after 12.35pm on March 4 Officers and paramedics arrived but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene British Transport Police said: "We are no longer appealing to identify the man sadly found deceased on the tracks near Tipton Railway Station The family is now being supported and the investigation is continuing." People can have their say on plans set to benefit the whole town centre Union Street and the former Tipton Green Branch Canal walkway.  Find out more and have your say online via the Consultation Hub. The deadline for comments is Friday 21 March 2025.  The Tipton regeneration project is supported by government funding and will deliver new affordable housing in the town centre as well as improvements to public areas.  Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure said: “We’re proposing a number of improvements to public spaces in Tipton town centre which will encourage more people to visit and shop in the town and fully complement the new homes planned.  “We thank everyone who attended our in-person consultation sessions in February and encourage anyone who hasn’t had their say yet to look at our proposals and complete the online survey.” S5 EP1: Bella Ramsey on being a child actor dealing with critical fandoms and overcoming emetophobia The Woman That Makes Millionaires: They're Lying About Work Life Balance A blaze at a Tipton factory unit involved an estimated ten tonnes of rubbish Four fire engines rushed to George Henry Road shortly before 5pm on Wednesday (April 16) Residents were advised to avoid the area while fire crews worked at the scene West Midlands Fire Service said the blaze involved an approximate ten tonnes of waste in a factory unit and also affected an outdoor loaded bay A fire service spokesman added: "Firefighters used hose reels to extinguish the blaze assisted by firefighters moved piles of waste to allow hotspots to be extinguished "Everyone was accounted for and there were no injuries "The wonkiest pub in Britain" is a title which this pub has taken on and carried with pride good food and great beer to everyone who ventures through the doors The idea of being a unique pub or somewhere with an odd description or selling point is one which can be hard for a pub to live up to Whether it's due to being the highest pub in the country having a unique place or setting can make or break a pub The Grade II listed building on Princes End High Street which has been part of the community for more than 200 years had looked in jeopardy itself a year ago as it had gone up for auction and had failed to sell who owns a number of other pubs in and around the area said he had bought the pub after liking the look of it and finding that the place had a lot of potential Detectives are urgently appealing for information to identify a man who died following an incident on the railway line near Tipton Police officers were called to reports of a casualty on the tracks near Tipton just after 12.35pm yesterday (4 March) Officers and paramedics arrived but sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene The incident is currently being treated as unexplained but despite extensive enquiries officers have been unable to identify the man and trace his family to inform them of the news The man was wearing an orange high visibility jacket with a hood and trousers with a Pulsar brand logo on them He was wearing size five trainers with a basketball logo on them and a surgical face mask with short dark hair and is believed to have been in his 30s Anyone with information, or anyone who is concerned about a person from the area, or recognises his description is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 291 of March 4 According to Tipton & Coseley Building Society’s financial report this was a record achievement in gross mortgage lending for the second consecutive year The firm noted that it had focused on shared ownership and entered the expat residential market Tipton & Coseley Building Society added that it had “improved” its focus on borrower retention so it engaged earlier with borrowers coming to the end of their product term with “competitive products” and helped to better manage change to payments The mortgage retention rate rose to around 13% in 2024 The report found that there was an increase in arrears with 15 customers at year end in arrears of more than 90 days This was a net increase of seven year-on-year Tipton & Coseley Building Society said its profit before tax came to £2.3m in 2024 The company added that it had recruited 19 new colleagues Tipton & Coseley Building Society said it signed a contract in 2024 with Mast Technologies to implement its mortgage origination platform and that this would offer a more “streamlined and more intuitive mortgage application journey” and simplify its underwriting process The firm said the implementation started in January 2024 and customers would benefit from improvements in the second half of the year The mutual said it was “financially strong and well-positioned to continue the positive progress of recent years” It added that the firm expected it to be “another highly competitive year for mortgages and savings in 2025” “Our strategy reflects this through a continued investment in people processes and technology to ensure the society has a long-term sustainable successful and secure future,” Tipton & Coseley Building Society said Tipton & Coseley Building Society’s chief executive said it was a “very positive set of results offering consistent value to our customers and helping them achieve their most important financial goals” He continued: “Our performance is testament to our clear strategic focus and is particularly impressive given the challenging economic environment and intense competition within the financial services sector “Tighter margins across mortgages and savings coupled with the need for increased investment in our core processes and people have contributed to a reduction in underlying profitability our capital position remains very strong and we are well-placed to continue the positive progress of recent years.” Evetts said the “growth in our mortgage balances reflects our efforts to provide innovative products and competitive borrowing rates” “We have increased our focus on shared ownership and entered the expat residential market An improved approach to borrower retention means more customers are now staying with us after their initial product term has ended “While the high cost of living is still putting pressure on people’s finances, many customers on our variable rate mortgages felt the benefit of long-awaited cuts in bank rate through reductions in their monthly repayments,” he added Evetts said that to fund lending activities it needed to “continually increase savings balances and we offer good value to our customers through a variety of fixed and variable rate savings accounts designed to help them grow their investments” “Our success in 2024 would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our colleagues We all share the same belief that customers must be at the heart of everything we do and work hard to make our society a thriving mutual organisation with its roots firmly embedded in the Black Country,” he said We take reasonable care to correct errors or omissions on our site as soon as we can after we are made aware of them we do not guarantee that all information is accurate and free of errors and omissions at all times and we do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss you may suffer as a result of information on this site not being accurate at all times We do not recommend or accept any responsibility for any third party provider’s products advice or opinions provided to you either directly or via their websites We will not be responsible to you if any product or advice you obtain form a third party is not suitable for you or does not meet your requirements Any links to a third party provider’s website on this site are for your convenience only If you contact a third party provider advertised or mentioned on this website any use by you of the third party provider’s website products or information will be subject to the third party provider’s own terms and conditions If you would like to know more about our privacy policy please follow this link https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/privacy-policy/ Investigators have confirmed a house fire in Tipton which killed a 79-year-old man and his dog started accidentally They have issued a warning to people about not placing items close to halogen heaters as this was found to be the cause of the fire The man's body was found inside the house in Elizabeth Walk after the fire which was reported at 6.20am on Sunday Around 50 firefighters attended in total to get the blaze under control A statement from West Midlands Fire Service said: "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected "Our fire investigators have confirmed that the fire started accidentally involving items placed close to a halogen heater "Please help us prevent such tragedies by taking a moment to read and share these key safety tips when using portable heaters: don’t place heaters where they block escape routes or could be easily knocked over; switch off unplug and let heaters fully cool before moving them only use heaters in rooms they’re designed for or bedrooms and always ensure heaters are not placed near flammable materials An empty pub is set to be converted into flats under new plans The former Old Court House in Lower Church Lane, Tipton would be turned into four flats as part of plans by Imran Afzal A new three-storey building with six flats would also be built to the rear of the former pub’s car park according to the planning application submitted to Sandwell Council had already been converted into a two-bed flat A two-storey extension would also be built behind the pub to make way for some of the new flats A statement included with the application said: “The proposed property is to be a conversion of the existing public house into four two-bedroom flats There are to be six two-bedroom new-built flats at the rear of the site Ten off-street car park spaces and cycle storage are located adjacent to each building “The existing building has been designed to retain the existing street scene features The new rear build has been designed to provide the main aspect of the courtyard area There is a communal entrance lobby to each building there will be communal amenity space together [with a] storage building for secure cycle/mobility scooter storage There are good transport links from the site via Dudley Port station and the number 74 bus is connected to Birmingham and Dudley and operates seven days a week.” Sandwell Council approved plans by Mr Afzal to demolish a builder’s yard and offices in Brick Kiln Street for a new three-storey block with nine flats in May The council had criticised the application for potentially ‘damaging’ protected views of the listed St Martins and St Pauls church from the ‘sensitive’ canalside location near Tipton railway station The plans were later redrawn following the concerns and then approved by the council Gospel Oak School has officially launched an ambitious new community engagement initiative aimed at tackling local deprivation and creating long-term opportunities for young people across the area Unveiled at an event held at the Black Country Living Museum the launch brought together more than 40 local business leaders and the Mayor of Sandwell The event served as a powerful call to action inviting the community to unite behind a shared vision for meaningful Developed in partnership with Intensive Engagement an organisation supporting community engagement plans this pioneering initiative marks the first time the organisation has partnered with a school as the lead agency The project uses Intensive Engagement’s structured eight-step approach to drive sustainable community action and build strong The project’s launch included a thought-provoking video created by Year 12 students sharing their lived experiences of growing up in Tipton and their hopes for the future Several of those students attended the event in person and will now form the foundation of a student leadership body to help guide the next steps of the initiative.  one Year 12 student said: “It meant a lot to stand in front of local leaders and share our perspectives We want to be part of something bigger – something that gives people hope and shows what Tipton could be This project is our chance to do that.”  Gospel Oak School’s leading role in the initiative is in line with the Central Region Trust’s vision of ‘social justice through exceptional schools’.  The school is now moving into the next phases of the project – engaging the wider community identifying local assets and building stakeholder networks sixth form students and community partners.  The six Year 12 students involved in the launch will lead the newly formed student body representing voices from across the school and supporting the development of future student leaders Their work will ensure that students remain central to the project.  Senior Vice Principal at Gospel Oak School She said: “This project is about giving power back to the community – starting with our young people ambition and lived experience are driving this work forward We are proud to be part of a school and Trust that recognises the importance of investing in places like Tipton and creating models of change that are built to last The response from the community so far has been incredible and we’re only just getting started.”  Principal at Gospel Oak School, said: “We are so proud to see this project come to life with staff and students from Gospel Oak School.  This project is about creating real change – where aspirations become opportunities and young people are empowered to help shape their own futures.   and across the Central Region Schools Trust social justice is at the core of what we do and we believe that change happens when we come together around a shared purpose.”  For more information about ‘Shaping a Brighter Future for Tipton’ or to get involved A four-year-old boy has died after being hit by a bus in Sandwell Emergency services were called to High Street, Tipton where a boy was found with serious injuries and nothing could be done to save him The police said its thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time and wIll be doing all it can to support them The driver of the bus remained at the scene and is assisting with enquiries Following the tragedy, West Midlands Police said it needs to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has not already spoken to its officers Anyone with dash cam footage is urged to come forward said: "We're appealing for information after a four-year-old child has tragically died after being hit by a bus in Sandwell at just before 4.55pm yesterday (6 December) "The boy was found with serious injuries and heartbreakingly nothing could be done to save him "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time and we'll be doing all we can to support them "We know how very sad this will be for everyone "The driver of the bus remained at the scene and is assisting with our enquiries "We need to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has not already spoken to our officers "We're particularly after any dash cam footage which could assist our enquiries into exactly what happened "You can contact us via Live Chat on our website Alternatively email investigators direct at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk." West Midlands Fire Service crews are in attendance at a commercial unit in Tipton following a chemical leak Workers have been evacuated from a commercial unit in Tipton following an accidental chemical leak West Midlands Fire Service said that their crews have stopped the leak at Coneygre Industrial Estate Fire fighter crews from Dudley and Tipton are in attendance at the site this morning (Friday December 13) to contain the spillage with on-site equipment An alert was issued by WMFS on social media at around 6.30am We will bring you further updates as we receive them Around 50 firefighters were called to a "severe" house fire in Tipton West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) fire control was alerted to the blaze on Elizabeth Walk at around 6.20am on Sunday (March 30) The fire service said the blaze involved the ground floor and upper area of a dormer bungalow with crews using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets Three fire engines and 15 firefighters were dispatched with the first arriving within five minutes They were joined shortly afterwards by another four fire engines as well as an aerial hydraulic platform and a drone Around 50 fire service personnel attended in total Crews brought the fire under control by around 7am but three remained at the scene as of 10am Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze Police remained at the scene as of 12pm noon on Sunday and put a cordon in place A WMFS spokesperson said: "We would like to thank people who live nearby for their patience and understanding as the emergency services and other agencies continue their work "When we are able to release any further details updates will appear on our incidents page." The statement read: "We were called just before 6.25am this morning following a fire at a house on Elizabeth Walk We are working closely with West Midlands Fire Service and the investigation continues Sign up today to get all the latest news headlines from the West Midlands delivered straight to your inbox with the Express and Star’s free newsletter Preparations are in hand for the launch of a new heritage trail to commemorate the Tipton Slasher William Perry the Tipton Slasher was a famous heavyweight prize fighter in the 1800s His remains lay in St John's churchyard in Dudley and his statue stands in Coronation Gardens On April 25 local history buffs and will be gathering at the church in St John's Road for a special unveiling of his renovated headstone and the launch of the new trail The project is being organised by Tipton Town Library Local History Group in partnership with the church The heritage trail features locations relating to Perry who won multiple bare knuckle fights in his career including the heavyweight championships of 1850 and 1853 Notable sites include his statue sculpted by Bill Haynes which was unveiled in 1993 the Fountain Inn which served as his headquarters in the early pars of his career and the Tipton Railway Station The statue will be number one on the trail This year marks the centenary of the church's  involvement in fundraising for periodic repairs to the Slasher's headstone which was originally installed in 1925 The last time it was repaired was in the 1980s Group chairman Rob Hazel said the latest fundraising effort included a Tipton Slasher calendar a Go Fund Me page which has so far raised £350 and a special Slasher treasure hunt After losing his English champion title in 1857 he became a pub landlord before dying in Bilston in 1880 In 1984 actors Pat Roach and Gordon Corbet stage the bare knuckle bout between the Tipton  Slasher and his rival Tom Sayers for a TV film shot in Netherton The trail will be launched at midday on April 25 Trail leaflets will be available at the event A move to convert two houses next to an industrial estate into residential homes has been approved despite concerns it would pose a higher risk of pollution for vulnerable children The move would see the two four-bed homes in Barnfield Close, Tipton, which were built after getting the thumbs up from Sandwell Council in 2021 converted into a new residential care home for young people The homes would be used by four children aged between eight and 25 plus five staff The number of bedrooms was reduced from four to three – and from six to four people – following discussions with Sandwell Council The number of parking spaces was also reduced to four Cllr Jenny Chidley said she was concerned by fumes from the nearby industrial estate would pose a risk for children under the care of the council “I don’t think it’s a suitable environment because it is right next door to all those lorries and that,” she said However, Cllr Liam Preece said the concerns over pollution were not strong enough to reject the application with Cllr Parbinder Kaur and Cllr Bob Piper agreeing Cllr Preece he was unsure of the objection given that children could already live in the home and Cllr Piper said that concerns should have been raised in 2021 when the original homes were approved Cllr Chidley replied: “The issue is that if people buy the house they are choosing to live there but we are a council body and I would not feel happy having looked after children put in there where their health will obviously be affected The application to build the new homes was approved in 2021 despite concerns from the council’s public health department over the amount of noise coming from the nearby warehouses The council said it had already received complaints from residents in nearby William Barrows Way over the noise from lorries forklifts and vehicle reverse alarms as well as workers dropping tyres on the yard Officers said building new homes was “incompatible” with the surrounding warehouses and would not support the plan The application was nevertheless approved by the council’s planners.