Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Walsall's target of becoming a carbon-neutral town has been pushed back 20 years, to 2050.

The Labour group on Walsall Council had asked for a "climate emergency" target of getting there by 2030, but the ruling Conservative group managed to get that amended.

BBC

The Conservative council leader, Mike Bird, said he wanted to ensure there was an achievable plan in place.

Earlier this year, the West Midlands Combined Authority called for the region to have net-zero emissions "no later than 2041".

The UK as a whole is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050.

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Party leaders in Walsall have agreed to leave personal attacks out of debates in the council chamber as they entered into the new political year.

Walsall Council

Conservative chief Mike Bird was confirmed as the new leader of Walsall Council at a meeting on Wednesday, following his party’s successful election campaign which saw them secure outright control of the authority.

Councillor Bird said the campaign in the run-up to the ballot saw personal attacks and called for an end to such abuse.

His Labour counterpart Councillor Aftab Nawaz, who was selected of leader of his party earlier this month, said they would be a “responsible and robust’ opposition and won’t resort to personal abuse.

Children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) 'continue to be let down' by Walsall Council, a report from Ofsted has said.

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Some parents told inspectors they had had to give up work to 'fight' on their children's behalf.

The main findings from a joint inspection of services by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission earlier this year included SEND school exclusions are far too high and that poor communication is taking an "emotional toll" on families.

Ofsted has ordered the council, along with the clinical commissioning group (CCG), to draw up a written statement of what they'll do to tackle "significant areas of weakness".

The authority and the CCG have apologised for any poor service and say they recognise improvements need to be made.

Walsall Labour group has appointed a new leader as the party looks to rebuild following the local council elections.

BBC

Conservatives took a four-seat majority, in last week's local elecitons, for the first time since 2011.

Councillor Aftab Nawaz, who has represented the St Matthew’s ward since 2014, was unanimously voted in as the new leader following a meeting on Friday.

He replaces Sean Coughlan, who stepped down as leader last month.

The group also voted in Councillor Khizar Hussain – who has served the Pleck ward since 2011 – as their deputy leader, who takes over from Councillor Lee Jeavons.

Here's how the Express & Star is reporting the local election results so far:

• Tories make gains as vote collapse fails to materialise
• Major parties suffer in local elections as voters vent Brexit frustration
• Wolverhampton local election results: Labour in control but Tories gain one seat