Welcome back to my Leader's Update. I’ll be using this blog to share more about who I am, what matters to me, and the work we are doing to make Sandwell a better place for everyone.
A cleaner, safer Sandwell
This week we closed another shop in Cradley Heath High Street, as part of our continued action to tackle shops selling illegal goods.
That means we have now closed six shops in Cradley Heath in July, as a result of an eight-month long investigation led by our Trading Standards team, working closely with West Midlands Police.
We’re serious about tackling illegal activity on our high streets. There are active investigations in other parts of the borough as we look to tackle this problem wherever we find it.
Most businesses across Sandwell make a positive contribution to our communities and local economy. We want to protect legitimate traders and make sure our town centres remain safe, welcoming and vibrant places for everyone.
Read how we've now closed six shops in Cradley Heath over the sale of illegal goods.
We are also serious about tackling fly tipping in Sandwell. Not only does fly tipping create a stain on our environment it also costs hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to clear it.
Last week a Rowley Regis resident was prosecuted after failing to ensure her household waste was passed to an authorised waste carrier, following a fly‑tipping incident in West Bromwich.
Environmental Enforcement investigated the dumped waste and found that the resident had paid an individual contacted online to remove waste from her property but had not checked whether they were a registered waste carrier and did not obtain a receipt. Instead of disposing of it properly, they dumped the waste in West Bromwich.
The resident has now been ordered to pay £563.60, and this serves as a reminder to make sure that you check that anyone you pay to take waste away has a waste carrier license.
Get guidance on how to dispose of waste correctly.
A record-breaking 17 Green Flags
The minority who dump waste in Sandwell are letting everyone else down, and I know our parks and green spaces are something everyone in our borough can be proud of.
This month we got confirmation we have achieved a record-breaking 17 Green Flag Awards for our parks and green spaces, adding Britannia Park in Rowley Regis to the list for the very first time. It is our best-ever result and reflects the commitment we have made to maintaining and improving the places that mean so much to our communities.
Read how we've retained 16 existing Green Flags and added a new one to the list.
Growing up in Sandwell and living here all my life, I know how important our parks and green spaces are to local people.
They are where children learn to ride bikes, where people walk their dogs, where friends and families spend time together, and where residents can exercise, relax and enjoy nature. They are often the beating heart of our communities.
When residents talk to me about what makes Sandwell a great place to live, our parks frequently come up in the conversation. That's why it is so important that we continue to invest in and care for these spaces.
The Green Flag Award is recognised nationally as the benchmark for well-managed parks and green spaces. Achieving 17 awards across the borough is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates the high standards being delivered in Sandwell.
I am particularly pleased that Britannia Park has achieved Green Flag status following its recent transformation, and I was proud to be there to see the new Green Flag raised. Significant investment has improved sports facilities, accessibility, play equipment and outdoor fitness opportunities, creating a space that local residents can enjoy for years to come.
Achievements like this don't happen by accident.
I would like to thank all the council staff and to the hard work of community organisations, Friends groups and volunteers involved in managing and maintaining these sites. Their hard work is often unseen, but residents benefit from it every single day.
These 17 Green Flag Awards are something the whole borough can celebrate. They demonstrate what we can achieve when we work together and take pride in the communities we call home.
In future updates, I'll continue sharing more about the work taking place across Sandwell and the people who are helping to make our borough an even better place to live, work and visit.