Sandwell Council unveils new 10-year plan to improve borough

Sandwell Council’s new corporate plan sets out six major outcomes to focus on to make the borough a great place to live, work and do business.

The Big Plans for a Great Place for the People on Sandwell will be discussed at a meeting next week.

Sandwell Council leader Yvonne Davies said the plan will create opportunities to put the borough “on the map” and made people proud of their local area.

It will focus on outcomes including the best start in life for children and young people; creating strong, resilient communities; people living well and ageing well; a connected and accessible Sandwell; quality homes in thriving neighbourhoods; and a strong and inclusive economy.

David Stevens, chief executive of Sandwell Council, said: “Big Plans for a Great Place for the People of Sandwell sets out our ambitious plan to deliver Vision 2030.

“We want to create a healthier, more successful future for the people of Sandwell – working as one council and one team with our residents, businesses and partners.

“Over the past two years the council has worked with local people and our partners to create a shared vision of our borough in 2030. It’s now time to begin the next phase of our journey. Sandwell will be a fairer, more optimistic and resilient place in future if we all work together.

“The plan isn’t an exhaustive list of everything we do as a council, but it does set out very clearly the things we want to achieve, which will guide us in making sure our people and communities thrive and prosper.”

Councillor Davies added: “We want to create opportunities to put Sandwell on the map, creating a borough where people are proud of their local area, have better paid jobs and opportunities, supported by increased skills for our workforce and more opportunities for young people.

“Big Plans for a Great Place for the People of Sandwell details how we are going to deliver and capitalise on opportunities over the next five years. These include the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre, new housing developments and using new infrastructure such as the West Midlands Metro extension and the Midland Metropolitan Hospital as catalysts for wider regeneration.

“We are committed to co-designing solutions together. We promise to listen, learn and respond to our communities and engage them in our decision-making.

“We’re also developing an exciting new Inclusive Economy Deal which uses collaborative ways of working with residents, businesses, the voluntary and community sectors to commit to our shared priorities.

“Our communities are at the heart of what we do as a council, and I hope this corporate plan will show people how we are working over the next 10 years to improve life for everyone.”

The plan will be discussed by Sandwell Council’s cabinet on Wednesday.