Housing
The service is also relying on an outdated housing IT system that is no longer supported by its original developer. A replacement system is expected to take around two years to implement, while residents continue to experience delays and service issues.
Residents deserve safe homes, reliable repairs and a housing service that works. That is why the election on 7 May matters.
Housing Services Rated C3 — Serious Concerns
Sandwell Council's housing service has been rated C3 by the Regulator of Social Housing, meaning serious concerns were identified around repairs, safety compliance and oversight.The service is also relying on an outdated housing IT system that is no longer supported by its original developer. A replacement system is expected to take around two years to implement, while residents continue to experience delays and service issues.
Residents deserve safe homes, reliable repairs and a housing service that works. That is why the election on 7 May matters.
What's going wrong
- National regulator gives C3 rating for serious failings
- Repairs, safety compliance and oversight all flagged
- Outdated housing IT system no longer supported
- Replacement system expected to take two years
- Residents continue to experience delays and service issues
What we will do
- Push for stronger oversight and better housing services
- Ensure the replacement IT system is delivered on time
- Hold the council to account on repair timelines
- Make sure safety compliance is properly monitored
Cost of Living
When asked how many households are struggling in Princes End, the council confirmed it does not collect this data at ward level.
Financial support must reach struggling families, not sit unused.
Cost of Living Support Not Reaching Residents
Sandwell Council set aside £462,000 from the Household Support Fund to help residents struggling with council tax. However, only 340 households received support, with around £74,000 distributed.When asked how many households are struggling in Princes End, the council confirmed it does not collect this data at ward level.
Financial support must reach struggling families, not sit unused.
What's going wrong
- £462,000 allocated for council tax hardship support
- Only £74,000 actually awarded to households
- Only 340 households received support
- Council does not collect ward-level data on struggling households
What we will do
- Push for better targeting of support
- Ensure help reaches the residents who need it most
- Call for ward-level data collection on hardship
- Challenge the council on unused funds
Environment
Sandwell Council has announced new investment including 10 additional enforcement officers, 40 new CCTV cameras and 34 pop-up recycling centres to help tackle the problem.
Anyone who hands waste to an unlicensed removal firm can often be traced and held responsible if that waste is fly-tipped. Offenders face fines of up to £600, even if they did not carry out the fly-tipping themselves.
Fly-Tipping in Our Community
Fly-tipping continues to damage neighbourhoods and cost taxpayers money.Sandwell Council has announced new investment including 10 additional enforcement officers, 40 new CCTV cameras and 34 pop-up recycling centres to help tackle the problem.
Anyone who hands waste to an unlicensed removal firm can often be traced and held responsible if that waste is fly-tipped. Offenders face fines of up to £600, even if they did not carry out the fly-tipping themselves.
What's going wrong
- Fly-tipping damages neighbourhoods and costs taxpayers money
- Unlicensed waste removal firms contribute to the problem
- Offenders face fines of up to £600
- Hall Lane green space affected
What we will do
- Ensure new enforcement officers are properly deployed in Princes End
- Push for CCTV cameras in local hotspot areas
- Make sure pop-up recycling centres are accessible to residents
- Continue pushing for real difference on the ground
Finance
Recent council projects have raised concerns about cost and delays, including the Oracle Fusion IT system, which was introduced to manage finance, HR and procurement across the council. The programme's cost increased from around £9.7 million to approximately £18.7 million.
With the council also needing to commission a new housing management system, strong oversight of procurement, implementation and value for money will be essential.
At a time when residents face rising bills, every pound of taxpayers' money must be spent carefully and transparently.
Value for Money at Sandwell Council
Residents deserve transparency and responsible spending of public money.Recent council projects have raised concerns about cost and delays, including the Oracle Fusion IT system, which was introduced to manage finance, HR and procurement across the council. The programme's cost increased from around £9.7 million to approximately £18.7 million.
With the council also needing to commission a new housing management system, strong oversight of procurement, implementation and value for money will be essential.
At a time when residents face rising bills, every pound of taxpayers' money must be spent carefully and transparently.
What's going wrong
- Oracle Fusion IT system cost increased from £9.7m to £18.7m
- New housing management system also needs commissioning
- Residents face rising bills
- Procurement oversight essential
What we will do
- Demand transparency on all major spending decisions
- Push for strong oversight of IT procurement
- Ensure every pound of taxpayers' money is spent carefully
- Challenge wasteful contracts and cost overruns
Economy
However, residents have raised concerns that the process for applying for street trading licences is complicated and slow.
Reducing Barriers for Small Businesses
Local traders, small businesses and people running businesses from home are an important part of our local economy.However, residents have raised concerns that the process for applying for street trading licences is complicated and slow.
What's going wrong
- Street trading licence process is complicated and slow
- Small businesses face unnecessary barriers
- Home-based businesses are an important part of the local economy
What we will do
- Support calls to review the licensing system
- Make the process simpler and more accessible
- Champion local traders and small businesses
- Reduce unnecessary bureaucratic barriers
Services
Serco's £650 million waste and street cleaning contract runs until 2035. Sixteen years into the contract, targets have been eased and services reduced while residents continue to raise concerns.
Contracts that fail to deliver should not simply be renewed. With 9 years to go, it is time to start planning for a better deal for residents.
Clean Streets for Princes End
Serco is supposed to clean every street every five weeks. We will keep pushing the council to ensure contractors deliver the service residents are paying for.Serco's £650 million waste and street cleaning contract runs until 2035. Sixteen years into the contract, targets have been eased and services reduced while residents continue to raise concerns.
Contracts that fail to deliver should not simply be renewed. With 9 years to go, it is time to start planning for a better deal for residents.
What's going wrong
- Serco supposed to clean every street every five weeks
- £650 million waste contract runs until 2035
- Targets eased and services reduced over 16 years
- Residents continue to raise concerns about service quality
What we will do
- Push the council to ensure Serco delivers contracted service levels
- Challenge reduced targets and service reductions
- Start planning now for a better deal when the contract ends
- Ensure residents get the service their council tax pays for
Actions, not promises. Standing up for Princes End.
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