2019 July

“It is disappointing that Walsall MBC have failed to provide an adequate increase in funding to address the breakdown in local social care. The Joint CQC/Ofsted report on 27 March 2019 made it clear that action is required to address “significant areas of weakness in the local area’s practice”. Local services need financial support from the Council to meet the needs of the community.

“The postponement of the Sprint Bus Route to Walsall is a welcome first step in stopping this unnecessary project. The proposed route would have made the roads less safe for cyclists and pedestrians, undermined local businesses and caused significant disruption in the town centre. The Sprint scheme is a gross misuse of public funds which should be spent on improving existing bus services. There is now uncertainty in what investment TFWM will now be making in transport to and from Walsall. I will be meeting with TFWM to seek clarity and to call for tangible improvements.”