New council leader pledges £80k spend
The new leader of Sandwell Council today promised an investment of £80,000 to clean up the borough as he formally took over the running of the authority.
Councillor Darren Cooper, who replaces Bill Thomas, took over at last night's full council meeting. He promised the investment and told the meeting that people over 65 would no longer be charged for bulky waste collections.
This will cost £50,000 and the removal of wasp nests, and other pest control services will become free – costing the council £30,000. Both are expected to take effect from April.
A borough-wide blitz on graffiti will also take place from Monday and following the clean up Councillor Cooper promised that all reported graffiti would be cleaned up within 24 hours.
He said: "We are in many ways a poor borough, rich in good people but low in income. I am determined to clean up this borough. It is what residents demand, a clean and tidy environment in which to live, work and play."
Councillor Cooper, who represents the Soho and Victoria ward in Smethwick, also underlined the council's pledge to build new swimming pools in West Bromwich and Tipton. The £21 million investment was last night welcomed by councillors.
And he reinforced his promise for a "root and branch" review of the council's senior management, investigating high costs and excessive pay packets within the authority.
Mr Cooper, aged 45, who was born and bred in Smethwick, takes the reins from 69-year-old Bill Thomas, who stepped down after pleading guilty to theft last month.
He was nominated for the role by Councillor Steve Eling, who had been standing in as leader since Bill Thomas's arrest and subsequent resignation.
Councillor Derek Rowley, cabinet member for safer communities, will take over from Councillor Cooper.
