Walsall’s Streets Cleaner Than Ever Thanks to 5 Years of Community Action

Over the past five years, Walsall has seen a huge improvement in the cleanliness of its streets, with an incredible 67,000 bags of rubbish removed thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, residents, and council workers.

The “Street Champion” initiative, which encourages residents to get involved in cleaning up their local areas, has proven to be a massive success. Since its launch, volunteers have rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside Walsall Council to tackle littering across the borough. 

Thanks to the hard work of these dedicated volunteers, more than 67,000 bags of litter have been collected from the streets, parks, and other public spaces. 

“Walsall Community Litter Watch is a resounding success in so many ways, and I am so thankful to everyone who has been involved since it started in 2019,” said Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council.

“It is great we have 14 active litter-picking groups, and I would encourage anyone who is interested to get involved. It really improves the pride people feel in their local area and is a great way to get out in the fresh air and meet new people.”

The council and volunteers are already planning new initiatives to keep Walsall clean and green, and they are encouraging more people to get involved.

If you’d like to help out or find out more about how you can become a Street Champion, visit the Walsall Council website for details on upcoming clean-up events in your area.

Walsall Council Suggests Reducing School Admissions to Match Lower Birth Rates

Walsall Council is considering reducing the number of school places available in the area to keep up with a drop in the number of children being born.

School sign in English countryside

The council’s proposal aims to make sure there are just enough school spots for local kids, without having too many or too few. With fewer babies born in the area in recent years, they’re looking to adjust the number of places at some schools to better match demand.

A public consultation is now underway and closes on Friday 10 January, 2025, and will take into three primary schools, Salisbury Primary, Rosedale Infant and Pelsall Village school.

If the proposals are passed, changes would be made in September 2026.

“These proposals form part of our statutory duty to ensure that all Walsall children have a school place within the borough, ” said Councillor Pardeep Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills
Walsall Council. 

“It’s recommended that we reduce the numbers at three primary schools, because we’re seeing less children enter Reception.

“From looking at the data, it indicates a surplus of places over the next few years, so we want to match the data accordingly.

“This is happening in many places across the country due to a dip in birth rates during the pandemic.”

If you live in Walsall and want to share your thoughts on the proposal, the council is inviting local parents and residents to provide feedback. Check out the consultation page for more details.