The opening statement said: “You elect us. We work for you. And we need to be held accountable. For years, Labour got away with murder and with your support to elect an opposition we are holding them to account. We’ve achieved a lot together but we know there is is more to do.”
Councillor David Fisher, the leader of Sandwell Conservatives, said in the opening statement of the party’s manifesto: “This is for West Bromwich. This is for Wednesbury. This is for Smethwick. This is for Oldbury. This is for Rowley. This is for Tipton. This is for Sandwell.
“Our communities deserve better. And we have a plan to deliver better for our communities. Six achievable plans for our six proud towns to make Sandwell a better place for all of us.
“We need the support of Sandwell’s good people to support us with our plans by electing more Conservatives to the council this May.”
The manifesto promise to cut the green waste charge – a £35 charge on Sandwell residents to use their green bins estimated to bring the council £1.5 million – is the hottest issue on the doorstep.
It comes as nine out of 10 local authorities in England plan to increase council tax in April, many by the maximum possible amount, taking the average annual bill above £2,000 for the first time. Sandwell council have increased their council tax by 4.99% this financial year.
Meanwhile, Sandwell Conservatives have prioritised accountability as a pledge – by having all their councillors have DBS checks to improve confidence in the council.
It comes after the prime minister had briefly visited the Black Country, with only local media invited. In a short article in the Express & Star newspaper, published in March, Mr Sunak insisted the Conservatives would “fight for every vote”, while conceding it could be a tricky election for a party in power for so long.
The Conservatives have the most to lose nationally, defending four in 10 of all seats up for grabs, and overall control in 83 of the 230 councils being fought. The contests may also be the last real electoral test before next year’s general election.
Source: Birmingham Live
