Communication from Sandwell council over the last two years has been almost non existent. Parks friends groups in Sandwell were almost forced to sign up to an agreement and ways of working with the council, and yet the authority broke its own agreement by failing to hold regular quarterly meetings- the last taking place in March 2024.
Following that meeting, in April 2024, we had another with John Satchwell, parks manager and Amy Robinson parks officer, ironically about long standing unresolved issues affecting Sheepwash over some time- most of them only issues the council could address. Despite this, nothing followed- no updates, no minutes of that meeting, and no action. Despite chasers and escalating matters to higher officers, the council silence was deafening. We can only speculate that other friends groups had also received the same ghosting with the council in parks not giving a shit about volunteers anymore.
It is not as though The Friends of Sheepwash do nothing, as some people have falsely commented before. Wildlife rescue is at the forefront of our work, as is reporting incidents of asb and issues affecting the site- (which are seldom fixed it has to be said by SMBC). Multiple representations were made in respect of The Sandwell Local Plan where the examination in public was attended and statements made. We remain committed to stopping house building off Temple Way that would ruin any connectivity with Sheepwash and the canal system and biodiversity in the canal corridor. The folly of “brown field building” on green space areas is a Sandwell council disease. The area is full and cannot accommodate any more housing without destroying wildlife habitat.
At the end of 2024, they said they would be holding a meeting in the new year (2025) but that didn’t happen.
It came as a surprise, but perhaps not that much with elections just a few months away, that we were contacted about attending a friends group “market style event” at West Smethwick park where multiple departments of the council would be on hand to offer advice and pointing to services. I suppose they didn’t specify which new year. LOL
It was interesting to see that not many friends groups attended, and also that the cabinet member for communities and Oldbury Councillor was conspicuous by her absence. Councillors Jeffcoat and Kordala were spotted there however. We made representations, again to officers from Grounds maintenance, environmental protection, events, Housing services, anti-social behaviour and the already named officers. We also raised our concerns about issues along Fred Perry walk and recent activities on the former Wilko site. We also spoke to Litterwatch about planned future collaborations.
The document below requires answering, and we will not allow another silence without going straight to the chief executive if it is not.
On some issues the council has no excuses , none. The matters were raised in the correct way, reminders were sent, walk-abouts held with officers and councillors where actions were promised, gps locations taken, and still nothing.
One matter, the dumping of rubbish over fences into Sheepwash from Morrison/Hudson Road where it is fairly obvious from which property it came from has not been addressed. Regardless of if anyone saw them doing it, Serco should have removed it, it is their job to do that. It was the job of officers to tell them where the location was. It was the job of councillors to follow that up and make sure the work was done. ALL HAVE FAILED.
The main entrance gates- cut through by West Midlands Fore Service on August 2024, and not replaced or repaired by the council in all that time. Multiple emails, meetings where it has been raised, and the statement below from the council which is now just a plain lie.
Pathetic
Received June 2025
“Your reference is FS-Case-722307436
“Thank you for your enquiry regarding Sheepwash Nature Reserve, Tipton.
1. We have now secured funding to carry out repairs on the gate and other infrastructure within the site. These works will be commissioned shortly, with the funding set to be completed by March 26.
2. I apologise for the lack of action on the previously raised issues, but rest assured, we will address this as soon as possible. However, as you may be aware, the Waste Management contract with Serco does not cover our Countryside or Nature Reserve locations. As a result, waste removal in these areas is costly and must be funded through the budget area’s revenue account, where the primary focus remains on addressing Health & Safety concerns first. That said, I strongly encourage reporting fly tipping via the Sandwell Council portal, as all reports are forwarded to the relevant team for action.
Please let us know if you need any further assistance.”