Thursday, October 27, 2022
WALSALL EDITION
NEWS Ellie powers way on to list Page 2
MOTORING BMW ‘M’ model is electrifying Page 29
SPORT Corberan is on Baggies’ radar Back page
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£195K COUNCIL CHIEF TO LEAVE
Walsall Council’s chief executive Report by Gurdip Thandi is to step down from the role after a five-year stint, prompting calls to another chief executive at a cost of scrap the role altogether amidst the around £200,000 per year, given that cost of living crisis. services have been cut to the bone, Dr Helen Paterson is to take on with many services outsourced and the chief executive role at Northumgiven that the council is apparentberland County Council when the ly strapped for cash due to energy authority receives a recommendacost rises and that the Civic Centre tion for agreement at a meeting next is almost empty, with so many staff month. She was handed the top job working from home, including staff in Walsall in 2017, following the repaid at the highest level.” tirement of Paul Sheehan. Prior to Councillor Smith added: “I do joining Walsall, she was chief execnot think the taxpayers of Walsall utive at Wrexham County Borough will be happy if on the one hand the Council for six years from 2011. council can afford to pay out this Walsall Council leader Mike Bird sort of money on one job yet on the congratulated Dr Paterson on her other hand impose even further cuts new job and thanked her for her to services and even further rises in work in the borough. But her imcouncil tax bills from April 2023. pending departure has led to ques“I think there tions on whether the posishould be a public tion needs to be filled and discussion on this whether the authority can subject before counsave the £195,000 packcil managers rush to age at a time of increasing find a replacement.” costs and cuts to funding. Councillor Bird Independent councillor said: “The appointPete Smith, who represents ment of senior ofthe Blakenall ward, said: ficers of this council “Could this be an opporis a matter for our tunity for Walsall Council personnel committo save some money? Does tee.” Walsall Council really need Dr Helen Paterson
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Traffic cones left behind A frustrated councillor says there are “more cones than an ice cream shop” on some Walsall roads, which are not being collected. Councillor Paul Bott said roadwork signs and traffic cones had been left long after repairs had been completed. At an economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee, he questioned whether finances were available for the “radical” change needed to improve the streets, adding: “You go on the Black Country Route and there’s more cones than an ice cream shop.” Director of place and environment Dave Brown said the issue would be looked at.
Street booze fears raised
Acorns supporters Zoe Hutchinson and Lorretta Ebbans There was a colourful presence in Walsall Arboretum as charity supporters gathered for the Acorns Glow Walk. Saturday’s event included a 5km or 10km trek around the park, and helped to boost the charity’s
£750,000 Room to Grow Appeal, set up to refurbish its base in Walstead Road. Crowds dressed in glow-inthe-dark accessories and were presented with a T-shirt and a medal. n Glow – Page 3
Fears have been raised over a lack of resources to tackle street drinking problems around Walsall. At a meeting to discuss a street scene strategy, to make the borough “cleaner, greener, safer and stronger”, Councillor Carl Creaney said there was not enough police to tackle the issue and the local authority did not have the same powers. David Elrington, head of community safety and enforcement, said: “We have a group of community safety enforcement officers who are empowered to enforce the public spaces protection order and issue warnings, fixed penalties or prosecution for street drinking.”
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