‘New era of local delivery’ in Sutton Coldfield promised by town council – but at a cost

Nick Horner
·5-min read

The blueprint for what one of the UK’s biggest town councils plans to do in the next four years has been set out with the public asked to provide their views. The Draft Strategic Plan of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council sets out its priorities including a proposal for a parks takeover and a new Trust arrangement to manage the prized Sutton Park.

There will be a focus on town centre regeneration through a ‘community leadership role’. And there is ambition over the next three years to step up to run services set to be cut by the city council.

In addition the town authority, which has been in existence for eight years, also proposes using its cash to support local arts, heritage and culture, take over responsibility for green spaces and play areas and transfer more assets from Birmingham City Council and with that responsibility for them.

READ MORE: Authority to hike council tax by more than 60 per cent 'to meet future aspirations'

In order to take on more services and facilities, the town council’s leadership is proposing to raise its precept for the first time, which will see the tax precept rise by more than 60 per cent over three years for a Band D householder. The town council precept would hit £79.96 in 27/28, up from a current £49.96.

The town council says it wants to use ‘devolution powers to transfer control of 14 valued local parks and green spaces’. While it has repeated its desire for a new Trust to be set up to wrest control of Sutton Park from Birmingham City Council and unlock funding for the popular venue.

It is also proposing using precept cash to plug gaps set to be left by the city council’s cutbacks including proposed closures of libraries and community centres in the town. The survey also covers topics such as sustainability, heritage and improvements to the town centre, mentions moving its office into the town centre, expanding the town ranger service and playing a lead role in preparing for the town’s 500th anniversary in 2028.

But before committing to the strategic plan, the town council is asking the public for their views on whether they want the authority to take on more – and charge them more. Residents are now being asked to comment on what they think the town council’s priorities should be.

Launching the consultation, Coun Simon Ward (Four Oaks, Conservatives), leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, spoke of a ‘new era of local delivery’. He said: “The Draft Strategic Plan is an important document that sets the ambitions for the town council over the next four years, and its vital that we hear residents’ opinions on what they think should be the town’s priorities going forward.

“Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council is now firmly established, and we are about to enter a new era of local delivery for residents, bringing more control of valued assets and services into the Royal Town. For example, we have identified more than a dozen valued green spaces and parks across Sutton which we would like to transfer to local control, and we want to work with others to make the dream of a trust that oversees Sutton Park a reality.

“We also understand concerns about local services being impacted by reduced budgets at Birmingham City Council, so we are also looking at how the town council can step in to help support locally-delivered services. And the next four years will be crucial to the rebirth of the town centre, and the town council will work with the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership to drive forward delivery of the change that everyone wants to see.

“In order to help fund this new era of local delivery, the Draft Strategic Plan also includes the first increase in the annual precept since the council was created – an increase that will help us take control of our own future, protect the unique character of the Royal Town and support threatened services. I would urge all Sutton Coldfield residents to engage with the public consultation into the Draft Strategic Plan – this is your opportunity to have a say on the future of Sutton Coldfield.”

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Opposition councillor Rob Pocock (Lab, Vesey) said the town council’s leadership must first adopt a ‘more collaborative deal’ with the city council and a ‘complete shift in their negotiations’ before any of these ambitions can be achieved. He said: “Unless that happens this is pie in the sky.”

Members of the public can hear more about the plan and have their say at face-to-face meetings across Sutton Coldfield this month – all from 6.30pm to 7.30pm:

Date

Wards

Location

Wednesday 4 th September

Walmley and Minworth

Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club

Thursday 5 th September

Reddicap

Falcon Lodge Methodist Church

Monday 9 th September

Vesey

Wylde Green United Reformed Church

Monday 16 th September

Wylde Green

Wylde Green Community Hall

Thursday 26 th September

Trinity and Roughley

Trinity Centre

*The first meeting at Four Oaks Methodist Church took place on Monday (September 2).

The council has sent a newsletter, including a questionnaire/survey with a summary of the key points of the draft plan, to every household. The full document can be seen online at: www.suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk.

The consultation period runs until Friday, September 27. The surveys can be either filled in and posted back to the council offices, at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, 62 Anchorage Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2PG, or returned through 16 drop boxes situated in local churches, community centres and libraries. Or filled in online at the council’s website.

Drop off points for completed surveys:

Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church

Banners Gate Community Hall

Wylde Green United Reformed Church

St John’s Church

St Chad’s Church

Four Oaks Baptist Church (Olive Branch)

Boldmere Library

Walmley Library

Mere Green Library

Sutton Coldfield Library

Harvest Fields Centre Ark Community Church

Our Place Support

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Second Thoughts (Falcon Lodge)

Trinity Centre

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