Ellie Ames 25 October 2023

Sandwell council should be abolished, MP says

Shaun Bailey MP has called for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to be dismantled.

The Conservative MP for West Bromwich West has set up a petition calling for the Labour-run council to go, and said the areas it serves should be subsumed into neighbouring authorities.

During a levelling up Bill debate, Mr Bailey told the House of Commons: ‘It is time for Sandwell to go, because it has been an embarrassment for the last 50 years.'

Sandwell MBC leader Kerrie Carmichael said: ‘We’re proud that in our recent survey our residents scored us 5% higher than the national benchmark for overall satisfaction levels with the way the council is run.’

Last year, government commissioners launched an intervention at Sandwell after a review found a 'deeply troubling picture of mismanagement'.

This July, commissioners signalled in their third report they were beginning to step back from the council, with a decision due at the end of the year as to whether the intervention can end next March as planned.

#Intervention

Analysis

Better Results, Smarter Spending: AllChild in Wigan

Wigan Council and AllChild are proving that long-term, community-driven programmes can improve outcomes for children while reducing pressure on local services and public spending. LocalGov finds out more.

Opinion

What the new cross-border placement rules in Scotland mean

In this expert analysis, Ellen Bond, MFMac’s Family Law team, outlines what the new Cross-border Placement of Children Regulations 2026 will mean for councils.

Most Popular News

Councils prepare for political turmoil

PAC warns council reforms risk deepening audit crisis

Coventry sets aside £27m to cover potential equal pay claims

Councils’ wood burning campaign prompts stove industry backlash

Croydon LTNs to be scrapped by order of judge

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Company Anouncements

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Vent-Axia Helps Tackle Condensation and Mould this World Ventilation Day

Airtech Calls For Urgent Government Action to Support Radon Awareness Week

Head of Pensions - Projects

£63,966 - £67,575 (FTE)

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has an opportunity for a Head of Pensions - Projects, with experience of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Greenwich, London (Greater)

Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich