This meeting was about setting the council's tax and housing rent levels, as well as considering whether to approve an exception to planning policy and debating several motions put forward by councillors. It is important to note that the report pack only tells us what was scheduled to be discussed. It does not tell us what was actually discussed, or whether any decisions were actually made.

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025-2026

A report was included on the council's proposed Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2025-2026.

The existing scheme reduces the council tax bills of around 18,400 working-age households. A majority of those households (64%) do not currently have to pay any council tax. A consultation was included which asked residents whether they supported four different proposals for amending the scheme to save money:

1. Introducing a 15% minimum payment for all working-age households, except for those with a dependent child aged 5 or under. This would save the council around £1.5m, and would mean that around 18,400 households would have to start paying some council tax.
2. Capping the maximum level of support to Council Tax Band B levels. This would save the council around £260k, and would affect the council tax bills of around 1,036 households.
3. Removing the carer's allowance disregard of £81.90 per week. This would save the council around £800k, and would affect the council tax bills of around 1,800 households.
4. Removing the disregard of the first £25 of earnings for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit. This would save the council around £250k, and would affect the council tax bills of around 1,400 households.

Based on the responses to this consultation, and a separate budget consultation, it was recommended that only the first two changes to the scheme be considered.

Review of Council Housing Rents and Housing Related Property Charges

The report included a proposal to increase council tenant rents by 2.7% from 7 April 2025, in line with the government's policy.

The report also included proposals to adjust various housing service charges, including:

1. Implementing a weekly service charge of £2.26 for the retained provision of laundry facilities in temporary accommodation, supported housing and extra care facilities.
2. Increasing the weekly heating charge by 20% to recover some of the cost of the shared heating scheme.
3. Increasing the leaseholder annual management fee from £124.57 to £167.13, following a full review of the leasehold management fee.

The report proposed that rent and housing related service charges in subsequent years should be set in line with the Regulator of Social Housing's Rent Standard and Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing.

Proposed departure from the development plan at Merridale Polishing and Plating Company Limited, Unit 2, Friar Street, Wednesbury

The report included a proposal to approve an exception to the council's planning policy for a planning application (ref: DC/24/69314) to subdivide an existing industrial unit to create four new industrial units. The site is on land allocated for housing within the adopted development plan. Planning Committee had already granted conditional approval for the application, subject to the council approving the departure from the development plan.

Motions for Debate

Motion - Fireworks in the Public Realm - by the Leader of the Council

This motion, put forward by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, noted that fireworks can be distressing to people who are elderly, frail or neurodivergent as well as being terrifying for pets, wildlife, and birds . It called on the council to further prohibit firework displays on land in the public realm within the boundaries of the local authority and to encourage the use of quieter or noiseless fireworks .

Motion - Sandwell Council affirming commitments to ending violence against women and girls - by Councillor Pall

This motion, put forward by Councillor Pall, reaffirmed the council's commitment to ending violence against women and girls . It called on councillors to wear a white ribbon¹ and to incorporate domestic abuse training into the Member Development Programme.

Motion - Supporting sustainable local bus services - by Councillor William Gill

This motion, put forward by Councillor William Gill, noted with concern that several scheduled changes to bus routes will take place in January 2025 and called for the £2 bus fare cap to be retained across all West Midlands bus services.

Motion - Towns First for Social Value in Procurement Policy - by Councillor Jeffcoat

This motion, put forward by Councillor Jeffcoat, asked the council to explore opportunities to ensure that social value benefits generated through our procurement are felt across our towns . It noted that the council's procurement policy already considers the social value of a project, as required by law , by considering how the services the council commissions and procures can improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of an area.

Written Questions

The Halo Code

Councillor Kalebi-Nyamongo asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, what actions have taken place following the adoption of the Halo Code² at a previous meeting.

Home Safety

Councillor Kaur asked the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community about the measures in place in Sandwell to educate residents about household risk following a tragic incident involving an ottoman bed.

Storm Bert

Councillor William Gill asked the Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways about the actions the council took to mitigate the effects of Storm Bert.