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Leader’s first report focuses on pride, value for money and local priorities
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Councillor Elaine Williams, Leader of Walsall Council, will set out her administration’s priorities for the borough in her first Leader’s Portfolio Holder Report to Full Council on Monday 27 July 2026.
The report outlines a clear focus on delivering visible improvements for residents, providing value for money and creating economic confidence, celebrating Walsall’s heritage, strengthening civic pride and listening to local communities.
The Leader’s Portfolio Holder report is available to view online.
“ Walsall is a borough with a proud history, strong communities and huge potential.
"My priority is to listen to residents, protect public money and focus on the things that matter most to local people - cleaner streets, safer communities, strong local identity, better value for money and visible improvements across the borough.
"We want to build on Walsall’s strengths and work with residents, partners and businesses to deliver lasting change. “
The Leader’s report reinforces the council’s commitment to improving efficiency, reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring resources are focused where they can make the biggest difference for residents.
Priorities include reviewing the future of Walsall Leather Museum, exploring opportunities to open a second museum at 1-3 The Bridge to bring more of the borough’s collections into public view, developing a stronger cultural offer and a cultural trail, supporting cleaner and greener neighbourhoods, and continuing work with partners to make communities feel safer.
The report also recognises the importance of events to local communities such as the Remembrance Sunday parades. It highlights recent progress including the success of Walsall’s first Armed Forces Day celebration event at the end of June, which attracted more than 6,500 attendees, and the council being awarded the prestigious Gold Award under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Careful financial planning and value for money will be central to the council’s approach, with a focus on keeping council tax rises as low as possible while working to deliver a balanced budget. The council will review costs, contracts, delivery models, and outcomes to ensure public money is used properly and effectively, while advocating for Walsall to attract investment, support regeneration and create homes, jobs and skills opportunities for residents.
Civic pride and local identity will also be a key area of focus, with the council continuing to recognise the borough’s local, regional and national identity. The Union Flag, St George’s Flag and the Black Country Flag will be flown outside the Council Depot as visible symbols of civic identity, with flags displayed respectfully and the national anthem played at Council meetings.
The report also highlights the launch of the council’s ‘Proud of Our Borough’ initiative at the start of July, which encourages residents, community groups and partners to take collective action to improve local areas and help make Walsall cleaner, greener and more welcoming.
Alongside this, the council will continue to maintain a clear focus on enforcement activity to tackle issues such as graffiti, littering and fly-tipping, and will explore extending garden waste collections into December and review opportunities to increase brown bin provision, subject to affordability and deliverability.
The Leader also confirmed plans to begin a borough-wide ward engagement programme from August, starting in Willenhall, to meet residents, councillors, community groups and partners and hear directly about local priorities.
“ Being a visible and listening leader will be central to my approach. Residents want practical action, clear priorities and honest conversations about what can be achieved. We will be firm about what needs to change and determined to deliver better outcomes for Walsall. This is about restoring pride, delivering change, and making a real difference in the places and communities we all care about. “
The Leader’s Portfolio Holder Report will be presented to Full Council on Monday 27 July 2026. The meeting will be available to view online at http://www.walsallcouncilwebcasts.com/
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