Major investment and strong frontline performance mark year of progress
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A portfolio holder briefing highlighting a year of significant progress, major long-term investment and strong day-to-day frontline performance will be presented at a full council meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026.
A defining achievement within Street Scene portfolio has been the approval of the borough’s new five-year Waste Strategy, setting out a clear framework for managing waste more sustainably, increasing recycling and preparing for national policy changes.
This strategic commitment has been matched by major infrastructure investment at Middlemore Lane, where a new Waste Transfer Station and a modern Household Waste Recycling Centre have opened, creating a more resilient, future-ready waste system for the borough.
The new facilities increase capacity, improve the customer experience and support higher levels of reuse and recycling. The site also includes a reuse shop, helping to divert usable items from disposal while providing legitimate waste routes for local businesses.
“ This has been a year of real progress. We have invested in major infrastructure that will serve Walsall for decades to come, while continuing to deliver reliable frontline services every week.
“Our focus remains on creating cleaner, greener and safer neighbourhoods, and we will continue to modernise services in a way that delivers value for residents and long-term environmental benefits for the borough. “
Alongside this transformation, core services have continued to perform strongly. More than 6.5 million household waste collections were completed with a 99.81% on-time rate.
Community pride has also remained central to the year’s progress. Volunteer litter pickers contributed more than 10,000 hours and removed over 20,000 bags of litter, working alongside council teams to maintain cleaner, greener streets and parks.
Looking ahead, the council will continue modernising services and building on this momentum. The introduction of new grass-mapping technology and data-led grounds maintenance will improve efficiency and service visibility.
Preparations are also underway for the future introduction of weekly food waste collections, ensuring compliance with national legislation while balancing resident views, affordability and operational practicality.
ENDS
