Draft policy and operational proposals

Walsall is part way through a £1.5billion transformation programme which includes the creation of 4,000 new jobs and the building of more than 1,000 new homes. We continue to work to attract more inward investment and we encourage appropriate development that will help us to achieve our regeneration ambitions. 

Minor, small major and major developments require planning permission for which applicants must pay a fee. Planning fees in England are set nationally by the government. Fees are used to offset the costs of the planning application service. Once a planning application is submitted, we are not legally obliged to accept any amendments to plans or documents. In order to offset the cost of carrying out additional work we are proposing to introduce amendment fees. 
 
If approved applicants would be charged as follows:  

• Minor application (up to 9 dwellings or 0.99 ha or 999sqm floor area): £150 for each amended plan or document (only 1 amendment will be accepted to the original proposal where there would be no trigger for a re-consultation and subject to an agreed extension of time.) 
• Small major application (between 10 and 199 dwellings / 1,000 and 9,999 sqm floor area): £200 for each amended plan or document (up to 3 amendments for minor issues arising) and subject to an agreed extension of time. 
• Major planning applications (200+ dwellings / or 10,000 sqm floor area) would be asked to pay a fee to cover the additional time required to process amendments: 
  • £350 first request
  • £450 second request
  • £600 third request (unless in a planning performance agreement) for minor issues arising and subject to an agreed extension of time. 

Saving 2025/26: £50,000 

The safety of our children crossing the roads is our priority and we want to expand our safe school gate parking scheme to keep more traffic away from the roads outside all Walsall’s schools. 

The recruitment of school crossing patrol wardens is becoming increasingly difficult. Where there are already zebra or pelican crossings in place and where it is safe to do so, we propose to gradually reduce the number of school crossing patrols as wardens leave the Council or retire. School crossing patrols will continue to provide support where they are alternative crossing facilities are not available. 

Saving 2025/26: £190,000

We are keen to retain festive lights, including decorated Christmas trees, that we know our residents enjoy. This proposal means the council would no longer fund festive decorations across the borough. We will, however, work with local businesses and communities to try to secure sponsorship so that festive lights can continue to be displayed.

Saving 2025/26: £30,000

We aim to keep our borough clean, safe and pleasant for our residents and visitors. We are responsible for maintaining council-owned parks and open spaces, grassed areas, trees, play areas and horticultural features. This involves cutting back hedges and shrubs and also grass cutting.

At many sites across the borough we already allow the grass to grow longer. These areas receive one cut per year. Areas that are most used by the public, such as play areas, visibility splays (on highways), paths and edges are cut more often. Reducing the amount of grass cutting is helping us to meet the Government’s biodiversity targets. Longer grass supports birds who feed on seeds and encourage wildflowers to flourish which will attract pollinating insects such as bees. By increasing the amount of longer grass we are able improve habitats for wildlife and can make savings.

Saving 2025/26: £50,000

We are proposing to move the Leather Museum from its current site at Littleton Street West, Walsall, to one of our existing, more centrally located, town centre properties. We plan to showcase our industrial heritage in a more accessible, higher profile location and will look at new and innovative ways to bring the history of Walsall to life.

Saving 2025/26: £190,000