We will develop a thriving local economy where businesses grow and prosper, money is spent in the local economy and there are jobs and careers for Sandwell people

In order to take full advantage of opportunities, our children need the best start in life. We recognise that a good education starts before school age.

We will register all children automatically as a member of the library service to enable them to take advantage of our community libraries, and we will give every pre-school child in Sandwell an age appropriate free book each year on World Book Day.

Over the next 3-5 years we will invest at least £57 million in skills and education to prepare our young people for work. There will be investment in new schools and further education colleges, and we will create over 2,000 new apprenticeships per year across all employers.

We will invest in new green employment opportunities, such as the retro-fitting of energy efficient heat networks into council homes.

Sandwell, like many places, is desperately short of housing, but we recognise much of our land is either already built upon, or is brownfield former industrial land. We will work with the Mayor and the Combined Authority to obtain funding to reclaim this land for building.

We also plan to build nearly 4,000 new homes on a small number of strategic sites. We also need major investment in public transport – connecting our residents to job opportunities, our town centres and services.

The new Midland Metropolitan Hospital offers real regeneration opportunities in the area, and the worldclass Sandwell Aquatic Centre, built for the Commonwealth Games, will leave a legacy facility for the whole borough.

Utilising the Town’s Fund and other investment opportunities, we are continuing to create new walkways and cycle paths, particularly in areas around our canal networks. Eleven of these schemes will be completed over the next 18 months.