‘Deep clean plan must be start of year-round effort in Sandwell’ – Your Letters and a snow day throwback picture of Bridgnorth kids in 1964

Deep clean is to be welcomed

I would like to express my support for Sandwell Council’s recently announced “green hit squad / deep clean” initiative, which is now being rolled out across the borough. This kind of focused, practical activity is long overdue and very welcome, especially for those of us who regularly volunteer, support Friends Groups, or work alongside community projects that see first-hand the challenges our neighbourhoods face.

The use of seasonal workers to increase capacity is a positive step and demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of our streets, parks and public spaces. If developed further, this new programme could become a valuable annual fixture, sitting naturally alongside the Big Spring Clean, the Hot Spot work, and the regular maintenance that residents expect throughout the year.

However, for the initiative to reach its full potential, it is essential that the council ensures strong community engagement from the outset. Sandwell benefits from an exceptional network of Friends Groups, volunteers and local partners who understand the issues in their areas better than anyone. Their insight would be invaluable in highlighting priority locations and helping to sustain the improvements that the green hit squads deliver.

In addition, long-standing partners such as Litter Watch should be closely involved so that volunteer activity is aligned with the council’s programme, not working in parallel to it.

At the same time, it is important that this new initiative complements — rather than replaces — the work already covered under the council’s contract with Serco. Residents will rightly expect that all contractual duties continue to be fully met and that additional cleansing efforts enhance the baseline service rather than fill gaps that should already be addressed.