 Santa is back at the Valley! Join us this December for a truly magical experience for all the family. Visit Santa and his elves in his cosy grotto.
Take home a special gift from Santa himself. There are also snow showers, a Christmas trail, crafts and our decorated courtyard. Enjoy festive food and drink, stock up on unique gifts from our stalls and Christmas shop.
 💭Did you know? We have two community hubs in Blackheath and West Bromwich for when you need to speak to someone face-to-face.
ℹ If you need advice on an issue or query, help with accessing council services or you just need to speak to someone, the two hubs are at:
📍 Central Library, High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8DZ: Every Tuesday, 10am to 4.30pm
📍 Blackheath Library, High Street, Blackheath, B65 0EA: Every Wednesday, 10am to 4.30pm
🖥 There's also access to computers and Wi-Fi, and you can get help to sign up for a MySandwell account if you want one.
💚 Please pass on this information to anyone this might help.
An amber cold-health alert has been issued for the West Midlands until 5 December.
 We're expecting some really chilly temperatures over the next few days, so wrap up warm and check in on vulnerable friends and neighbours to make sure they are keeping warm too.
Advice and support is available from Supporting Sandwell and Healthy Sandwell.
Worried about a rough sleeper?
If you know someone who is sleeping rough, please let us know so that we can help them.
It’s really chilly outside and temperatures are looking to remain low over the next few days, so please get in touch with us and share as much detail as you can. Help and support is available.
If you see someone sleeping rough, let us know by filling in our short online reporting form. Or you can contact the Rough Sleepers Team by emailing rough_sleepers@sandwell.gov.uk or by calling 0121 368 1166 (Option 2), out of hours 0121 569 6883.
|
 Shoppers will be able to park for free at Sandwell Council’s town centre car parks on all five Saturdays in December.
Go to our parking webpage for more details and a list of council car parks in Sandwell.
Free parking does not include Sandwell Valley car parks, privately-run car parks and on-street parking bays. Time limits on short stay car parks still apply.
Sunday parking is already free in the council’s town centre car parks.
📆♻ Christmas bin dates ♻📆
Here's all you need to know about bin collections this Christmas 🗑️🎄🎅📆
Bins will be emptied two days later than normal during Christmas week, so if your bin day would have been Monday 25 December (Christmas Day) we'll collect on Wednesday 27 December. Tuesday collections will be Thursday and so on.
Then the following week (beginning Monday 1 January), bins will be collected one day later than usual, so Monday collections will be on Tuesday, Tuesday collections will be on Wednesday and so on.
Everything is back to normal from Monday 8 January.
And don't forget, you can give your bins their own decoration with our festive poster!
Download and print your free festive colouring in poster to display on your bins.
 Have your say on council budget consultation
We are running a budget consultation to get your views on how we can make savings to the council’s budget over the coming years.
The council is facing similar pressures to residents from inflation and rising costs. The cost of living crisis is also creating more demand for some council services. This means that difficult decisions need to be made when the council sets its budget.
We want residents, businesses and voluntary organisations to have their say on the areas where the council can save money.
To have your say on the council's budget consultation, please fill in the survey by 2 January.
 Vote now open on design for new youth buses
 You have until Wednesday 6 December to choose your favourite – the winning design will then be transferred onto the actual buses which will be launched in April 2024.
 This is your chance to have a say on how the buses will look when they are out and about around Sandwell.
 Vote for your favourite design at the Sandwell consultation hub
Coming soon – a new look for MySandwell
MySandwell is getting a new look.
From next week, MySandwell will look a bit different – but it will be just as easy (if not easier) to use.
You’ll be able to see all of your enquiries in one place, and easily search for what you need.
Not got a MySandwell account? It’s a great way to get in touch with the council without having to visit or call us. Sign up to MySandwell now.
 Quilt of Hope unveiled for 16 Days of Action
Women and children of Black Country Women’s Aid's refuge services came together to share their thoughts, experiences and hurt of violence and abuse and the impact that it had on their lives.
The quilt is filled with positive words and imagery and aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse, as well as helping to mark White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence.
Read more about the quilt and the support available for those affected by domestic abuse.
|
