Willenhall Partnership’s Gating Working Group met last night (Wednesday 24th September 2008). It’s remit was to scrutinise the council’s Draft Public Rights of Way policy and how it might help to resolve some long standing problems around the many walkways which wind their way through Willenhall.

The working group was set up at the Partnership’s meeting in August when groups of residents from the Brackendale area in Short Heath and The Manor in Willenhall South asked for help to resolve on-going criminal activity and anti social behaviour they have suffered for some years now.

The work group was updated on the Draft Public Rights of Way policy and scrutinised the way in which the council, the police and the Safer Walsall Partnership dealt with complaints.

An interim progress report will update next week’s Partnership Meeting on its findings so far. “It must be stressed that this is just the first in a series of meetings that the working group will have.” said Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires who chaired the meeting. ” Clearly the Partnership is looking for a solution to the long standing problems being experienced by residents and businesses in parts of Willenhall,” continued Ian. “But the working group will not be waving a magic wand at next Tuesday’s meeting. This is the first step in the road to resolve this long standing problem.”

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