Walsall’s Tory Cabinet has decided to sell off more of the council’s “silver wear” in order to raise cash in a desperate attempt to plug a gaping hole of their making in the council’s budget.

The latest piece of land to come under the hammer is land between “The Swan” pub and Short Heath Methodist Church in Coltham Road reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

Ward councillors in Short Heath and Willenhall North recently received a copy of a draft planning brief for the land proposing that it be sold off for a small housing development. Oh, I forgot to mention, the draft planning brief arrived in the post just before election day (6th May) asking for comments by the 17th May!

Liberal Democrat councillors circulated copies of the draft brief to residents who would be affected by such a development, and a quick survey carried out which revealed that the vast majority of residents wanted the land to remain as open space. Liberal Democrat councillors have added their concerns at the proposed sell off and, in support of residents, have demanded talks with officers.