How We Spend Your Money

Sutton Coldfield Town CentreTown Centre Regeneration

In August 2020, the Town Council endorsed the Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Masterplan, following the presentation of the document by the Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Regeneration Partnership.

The Masterplan, details of which can be found here, was part-funded by the Town Council and sets out an ambitious vision for the future of the town centre as a great place to live, work, visit and invest in. Delivering the Masterplan will require coordinated work across various public and private partners, and the Town Council will continue to be part of this in its role on the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership.

The Town Council also part-funded What’s On Sutton Coldfield, a new place brand for the town centre, alongside Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID. This marketing and promotional platform, launched in July 2020, will help raise awareness amongst residents and visitors of what’s on, where’s open, and how to make the most of a ‘trip to town’.

New streetlights along Parade and festive lights have also been fully-funded by the Town Council in 2020.

Creating Community Plans

Creating community plans

We are encouraging local communities to prepare plans identifying social, economic and environmental issues which are important to the area and possible solutions.  We will provide advice and funding to help local people develop their own plans.

In June 2019 , Discover Sutton Coldfield website, an online community directory was launched. The aim is to encourage building community connections and social networks that lead to a fuller, more engaged resident experience across the Royal Town

Sutton Coldfield High Street

Planning

The Town Council has a legal right to be consulted on all planning applications submitted to the City Council.  This gives us the opportunity to seek to influence those decisions and reflect local people’s views.  This is carried out at the Planning Committee by our local Councillors and comments reported back to the city council.

Between 2019/20 Committee considered and commented on 974 applications.

Wifi

The Town Council funded free Wi-Fi across the town centre and local centres. Residents and visitors can now logon free-of-charge in Sutton Coldfield town centre, Boldmere, Falcon Lodge, Mere Green, Walmley and Wylde Green. Users also have the option to join a mailing list and be kept up to date with the latest Town Council news.

Play Area

Improving our play areas

In 2017 a trim trail was installed at New Hall Valley Park.

An interactive SONA arch at Mere Green play area was installed in 2017.

In March 2020 the Town Council approved another Trim Trail which will be installed at Harvest Fields Park before the end of this year.

Sutton Parks

Improving our parks

The responsibility for parks in Sutton Coldfield lies with Birmingham City Council and the Town Council continues to work with City Council to encourage better upkeep of these vital community assets. Where necessary, the Town Council invests in parks and greenspace in Sutton Coldfield. Most recently we awarded an £8,000 grant to the Newhall Valley Country Park Steering Group to repair a 40 metre stretch of boardwalk that was destroyed in December 2019 by vandals. Additionally, many environmental groups, such as the Friends of Hill Hook and Friends of Mossey Bank, have received Town Council grants for tree planting, equipment and improvements at key open spaces across the Town.

Colourful Planting Schemes

The Town Council has funded the provision of floral hanging baskets, flower towers and planters across each of the eight wards in Sutton Coldfield since 2016. The floral features create a colourful display for visitors and residents and are a key part of the Town’s entry in Britain in Bloom.

Join in Britain in Bloom

Britain in Bloom

Everyone should be proud of how Sutton Coldfield looks and continue to aim to get our efforts officially recognised. The town achieved a Silver Gilt in its first entry into the Heart of England in Bloom competition, the UK’s largest voluntary environmental campaign. In 2020 we brought back Gold! Judges were thoroughly impressed with the town’s horticultural practices, environmental responsibility and community spirit.

Due to COVID 19 the Bloom campaign for 2020 was suspended. We are awaiting further guidance from Heart of England about the 2021 competition wand will continue to engage with residents, volunteers and local businesses

We need you to get behind our bid. Could you arrange a litter pick, plant up a hanging basket for your house or create a display outside your premises? It will all help to impress the judges and promote Sutton Coldfield as a welcoming and inviting town.

Christmas Lights

Coming Soon!

Defibs

Defibrillators

The Town Council works in conjunction with Community Heartbeat Trust to install life saving defibrillators across the town.
So far 12 defibrillators have been installed and are regularly checked by volunteers. These can be found located at:

  • All Saints Church
  • Banners Gate Community Hall
  • Harvest Fields Centre
  • Hill Allotment
  • Ian Hazel Funerals
  • Moor Hall Primary School
  • St Giles Hospice
  • St Michael’s Church
  • Sutton Coldfield Cricket & Hockey Club
  • Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
  • Walmley Library
  • Wylde Green Community Centre

Civic Events

Alongside civic events like the remembrance parade and civic service, the Town Council recognises the work of volunteers around the town at a reception event and also organises the Community Awards to recognise our unsung heroes from the business community, schools and young person.

Schhol assembly

Community Groups Funded

The Town Council offers community grants to apply for a grant from projects ranging between £350 – £20,000.

Since 2018, the Council has allocated over £200k to 38 different community projects. The scheme supports many of the excellent local organisations that work had to make Sutton Coldfield an even better place to live.

Some projects include:

£17,725 to arts and cultural projects including the Sutton Coldfield Arts Trail

£64,873 to support the Falcon Lodge Community Plan including grants to Falcon Lodge Chapel and Falcon Lodge allotments

Environmental related projects were awarded £15,880 for activities including improvements to allotment sites