Walsall Council's newly formed cabinet will face seven questions for the first time at a full council meeting this evening, with the controversial lawn cemetery policy in Streetly set to spark debate after causing 'pain and distress' to families.
Streetly Cemetery Policy Under Fire
Earlier this month, leader of Walsall Community Independents (WCI), Councillor Aftab Nawaz, received over a dozen reports from families whose grave surrounds and memorials had been removed by Walsall Council at Streetly Cemetery. The council's existing policy allows small items such as vases to be placed directly in front of headstones at the lawn cemetery, but prohibits items from spreading over the length of the grassed grave.
Councillor Nawaz claimed the policy had not been enforced for many years, leading families to believe that adding surrounds and gravel was acceptable. The Notice of Motion to be considered tonight recognises that the memorials and grave edgings do not cause harm and calls for the policy to be amended to allow them.
Questions from Former Councillors
Two questions have been submitted by former Walsall councillors, Pete Smith and Graham Eardley. Mr Smith will ask about the food waste collection service, which was supposed to commence on March 31, 2026. A consultation on how the service would be delivered finished in November last year, asking residents to choose between a small kitchen caddy with weekly kerbside collection or weekly mixed brown bin collections of food and garden waste. No results or decisions have been announced.
Mr Eardley will inquire whether the new council plans to introduce a flag flying policy similar to Warwickshire and Staffordshire County Councils, where only the Union Jack, St George's Cross, and county flags are permitted at council buildings.
Additional Agenda Items
Councillor Nawaz will also ask the portfolio holder to commit to extending the brown bin collection service to operate all year round. Currently, Reform leaders have proposed extending collections, which cease in October, until the end of the calendar year.
Councillor Khizar Hussain, deputy leader of WCI, will ask about plans to reopen the One Stop Shop inside the council's Civic Centre, as promised in Reform's election campaign. The facility closed during the pandemic, and Reform leader Elaine Williams was 'horrified' to discover that the front of house area had been stripped bare by the previous administration.
Councillor Hajran Bashir calls for action against the 'huge amount' of flytipping on Watery Lane in Palfrey and the Delves. Two councillors with the same name, Councillor Basharat Hussain (Pleck ward) and Councillor Basharat Hussain (St Matthews), will both ask about implementing one-way traffic systems at Prince Street and Hospital Street.
The public meeting is scheduled for 6pm tonight, Monday, June 22, at Walsall Council House.
