Our VisionIn order to achieve the vision for Walsall we need to tackle some important issues. Our strategic priorities between now and 2008 are to:
Our ValuesFollowing extensive consultation with employees and councillors, core values have been identified to support the council’s vision of building a better borough. The five values of respect, integrity, equality, listening and excellence have been chosen as a means of signalling to everyone, the beliefs, behaviours and principles that are required of the council in order to deliver its vision and the best quality of life for local people. This set of shared and agreed values sets out what the council stands for and how it will behave. In a sentence, Walsall Council will Respect its staff and citizens, act with Integrity, value Equality and Diversity, listen to what people say, do what we say, and strive for and deliver Excellence. Walsall Metropolitan Borough is one of the seven Districts that comprise the West Midlands County, which by population is the largest metropolitan area outside Greater London. The Borough of Walsall is located in the north of the West Midlands, immediately north of Birmingham. It is one of the four 'Black Country' Boroughs along with Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell. Walsall's population at the 1991 census was 259,500. Walsall is a thriving town in one of the nation’s most historic regions, with a proud tradition of cultural, community, creative and industrial diversity. With easy access to major cities and to the countryside, a wide variety of attractively priced housing stock and a huge range of schools and other amenities for families and young people, Walsall is set to deliver a great future for residents - old and new alike In addition to Walsall Town Centre with its excellent range of shops and well-known street market, the Borough has a wide variety of district and local centres, each with its own distinctive character and appeal including; Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall. The EnvironmentWalsall has a surprising diversity of rural and urban areas. Valuable environmental assets include extensive countryside, green spaces, wildlife habitats and urban heritage. Together these provide countryside and urban 'green space' that offer natural beauty and recreation. For instance, the canal towpaths and disused railway lines that provide a walking network are also wildlife corridors; the hedgerows and clumps of trees that characterise an 18th century landscape are also home to insects and birds. Living in WalsallWalsall offers a chance to satisfy a huge range of personal tastes and needs: whether or not you have a family; if you like green open spaces or prefer the buzz of urban living; whether you prefer modern design or a more traditional home. The borough extends to over 40 square miles and, although some of this is densely populated, over a third is open park and farmland – a surprising fact for those who think of Walsall as simply being a suburb of Birmingham. Urban regeneration programmes are transforming the borough, with work already completed in Walsall Town Centre – a symbol of what is to come. This features an award-winning civic square, the Town Wharf, home to fountains, sculpture and a £22M world-class art gallery, as well as cafes and bars. Our museums celebrate the area’s leather and canal heritage. Shopping and leisure areas have also been revitalised in the town centre. A major project of public space enhancement, the “Quality Streets programme”, is being drawn up, to be complemented by a programme of conservation area enhancement, to further improve the appeal of the town. The canal network, which was once at the heart of the area’s prosperity, is attracting visitors for short leisure breaks. An ambitious waterfront scheme, for which Urban Splash have been appointed developers, will take shape over the next 12 months, to become the single most important enhancement scheme within the town centre. Walsall ’s arboretum, full of unusual trees and shrubs, is visited by more than one million people each year. It is particularly popular in the autumn, when it hosts the country’s largest inland illuminations. Walsall has a strong community spirit, which grew around its leather industry – the local football team is still known as the “Saddlers”. Now that spirit embodies the strength that cultural diversity has brought the area and has a strong focus on regenerating the local area. As a place to live, Walsall offers urban or country living, at affordable prices. Large semi-detached or detached Victorian houses are to be found in tree-lined avenues, as well as many country-style houses in our villages and rural areas. House prices are approximately 70% of the national average – semi detached houses are available at below £80,000 for example. The surrounding area offers a choice of market towns and villages and some of Britain’s most modern and popular apartments can be found within 10 miles of the town. Working In WalsallWalsall Council is a great place to build a career. Somewhere that will provide the scope and encouragement to really help people get on. There’s a real cross section of staff reflecting the people of our widely varied multi-cultural town. The Council is committed to equal opportunities, to wiping out discrimination – both in employment and in the delivery of services. Walsall Council is committed to providing training and development – every member of staff has an annual personal development plan. At Walsall we take care to ensure we provide comprehensive staff development opportunities. Investing in our people is crucial to ensuring Walsall Council remains a high quality organisation, trusted and supported by staff and the communities we serve. We are committed to continued investment in training, and to facilitating an ethos that promotes the value of learning and achievement. Other advantages to working with Walsall Council include flexible working, generous leave entitlement and an excellent pension scheme. We have family friendly policies. Many other employers are sometimes not as sympathetic and supportive with their staff about things like parental leave and time off due to personal circumstances We provide our employees with:
We want to attract the very best talent. Our generous benefits package reflects our commitment to hiring superb people. A £1,500 golden hello is offered to all qualified social workers, and paid on completion of a probation period. Recreation, Leisure and EntertainmentWalsall Borough offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including:-
There is a vast range of evening entertainment catering for most tastes. Night clubs, good pubs and wine bars, a casino, a multi-screen cinema and a ten-pin bowling centre are amongst the choice of venues. Walsall has a unique Art Gallery which is internationally renowned. The New Art Gallery is the home of the Garman Ryan Collection. Other museums include the Leather Museum the Lock Museum and the Canal Museum. Transport links
Walsall has direct access to the motorway network with junctions 7, 9 & 10 of the M6 just a quick drive from the town centre. The M5 and M54 are also within easy reach whilst the A5/A38 roundabout at Muckley Corner just outside Lichfield provides a quick link to the East Midlands and the M1 north and M42 east.
Walsall Station has commuter links to Birmingham, Rugeley (via Cannock), Stafford and Wolverhampton. Inter-city connections are available at Birmingham, New Street and Wolverhampton. For national enquiries Tel: 08457 484950.
Walsall is well served by local bus services. For details of public transport operating in the West Midlands call the Centro Hotline Tel: 0121 200 2700.
Walsall is less than 30 minutes by car from Birmingham International Airport. For flight information Tel: 0121 767 5511. Tourist InformationWalsall Tourist & Travel Information Centre, St Paul's Bus Station, Walsall Tel: 01922 625540. For more information look at our recruitment web pages |