Labour-run Sandwell Council have been forced to withdraw proposals to close West Bromwich Shopmobility from its budget.
Despite raising Council Tax by 4.99%, the Labour administration planned to shut the service that helps elderly and disabled residents access the town centre with mobility aids. The closure, affecting some of the most vulnerable in our society, would save just £53,000 in the next year.
Concerns had been raised that many of the service's users would be locked out from visiting West Bromwich town centre. A move that would not only damage local people's independence, but also damage businesses in the town centre.
After significant local opposition and efforts by Sandwell Conservative Group to amend the budget and remove the cuts, the Labour administration were forced into a climbdown to take the closure out of the budget.
Commenting, Nicola said: "I'm glad that the public pressure has forced Labour to abandon their damaging plans that would lock elderly and disabled people out of our town centre and damage businesses.
"We have suffered from half a century of Labour failure here in Sandwell. It is clear that we need more Conservative Councillors to hold Labour to account and stop them pushing through these closures to important local services.
"I will keep a close eye on developments as I know the council still intends to review the service. I hope though that their plans to close it entirely are gone for good."
The Labour-run Council will now review the service after withdrawing the cuts from the budget, which was passed.