NEW Halesowen North councillor Parmjit Sahota - who scored a memorable victory for Labour - has come good on his promise to work hard to "make the ward a better place to live."

Parmjit Sahota was elected to Halesowen North - a seat which had been occupied by councillor Karen Shakespeare for the Conservatives for almost two decades - in May.

And in the weeks since the married father of three has been busy - having already organised the clear-up of a paved space in Upper Ashley Street after complaints from residents.

Next week he is set to meet with the chief executive of Dudley Council Kevin O'Keefe to ensure the council acts on its Shell Corner Regeneration Strategy to enhance the centre.

He said: "By improving the environment of the centre and exploring options to improve parking provision, this centre can continue to trade successfully and deliver economic and social benefits for the local community.

"This is a key issue for residents and traders alike."

Cllr Sahota, who lives in Hurst Green, said he conducts weekly walkabouts of his ward and reports issues to Dudley Council.

The 54-year-old who works as a local government officer for Sandwell Council, said: "Residents from Upper Ashley Street had regularly voiced concerns about the poor condition of a paved space close to New John Street junction.

"The area was attracting fly tipping.

"I was able to identify that the land had been owned by Taylor Wimpey, but it was now the council’s responsibility to maintain it.

"Myself and councillor Hilary Bills ensured the there was a clean-up of the site.

"The council is planning to turf the area and to put it on the regular grass mowing schedule."

Other issues tackled by Parmjit include getting the right of way behind Greenhill Road cleaned up and ensuring the reported fly-tipping is investigated by the council.

He also said: "I have noted large pot holes and blocked drains along Hurst Green Road, these have also been repaired or marked out to be actioned.

"I have noted some roads have unsightly weeds up to two to three feet high and in one instance one was six feet high.

"This portrays a poor image of the area and cllr Bills and I are working with the council’s street cleansing department to get this removed.”