To ensure that local people’s voices are heard, nine community reps are elected to the Sandwell Partnership Board each year. These are members of the public who may be involved in a local community group or organisation and who can bring local issues to the Board from a grass roots level.

They are also on the steering group for the panel which is arranging the Be Proud events in each of the six town and are and helping decide what the programmes will be.

This year, the community reps are:

Steve Bavington
Edna Barker
Steve Karma
Graham Price
John Cash
Benita Fernandes
Harmohinder Bhatia
Geoff Tranter
Gurbachan Singh Dhinsa

Edna Barker says: “As a rep I attend various meetings and events.  There was one at The Public a few weeks ago when I was invited to speak about what being a good neighbour means.

“Being a rep is about putting forward the community’s point of view.

“I’m a widow and on my own and have always been involved in the community.  I think it’s good if you can give something back to the community.  You have a chance to have your say as a rep and you know what’s going on.”

Steve Karma says: “I recently moved to the area and I’m a church leader at the Ebenezer Church in Langley Village.  Langley is often referred to as the forgotten village of Sandwell so I became involved as a community rep to help people’s voices to be heard.

“Community reps look at local issues which have been highlighted and any social issues which may become local problems in the future, such as the massive cuts in public spending and how this will affect local services.”