Every local authority knows running an election involves a multitude of council teams working together to deliver a successful polling day. This year we relied on that whole council approach more than ever in Sandwell as we implemented the new requirements of the Elections Act.

Sandwell is the 12th most deprived area in the country and one in four residents are born outside the UK, against the national average of one in six. Only 84% speak English proficiently or as a first language.