'We want to leave Walsall and an election won't change things'
BBCVoters in Walsall are set to take part in the biggest set of local elections in years when they head to the polling booths in May.
Boundary changes mean all 60 seats are being contested in the West Midlands borough, giving the opportunity for opposition parties to challenge the Conservative administration which has run things in the town since 2019.
But on the streets which were once famous for saddle-making, there is a feeling that Walsall's best days are behind it.
For the Fisher family, problems with anti-social behaviour and empty shops meant they have made the decision to move away.
"You come down and there's people sitting on the bench drinking beer and you know they're on the drugs," says Sue Fisher.
"It's a shame because it frightens people to come, especially the elderly.
"My mum and dad have always come here and now they're frightened to come."
David Fisher said his late father would "turn in his grave" at what had happened to Walsall.
"There's too much immigration," he said, suggesting that meant there was not enough support to go around for local people.
Earlier this year, Walsall was named as one of the most deprived towns in the UK and while some said there was plenty to be positive about, community safety was another area where people have concerns.
"We need to be safe, [while we are] standing by the bus stop, waiting for buses - so we need a bit of security, at least that presence for people to feel safe," said Medlyn.
She regularly gets the 21:00 bus home while, for her friend Clarice, it was worries about her children using public transport which concerned her.
"I think they can improve that [security]," she told me.
A common complaint was the state of the high street and scepticism that plans to regenerate the area would have the desired effect.
"Look at it, it's a dump," said Susan, who was out on a shopping trip with a friend.
"You have to go out of town to get anything, everything's closed down, all we've got is pop-up shops. It's not right."
Apathy and distrust of politicians was everywhere in Walsall as well.
"They only want your vote when the time comes, they never come to your house and ask if you want help or anything like that," said Levi Duffus..
That observation was echoed by another in the town, Linda.
"Honestly, I don't think anybody is going to do any good whoever we vote in," she said.
Head out to the leafy suburbs of Walsall and, like much of the Black Country, you will find wealthier neighbourhoods, far removed from some of the town centres which feature highly in indexes of deprivation.
But even here there is distrust of politicians and institutions like councils, which once upon a time were sources of civic pride.
There have been large protests recently against the potential development of green belt land, something local authorities have limited powers to stop as government changes to planning rules aim to speed up housebuilding.
Such apathy, lack of trust and disillusionment with the current state of affairs make these elections difficult to predict.
Reform UK think they could see a breakthrough in Walsall, though their only councillor in the borough was suspended from the party earlier this year.
Labour are the official opposition but the Conservatives are hopeful the woes of the Labour government nationally can shore up their support and allow them to keep hands on power.
A sizeable independent grouping further complicates matters and may appeal to those unhappy at the government's response to the war in Gaza.
What is sure is that, with ever squeezed budgets increasingly swallowed up by the demands of looking after vulnerable adults and children, whoever is successful on 7 May will be hard-pressed to deal with the concerns raised above.
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