Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Simon Hackett, and the Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr Mrs Underhill, also paid a visit to meet with residents and join in the fun.

The free event was jointly organised by the Friar Park Millennium Centre, Sandwell PCT, Sandwell Council and local community groups.

Sandwell Homes estate manager Andrew Langford, community involvement officer Charlotte Cosgrove, and senior neighbourhood office manager Ros Howard attended the event to share information and host a balloon release competition with the aim of promoting the company's services. The owner of the balloon found furthest from its release point in Sandwell will receive a £25 prize.

Charlotte said: "Everybody has clearly had fun here today, especially the children. It's nice to see people getting out and taking part. It will be interesting to see where some of the balloons end up."

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Simon Hackett, said: "Today has been fantastic fun for all the family. Thankfully the weather held out so I could show off my new baggies shirt and it was nice to see the Mayor come down and join in the fun too."

Both schools were ideal as they have eco-committees made up of representatives from each class. The youngsters plant trees, grow vegetables, garden, recycle and even commit to saving electricity before feeding back to class with a view to encouraging more pupils to get involved.

Rebecca Pearman, a teacher at Albert Pritchard Infant School, said:

“The eco-committee children have really enjoyed working with Sandwell Homes on their ‘Going Green’ campaign as they know they are making a real difference in the local community.”

The winning designers were presented with certificates from competition organiser Elizabeth Thompson, who sits on the company’s environmental steering group. All members of the environmental committee also received certificates for taking part.

Cllr Simon Hackett, cabinet member for housing, said: “I’m really impressed with the enthusiasm of the school children that got involved. Their designs are colourful and send out a simple, clear message about reducing waste and recycling more.

“I know that Sandwell Homes is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, which is why they are using screen savers and display posters to remind employees of their duties. It’s also great to see good habits being taught at such a young age. No doubt these young people will be a very environmentally friendly generation.”

If rents are not increased, the Government would take money away from the council that would be spent on frontline services.

The Government's rules are aimed at bringing council rent charges more in line with those charged by social landlords, such as housing associations.

The new average weekly rent bill of £77.17 will come into effect in October.

This compares with average weekly rents in Sandwell of £95 for housing association homes and £119 for tenants of private landlords.

Councillor Steve Eling, Sandwell Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for strategic resources, said: "Nobody wants to put up rent bills but we have been left with no choice.

"If we don't put them up, we would be penalised by the Government for not doing so. This would see money taken away from the council, which would in turn hit the services we provide to our tenants.

"The increase represents an average rise of 5.1% for this current financial year - and 7.6% for the 12 months from October."

Councillor Eling said Sandwell set its rents from October each year.

And he said the 5.1% increase was less than the average rent increases made by other local Black Country councils in this current financial year.

"Council homes still provide a good, value for money housing option for Sandwell people compared to other housing providers whose rent bills are higher," Councillor Eling added.

The rent rise was approved yesterday (Thursday 21 July 2011) at a joint meeting of Councillor Eling and Councillor Simon Hackett, the council's cabinet member for housing.

Councillor Hackett said: "Rent increases for council housing have to follow Government guidance or else the council and its tenants are heavily penalised financially."

The project came about following a request from local Councillor Michael Middleton, a Rotary representative.

The youngsters, Danny May, Danny Parkes, Christopher Hartill, Steven Harris, Liam Holyhead and Scott Pennings all from schools within the borough, were offered four days multi skills training in carpentry by Sandwell Homes employees.

During this time they designed and built the fun stalls from materials provided by construction partner Vinci Facilities, gaining valuable practical carpentry and design skills.

Inspired by the training programme, four of the youngsters have now applied for apprenticeship placements with Future Skills Sandwell.

“It is a fantastic achievement for Sandwell Homes to be shortlisted in the face of such fierce competition. We are thrilled to be able to host an awards ceremony that recognises the housing sector’s sustainable pioneers.”

Last year nearly 600 people attended the event, which was hosted by comedian Mark Watson, and in 2009 Jon Snow was the master of ceremonies. This year’s event will be hosted by comedian, actor and keen climate change campaigner Marcus Brigstocke.

The £2.75 million project has been built for Sandwell Council by Lovell, and part-funded to the tune of £1.37 million by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The properties, which meet Government design codes for being environmentally friendly and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, are now being rented out to tenants by Sandwell Homes.

The home of the first tenant to move in - Abdo Radman - was built to specific disability standards to help meet the needs of his disabled son, Raad.

Sandwell Council leader, Councillor Darren Cooper, said it was great to see people moving into new council homes.

"It's great to see this new housing development completed," he said. "I'm passionate about the regeneration of the Windmill Eye area of Smethwick and these homes are an important part of that."

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for housing Councillor Simon Hackett added: "These are the first new council homes to be built in Sandwell for some years and I'm really pleased to see people now moving in.

"It's also good to work with Sandwell residents like Mr Radman to meet their needs. I hope everyone living there is really happy in their new home."

Mr Radman said: "Our home is really nice and all the people who have helped us are lovely and friendly. We're very happy here because our home has space for my son's electric wheelchair."

Residents were not the only ones to feel the benefit of the project as affordable housing and regeneration specialists Lovell took on seven young apprentices to work on the development through Sandwell Council's Think Local Construction scheme.

These apprentices gained invaluable experience with one of the country's leading housebuilders during the project.

A second development of new council homes at Raglan Road, Smethwick, is due for completion in the Autumn.

Sandwell Council cabinet member for housing Councillor Simon Hackett is urging residents to join him and other people from the community at the event this Sunday (10 July).

The Big Spring Clean has seen more than 16,000 volunteers collect around 60 tonnes of litter from across Sandwell since launching in 2007.

Each year, Sandwell Council joins with partners, including Sandwell Homes and Tipton Litter Watch, to deliver the scheme, with new waste partner Serco getting involved for the first time this year.

Councillor Hackett said: "The Big Spring Clean is about getting residents to take pride in their area. The more volunteers who take part, the bigger the difference we can make, while also sending out a clear message that littering is unacceptable.

“We want to keep our estates clean and tidy and we’re looking forward to joining forces with residents for this clean-up.”

Anybody wishing to get involved should simply turn up at the old Woods Mesty Croft housing office, Oxford Street, Friar Park, this Sunday (10 July) at 10am. All equipment will be provided and volunteers of all ages are invited to take part.

More information on Sandwell’s Big Spring Clean campaign, which launched in May and runs till the end of July with events across the borough, can be found at www.sandwell.gov.uk/bigspringclean