Dudley council leader denies historic Himley Hall is up for sale

The authority is looking to save £42m in the 2025/26 year and a similar amount every year in the following four years.

As well as big cuts to spending, the Conservative-run authority is seeking every opportunity to make cash including selling-off assets and, during January’s round of scrutiny hearings on its plans, councillors were questioned on whether the historic hall was being considered for sale.

Dudley’s leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, was not at the hearings but he has confirmed Himley Hall is staying in council hands – for now.

Councillor Harley said: “Clearly Himley Hall should and could be an attractive investment possibility for anyone who specialises in corporate hospitality.

“However, in recent years Himley has had considerable investment and turns over a considerable income stream for the council.

“Whilst I would never say never, currently we have no plans to dispose of Himley.”

Whilst the hall, which hosts a variety of events including weddings, is making a small operating profit which is improving, members of the scrutiny committee heard less positive news.

Luisa Fulci, Dudley director of digital, customer and commercial services, said: “All of our services are allocated a component of central costs, once you include the central costs Himley Hall is not making a profit.

“We will be reviewing once the central costs have been recalculated for this year what the impact will be on Himley Hall at that point.”

Council assets which are going on the market include public toilets and details have been revealed of which conveniences will be dumped by the authority.

The toilets in Castle Street Dudley, Little Cottage Street Brierley Hill and a disabled toilet in Market Place. Dudley town centre, will remain open.

Blocks in Meriden Avenue Wollaston and Castleton Street Netherton will be closing.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: “While we do not have any statutory obligation as a council to provide public toilets, it is always difficult to remove services that members of the public rely on.

“However, we are having to make these decisions in challenging financial times as everyone will be aware.

“We took the decision to close these two ageing toilet blocks in Wollaston and Netherton and keep in use other more modern and better facilities for community use in the borough.

“We estimate at current costs that closing these two will save around £210,000 over the next three years.”