Residents could pay extra in council ‘madness’ plans for extra local government layer

The authority has formally agreed to carry out a feasibility study into setting up a town council in the area.

The cost of the study, £75,000, has been slammed by Labour politicians as ‘madness’ but Liberal Democrat ward councillor Ryan Priest, who proposed the scheme, says it would be money well spent.

Councillor Priest told a meeting of Dudley Council on March 3: “It is important we dispel some misinformation about this proposal.

“When we work together, as our residents elected us to, we can achieve even when we are in opposition. Anything that strengthens the voices of local people in the face of large corporations can only be a good thing.

“For an average of just 75 pence per person per week we can secure a guarantee of investment in local services. This is an investment in our community, as for the money spent on this study, it is not money wasted.

“If a town council is established those funds will go back to Dudley as Dudley will no longer provide services a town council will provide. When it comes down to it – it will be Cradley residents who decide.”

Despite only having four councillors in the 72 seat Conservative-run authority, the Lib Dems have the numbers to decide important votes.

They sided with the Tories to win a vote on the 2024/25 budget containing savings of £42m with reductions to a variety of services.

Lib Dem support for the Conservatives attracted a savage attack from Labour who say the town council plan was part of the price for their budget votes.

Councillor Shaukat Ali, Labour’s finance spokesman said: “Rather than holding the Conservative administration accountable, the Liberal Democrats were more concerned with protecting their own position and scrambling to safeguard their influence.

“We reject this madness, we reject more charges for services residents already pay for.”

The final decision on a Cradley town council would be made by voters in a referendum.