Martyn Smith
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- Audience And Content Editor, Bromsgrove Advertiser
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Articles by Martyn Smith
Leader says Dudley better prepared than ever as first cold snap looms
As Dudley prepares for falling temperatures the borough is better prepared than ever for winter according to the council's leader. The Met Office is forecasting single figures and freezing conditions for the coming days but Cllr Patrick Harley told councillors the authority won't be caught out as many believe it was last year. Cllr Harley was responding to a question from Coseley councillor Peter Drake at the November meeting of the council.
Nurse wants apology for cancelled court action
Lisa Smith was attending a seriously ill child in Birmingham when she was recorded in a parking bay for longer than 30 minutes. The community nurse, from Woodsetton, was delayed after being trapped in a lift before treating the child, who was so ill he required hospital treatment. She later received a notice saying a parking enforcement company was taking her to court to recover a penalty charge of £266.
Inspectors’ decisions may be clues for new planning regulations
The regulations came into force at the end of October 2026 and only applications which raise significant issues can now be decided by councillors after a senior officer has approved referral. Currently planning decisions can be subject to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and a look at some of its recent rulings may give a clue to how the council’s officers will determine applications.
Historic Stourbridge pub set for new lease of life
A legendary pub in Stourbridge is set for a new lease of life after planners approved a massive refurbishment. Dudley Council has given the green light to an application for work to reopen The Mitre on Lower High Street, which has been closed since January 2025. Pub owners Star pubs and Bars aim to bring the Grade II listed building back into use by providing 'a welcoming experience to all visitors and provide improved facilities for all'.
Dudley communities will pay the price of inaction on climate change
Dudley councillors have been told communities will pay the price if the authority ignores warnings on climate change. The blunt message came during a debate at an extraordinary council meeting to consider a motion from Cllr Ryan Priest calling for action in the aftermath of wildfires which destroyed Stourbridge homes during the summer. Cllr Priest's proposal said the council should treat the incident as a turning point for how it builds resilience to extreme weather caused by global warming.
Climate warning – communities will pay the price of inaction
The blunt message came during a debate at an extraordinary council meeting to consider a motion from Cllr Ryan Priest calling for action in the aftermath of wildfires which destroyed Stourbridge homes during the summer. Cllr Priest’s proposal said the council should treat the incident as a turning point for how it builds resilience to extreme weather caused by global warming.
Calls for Dudley Reform UK councillor to go despite apology in anti-Semitism row
Dudley's Labour politicians are continuing calls for a Reform UK councillor to be removed despite his apology for 'inappropriate' social media posts. Cllr Caley Ashman told members of the authority at November's meeting of full council he was sorry for his use of the term 'goyslop', which is widely regarded as anti-Semitic, along with other remarks he admitted were in poor taste.
Dudley Council quizzed on near £17m overspend on agency workers as cash set aside for redundancies
Dudley Council's latest financial report says the authority is forecast to overspend by £16.8m on agency staff this year. The report, which was presented to the council's Cabinet at a meeting on November 5, also says there will be a £15.3m underspend in the general budget due to staff vacancies.
Plan to extend market stall offer to attract more traders to Dudley
Free places for market stall holders in Dudley town centre could be extended for another month if the council's leader gets his way. Dudley Council has already agreed to subsidise free pitches for traders in December and January but Cllr Patrick Harley says the pilot scheme could go further after discussions with market traders. Free pitches are not the only measure Cllr Harley has in mind to boost the ailing market and town centre area which has been the subject of recent negative publicity.
Plan to extend free market stall places
Dudley Council has already agreed to subsidise free pitches for traders in December and January but Cllr Patrick Harley says the pilot scheme could go further after discussions with market traders. Free pitches are not the only measure Cllr Harley has in mind to boost the ailing market and town centre area which has been the subject of recent negative publicity.
Agency staff overspend more than £15m
The report, which was presented to the council’s Cabinet at a meeting on November 5, also says there will be a £15.3m underspend in the general budget due to staff vacancies. The overall budget is predicted to balance but spending so much on temporary staff while the Conservative-run council has vacancies for permanent employees is a worry for Labour group leader, Cllr Shaukat Ali.
Calls from Reform UK for answers from Dudley Council on child sex exploitation report
Reform UK councillors are demanding to see a report on how Dudley Council handled allegations of child sexual exploitation (CSE). The Reform group on the council has written to the authority's chief executive, Balvinder Heran, expressing concern over allegations of offending reported by the BBC earlier this year, and what action the council took to protect vulnerable young people.
Dudley housing chief insists service changes not cuts despite job loss and closure rumours
Dudley Council's housing chief insists changes to services which are rumoured to mean around 30 job losses are not cuts. Cllr Ian Bevan, Dudley cabinet member for housing and homelessness , was responding to a question during a meeting of the full council on November 2. Labour's Cllr Cathryn Bayton wanted answers about a restructure which is believed to include a reduction of on-site support for sheltered accommodation and closure of the council's Housing Support Team.
Dudley Labour leader defends government changes to planning permission rules
A senior Labour politician says the government's changes to planning regulations do not cut councillors' ability to object to applications. New rules came into force on October 31 which made major changes to how planning permission is granted by local authorities including removing elected members' power to 'call-in' applications for discussion in planning committees.
Planning rule changes keep councillors’ power say Labour
New rules came into force on October 31 which made major changes to how planning permission is granted by local authorities including removing elected members’ power to ‘call-in’ applications for discussion in planning committees. The changes have been criticised by other political groups including Reform UK whose Dudley leader, Cllr Marco Longhi, said the changes ‘castrated’ councillors’ ability to represent their constituents.
Good behaviour debate at Dudley Council descends into allegations of abuse
A Dudley Council debate encouraging good behaviour ended in accusations of verbal abuse during bad-tempered exchanges between councillors. A meeting of the authority on November 2 included an item recommending councillors sign a pledge to uphold principles of integrity, accountability, mutual respect and effective leadership.
Political own goal gives away likely location for new Dudley FC stadium
Dudley Town FC seem set to be returning home to the borough for the start of the 2027 season. During a meeting of the full council on November 2 news of a possible deal for the club to play at The Dell Stadium in Brierley HIll was revealed. The location of the club's potential new home was given despite the council's leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, saying it was information that should remain under wraps.
Apology from Dudley Reform UK councillor for 'racist and homophobic' comments
A Reform UK councillor has apologised for 'racist and homophobic' social media posts made before he was elected. Dudley's Cllr Caley Ashman faced severe criticism about using the phrase 'goyslop' which is widely regarded as anti-Semitic. Cllr Ashman also posted comments described by Halesowen MP Alex Ballinger as 'racist and homophobic' which prompted Mr Ballinger to write to Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage , calling for him to take action against the Cradley North and Wollescote councillor.
Tice comments dismissed by Restore Britain councillor
Cllr Andrew Southall was speaking in the wake of the St James’s by-election on October 29 when Labour’s Caroline Reid regained the seat on Dudley Council she lost to Reform UK in May’s local elections. Reform polled two less votes in the by-election, which was triggered when the party’s sitting councillor resigned for personal reasons, while Restore Britain, which also sits to the right of the political spectrum, got 159 votes.
Plan to convert Lye HMO to flats rejected by Dudley Council planners
Dudley Council has rejected an application to turn a house in multiple occupation ( HMO ) in Lye into flats. Under delegated powers, council officers ruled Troman House, on Morvale Street, could not be converted into six self-contained apartments. The detached two-storey building currently has planning permission to operate as an HMO however there is doubt around its occupancy.
Labour regain St James's by just two votes in dramatic Dudley Council election
Labour regained the St James's ward on Dudley Council after a nail-biting election count left the party with a lead of just two votes. Caroline Reid won the seat she lost in May's local election after a hotly contested by-election on October 29. Cllr Reid polled 874 votes, beating Reform UK's Chris Chivers into second place after he received 872 votes.
Labour regain St James’s by just two votes
Caroline Reid won the seat she lost in May’s local election after a hotly contested by-election on October 29. Cllr Reid polled 874 votes, beating Reform UK’s Chris Chivers into second place after he received 872 votes. Sam Firmstone for The Conservative Party finished in third place with 317 votes while Restore Britain’s Tristian Owen was fourth with 159 votes. The Green Party was last, Katherine Poole managed to gain just 79 votes.
Call from Stourbridge climate group to be heard by Dudley councillors
Stourbridge Friends of The Earth is calling on people concerned about climate change to make their presence felt at Dudley Council. The authority is set to debate a motion on prevention and resilience to extreme weather at an extraordinary meeting on November 2. The motion has been put forward by Dudley's Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ryan Priest, who says recent wildfires in Stourbridge demonstrate potentially devastating effects of climate change.
Dudley councillors asked to sign new good behaviour pledge after rise in complaints
Dudley councillors are set to sign a new promise to behave themselves after a rise in complaints. A meeting of the full council on November 2 will debate a members' pledge setting standards of behaviour which all 72 councillors will be expected to abide by.
Rise in complaints prompts promise to behave
A meeting of the full council on November 2 will debate a members’ pledge setting standards of behaviour which all 72 councillors will be expected to abide by. The pledge has been suggested by the council’s Standards Committee after they were told by the council’s monitoring officer, who deals with breaches of codes of conduct, the number of complaints about members was on the rise, especially complaints by members against members.
Smoking ban plan to cut fire risk set for debate by Dudley councillors
A smoking ban in Dudley Council parks is among proposals to ease summer fire risks. A meeting of the full council on November 2 will discuss a lengthy Notice of Motion from Dudley Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ryan Priest, on fire prevention and resilience to extreme weather. The motion was prompted by the wildfires which devastated homes in Stourbridge during the summer, which Cllr Priest says must be a wake-up call.
Plan for distillery at Stourbridge Glass Museum withdrawn after objections
Plans for a distillery at Stourbridge glass museum have been withdrawn after objections from nearby residents and other attractions. Dudley Council planners were set to give their verdict on an application for a change of use at a unit in The Newhouse Stuart Works at the glass museum in Wordsley. The application had been made by Crown Works Distillery Ltd to convert the unit into a craft distillery to produce and bottle spirits with visitor attractions including a shop and café.
Call from climate group to be heard
The authority is set to debate a motion on prevention and resilience to extreme weather at an extraordinary meeting on November 2. The motion has been put forward by Dudley’s Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ryan Priest, who says recent wildfires in Stourbridge demonstrate potentially devastating effects of climate change.
Plan for distillery at Stourbridge Glass Museum withdrawn after objections
Martyn Smith Wed, 28 October 2026 at 5:30 am UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. -Credit:Local Democracy Reporting Service Plans for a distillery at Stourbridge glass museum have been withdrawn after objections from nearby residents and other attractions. Dudley Council planners were set to give their verdict on an application for a change of use at a unit in The Newhouse Stuart Works at the glass museum in Wordsley.
Tough decisions and hard bargains ahead in Dudley Council budget talks
Dudley councillors are set for tough talking as negotiations begin to set next year's budget with pressure on limited finances. The authority has a legal duty to set a balanced budget for the 2027/28 by March 11 which means councillors must vote in favour of spending plans by that date. After local elections in May there was no group in the council chamber with an overall majority though Conservatives have the largest number of councillors and are in charge of the administration.
Plan for distillery withdrawn after objections
Dudley Council planners were set to give their verdict on an application for a change of use at a unit in The Newhouse Stuart Works at the glass museum in Wordsley. The application had been made by Crown Works Distillery Ltd to convert the unit into a craft distillery to produce and bottle spirits with visitor attractions including a shop and café. A statement from the applicant said: “At the heart of the proposal is a small-batch distillery producing premium spirits using traditional methods.
Dudley Council stays quiet on cuts speculation in housing services
Dudley Council has refused to confirm or deny rumours it is planning redundancies to teams in vital housing services. Speculation is mounting that big changes are in the pipeline for the Housing Support Team including more than 30 redundancies, cutting on-site support for sheltered accommodation and the withdrawal of winter warmth support. The Local Democracy Reporting Service put specific questions on these fears to the authority but received no detailed answers.
Basic allowance up to nearly £13,000 for Dudley councillors
Dudley councillors got a 3.3 percent rise in allowances taking a basic payment for an elected member to £12,946. The increase is set by the independent National Joint Council (NJC) in line with the rise for council staff which was agreed in August. The deal for council staff was settled after the NJC made a full and final offer to trade unions and refused to negotiate further.
Council stays quiet on cuts speculation
Speculation is mounting that big changes are in the pipeline for the Housing Support Team including more than 30 redundancies, cutting on-site support for sheltered accommodation and the withdrawal of winter warmth support. The Local Democracy Reporting Service put specific questions on these fears to the authority but received no detailed answers. The only response so far on concerns about changes in the housing department came from Kathryn Jones, Dudley group director for housing and assets.
Basic allowance up to nearly £13,000
The increase is set by the independent National Joint Council (NJC) in line with the rise for council staff which was agreed in August. The deal for council staff was settled after the NJC made a full and final offer to trade unions and refused to negotiate further. A statement from the GMB Union in August said: “Unfortunately, while a majority of regions voted initially to reject the pay offer the turnout in the vote fell short of what is required for a formal ballot on industrial action.
Dudley Council chief says no excuses for delay in answering parks complaints
Dudley Council admitted there are 'no excuses' for the time taken to answer concerns about communication with parks friends groups. A year after groups told the council to improve its engagement with them the authority approved a new Parks Friends Forum which will have its first meeting – in January.
New calls for study on football ground in Dudley
Dudley Council has been asked to look into the possibility of building a new football stadium as part of the Porterfield development. The Reform UK group on the authority has put forward a Notice of Motion for debate by full council to approve a feasibility study into a possible development.
Stourbridge MP takes Dudley hospital parking pain to Westminster
Car parking at Russells Hall Hospital got a hearing in Parliament when Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles took the controversy to Westminster. Complaints about people unfairly getting Parking Charge Notices (PCN) when they visited the hospital are on the rise after the site introduced automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) to cut time drivers spent waiting at barriers.
‘No excuses’ for delay answering parks complaints
A year after groups told the council to improve its engagement with them the authority approved a new Parks Friends Forum which will have its first meeting – in January. The forum, which will be overseen by Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), was agreed by the authority’s cabinet at a meeting in October 2026, after being told concerns were raised at a Communities and Growth Scrutiny Meeting in October 2025.
Nurse trapped in lift while treating baby handed parking fine
Lisa Smith said she was fined when she parked in a permit-only bay to help a sick baby [Lisa Smith] A nurse who got stuck in a lift while trying to treat a sick baby is facing a £266 fine and court action. Community nurse Lisa Smith spent an hour and 15 minutes in a block of flats in Perry Barr Village, Birmingham, in November while attending to a child in a fifth-floor flat.
Dudley nurse fined while treating sick baby asks parking bosses 'what if it was your child?'
A nurse fighting a parking penalty charge issued while she treated an acutely sick baby is asking 'what if it was your child'? Lisa Smith, from Woodsetton, was sent to a building in Birmingham to attend a baby in a fifth floor flat and parked her car in a permit only bay. Medical staff are allowed to use the bays for 30 minutes but the community nurse and a colleague were in the building for an hour and a quarter.
New calls for study on football ground
The Reform UK group on the authority has put forward a Notice of Motion for debate by full council to approve a feasibility study into a possible development. Reform is asking for the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods to investigate options for a community stadium in Dudley. Councillor Shaun Keasey, deputy leader of Dudley Reform UK, said: “Dudley is a proud town with its own football club, yet we don’t have a dedicated football stadium in the town.
Demolition of former leisure centre approved
Dudley Council planners have given permission for the work to start on clearing the 5.7 acre site which is expected to be developed for housing. A number of trees on the site are subject to tree protection orders and work will not be able to begin until measures have been put in place to ensure they are identified and not damaged. The leisure centre dates back to the 1970s, it closed to the public in 2022 and was replaced by the Duncan Edwards Centre on Constitution Hill.
Andy Burnham government parking crackdown 'needed' says Dudley MP as nurse faces charges
A government parking charges crackdown may be too late to help a Dudley nurse hit with a bill while she treated a sick child. Dudley MP Sonia Kumar, who has taken up the case for community nurse Lisa Smith, says action on unfair private parking charges is welcome but her constituent's case must be closed immediately.
Call from Dudley councillor to turn Himley Hall into music festival site
Dudley should get its own Glastonbury style music festival at Himley Hall according to one of the borough's political leaders. Speaking at October's meeting of Dudley Council's Communities and Growth Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Ryan Priest urged the authority to make more of the historic country park. The council's Liberal Democrat group leader made his comments during a debate on a report about the borough's progress and delivery of culture and communities.
Parking crackdown ‘needed’ as nurse faces charges
Dudley MP Sonia Kumar, who has taken up the case for community nurse Lisa Smith, says action on unfair private parking charges is welcome but her constituent’s case must be closed immediately. Ms Smith fell foul of private parking pedantry while she was treating an acutely unwell child who lives on the fifth floor at a block of flats in Birmingham.
Trailblazing Dudley stalwart joins borough roll of honour saying 'could never have imagined'
A Dudley councillor with 27 years of experience as a member of the authority has been made a freeman of the borough. Cllr Shaukat Ali, leader of the council's Labour group, celebrated the award at a ceremony at Dudley Council House on October 16. Cllr Ali, who represents the St Thomas's ward, is the longest serving British Kashmiri Muslim councillor in Dudley's history and the first to receive the freedom of the borough in 127 years.
Stourbridge park fairground controversy set to be discussed
The controversy surrounding a fun fair in a popular park is set to be discussed by members of Dudley Council. At a meeting on Wednesday October 21, members of the Ernest Stevens Management Committee, which oversees activity at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge , will be asked to consider a report on the impact of holding a fair at the site on the surrounding community. A fair at the park in July and August 2026 caused concern for people living near the who said it created a disturbance.
Labour leader joins borough roll of honour
Cllr Shaukat Ali, leader of the council’s Labour group, celebrated the award at a ceremony at Dudley Council House on October 16. Cllr Ali, who represents the St Thomas’s ward, is the longest serving British Kashmiri Muslim councillor in Dudley’s history and the first to receive the freedom of the borough in 127 years. Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr Ali said “This is the greatest honour of my life. I am deeply humbled and immensely proud to receive the freedom of the borough.
Councillors to discuss park fair controversy
At a meeting on Wednesday October 21, members of the Ernest Stevens Management Committee, which oversees activity at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge, will be asked to consider a report on the impact of holding a fair at the site on the surrounding community. A fair at the park in July and August 2026 caused concern for people living near the who said it created a disturbance.
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