At an extraordinary meeting on June 29, Dudley councillors from all parties voted unanimously to support an amended motion from Reform UK demanding urgent action on the borough's deteriorating streets. The motion, backed even by the ruling Conservatives, calls for a bulky waste amnesty scheme, pop-up skips in all wards, and a report within 60 days on a permanent household waste recycling centre in the north of the borough.
Cross-Party Support for Reform UK Initiative
Councillors crossed political lines to address residents' concerns 'that parts of Dudley Borough are becoming increasingly unkempt and that basic neighbourhood services are failing to meet residents' expectations'. Reform UK deputy leader Cllr Shaun Keasey said: 'I was delighted with the unanimous vote to support a Reform UK initiative, it shows we are doing what people put us there to do.'
Amendments Tighten Deadlines and Add Measures
The initial motion called for a report within 60 days on grass cutting, street cleaning, fly-tipping and service standards. However, an amendment from The Black Country Party cut the deadline to 30 days. A Liberal Democrat amendment added recognition of friends groups in public parks, restart of Friends Forum meetings, and an update on the long-term future of the borough's only operational permanent tip on Birmingham Street, Stourbridge.
Reform UK Leader Highlights Resident Frustration
Dudley Reform leader Cllr Marco Longhi told councillors: 'This meeting came about because thousands of residents have simply had enough; enough of roads lined with weeds, enough of grass left uncut, of litter that stays where it falls, of more gullies blocked than functional, of potholes everywhere.'
Council Leader Cites Financial Constraints
Council leader Cllr Patrick Harley (Conservative) explained that street scene services had been cut to stabilise the council's ailing finances. He said: 'You are right to raise concerns about the state of our neighbourhoods, they are not where we want them to be. Over the past two years we have had to take incredibly difficult decisions to stabilise the council's finances.' He added that the books now looked better and £1m was being invested in new staff and equipment, with maintenance services being reinstated.
North of Borough Lacks Permanent Tip
The opposition leader also criticised the lack of a permanent tip in the north of the borough, following the collapse of negotiations with Wolverhampton Council to allow Dudley residents to use their Anchor Lane site. Cllr Longhi said: 'These residents pay exactly the same council tax as everyone else yet they have significantly poorer access to a basic council service.'
Dudley announced on June 26 that Wolverhampton Council believed extending access to Dudley residents would adversely impact Wolverhampton residents. Cllr Harley said: 'I am bitterly disappointed that after many months, Wolverhampton has been unable to provide a positive outcome for our residents in the north of the borough. Use of the Anchor Lane facility would have been an effective solution.'
Criticism of Lack of Alternative Plan
Cllr Longhi questioned why Dudley had not developed an alternative plan during the five years since they were denied access to Anchor Lane. He said: 'If that has always been the obstacle why have Dudley residents repeatedly been led to believe progress has been made? Surely this simple point was known right from the outset. Residents don't care whose fault it is any more, they simply expect the council to solve the problem.'
