A Darlaston resident has described the set-up of the £20million decision-making board for the town's Plan for Neighbourhood Programme as an 'intolerable mess', criticising its lack of transparency and resident representation.
Resident's Outcry at Public Meeting
Speaking at a Walsall Council public meeting on July 27, Alison Humpage said the board was 'ignorant' with 'zero accountability' and that residents are 'shut out of the entire process'. She called on Reform leaders to re-establish the board, which has been under fire for months over its 'businessman-led' model.
Of the 16 board members, only seven reside in Darlaston. The remaining members are individuals who work in the town or are specialists in education, housing, or crime. Deputy council leader Councillor Nicky Barker argued that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government's definition of 'resident' includes those who work in the area, technically making over two-thirds of members 'resident'.
Criticism of Process and Transparency
Ms Humpage highlighted that the previous communities minister had warned councils not to unilaterally decide board composition, stating that doing so would 'destroy the project'. She claimed Darlaston's board was established by council officers, the chair appointed through a council-led process, and it still lacks a majority of voting members who genuinely live in Darlaston.
'There are grave concerns regarding the lack of transparency. Meetings are held behind closed doors and not in public as they should be, public questions about the board and the money are ignored,' she said. 'There is zero accountability and residents are egregiously shut out of this entire process.'
She accused Darlaston Pride in Place of not complying with government guidance or the minister's direction, and demanded action from Councillor Barker to rectify what she called an 'intolerable, businessman-led, ignorant, incorrectly set-up mess'.
Council's Response and Future Focus
Councillor Barker acknowledged the concerns but said the council's priority is to improve going forward rather than revisiting the board's set-up. 'It is clear that residents feel there should have been better communication about how representatives were selected and more transparency throughout the process,' she said. 'It is important that we listen to those concerns and acknowledge that there are lessons we can learn from the experience.'
She emphasised that the focus should be on ensuring the £20million investment delivers tangible benefits to Darlaston, rather than causing delays by revisiting the board's formation. 'Going forward, I am committed to ensuring that communication with residents is improved, engagement opportunities are widely publicised, and decision-making processes are as transparent as possible,' she added.
Broader Context and Community Sentiment
The controversy comes amid wider dissatisfaction in Darlaston, with locals previously describing the town as 'unhappy' and claiming there's 'no money left'. The board's composition and closed-door meetings have fuelled distrust, with residents demanding a greater say in how the funds are spent.
Ms Humpage's remarks reflect a growing frustration that the board, intended to drive neighbourhood improvements, has instead alienated the very community it is meant to serve. Her call for re-establishment seeks to ensure that genuine residents hold a majority and that decisions are made openly.
