
Three Black Country MPs have blasted Dudley Council after the Government issued the authority with a Best Value Notice.
The notice is a formal notification that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has concerns regarding the running of the council and a request that the authority engages with the department to provide assurance of improvement.
This notice was issued against five criteria, including a report which found cultural problems relating to the inappropriate behaviour of some elected
members towards officers.There was also concern around 'significant weaknesses' in the senior leadership of the council, a lack of transparency in decision making and insufficient focus on good governance as well as the difficulties that the council has faced historically in delivering savings and value for money - traits which the council's external auditors continue to be highlight.
The Ministry did acknowledge the improvements the authority had already made but said they "want to see the council continue addressing the serious issues identified in this notice at sufficient pace", further outlining a number of steps and targets which bosses need to hit.
Councillor
Patrick Harley leader of the council, said: “The improvements we have made over a short period of time are incredible and I very much welcome the best value notice as an opportunity to outline that to the government."It will allow us to give that cast iron guarantee that we are already far down the track and will continue to improve. From the very beginning we have welcomed scrutiny as part of a fresh start and this notice adds to that.
“We recognise that there is still more work to do and we will approach that with the same drive as we have with our successes to date.
“So far we have set a balanced budget which stops any more talk of potential financial crisis and we are welcoming the first new faces in a new-look senior management team to build on the improvements we have already achieved.
“We held a mirror up to ourselves from the criticism and have come out the other side much stronger and on a much firmer footing.”
However the authority's three Labour MP's insist the notice proves the council is failing to fulfil even its most basic duties.
Alex Ballinger, MP for Halesowen, said: “This notice confirms what Dudley residents have been saying for years: the Conservative-run council is out of its depth and out of control.
"While frontline services are being cut to the bone, millions have been squandered on vanity projects and foreign trips. Residents are paying the price for failure; they need competence, accountability, and a council that puts their priorities first.”
Cat Eccles, MP for Stourbridge, added: “This Best Value Notice is a wake-up call. Families in Stourbridge are being hit with charges for everyday services while the Conservative administration allows a toxic culture and financial mismanagement to run rampant.
Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, said: “The people of Dudley have been let down time and again by a Council that has struggled to meet the needs of our community.
As public services have faced mounting pressure, local priorities have too often been overlooked. Dudley deserves better, and I’ll continue to fight to ensure that local voices are heard, public money is used wisely, and our town finally receives the fair deal it deserves.”
The Ministry confirmed that the notice will be reviewed after 12 months, at which point the department will confirm whether they deem it necessary to continue to seek assurance through such a notice, in which case it will remain in place.
The notice may also be withdrawn or escalated at any point based on the available evidence.
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