Latest news with #DudleyCouncil
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dudley-based rail research firm bought by local council after going into administration
An organisation that has been involved in a Very Light Rail system for Coventry has been bought by a council, after going into Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), a not-for-profit research organisation, was sold to the area's council, administrators RSM UK also stated it ensured the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, operated by BCIMO, remained Council said the authority had previously given the Black Country organisation financial support and decided to bid "to protect this investment". Council cabinet member for resources Steve Clark said as site owner, it would receive income from "existing tenants", while looking for an acquisition decision would generate income for the council, champion local innovation and support creating "high value employment opportunities", he UK said the business and assets were sold to the council and the transaction had safeguarded the centre's future and "laid the foundation for renewed investment in transport innovation".A lack of anticipated funding and rising costs had led to cash flow challenges for BCIMO, the administrators had earlier Black Country organisation came into being in 2019, which was before the council completed the building of the innovation centre in 2022, the administrators stated is like a tram, but involves single, battery-powered cars that can each transport about 50 people and do not need deep tracks to run this month, Coventry City Council said it was disappointed to hear BCIMO was in administration, but it was "business as usual for us" and the vehicle was in Alcester for the next stage of development. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lower Gornal land with permission for home with sauna up for £150k
A PATCH of land in Lower Gornal with planning permission for a modern house with a sauna and steam room in the basement has gone up for sale for £150k. The land on Deepdale Lane has planning permission in place for a five-bedroom home. Four neighbours objected to the proposal, but it was given the go-ahead by Dudley Council in November 2023. The land is being marketed by Connells in Dudley. It used to be part of the garden of 54, Deepdale Lane, but has now been separated from it.
ITV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Dudley Council given formal notice to improve spending after £100,000 trips to French Riviera
A council has been served with a formal notice and told it must improve its spending - after spending nearly £300,000 on trips to the French Riviera. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said "urgent action" was needed as ministers remain concerned about Dudley Council's ability to "comply with its best value duty". It said the council has faced issues historically in "delivering planned savings" and continues to have "significant value for money weaknesses". Dudley Council came under fire in 2022 after it was revealed that it spent a total of £279,155 for three trips abroad - two were cancelled because of Covid. But the council said the one trip that did happen was a net benefit, helping them secure £50 million of investment for the borough. Council leader Patrick Harley denied the fact that notice was sent because the council had wasted money, and said the Government were instead acknowledging its financial difficulties. He said: "The sanction against us is the lowest the government could do… But I welcome added scrutiny. We are delivering everything they are referring to. We have to do more to keep Dudley on a stable footing." He added the investment they have brought in has allowed them to reopen the Dudley Museum and helped them start planning a new ice rink in the borough. Cllr Harley blamed the financial trouble the council has had in part on the 'unbelievably obscene' cost of adult social care and children's services, but says their finances are now on a much firmer footing. Jaguar Land Rover to cut up to 500 UK jobs Why an ancient 'Robin Hood' tree is at risk and what's being done to save it In a later statement, Cllr Harley added: '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.' Harley added: '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.' Under the rules of a non-statutory best value notice, the government can ask for further information about an improvement plan, with Dudley's already in action. Officials can also ask for progress on the plan. 'Money wasted by politicians in Dudley' Meamwhile, Pete Lowe, the leader of the Black County Party, welcomed the formal notice and the greater scrutiny around the council's spending. He denied that the council's trip to the Riviera was value for money, saying: "If you look at the hundreds of thousands of pounds of residents' money that was spent and wasted by politicians in Dudley, that was spent and wasted on going on a junket to Cannes or the one and a half million that was spent on Brookes Bar, then I don't think you could find anyone that says that's value for money." Cllr Lowe added: 'Wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds on trips to France is not in the interest of value for money for people in the community. "They go to France while our community centres are closed, while our dementia services are closed, while services for the hard-working people of Dudley are eroded.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council ‘kept me in the dark' over parking spaces shop owner claims
The owner of a Brierley Hill supermarket says Dudley Council planners left him in the dark in a row over parking spaces. Asif Majid, from Brierley Wholesale Superstore, has been refused a change of use planning application because planners say he is not providing enough parking spaces at the site. Mr Majid asked the council to remove conditions limiting the store to selling 'vintage retro collectables, antiques and local craft items' and operating a small tea room, which were linked to an approved planning application dating back to 2016. The new application was thrown out because the store has eight parking spaces and the council required 24 spaces; however the council did approve a separate application for a change in opening times. Mr Majid said: 'I have been left completely in the dark by the authority, their unwillingness to cooperate has completely baffled me. 'We have provided a store with continental grocery items as well as goods and foods from all corners of the world. 'Brierley Hill is a multi-cultural community and a store like this caters for all residents.' The council deny Mr Majid's claim and say they were trying to assist him during an enquiry into whether he was operating without planning permission. Councillor Phil Atkins, Dudley cabinet member for development and regulation, said: 'As part of a planning enforcement investigation, officers have worked with the applicant to try and resolve the matter. 'Both applications were assessed and determined in accordance with relevant policy and procedure as required by legislation. 'In terms of the refused application, the applicant can appeal this decision or submit a revised application with additional information to try and address the previous reasons for refusal. 'The council is currently reviewing its position on any further planning enforcement action.' An appeal against the refusal has been made to the government's Planning Inspectorate. Brierley Hill and Wordsley South councillor Matt Cook from Black Country Party is backing Mr Majid. Cllr Cook said: 'What's most frustrating is that the council is insisting on planning conditions that simply don't reflect the reality of how this business operates. 'The majority of the store's customers are local residents who travel on foot.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dudley Council rushed local plan 'to avoid new rules'
A tough examination of Dudley Council's plans for borough development started with claims it was rushed to avoid new regulations. Government planning inspector Louise Nurser will hold six days of hearings throughout June to assess the Dudley Local Plan. During the first session at Dudley Council House on June 10, the inspector told participants representing the council, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and the construction industry, she could either approve the plan, reject it but say it could be improved or throw it out completely. READ MORE: 'Disruption' warning as key short cut near M6 closed until Autumn READ MORE: The killer Midlands gang members who brought violence and death to our streets Read more: Dudley 'has enough brown field land' for building as local plan hearings start Read more: See which Midland council is set to approve felling dangerous trees She added: "I am here to examine the plan on behalf of the secretary of state to make sure it is sound and legally compliant, I am not here to make it better." Carl Mellor, Dudley Council's head of planning, told the inspector the plan was supported by robust evidence. He said: "The new local plan builds on adopted policies and plans and provides sustainable development and protects the borough's natural and historic environment. "The plan provides a sound and positive strategy for the borough." Discussion on the plan will be split into separate sessions to delve into the details and how it was formulated first on the agenda. In their submission to the hearing, planning consultants Lichfields on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey pointed out the plan was prepared under rules which have been superseded. The consultant says under the new framework, Dudley's plan which promises 10,470 new homes, is 13,821 homes short of what will be needed. Developers complained Dudley rushed the plan through using a framework which allowed them to avoid including greenbelt to provide land for the extra homes. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here Myles Wild-Smith, from Lichfields, said: "It was a politically motivated push to get it over the line, the plan will not last a year before it is undermined by appeal or speculative applications." Peter Goatley KC, for Dudley Council, told the hearing the framework used for the plan meant it was not necessary to release greenbelt land and the council intended to protect it.
