‘Concerned’ councillor steps down from £20million Darlaston board

A Darlaston councillor has decided to step-down from a £20million decision-making board over ‘lack of transparency’.

Councillor Peter Burton, Reform member for the Darlaston South ward, announced the decision on Friday, November 13.

The councillor had joined the town’s Pride in Place board after being voted in during the May elections.

But Councillor Burton said he had to quit citing ‘lack of openness, transparency, due diligence and democratic process’.

In 2024, Darlaston was awarded £20million by the government to be spent over 10 years to regenerate the town.

To decide how the money could be spent, a decision-making board was set up, chaired by Manjit Jhooty.

Other members included representatives from education, health, police and the housing sector, plus local businesses, a handful of residents and the local MP Pat McFadden.

The lack of residents on the board faced fierce backlash from councillors and locals at the time.

Councillor Burton, before announcing he was going to stand as a Reform candidate, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with protesters at the board’s first meeting in the town last year.

In the post announcing his resignation this week, Councillor Burton said: “Darlaston councillors were elected on the promise that we would ensure money meant for Darlaston would be spent in Darlaston with decisions made by real local people and I do not feel this is currently evident.

“After speaking to fellow ward councillors, residents, the portfolio holder, and discussing concerns with the chairman, I have made the decision to step down from the Darlaston Pride in Place board.

“I have made this decision due to what I feel is a lack of openness, transparency, due diligence and democratic process.

“I therefore regretfully inform you that I resign from the board with immediate effect. I will be asking the ruling Reform party in Walsall to support my action and raise our concerns with relevant bodies including Pat McFadden MP.

“Can I also point out that the board has genuine hard working members and that my concerns relate to leadership and governance. We will continue to work to ensure Darlaston receives the much needed funding.”

Mr Jhooty said he was saddened to hear of the resignation, and that the board ‘does not share’ Councillor Burton’s concerns about the governance arrangements.

He said: “We are saddened that Councillor Burton has decided to resign from the board, particularly as we had hoped to continue working constructively with him and his fellow councillors to deliver the improvements that Darlaston deserves.

“We do not share his concerns about the Board’s governance arrangements. Both the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Walsall Council officers responsible for overseeing compliance across Darlaston and similar programmes in the borough have confirmed that they are satisfied with the arrangements in place.

“The board is made up predominantly of local residents and people with strong connections to Darlaston. Its purpose is to ensure that the £20million investment is directed towards the priorities of the local community, with decisions informed by the people who live and work here.

“Our focus remains firmly on getting on with the job. We hope that another Darlaston councillor will take up the opportunity to join us, and we look forward to continuing a positive working relationship with all local elected representatives.”

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service