No cuts says chief after questions on team closures

Dudley Council’s housing chief insists changes to services which are rumoured to mean around 30 job losses are not cuts.

Cllr Ian Bevan, Dudley cabinet member for housing and homelessness, was responding to a question during a meeting of the full council on November 2.

Labour’s Cllr Cathryn Bayton wanted answers about a restructure which is believed to include a reduction of on-site support for sheltered accommodation and closure of the council’s Housing Support Team.

Cllr Bayton said: “I understand that the Housing Support Team are to be axed.

“This is along with changes to the supported shelter schemes, by rebranding it as independent living, and removing the removal of funding for DFTRA (Dudley Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations), on top of the removal of approximately two years ago of the funding for the Welfare Rights Team.

“All of these actions are direct attacks on some of the most vulnerable tenants and residents in our borough at a time when external pressures are impacting our residents and we are removing lifelines of support.”

Cllr Bayton said a full impact assessment of any changes should be carried out and examined by the appropriate scrutiny committee with any recommendations to be fully considered.

Dudley Council is yet to make public details of changes and Cllr Bevan also gave little away in response to Cllr Bayton.

He said: “In September 2026 the housing and assets group launched a consultation on its proposed new Target Operating Model with staff who may potentially be affected by the proposed changes.

“The group will continue to provide floating support in people’s homes and accommodation-based support in sheltered schemes but in line with the structures developed under the new Target Operating Model.”

Cllr Bevan said the new model had been confirmed and sessions were being arranged to explain the new structure to council staff and tenants.

He added: “As the new Target Operating Model is a change to staffing structures and how services are delivered rather than a reduction in services to tenants, this is an officer-led function.

“That said, we will be talking to tenants about changes to staffing structures and any differences, not cuts, they may see, confirmation of the new model will be shared imminently.”

He went on to say a report could be prepared for the relevant scrutiny committee outlining the case for change, impact and outcomes.

His answer was cut short after he ran out of the time allowed under the rules of council meetings.

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service