Fresh demands for transparency on failed land deal

Dudley Council is facing calls from Reform UK to release a report on the failed sale of a leisure centre.

Confusion however now surrounds the existence of a report from the council’s external auditors into the sale of Dudley Leisure Centre in March 2024.

Auditors Grant Thornton were called in to examine the £1.65m deal between the authority and developer Amarjit Dhanda.

The council pulled out of the deal for the Wellington Road site in April 2024 and a report was requested by the council’s audit committee but it was never made public.

Former chair of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Reform UK councillor Shaun Keasey, has now written to Dudley’s chief executive, Balvinder Heran, insisting the report is released.

In his letter, Cllr Keasey said: “As you know, despite repeated requests from myself and others, the council has declined to release this document with no explanation. 

“Given your stated intention to improve openness and accountability, withholding this report risks undermining public trust.”

Despite the council previously saying it would not release the report because it contains commercially sensitive details, there is now fresh doubt about the existence of the document.

In a response to a freedom of information request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council said: “Following a search of our records, we can confirm that the council does not hold a copy of any finalised report prepared by Grant Thornton in relation to this transaction. 

“While it is publicly reported that external auditors were asked to investigate the matter, the council has not received a copy of any such report and therefore cannot confirm its existence or contents.” 

Grant Thornton is yet to respond to requests for clarification on whether a report was sent to the council.

Meanwhile, Cllr Keasey is determined to keep up pressure for more information on the deal.

He said: “Due to the council’s refusal to release the failed Wellington Road development report I am highly suspicious there may be documented wrongdoing within it. Residents deserve to know.

“Publishing the report would be the quickest way to rebuild trust. Transparency isn’t optional, it’s a duty to residents.”

In February 2025 Dudley Council announced it had sold the site to Halesowen-based developers Revelan for £1.7m.