Horse trading under way at new-look Dudley Council

As the dust settles following a dramatic local election the horse trading must now begin to determine the shape of Dudley Council.

Despite Reform UK making massive gains, the Conservatives are still the largest group in the council chamber with 27 elected members.

The Tories were in control of the 72-seat authority before the election with a minority administration of 33 councillors and relied on support from the Liberal Democrats in crucial votes like the budget.

Reform (23 councillors) has replaced Labour (15 councillors) as the second largest group on the council, the Lib Dems have four councillors and The Black Country has three councillors.

No party has an overall majority which means deals will need to be done between groups to ensure the council can operate as usual.

Dudley’s Conservative leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, said: “Over the years I have gone through many transformations on this authority and I am confident we will still form the next administration and carry on moving this borough in the right direction.”

Cllr Harley is not ruling out any options in his negotiations with other groups, he added: “I have worked with Labour before, Lib Dems and I am sure I can work with any party that wants to put sensible proposals forward.”

Reform performed beyond their own expectations in the May 7 elections but may be content to bide their time until the 2027 poll when they believe it will be possible to take control in Dudley.

Cllr Shaun Keasey, the current Reform group leader on the council, is not worried about any potential difficulties of working with other groups.

Speaking on election night, he said: “It’s up to them, we would probably be quite happy until 2027 but what we have got to think of is the residents of Dudley.

“They want a council and a council chamber that puts their interests first, it’s a bit early to say what’s going to happen but we are going to have to have conversations to make sure we put Dudley and its residents first.”