Major parties reveal their election priorities

Dudley’s biggest council group leaders are gearing up for the first local elections in two years.

The authority has 72 councillors and elections take place in three out of every four years where a third of the council’s seats are up for grabs.

Unusually, in 2024, every seat was on the ballot paper; there were no elections in 2025 and in May 2026 the system will reset to a third of councillors standing for election.

The council is currently run by the Conservative Party, their leader in Dudley, Cllr Patrick Harley said: “Looking forward to next year’s local elections, we will be facing the voters with a good record of turning the council’s finances around, securing private sector investment for regeneration and housing need.

“I believe key issues for the elections next year will be housing, greenbelt, asylum, and immigration, regeneration and roads maintenance. 

“There are exciting plans to potentially link up with private sector partners that could see a substantial increase in the number of homes that could have a positive impact on our waiting list.”

“The Conservatives message to voters will be let us complete the journey of regenerating Dudley, Brierley Hill, and other town centres.

“Clearly asylum is an issue that is constantly talked about on the doorstep. I’ve taken a strong approach to the home office and Serco and not been afraid to take the necessary legal action when appropriate.

“Although we have just one hotel it is one hotel too many. 

“However, our much greater issue of concern is the use of private accommodation of which the council has no jurisdiction to stop.”

The largest opposition group on Dudley Council House is Labour and their leader, Cllr Adam Aston, is already on the attack, criticising the Tories for not signing up for a scheme which aims to bring vacant shops back into use.

Cllr Aston said: “Between now and the elections next May, Dudley Labour will be outlining our alternative, a council focused on practical delivery, working closely with our members of parliament and metro mayor to ensure Dudley punches above its weight.

“Dudley residents should be proud of their borough and it’s that civic pride which will be at the heart of everything we do and every decision we take as Dudley Labour Group, it will shape our priorities and will be the basis of our local manifesto and our offer to voters in May.

“We will value every penny of taxpayers money, we will repair not sell our precious council homes, we will spend new money for road repairs where it’s really needed, we will make sure Dudley is ready for the ongoing electric vehicle rollout and we will work with our police commissioner on tackling anti-social behaviour.

“The Conservatives are failing to take advantage of Labour government initiatives such as the High Street Rental Auctions Scheme which would have seen funding flow into our borough’s high streets.”

The other parties represented on Dudley Council are the Black Country Party, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and there is one independent.