Martyn Smith

4 days ago | expressandstar.com | Martyn Smith

Cllr Simon Phipps, Dudley cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, approved collecting up to £352,600 from a pot of cash provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). If the decision is rubber-stamped at a meeting on June 9, the cash will be spent as part of the Connect to Work initiative. Cllr Phipps said: “Getting the best value out of these grants will be really important for local people in Dudley borough.

4 days ago | expressandstar.com | Martyn Smith

Dudley’s Labour leader says new regulations on stalled developments will unblock ‘ludicrous’ delays, including failure to build on a site in Sedgley. After a project receives planning permission developers have three years to start work but there are no rules on when the job must be completed, which the government believes delays delivery of new homes.

5 days ago | expressandstar.com | Martyn Smith

Councillor Steve Edwards from the newly formed Black Country Party plans to put a notice of motion to the full council giving pubs special recognition and financial support. Councillor Edwards, who represents Brockmoor and Pensnett, hopes that making local pubs into recognised community assets will help slow down the number of closures by cutting costs. He said: “Brockmoor and Pensnett was once home to over 20 pubs, we are now left with just four.

6 days ago | blackcountryradio.co.uk | Martyn Smith

Cllr Steve Edwards from the newly formed Black Country Party plans to put a notice of motion to the full council giving pubs special recognition and financial support. Cllr Edwards, who represents Brockmoor and Pensnett, hopes that making local pubs into recognised community assets will help slow down the number of closures by cutting costs. He said: “Brockmoor and Pensnett was once home to over 20 pubs, we are now left with just four.

6 days ago | blackcountryradio.co.uk | Martyn Smith

The Black Country Party has been formed by six borough councillors who currently make up the Dudley Independent Group, known as ‘the Diggers’. By forming the new party, led by former Labour group leader, Cllr Pete Lowe, the councillors believe they can take their community-based politics out of the council chamber and onto the streets.