Public Meeting Sparked by Funding Row Erupts in Controversy
A public meeting called to discuss the contentious Darlaston Town Board was overshadowed by an inflammatory comment from an audience member, which was met with laughter from the crowd. The meeting, held at Darlaston Town Hall on Saturday, November 22, 2025, was organised by opponents of the Board, who had invited its members to address public concerns over how a £20 million government fund should be spent.
Heated Exchange and Denials
During the proceedings, Councillor Paul Bott, who chaired the meeting, referred to a fellow Walsall councillor. At this point, an audience member quipped, ‘can’t we get him shot?’. The remark was reportedly met with laughter from others present. However, Councillor Bott has since stated he ‘did not hear’ any comments relating to shooting or violence, describing the event as ‘positive and peaceful’.
The comment has drawn sharp criticism from members of the Darlaston Town Board. Roland Roberts, a board member, said Councillor Bott had a responsibility to call out the ‘distasteful comment’ and failed to do so. Another board member, Adrian Walker, expressed relief that he had not attended, stating that reports of jeering and the specific comment made him ‘fear for my safety’.
Broader Conflict Over £20 Million Fund
The incident highlights the deep-seated tensions surrounding the Darlaston Town Board. In 2023, Darlaston was selected as one of 55 towns to receive £20 million as part of the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. A board was established in October 2025 to decide how this substantial pot of cash would be spent.
Councillors Paul and Chris Bott, a husband and wife team representing Darlaston South, have been vocal critics. They argue the board should be community-led and claim residents have been ‘sidelined’ in the decision-making process. This meeting was their initiative to demand more community control.
In defence of the board's composition, Roland Roberts explained that it includes people who learn, work, and run businesses in Darlaston, as well as faith groups. He argued that a fully resident-led board could lead to arguments ‘street by street’ and that the current structure is designed to create a balanced plan. He lamented that ‘non-cooperation’ was causing the community to miss a vital opportunity.
Adrian Walker also revealed the personal cost of his involvement, reporting that his business, the Scabby Oss Cafe, has been targeted with eggs, bricks, and intimidation, leaving him afraid for his staff's safety.
Accusations and the Path Forward
Councillor Paul Bott hit back at the board members, accusing them of ‘trying to cause trouble by going to the press’. He reaffirmed that all 74 attendees had a chance to speak and that the overwhelming message was a demand for a community-led board. He warned that if the community cannot lead, the money ‘may as well go back’.
With petitions now being prepared to call for the board's dismantling, the future of how Darlaston spends its £20 million investment remains uncertain, mired in conflict and distrust.
