Dudley Council is braced for a pivotal 2026 after a year defined by severe financial pressures, significant political realignments, and public unrest over key local issues.
A Budget Passed by the Narrowest of Margins
The authority entered 2025 facing a dire fiscal warning: without drastic action, it risked being unable to pay its bills. The minority Conservative administration proposed sweeping cuts totalling £42 million to its spending plans.
After intense scrutiny, the crucial budget vote on February 24 was passed, but only with the critical support of three Liberal Democrat councillors and independent councillor Andrew Tromans, who later joined the Lib Dems. Their backing came at a price, securing funds for a parish council feasibility study in Cradley, halting the closure of two public toilets, and delaying cuts to the Welfare Rights Team.
The deal was fiercely criticised by the then Labour group leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, who accused the Lib Dems of "playing politics with people's lives" and labelled it an "appalling misuse of democracy".
Political Upheaval and New Party Formations
The council's political landscape underwent substantial changes throughout the year. The Labour group suffered several defections, starting with Councillor Steve Edwards, expelled in February for criticising Keir Starmer. Councillor Pete Lowe left in March over proposed Westminster welfare cuts.
They were followed by others, eventually coalescing to form the Black Country Party, which now holds six seats on the authority. Meanwhile, Reform UK gained a foothold in the chamber after independent Councillor Shaun Keasey joined, later followed by Conservative defectors James Clinton and Jason Thorne.
Public Protests and Security Measures
Councillors faced significant public pressure during the summer over the housing of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants in hotels within the Dudley borough. Demonstrators gathered at Dudley Council House in September, engaging with the borough's leader on the steps.
The situation escalated when individuals gained unauthorised access to the building, prompting the council to hire security staff to guard the premises. Campaigners returned to pack the public gallery for a debate on asylum, triggered by a 3,000-name petition organised by Reform UK campaigner Marco Longhi.
Frustration Over Delayed Regeneration
Further frustration surfaced in the council chamber over continued delays to the long-awaited Midlands Metro tram extension to Dudley. Originally slated for completion in 2022, then postponed to 2024 and 2025, news that it would not carry passengers until early 2026 drew sharp criticism.
Conservative councillor Ian Kettle described the project as "one debacle after another" during a heated debate, encapsulating local disappointment over the stalled regeneration scheme. As the new year approaches, these unresolved challenges set the stage for a momentous 2026 for the borough.
