Dudley Council's online petition platform became a focal point for local democracy in 2025, with one contentious issue dramatically outpacing all others to secure a formal debate.
Top Petition Triggers Heated Council Debate
The most successful e-petition of the year was launched by Reform UK politician Marco Longhi and focused on the housing of asylum seekers and illegal migrants within the borough. Open from August to October 2025, it gathered 3,086 signatures, surpassing the 3,000 threshold required for a council chamber debate.
The petition stated that borough residents were "deeply concerned about the effects" of an increased presence. It called on the authority to consider legal injunctions against hotels used for such accommodation and to use fear of crime as a planning consideration to block houses in multiple occupation (HMO) applications.
The matter was debated by the full council on October 20. The session saw a crowded public gallery, with attendees reportedly applauding criticisms directed at councillors who had attacked Mr. Longhi's stance.
Other Local Campaigns That Gained Traction
While the asylum petition dominated, other community concerns also found a voice through the council's website. The second most-signed petition, active in July, aimed to Save Clockfields Millennium Forest and SLINC (Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation). It attracted 824 signatures opposing a planning application for three houses on Culverhouse Drive in Brierley Hill, arguing the site was a vital wildlife corridor.
Another campaign, Save Enville Street Car Park, collected 236 signatures. Supporters urged the council to remove the Stourbridge site from its disposal list and instead invest in resurfacing, warning that a sale would worsen parking and harm local businesses. A council response to this petition is still pending.
Petitions That Failed to Meet the Threshold
The platform also highlighted issues that failed to mobilise significant support. A petition requesting funding for road maintenance in Halesowen, which ran from April 2 to July 2, received only two signatures. This was far below the number needed to warrant an official council response, demonstrating the varied levels of public engagement on different local matters.
The annual tally of four hosted petitions shows the platform is a direct, if selectively used, channel for residents to attempt to influence local policy, with the most polarising topics generating the greatest participation.
