This week, Dudley Council has been at the centre of significant developments, ranging from a stark rise in adult protection cases to political disputes over spending and allegations of misogyny.
Adult Safeguarding Concerns Skyrocket
A report presented to the council's Social Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee revealed a dramatic increase in adult safeguarding concerns. Over the past decade, reports have surged by 300%, with the authority receiving 7,363 reports in the last year alone.
The most common issue identified was self-neglect, underscoring the immense and growing pressure on local social care resources and staff.
Drones Deployed in Anti-Social Behaviour Crackdown
Council Leader, Conservative Councillor Patrick Harley, announced a new crackdown targeting youths riding illegal off-road bikes. The initiative will involve using drones to track riders, whom Cllr Harley labelled "little toe-rags".
The aim is to identify individuals, work with police to locate their homes, and confiscate the vehicles in a bid to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Political Rows Over Spending and Conduct
Council leaders faced demands to apologise after spending nearly £10,000 on a feasibility study for a parish council in Cradley. The study, a deal struck between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, was rejected after over 82% of residents voted against the plan. Labour and Reform UK councillors branded it a "vanity project".
Separately, a heated political row erupted between Reform UK and Conservative councillors concerning the Ladies Walk health centre in Sedgley. Reform UK's Councillor Shaun Keasey accused the Conservative group of "gaslighting and misogyny" after a Tory candidate called a Labour MP a "wretched woman".
Further Scrutiny and Internal Issues
During an emotional committee session, a member of the public claimed some social workers had "lied and ignored emails" containing specific child safety information. The resident linked the problems to high staff turnover, stating trained workers frequently leave for surrounding boroughs offering better pay and conditions.
Internally, councillors are experiencing severe communication delays, with some waiting up to six months for responses from council departments, hampering their ability to address residents' concerns effectively.
In other news, planners approved a new drive-thru coffee shop in Brierley Hill despite local opposition, deciding the economic benefits outweighed traffic and noise concerns.
