Cradley Residents Deliver Verdict on Parish Council Proposal
Taxpayers in Dudley have funded an £8,000 feasibility study that resulted in a resounding rejection of plans to establish a parish council for Cradley. The consultation, which attracted 1,269 responses, saw an overwhelming 82.6 percent vote against the idea of adding another layer of local government.
The Political Push and the Public's Response
The survey was initiated after the Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Ryan Priest, successfully persuaded Dudley's ruling Conservative group to allocate up to £75,000 for the study during this year's budget discussions. Cllr Priest was a keen supporter of the proposal, arguing that parish councils are a tool to counteract funding cuts from central government that affect frontline services like libraries and park maintenance.
Despite the clear result, Cllr Priest defended the decision to hold the consultation. He stated, "Government after government has failed to properly fund local councils... it is right that Dudley asked the question." He acknowledged the public's decision, adding that residents have given a clear indication that they want their councillors to fight for them within the existing system.
Cross-Party Criticism and the Matter Being 'Closed'
The proposal faced significant opposition from other political leaders. Dudley Council's Conservative leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, confirmed that "the matter is now closed," emphasising that "we are a democracy." He expressed his personal view that there is too much bureaucracy in local government and that he would not have supported another layer.
The Labour opposition leader, Councillor Adam Aston, was even more critical. When the survey was launched in September 2025, he branded the idea "self-indulgent twaddle" and urged residents to give it the "short shrift it deserves."
With local elections on the horizon, Cllr Priest has shifted focus, pledging that the Lib Dems will continue campaigning to find alternative ways to protect local services and secure a fair deal for Cradley.
