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Report into Sandwell Council land sales to be published next week

An independent report into land sales at Sandwell Council will be published next week, the authority has confirmed.

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The Wragge report, which was commissioned by former council leader Darren Cooper in April last year, looked into the sale of six council owned sites between 2011 and 2014.

Fears had been expressed that the report may never see the light of day, but Sandwell Council's chief executive, Jan Britton, confirmed it would be published next week after the authority took Queen's Counsel advice.

He said: "I have now received the opinion of the independent QC on the report by Wragge & Co (now Gowling WLG).

"The QC's advice is clear in recommending that the report and his independent legal opinion should be published, as it is in the public interest to do so and will demonstrate the seriousness and thoroughness with which the council has investigated the allegations that have been made about various land sales and other matters.

"In the interest of fairness and good practice, a commitment to give at least seven days prior notice of publication was previously given to the parties named in the report.

"That notice will be given this week. The report and the QC's opinion will therefore be published on the council's website before the end of next week."

The circumstances surrounding the sales of six sites were investigated as part of the report, including three public toilets, a plot of land off Lodge Street, Oldbury and the Crocketts Lane Coroner's Office, Smethwick.

Warley's Labour MP John Spellar, Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and acting council leader Steve Eling were among those who had called for the report to be published.

Wragge, Lawrence & Graham Solicitors were commissioned to compile the report when West Midlands Police announced it was investigating the sales of council owned land.

Former deputy leader Mahboob Hussain and economy boss Councillor Ian Jones quit their positions to clear their names and were suspended by the Labour Party.

The police investigation ended earlier this year with no charges being brought due to 'insufficient evidence'.

Mr Hussain and Mr Jones have both since had their suspensions lifted by the Labour Party.

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