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Martyn Smith

Local Democracy Reporter covering Dudley

January 7, 2026

Supporting image for story: Waste collection catch up under way in Dudley despite continuing freeze

Waste collection catch up under way in Dudley despite continuing freeze

January 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'A saving to the taxpayer': Dudley Council close to surprise deal on health centre following months of speculation

'A saving to the taxpayer': Dudley Council close to surprise deal on health centre following months of speculation

Supporting image for story: 'Pointless to reinstate bins that are never used': Dudley Council to review grit bin removal following backlash - here's what's planned in response to complaints

'Pointless to reinstate bins that are never used': Dudley Council to review grit bin removal following backlash - here's what's planned in response to complaints

December 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council year in review: Budget crisis, defections, protests and tram delays

Dudley Council year in review: Budget crisis, defections, protests and tram delays

December 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plan for eight apartments near Halesowen rejected on appeal

Plan for eight apartments near Halesowen rejected on appeal

December 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Calls for Dudley Council to reverse ‘foolish’ grit bin policy

Calls for Dudley Council to reverse ‘foolish’ grit bin policy

December 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Appeal to turn over decision on Brierley Hill MOT centre rejected

Appeal to turn over decision on Brierley Hill MOT centre rejected

December 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Reform UK tipped to sweep Dudley wards in 2026 as council leader vows to hold seats

Reform UK tipped to sweep Dudley wards in 2026 as council leader vows to hold seats

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council leader says ‘nothing to hide’ over failed leisure centre deal

Dudley Council leader says ‘nothing to hide’ over failed leisure centre deal

Supporting image for story: Asylum seeker housing petition only one to top 3,000-signature threshold for debate by Dudley Council in 2025

Asylum seeker housing petition only one to top 3,000-signature threshold for debate by Dudley Council in 2025

Supporting image for story: Trams, buses and town centre plans dominate Dudley Council’s 2026 agenda - here's the council's plan for the new year

Trams, buses and town centre plans dominate Dudley Council’s 2026 agenda - here's the council's plan for the new year

December 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Taxi drivers barred in Dudley after offences, revoked licences and false Uber documents

Taxi drivers barred in Dudley after offences, revoked licences and false Uber documents

December 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley's carbon-cutting report comes with 'false accounting' warning

Dudley's carbon-cutting report comes with 'false accounting' warning

Supporting image for story: Dudley children’s home closure order upheld by inspectorate

Dudley children’s home closure order upheld by inspectorate

December 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council leader dismisses debate as ‘bloody nonsense’

Dudley Council leader dismisses debate as ‘bloody nonsense’

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council may consider paying foster parents £100k a year in bid to 'cut costs'

Dudley Council may consider paying foster parents £100k a year in bid to 'cut costs'

December 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: Planned budget for Dudley has risks 'which cannot be ignored', councillors warned

Planned budget for Dudley has risks 'which cannot be ignored', councillors warned

December 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley car wash will have to demolish building erected without permission

Dudley car wash will have to demolish building erected without permission

Supporting image for story: Dudley local plan step closer to approval - but review needed

Dudley local plan step closer to approval - but review needed

December 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Saga of failed £1.6m Dudley Leisure Centre sale set to enter third year

Saga of failed £1.6m Dudley Leisure Centre sale set to enter third year

Supporting image for story: Investigation into failed £1.6m Dudley Leisure site hit with delays - here's why

Investigation into failed £1.6m Dudley Leisure site hit with delays - here's why

Supporting image for story: Dudley free parking debate loses out to the Black Country flag and protecting local pubs

Dudley free parking debate loses out to the Black Country flag and protecting local pubs

December 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council to spend £1.5m on nine new gritters as grit bins are removed - here's why

Dudley Council to spend £1.5m on nine new gritters as grit bins are removed - here's why

December 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council to cut wait times for responses to complaints under new regulations

Dudley Council to cut wait times for responses to complaints under new regulations

December 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley social workers lied to residents and ignored emails, committee told

Dudley social workers lied to residents and ignored emails, committee told

December 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Planners to rule on new Brierley Hill homes

Planners to rule on new Brierley Hill homes

December 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'They owe Sonia Kumar an apology' - Row over Sedgley Ladies Walk heats up with misogyny claims

'They owe Sonia Kumar an apology' - Row over Sedgley Ladies Walk heats up with misogyny claims

December 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: Top councillor not happy with residents' six-month waits on MyDudley system

Top councillor not happy with residents' six-month waits on MyDudley system

Supporting image for story: 'It is completely disgraceful' - Dudley Council leaders told to apologise for parish council survey

'It is completely disgraceful' - Dudley Council leaders told to apologise for parish council survey

Supporting image for story: Plans to 'chase down yobs with drones' in crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Dudley

Plans to 'chase down yobs with drones' in crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Dudley

December 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley's social services see surge in number of safeguarding reports

Dudley's social services see surge in number of safeguarding reports

Supporting image for story: No answers on how to tackle SEND finance ‘bomb’ which could push Dudley Council into bankruptcy

No answers on how to tackle SEND finance ‘bomb’ which could push Dudley Council into bankruptcy

December 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'The crisis we faced did not appear out of nowhere' - Dudley MP hits back at savage Conservative claim she 'misled parliament'

'The crisis we faced did not appear out of nowhere' - Dudley MP hits back at savage Conservative claim she 'misled parliament'

November 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Metro’s route draws a poverty line in Dudley, data shows

West Midlands Metro’s route draws a poverty line in Dudley, data shows

November 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: Mental health assessments which may remove people's liberties could take more than eight months in Dudley

Mental health assessments which may remove people's liberties could take more than eight months in Dudley

Supporting image for story: Eyesore historic building in Dudley town centre may be demolished, councillor warns

Eyesore historic building in Dudley town centre may be demolished, councillor warns

November 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: 650 homes plan for Kingswinford approved after road wrangling

650 homes plan for Kingswinford approved after road wrangling

Supporting image for story: Dudley's Lib Dem leader defends defeat on parish councils

Dudley's Lib Dem leader defends defeat on parish councils

Supporting image for story: High caseloads hampering Dudley Council children’s services

High caseloads hampering Dudley Council children’s services

November 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley rent rise revealed but autumn Budget could add more

Dudley rent rise revealed but autumn Budget could add more

November 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands headteacher warns against putting a price on education

West Midlands headteacher warns against putting a price on education

Supporting image for story: Union keeps up pressure on Dudley Council about CCTV complaints

Union keeps up pressure on Dudley Council about CCTV complaints

November 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Reform hits back at Dudley Tory leader for ‘not having the courage’ to trigger by-elections

Reform hits back at Dudley Tory leader for ‘not having the courage’ to trigger by-elections

Supporting image for story: Impact of low staffing and 'lack of collaboration' on children’s services laid out in new report

Impact of low staffing and 'lack of collaboration' on children’s services laid out in new report

November 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'The turquoise wave is coming' - Tory defections to Reform slammed by Dudley Council leader

'The turquoise wave is coming' - Tory defections to Reform slammed by Dudley Council leader

November 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Brierley Hill councillor says fire doors in block of high rise flats are ‘not fit for purpose’

Brierley Hill councillor says fire doors in block of high rise flats are ‘not fit for purpose’

November 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It is in the back of your mind': Residents tell of their fears for safety at Brierley Hill flats

'It is in the back of your mind': Residents tell of their fears for safety at Brierley Hill flats

November 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley cabinet under fire for savings ‘cuts’ to council services that could impact 'most vulnerable' locals

Dudley cabinet under fire for savings ‘cuts’ to council services that could impact 'most vulnerable' locals

Supporting image for story: Emergency action needed after loose glass panels found on roof of flats in Brierley Hill

Emergency action needed after loose glass panels found on roof of flats in Brierley Hill

November 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council predicts deficit down but children’s costs up

Dudley Council predicts deficit down but children’s costs up

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