Stories from Martyn Smith | Express & Star

Local news you can trust

Close

Supporting image.

Martyn Smith

Local Democracy Reporter covering Dudley

June 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley finance chief warns council won't release 'tight grip' on spending despite saving millions

Dudley finance chief warns council won't release 'tight grip' on spending despite saving millions

June 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It is a plan without a plan' - Housing developers withdraw support for Dudley Council's proposals

'It is a plan without a plan' - Housing developers withdraw support for Dudley Council's proposals

June 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: Council tax help may face more pressure, Dudley councillor warns

Council tax help may face more pressure, Dudley councillor warns

June 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It could be catastrophic' - Dudley Council accused of planning housing in ‘dangerous’ location in Brierley Hill

'It could be catastrophic' - Dudley Council accused of planning housing in ‘dangerous’ location in Brierley Hill

Supporting image for story: Dudley business in the spotlight during committee visit

Dudley business in the spotlight during committee visit

Supporting image for story: 'It could be the rebirth of Colley Gate!' Plans to redevelop eyesore building welcomed

'It could be the rebirth of Colley Gate!' Plans to redevelop eyesore building welcomed

Supporting image for story: Councillor says consultation not enough on plans for new 5G phone mast at Wollaston Village Hall

Councillor says consultation not enough on plans for new 5G phone mast at Wollaston Village Hall

June 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plan earmarks Dudley land for major housing development

Plan earmarks Dudley land for major housing development

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council claims of financial recovery left in balance by changes to accounting rules

Dudley Council claims of financial recovery left in balance by changes to accounting rules

June 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Kingswinford MP offers backing for plans for sports club floodlights

Kingswinford MP offers backing for plans for sports club floodlights

Supporting image for story: Political leaders in Dudley split over Palestine trip by MP

Political leaders in Dudley split over Palestine trip by MP

June 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council accused of 'not co-operating on housing' to meet local need

Dudley Council accused of 'not co-operating on housing' to meet local need

Supporting image for story: 'They kept me in the dark' - Owner of Brierley Hill superstore slams council after plans refused due to parking spaces

'They kept me in the dark' - Owner of Brierley Hill superstore slams council after plans refused due to parking spaces

June 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Local plan was ‘rushed’ to avoid regulations, according to inspectors

Dudley Local plan was ‘rushed’ to avoid regulations, according to inspectors

June 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: Controversial plans for changes at historic Stourbridge hotel are rejected - here's why

Controversial plans for changes at historic Stourbridge hotel are rejected - here's why

June 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Under-threat' Dudley youth centre could get a lifeline from London

'Under-threat' Dudley youth centre could get a lifeline from London

Supporting image for story: Local plan hearings to get underway in Dudley

Local plan hearings to get underway in Dudley

June 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Decision to convert Dudley house into flats delayed after highway safety concerns

Decision to convert Dudley house into flats delayed after highway safety concerns

June 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council struggles to find permanent finance chief

Dudley Council struggles to find permanent finance chief

Supporting image for story: Nine out of ten Dudley residents receiving PIP 'could be worse off after changes', figures show

Nine out of ten Dudley residents receiving PIP 'could be worse off after changes', figures show

June 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Working people have a better quality of life' - says Dudley councillor as cash approved for youth employment plan

'Working people have a better quality of life' - says Dudley councillor as cash approved for youth employment plan

June 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council to vote on community status for pubs to slow down closure rates

Dudley Council to vote on community status for pubs to slow down closure rates

June 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Appeal against electric vehicle station ruling rejected by Dudley Council

Appeal against electric vehicle station ruling rejected by Dudley Council

May 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: New political party launched by Dudley ‘Diggers’

New political party launched by Dudley ‘Diggers’

Supporting image for story: Dudley schools granted permission to join new academy trust

Dudley schools granted permission to join new academy trust

May 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley traffic chief approves new parking restrictions

Dudley traffic chief approves new parking restrictions

Supporting image for story: Brierley Hill health centre to be converted into factory

Brierley Hill health centre to be converted into factory

May 14, 2025

Supporting image for story: Former offices in Halesowen set to make way for flats

Former offices in Halesowen set to make way for flats

Supporting image for story: Dudley youth more likely to be jobless and on benefits, official data shows

Dudley youth more likely to be jobless and on benefits, official data shows

May 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'You feel like a school kid' - Fears over Brierley Hill flat fires costing disabled tenants’ independence

'You feel like a school kid' - Fears over Brierley Hill flat fires costing disabled tenants’ independence

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council could pay high price for tram trouble

Dudley Council could pay high price for tram trouble

May 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council leader says mayor should 'find promised HS2 cash'

Dudley Council leader says mayor should 'find promised HS2 cash'

May 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Historic Dudley building set for conversion to flats

Historic Dudley building set for conversion to flats

May 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: Investigation launched after Dudley council chamber walkout

Investigation launched after Dudley council chamber walkout

May 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Campaigners claim victory in Dudley leisure centre row

Campaigners claim victory in Dudley leisure centre row

Supporting image for story: Background work ‘not done’ for dementia centre cut near Stourbridge

Background work ‘not done’ for dementia centre cut near Stourbridge

Supporting image for story: Future 'shake-up' of Dudley's community forums to be debated

Future 'shake-up' of Dudley's community forums to be debated

April 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: Walkout after clashes with mayor in Dudley Council meeting

Walkout after clashes with mayor in Dudley Council meeting

April 15, 2025

$Supporting image for story: New Dudley labour leader aims to unify fractured councillor group$

New Dudley labour leader aims to unify fractured councillor group

April 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Councillor says Halesowen ‘missing out’ on regeneration despite millions spent in Dudley

Councillor says Halesowen ‘missing out’ on regeneration despite millions spent in Dudley

April 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley regeneration projects hit by staff shortages and spending cuts

Dudley regeneration projects hit by staff shortages and spending cuts

April 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley green zone leading the fight against climate change

Dudley green zone leading the fight against climate change

Supporting image for story: Five new homes approved on 'large plot of land' in Dudley

Five new homes approved on 'large plot of land' in Dudley

April 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans for new apartments on Halesowen land rejected

Plans for new apartments on Halesowen land rejected

March 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Residents could pay extra in council ‘madness’ plans for extra local government layer

Residents could pay extra in council ‘madness’ plans for extra local government layer

Supporting image for story: Dudley Councillors vote to support scrapping outsourcing after critical vote on leisure centres

Dudley Councillors vote to support scrapping outsourcing after critical vote on leisure centres

Supporting image for story: Half of Dudley care providers in survey planning to cut contracts

Half of Dudley care providers in survey planning to cut contracts

February 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley councillors set for historic budget vote

Dudley councillors set for historic budget vote

February 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Our community is misunderstood – it’s more like a family'

'Our community is misunderstood – it’s more like a family'

February 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council opposition reveals alternatives for budget cuts

Dudley Council opposition reveals alternatives for budget cuts

PreviousPage NextPage