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Martyn Smith

Local Democracy Reporter covering Dudley

August 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'By the time the tram is complete, we will all be gone' - Dudley trader warns council regeneration plan 'will not save town centre'

'By the time the tram is complete, we will all be gone' - Dudley trader warns council regeneration plan 'will not save town centre'

August 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Watchdog’s report gives Dudley Council a mauling

Watchdog’s report gives Dudley Council a mauling

July 31, 2025

Supporting image for story: Smart traffic lights among improvements planned for major gateway into Dudley

Smart traffic lights among improvements planned for major gateway into Dudley

Supporting image for story: Planners to rule on 73-bed care home application for Dudley office building

Planners to rule on 73-bed care home application for Dudley office building

July 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: Councillors to debate £3.7m upgrades at one of Dudley's busiest road junctions

Councillors to debate £3.7m upgrades at one of Dudley's busiest road junctions

July 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council accused of turning a ‘blind eye’ to shabby homes

Dudley Council accused of turning a ‘blind eye’ to shabby homes

July 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Critical risk': Low staffing levels at Dudley Council are causing delays to vital services

'Critical risk': Low staffing levels at Dudley Council are causing delays to vital services

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council secures deal to save Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre

Dudley Council secures deal to save Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre

July 24, 2025

Supporting image for story: No Dudley Council taxpayer cash needed for Metro mistake

No Dudley Council taxpayer cash needed for Metro mistake

Supporting image for story: Dudley councillors cough up for awards party

Dudley councillors cough up for awards party

July 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: Watchdog upheld more than three quarters of investigated complaints against Dudley Council

Watchdog upheld more than three quarters of investigated complaints against Dudley Council

Supporting image for story: Plans to reduce short stay parking fees in Dudley

Plans to reduce short stay parking fees in Dudley

July 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Councillor says long-wait means mental health patients are ‘abandoned’

Dudley Councillor says long-wait means mental health patients are ‘abandoned’

July 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans for flats at former Dudley church rejected

Plans for flats at former Dudley church rejected

July 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council leader welcomes best value notice from government

Dudley Council leader welcomes best value notice from government

July 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Shocking cost of private care for children in Dudley revealed

Shocking cost of private care for children in Dudley revealed

Supporting image for story: Reform UK's Marco Longhi lukewarm on Sedgley asylum hotel announcement

Reform UK's Marco Longhi lukewarm on Sedgley asylum hotel announcement

July 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Don’t wash your hands of cuts in Dudley' - Council leaders urged to call for benefit reform rethink

'Don’t wash your hands of cuts in Dudley' - Council leaders urged to call for benefit reform rethink

Supporting image for story: Kingswinford pub granted permission for later opening hours despite neighbours’ concerns

Kingswinford pub granted permission for later opening hours despite neighbours’ concerns

July 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dudley Council spends up to £2.5 million on new floors for social housing for new tenants

Dudley Council spends up to £2.5 million on new floors for social housing for new tenants

Supporting image for story: Council owed £3 million in unpaid rent at the end of last year, accounts reveal

Council owed £3 million in unpaid rent at the end of last year, accounts reveal

July 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Botched' Stourbridge swing saga branded a ‘farce’ by Dudley councillor

'Botched' Stourbridge swing saga branded a ‘farce’ by Dudley councillor

July 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Revealed: Accounts show the cost of running Dudley Council - from schools to street lights

Revealed: Accounts show the cost of running Dudley Council - from schools to street lights

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

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