Dudley MP accuses council of 'inaction' over the state of town centre

An MP accused councillors of ‘years of inaction’ over the decline of Dudley town centre during a parliamentary debate on high-street regeneration.

Sonia Kumar asked Communities Secretary Angela Rayner what measures the Government was taking to revitalise the town during a debate on high-street regeneration.

The Labour MP for Dudley blamed the Tory-led council for the decline of the town centre.

But Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council accused Miss Kumar of ‘absolute cheek’, saying government increases in business rates, National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage were the cause of the town’s decline over the past two years.

He said the council’s decision to offer market traders free stall rental during December and January this year demonstrated the council’s commitment to the town, despite the pressures it was under from the Government.

Councillor Harley added that he would consider extending the free rental scheme to February after talking to traders.

Speaking in the Commons, Miss Kumar said: “Dudley High Street has enormous potential to thrive and prosper once again, yet years of inaction from the Conservative-led council has left too many empty shops and too many businesses struggling.

“Will my right honourable friend outline what steps the Labour government are taking to revitalise the area and reverse the trend of empty shops dominating our high street?”

Mrs Rayner replied: “My honourable friend is absolutely right to talk about the years of Conservative failure, where we saw boarded-up shops, closed pubs and places feeling in decline.

“We are turning the page with a £125 million fund that will be invested to bring derelict buildings, like abandoned cinemas and shopping centres, back into use for the community.

“We are putting power back into the hands of local communities like Dudley, so that they can have a real say over what their high street looks like.”

But Councillor Harley said the Labour government should be looking closer to home when it came to the decline in the town.

“The absolute cheek of this MP,” he said.

“It’s her government that is killing the high street. Higher business rates, increase in national minimum wage, and the increase in National Insurance contributions, not to mention her government’s attack on businesses through their changes to employment rights.

“This will prevent employers and businesses from taking on new employees and investing in the high street.

“She is absolutely responsible for any further deterioration of the High Street in Dudley.”

Councillor Harley said the council was investing in the town centre, despite the issues the Government was causing, including free rents on market stalls during December and January this year.

“I may well extend that to the end of February after speaking to the market traders,” he said.

“That’s real action that actually helps the situation.”