Campaigner says Walsall Council ‘breaching constitution’ in ‘obsession’ to move Leather Museum

Linda Boys has grilled councillors and directors on a number of occasions in recent months in a fight to save the much-loved attraction.

Ms Boys was told to "shut up" by leader of the council, Councillor Mike Bird, after she interrupted him at a public meeting.

In the plans to relocate the Leather Museum, Linda is adamant that the authority is breaching its own town centre policy which states: "Walsall Leather Museum will be protected at its current location."

She claims the constitution has been broken too, because it says "the executive", which in this instance in the council’s cabinet, "must act within the policy framework set by the council".

The authority is continuing to push through its bid to move the exhibits of the Leather Museum on Littleton Street West to a former drapers store at 1-3 The Bridge.

Councillor Bird said the ‘majority of the ground floor will be leather’ and the upper floors will be for ‘children and children’s services’ at the new Walsall Museum.

The existing museum will close its doors on April 11, before the building is renovated for Walsall College’s SEND offering, currently at Hawbush Road.

Cabinet members approved the plans back in September 2025 after being informed that the former M&S site in the Saddlers Centre – which is set to become an adult learning centre for the college – would be unsuitable to host the SEND provision.

The cabinet report said that "due to a lack of transport accessibility and dedicated outdoor green space" the M&S site "would be unsuitable".

Therefore, it was decided by cabinet members that the SEND offering would be housed in the Leather Museum building instead.

In emails seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, when Ms Boys asked for a copy of the study that said the M&S site would be unsuitable, the council said it "does not hold a copy of any related feasibility assessment report or study".

Ms Boys said: “It is unbelievable that the director, cabinet and scrutiny members have relied upon and included something in a report that they do not hold a copy of.”

She was directed to the college which did send her a 'rationale document' – an undated, unauthored file, with no mention of the M&S site.

Ms Boys raised concerns about the costs of the relocation, storage, renovation and staff costs throughout the plans. In the council’s 2026/27 budget, there is no specific reference to the Leather Museum.

She said: “When [Councillor] Bird was on the radio, he said the plan will cost taxpayers nothing because it’s in the capital programme. I searched the capital programme left, right and centre but couldn’t find it.

“What’s bothering me is that if it isn’t in the budget where does that leave it constitutionally?

“The constitution is there to protect everyone. It limits any possible intentional or unintentional misuse of power.

“To me, if the default position for all councils and councillors should be openness and accountability, where there is any element of doubt – and there is sufficient here – they should err on the side of caution.

“I could be wrong, all we want to know is that if we’re wrong, please explain to us why so we can understand it.”

Councillor Bird has continued to refer to case law, Buck v Doncaster, to defend the plans.

But Ms Boys claims that case can only be relied upon for decisions that are within the policy and budget frameworks and is therefore "irrelevant" in this instance.

She said: “This is about openness, transparency and accountability and making sure that proper checks and balances have been made. But every time I get a bit more information it makes it more mysterious.

“It just begs the question, why relocate it? The only thing I can think of is that it has become almost like an obsession [...] because that was the plan so it has to go ahead.

“The tone of the argument, debate, has just been so dismissive, that adds insult to injury.”

Walsall Council has not provided a response to Ms Boys's claims but throughout the campaign has continued to assert that it has followed the appropriate democratic and governance procedures.

In a previous statement a spokeperson for the authority said: “Walsall Council recognises the important cultural and historic significance of Walsall’s leather industry and understands the strength of local feeling about the museum’s future.

“The proposal to relocate the museum is about securing a more accessible, central location that will increase footfall, enhance the visitor experience, and help ensure the museum’s long‑term sustainability.

“Throughout this process, the council has followed the appropriate democratic and governance procedures, including cabinet decisions, scrutiny reviews, call‑ins and the publication of reports.

“Consultation has taken place at the appropriate stages, and further community engagement will be carried out as plans for the new site are developed.

“The relocation remains at an early stage. Work continues partners, funders and heritage bodies to shape a refreshed and stronger museum offer that reflects Walsall’s identity and supports the wider regeneration of the town.

“We remain committed to transparency and will continue to share more information as soon as it becomes available.”