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

The lack of answers was revealed as councillors expressed their frustration about delays in the publication of a report from external auditors Grant Thornton into the sale of the former Dudley Leisure site in Wellington Road.

The deal, between the council and developer Amarjit Dhanda in March 2024, collapsed when Dudley Council pulled out a month later sparking calls for an investigation.

The council’s audit committee was expecting to receive a report on the findings of the probe at its meeting on December 8 but was told it had been delayed.

Councillor Karl Denning said: “It seems to be dragging on, 518 days since we asked for the report, 364 business days, we need the report in a timely manner.”

Councillor Shaukat Ali added: “Someone needs to explain what has changed, where is the investigation to date, every delay casts doubt on the governance and transparency of the process.”

The council’s legal chief, monitoring officer Aftab Razzaq, told councillors the report was delayed by further discussions with Grant Thornton.

Mr Razzaq added: “I will assure members we are seeking to expedite it as quickly as possible, it is in everybody’s interest for this to be addressed.”

His explanation did not impress Councillor Shaun Keasey, who said: “I have heard the same spiel again and again from different monitoring officers and I don’t believe a word you are telling us now, you are using the same language.

“I believe there is serious wrongdoing in this report, whether that is from elected members or from officers and I am beginning to believe it is being brushed under the carpet for as long as possible.”

Andrew Smith, from Grant Thornton, said: “There are a number of questions we have asked, we are still waiting for answers.

“Those questions were sent out in January this year on the back of work conducted in 2024 which we concluded in December.

“While some progress has been made in respect of those questions, quite a few of those questions remain unanswered.”

Mr Smith acknowledged both Mr Razzaq and the council’s current chief finance officer were new into their jobs and added: “They have responded positively to requests for answers. We wouldn’t allow this issue to be brushed under the carpet.”

The watchdog committee’s chairperson, Councillor Bex Collins, agreed the report needed to be presented to the committee in a timely manner .

Councillor Collins said: “It needs to be recognised we don’t only protect our financial obligations, we also protect our reputational obligations and this report should be at the top of our agenda.”

In February 2025 Dudley Council announced it had sold the Wellington Road site to Halesowen-based developers Revelan for £1.7m.