‘We have nothing to hide’ says Tory boss as council vows to reverse Leather Museum decision

Walsall councillors last night voted on several key decisions in the fight to keep the Leather Museum at its historic location.

In the three-and-a-half-hour meeting within the stifling hot council chamber, nearly half of the session was taken up by debates about the museum.

Two motions were submitted by both Reform and Walsall Community Independents (WCI) group leaders and one question was put forward by lead museum campaigner Lauren Broxton.

WCI put forward a motion calling for Reform to stick to its pre-election pledge of doing ‘everything in its power’ to return the much loved attraction to its original, Grade II Listed, home on Littleton Street West.

The council’s leader, Councillor Elaine Williams, said Reform stands by what it said.

The WCI motion was backed by all members except for the seven Conservative members present at the meeting.

Following the May elections, the Tories are now led by Councillor Adrian Andrew who was one of the Conservative cabinet members that approved the plans in 2025.

The controversial scheme included closing the museum for relocation and leasing the building out to Walsall College for its SEND offering, currently based at Hawbush Road.

Councillor Andrew argued that putting the SEND provision in the museum building would have benefited more residents in Walsall than the museum does.

He said: “To tie the administration’s hands by taking away the potential for that SEND provision would be reprehensible.”

Councillor Nawaz responded: “It’s a false choice to say that we either choose SEND or the museum. This borough is big enough to do both.”

A further Notice of Motion on the Leather Museum was put forward by the Reform leader and her deputy, Councillor Nicky Barker.

It called for councillors to support full costs, details for the lease and the licence to be published within 21 days of the meeting, as well as a £47,550 Walsall Museum Feasibility study which has so far been withheld from the public.

It also calls for costs of reversing last year’s cabinet decision to be made public ‘within 21 days of being known’.

Councillor Simran Cheema said she was perplexed by the motion and didn’t understand why Reform were seeking permission rather than ‘getting on with the job’.

Three amendments offering slight variations were put forward by the Conservatives, WCI and Councillor Cheema.

Members voted in favour of the Conservatives’ amendment which had some additional information but the same resolution as Reform’s original motion.

Councillor Andrew said: “I support this because there’s some people out there that think the previous administration have something to hide. Well, when you find it all out, you’ll realise there’s nothing to hide.”