Investigators examining the collapse of a £1.6 million land deal involving Dudley Council continue to face significant delays, as critical questions remain unanswered nearly a year after being raised.
The controversy centers on the sale of the former Dudley Leisure Centre site on Wellington Road to developer Amarjit Dhanda. The agreement, struck in March 2024, was abruptly withdrawn by the council just a month later, prompting an external investigation by auditors Grant Thornton.
Despite expectations for a report detailing the probe’s findings at the Audit Committee meeting on December 8, publication has been repeatedly postponed. Councillors expressed clear frustration over the stalled timeline and lack of transparency.
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“It’s been 518 days since we called for this report, yet we have seen no conclusive results,” said Cllr Karl Denning. “We need this matter addressed promptly.”
Cllr Shaukat Ali added, “Every delay raises concerns about the governance and transparency of the council’s processes. We deserve clarity on what has changed in this investigation.”
The council’s monitoring officer, Aftab Razzaq, attributed the hold-up to ongoing discussions with Grant Thornton and assured members that efforts were underway to expedite the report’s completion. However, his explanation was met with skepticism.
“This is the same rhetoric we’ve heard repeatedly,” Cllr Shaun Keasey said. “I suspect serious misconduct behind these delays, and it appears the issue may be deliberately suppressed.”
From Grant Thornton, Andrew Smith confirmed, “Questions sent out in January regarding work completed last December remain partly unanswered.” He also reassured that the new council officials, including Mr. Razzaq and the chief finance officer, have been cooperative despite the setbacks.
Cllr Bex Collins, chair of the watchdog committee, emphasized the importance of timely publication, highlighting that “protecting our council’s reputation is as crucial as safeguarding its financial interests.”
This prolonged deadlock follows Dudley Council’s announcement in February 2025 that it sold the Wellington Road site to Halesowen-based developer Revelan for £1.7 million, raising further questions about the handling and transparency of land sales within the council.