Dudley’s Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Ryan Priest, defended the decision to consult residents on forming a parish council, despite a decisive rejection. During budget discussions earlier this year, Cllr Priest successfully persuaded Dudley’s Conservative leadership to allocate up to £75,000 for a feasibility study on the proposal.
The resulting survey cost council tax payers £8,000 and collected 1,269 responses, with an overwhelming 82.6 percent opposing the creation of a parish council.
Cllr Priest remarked, “Repeated failures by successive governments to properly fund local councils have forced cuts to frontline services such as libraries and park maintenance. Parish councils are one of the few tools available to fight back against these cuts, so it was important to ask residents’ views.”
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Despite the rejection, he added, “The people of Cradley have made it clear they want their current councillors to represent their interests within the existing system.”
Dudley Council leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, stated, “The issue is now settled. While disappointed, Cllr Priest’s initiative reflects democratic values. However, I believe local government already has too much bureaucracy, and I wouldn’t have supported adding another layer.”
Opposition to the proposal was also voiced by Dudley’s Labour leader, Cllr Adam Aston. Commenting at the survey’s launch in September 2025, he described it as “self-indulgent twaddle” and urged residents to reject it, emphasizing that “our borough does not need another layer of local government.”
Looking ahead to local elections, Cllr Priest maintained optimism about potential benefits, saying, “Although a parish council could have brought vital investment to our community, I’m proud of the Lib Dems’ consistent efforts to secure a fair deal for Dudley. We remain committed to campaigning for alternative ways to protect local services and ensure Cradley receives the attention it deserves.”