Community Governance Review

Dudley Council is exploring the potential for creating a Parish Council in Cradley. If approved, the new Parish Council would cover the B63 2 Postcode area.

Parish Councils (also known as Town, Neighbourhood or Community Councils) are elected and made up of local people, working at the most local level and closest to the community.

Any new council would not replace Dudley Council, which is responsible for the whole Borough.

Parish Councils can:

• Provide local services
• Have legal powers and authority
• Own land and buildings and other assets

Some of the things a Parish Council could do are:

• Improve local decision making
• Provide a greater local voice for the community
• Raise additional public money within their area to support local needs
• Power to issue fixed penalty fines for things like: litter, graffiti, fly tipping and dog offences
• Provide a wide range of local services to add to or improve those provided by the Borough Council
• Improve local areas, for example provide: allotments, public clocks, bus shelters, community centres, play areas and equipment, and consultation on neighbourhood plans

No, there are currently no Parish or Town Councils in Dudley, but there are in our neighbouring and other West Midlands authorities.

In Birmingham there is New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

In Wyre Forest there are 3 Town Councils (Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn) and 9 Parish Councils.

In South Staffordshire there are 27 Parish Councils.

Parish Councils can raise an extra amount of money from residents in the area (called a 'precept'). This can be used to provide extra, different, or improved local services. This would be collected along with your Council Tax (the same exemptions and discounts would apply). If you do not pay Council Tax, you will not pay the precept.

It is not possible to say exactly how much the precept would be until a Parish Council is elected – it will be for the elected parish councillors to decide, but average precepts for some other West Midlands Parish/Town Councils are displayed below:

Average precept on a band D property (2024-25)

• Birmingham - New Frankley in Birmingham: £34.66
• Birmingham - Royal Sutton Coldfield: £59.96
• Solihull - Castle Bromwich: £102.95
• Solihull - Chelmsley Wood: £99.67
• South Staffordshire - 27 Parish Councils: £73.27
• Wyre Forest - 3 Town Councils: £75.32
• Wyre Forest - 9 Parish Councils: £46.89

If the survey supports the proposed creation of a Parish Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is required to carry out a 'Community Governance Review'. This review will include finding out what the local community and local electors, think about the idea.

The Borough Council Cabinet and the full Borough Council will decide on whether a Town council is created, based on the result of the Community Governance Review.

So, it's important to make sure you return your survey response and have your say at this first stage.

Respondents to the survey have the right to withdraw their response. If you would like to withdraw your response, please email the Electoral Services Office at cgr@dudley.gov.uk or phone us on 01384 814740. Those choosing to withdraw their response must do so by no later than 31 October 2025.

• Consultative Survey carried out amongst electors in Cradley in September and October 2025
• If the results of the initial survey support the proposal, Dudley Council will conduct a Community Governance Review
• Dudley Council to approve and publish Terms of Reference for Review
• Further Public Consultations (methods to be set out in Terms of Reference)

If there is support for the creation of the Parish Council

• Dudley Council to approve creation of Parish Council
• Dudley Council issues Reorganisation Order
• Parish elections held and new council is established

If there is no desire for the creation of a Parish Council

• Dudley Council will complete the process, and no action will be taken

As well as the survey, you can contact us via:

Email: cgr@dudley.gov.uk - please put 'Cradley Parish Council' as your email subject
Telephone: 01384 814740