FORMER Sandwell Council cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Ian Jones is set to be questioned by the audit committee today (Thursday).

Cllr Jones was due to appear in front of the committee on August 18 to answer questions concerning land deals in the Wragge Report which investigated the sale of council land.

However, he and former property services manager David Willetts did not receive an official invitation to the meeting at Oldbury Council House.

Darren Carter, Sandwell Council Section 151 Officer, said: “Following consideration of a report on land sales and other matters at the audit committee meeting on June 22 it was resolved that Cllr Jones and a former service manager be asked to attend a future meeting of the audit committee to consider the events contained in the Gowling WLG (Wragge) report and the subsequent QC advice.

“Also, to help them gain assurance that the actions since taken by the council on the issues identified in the reports are sufficient to ensure that they are being comprehensively and promptly addressed.”

“Invitations were subsequently sent to both Cllr Jones and the former service manager to attend this meeting of the audit committee.

“The former service manager has subsequently declined the invitation to attend the committee but Cllr Jones has indicated that he will attend.”

The meeting is at 6pm and will be webcast live at www.sandwell.gov.uk/webcast.

Former deputy leader of Sandwell Council Cllr Mahboob Hussain has still not appeared before the standards committee despite council leader Steve Eling hoping he would be dealt with in August.

A Sandwell Council spokesman said: “Matters relating to Cllr Hussain are being dealt with in accordance with the council’s arrangements for dealing with member conduct.

“To ensure matters are dealt with fairly the council is not in a position to comment further.”

The top team of Sandwell Council’s council officers has been given another shake-up with deputy chief executive Melanie Dudley is leaving her job earlier than expected.

The 15-year veteran was due to leave the council in February 2017 but has decided to leave now.

Sandwell Council chief executive Jan Britton thanked Mrs Dudley for her service.

He said: “As you will know, Melanie was leaving the council in February 2017.

“She has now, with the council’s agreement, brought forward her leaving date to October 3 of this year.

“I would like to place on record my thanks for Melanie’s 15 years’ service with Sandwell.”