TODAY Sandwell Council published an explosive internal investigation report laying bare years of alleged wrongdoing by council members.

The report entitled "Council update on allegations of fraud and misconduct" outlines allegations of council houses being given to family members of former deputy leader Oldbury Cllr Mahboob Hussain.

The report also outlines dodgy land deals concerning compulsory purchase orders concerning Cllr Hussain and Babu Bawa OBE, evidence has been passed to the police concerning the findings.  

Council leader Cllr Steve Eling  said he is determined to "clean out the swamp."

He said: "We have to draw a line under this, and move on as a council and the only way this is going to happen if everything is investigated properly.

"The appropriate action has to be taken, my mantra is for Sandwell is trust, openness and transparency and I want the people to trust the council.

"There will always be people who disagree with us but I do not want people to think we are stuffed full of crooks.

"We have had years of allegations and investigations and it all needed to come to a close. 

"It is a very small number of people concerning the size of the organisation and it is unfair everyone is tarnished and that 

"I'd have liked this sorted it out last summer but these things take time."

Darren Carter, who compiled the audit committee report, said: "The findings from two of these reports, on land sales to those displaced by a compulsory purchase order and on housing allocations, have found indicators that suggest potential collusion and fraudulent practice.

"It may be that there has been a conspiracy to defraud and/or misconduct in a public office."

"Such matters will need to be investigated by the Police who have additional investigatory powers to those available to the council."

He added: "Therefore, these have been referred to West Midlands Police’s Regional Organised Crime Unit for their consideration.

"The outcomes of these referrals will be reported back to the committee once known.

He added: "The committee is recommended to refer these matters to the council’s Monitoring Officer for consideration under the arrangements for dealing with complaints of breach of the Member Code of Conduct."

The reports were published ahead of next Wednesday's audit committee.

Cllr Liam Preece, an audit committee member, said: "I'm pleased to see the report published today. It is right and proper that allegations of historical corruption are passed to West Mids Police.

"I will be urging them to move this foreword as quickly as possible and bring to justice any councillor who has broken the law.

"These deeply disturbing allegations span over two decades and suggest a small group of councillors conspired to defraud hard working taxpayers in Sandwell."

He added: "Myself, the audit committee and the new leadership team are determined to confront historical wrongdoing and make Sandwell the gold standard in openness and transparency.

"Let me be clear we will not tolerate sub-standard behaviour by elected members. I know our constituents deserve our best, and they will get it."

To read the reports visit https://cmis.sandwell.gov.uk/cmis5/Meetings/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/36596/Committee/6047/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx