A NEW row has broken out over the future of Cradley Community Centre and whether it involves councillor Tim Crumpton.

Leader of Dudley Council councillor Patrick Harley said it had removed councillor Crumpton as the centre's trustee after a series of errors including leaving the heating on 24-7 racked up huge bills.

Councillor Crumpton had been president and trustee when the blunders, which brought the centre on Colley Lane to the brink of closure, happened.

He admitted the central heating boiler had been running 24/7 and that a £3k water bill was partly the result of a broken valve in a ladies toilet running up the water meter.

But cllr Crumpton said the centre is now doing well and insisted he has not been removed as trustee, saying the council does not have the power to remove him.

Cllr Harley said cllr Crumpton had been replaced by Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Ruth Buttery.

The tory councillor said: "There's been a lot of concerns from residents who used the centre over the way it had been run for a number of years.

"It's one of the council's assets and it's important we look after our assets, so we needed someone competent to ensure it's run properly.

"We felt a change was needed and cllr Buttery will be a fresh pair of eyes so she will pick up on anything that's not been done properly.

"She's very competent and capable."

But Labour cllr Crumpton, said the council had not contacted him or the volunteers who run the community centre.

He said: "The actual constitution of the centre states the council can appoint a councillor to attend the AGM and vote at the meeting, but the council can't appoint trustees or remove them.

"The council has not got in touch with the trustees or the community centre about the issue, there has been no contact whatsoever, which is disgraceful.

"The volunteers have turned the future of the centre around and we are now a successful enterprise.

"I admitted I had made mistakes but I have worked with the new committee, who I think are wonderful - the centre is doing great and we had a fun day with around 100 local people which was brilliant."

Irene Hadley, who is treasurer said since the appointment of a new committee in January it had gone from strength to strength.

She said: "All historical debts have been addressed and new direct debits are in place.

"The centre has a good amount of bookings and activities, the future is looking brighter with regular users from all different ages and abilities making contributions.

"The committee have worked tirelessly to bring the centre back up to standard and are continuing to make improvements including a complete refurbishment.

"There is still a way to go but so far feedback from users of the centre has been positive and we look forward to the people of Cradley getting involved with various events.

"We would welcome their input because at the end of the day it is a centre for the people of Cradley."