ENVIRONMENT secretary Michael Gove said other local authorities can learn from the way Dudley Council has provided a “cleaner, greener community”, during his visit to the borough today.

The cabinet member was given a guided tour of the council’s Lister Road waste depot in Dudley this afternoon (Wednesday, April 11) and spoke highly of the efforts of staff to provide “high environmental standards” across the borough.

Mr Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “We have a Conservative led council who are doing great work in making sure we give high environmental standards and service to residents. I wanted to learn from the council here and show them my support.

“I’ve been very impressed by everything I’ve seen here and it reflects incredibly well on the staff and employees, as well as the political leadership.”

The former education secretary was supported on his visit by Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for environment, and council leader Cllr Patrick Harley.

During the tour, Cllr Harley sited the Lister Road depot as an example of how the council are becoming more “commercially aware” by making money from services it is already providing, as well as new initiatives such as offering MOT services.

Mr Gove said he would like to see more local authorities across the country follow Dudley’s example, adding: “You have an entrepreneurial council that as well as providing a high quality service is also earning money.

“The combination of a high level service together with the money making business approach helps keep council tax down, but still gives the taxpayers a service which they expect.”

“The Conservatives here in Dudley are providing a greener, cleaner community in a way that is also business friendly and enterprising.”