UNDER-FIRE Sandwell Council has hit back at Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris after he called for the Government to review how the authority is run.

Mr Morris made the comments in the wake of this week's publication of reports concerning historic wrongdoing at the authority concerning accusations of council houses misallocation and misuse of compulsory purchase orders by former deputy leader Oldbury councillor Mahboob Hussain.

The council's internal investigators referred the incidents to West Midlands Police.

The reports, published ahead of next week's audit committee meeting, also criticised councillors Babu Bawa, Ian Jones and former mayor Derek Rowley.

However, Sandwell Council bosses say the publication of a report into allegations of fraud and misconduct proves that governance systems are working.

Council leader Councillor Steve Eling said he was surprised not to have been contacted directly by Mr Morris and would have expected him to share his concerns with the council.

He said: “The fact the council has published the outcome of these investigations and is reporting them to our audit committee, which is open to the public and media, shows that our governance systems are robust and working as they should be.”

Council chief executive Jan Britton added: “The council has carried out exhaustive internal investigations into these matters. These were allegations made publicly.

"We have investigated them thoroughly and, where appropriate, we have referred them to the police or the council’s monitoring officer.

He added: “I would also stress that these allegations relate to a very small number of people and, in some cases, go back many years even though they only came to light recently."

“It’s important to the leader and me, the cabinet and the council as a whole that we deal with any allegations openly and effectively.

"The publication of this report and taking appropriate follow-up action is an important part of that process.”

On Wednesday Mr Morris wrote to Local Government minister Sajid Javid PM calling him to launch a review into the council's governance.

He said: "There are many good people who serve on and work for Sandwell Council, however the actions of a few have caused years of reputational damage and added to growing levels of apathy within the borough.

"In order for a line to be drawn under this, and for the residents of Sandwell to have a restored trust in their council, I am calling for an independent review of the governance and organisational capabilities of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.