Following a pause due to the general election, the funding was confirmed in early 2025 and on Thursday 9 October the Darlaston Town Board that will oversee how the money is spent, met for the first time at Darlaston Library.
In order to ensure that local voices will be heard as Walsall Council prepares plans for Darlaston, Manjit Jhooty, Chief Executive Officer at Jhoots Group, has been appointed as independent chair.
“ I am honoured to have been appointed as chair of the Darlaston Town Board and I am committed to working together with local leaders and the wider community to ensure this investment benefits local people.
Manjit Jhooty, Chief Executive Officer
I have assembled a strong group of community leaders that I believe best represent the interests of the Darlaston community, and I look forward to working with them to deliver a programme of investment that will revitalise Darlaston and create opportunities for local people. “
Jhoots Group
The Darlaston Town Board brings together community and resident representatives alongside local schools, businesses, health services, law enforcement, and councillors
The board will oversee the delivery of the £20 million Long Term Plan for Towns programme in Darlaston and Manjit Jhooty brings a wealth of experience in civic leadership, business innovation, and community engagement.
The board must submit its plan to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by the end of November 2025. This deadline is critical to unlock funding for delivery starting in April 2026.
The Council remains committed to a neighbourhood-led approach, with mechanisms in place to ensure technical expertise, community voice, and public accountability are embedded throughout the programme.
