Solihull cabinet reshuffle

Who are the newest members of the cabinet on Solihull Council?

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 18th May 2022 12:33pm

Solihull Council has a new-look cabinet after the chamber's most senior positions were filled with two new additions.

The Conservative party maintained control of the council after the May 6 elections.

Leader Ian Courts, who comfortably retained his seat, made the changes at last night's full council meeting. He continues to lead the council as well as the post of Lead Member for the Economy.

Karen Grinsell, the representative for Shirley East, remains Deputy Leader of the Council. She also holds onto her position as Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing.

The first new addition to the cabinet was representative for Silhill Cllr Michael Gough, who takes Cllr Richard Holt's place as Education, Children and Skills Portfolio Holder.

Cllr Courts said: “Cllr Holt explained to me that he has a number of significant work pressures and Children's Services is going to be a top priority this year, so we need to make sure there is the capacity there to do that. 

“As a previous chairman of the Children's Services Scrutiny Board, Cllr Gough is well placed to lead this forward.”

Cllr Courts went on to say that he welcomed Cllr Holt's continued involvement in the future.

The second new addition was Meriden representative Cllr Diane Howell heads up the Communities and Leisure Portfolio, taking on some responsibility from the Leisure, Tourism and Sport Portfolio. Cllr Courts said there had been a slight reshuffle of responsibilities within some cabinet roles.

Cllr Tony Dicicco remains the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, while Cllr Andy Mackiewicz is still the head of the Climate Change, Planning & Housing Portfolio.

The final two positions, Environment and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder and Resources Portfolio Holder are held onto by Cllr Ken Hawkins of Blythe ward and former council leader Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE of Bickenhill respectively.

Opposing party members are also included in the cabinet but in a non-voting capacity. Cllr Max McLoughlin represents the Green Group, while Cllr Laura McCarthy represents the Liberal Democrats.

On the selection of his new-look cabinet, Cllr Courts said: “We can be proud of what we have achieved in Solihull and go forward knowing that we have a strong and capable team here. I shall never forget how this borough, the airport, community organisations and our officers handled the Afghan refugee evacuation last year when over half of UK arrivals went through our airport. Of late we have been doing our part in the borough in respect of the awful Ukraine crisis.

“The Public Health report prepared and presented to council the last meeting set out how the borough handled the Covid pandemic and just made clear the sacrifices that were made by so many – here I was not just talking about officers, but the people, our communities and community organisations, our businesses – for which I sincerely thank them.”

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