Sandwell Council’s new Reform deputy mayor was elected despite not being present at the meeting, sparking criticism from opposition councillors. Nathan Williams, the newly elected Reform councillor for Cradley Heath and Old Hill, was granted the civic honour on Tuesday (May 26) despite being absent from Sandwell Council’s annual meeting.
Unusual nomination
Labour had nominated Suzanne Hartwell to be deputy mayor, having served in the role previously. However, the council’s new Reform administration outvoted the nomination and instead put forward and then elected Cllr Williams. Reform made no comment on the reason for the councillor’s absence.
Cllr Bob Jones, nominating Cllr Williams, said he thought he would be an “ideal candidate for the role.” But Cllr Paul Moore, leader of the council’s Labour group, said it was “very, very unusual” for a councillor to be nominated if they were not in the room.
Reform majority confirms appointment
Nevertheless, Reform’s majority on Sandwell Council meant the appointment was confirmed by 36 votes to 27 with two abstentions. Labour, now the opposition party in Sandwell after losing control of the borough for the first time since 1979, had earlier criticised Reform for ‘breaking tradition’ and nominating its own mayor, Cllr Margaret Sutton, instead of rewarding the council’s longest-serving councillor with the civic role.
Cllr Moore said: “Usually if you are seeking to take up a position of office, particularly a civic position like this, you would expect the member concerned to be here… It seems very, very unusual to not have the candidate for this particular position, given the level of responsibility, not present in the room.”
Questions about priorities
Cllr Charn Singh Padda, who was elected in St Pauls earlier this month and returns to the council after losing his Tipton Green seat two years ago, said the absence raised “important questions about priorities and accountability.” “Such occasions are not merely ceremonial,” he said. “They are a signal of commitment to public service and democratic responsibility. Visibility at these moments matters to constituents and the Sandwell population as a whole.”
