Conservatives demonstrated they remain in control during key votes at the first meeting of Solihull Council since May’s elections. However, the challenge from a strong Reform UK grouping — now the second largest party on the authority — was evident following the meeting held on May 26.
The dramatic election results saw the Tories lose their majority, leaving Solihull Council in no overall control for the first time in 15 years. After the results, Conservative leader Councillor Karen Grinsell told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she intended to run the authority as a minority administration. The absence of coalitions among other parties was confirmed at the full council meeting, enabling this approach.
The annual meeting, lasting approximately 90 minutes, remained largely ceremonial, featuring the election of the mayor and deputy mayor. However, when appointments to outside bodies were considered, 14 positions were contested as Reform UK and the Green Party put forward their own nominations. In the appointment to the West Midlands Combined Authority board and the f40 group — which lobbies for fairer education funding — Coun Grinsell faced off against the new leader of the Reform UK grouping, Samantha Gethen.
Ultimately, all Conservative nominations succeeded in votes for boards such as Birmingham Airport, West Midlands Employers Board, and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. Yet the votes signal that Reform UK, with 17 councillors, is prepared to challenge the Conservative group of 24 councillors in the chamber.
New Cabinet Appointed
At the meeting, the council leader named her new cabinet, which includes:
- Councillor Karen Grinsell – leader of the council and lead member for children and education
- Councillor Heather Delaney – deputy leader and portfolio holder for economy, business and skills
- Councillor Ken Hawkins – portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure
- Councillor Dave Pinwell – portfolio holder for resources
- Councillor Wazma Qais – portfolio holder for communities
- Councillor Tony Dicicco – portfolio holder for adult social care and health
- Councillor Andy Mackiewicz – portfolio holder for climate change and planning
- Councillor Mark Parker – portfolio holder for housing
The cabinet has been reduced by one position, as the role of lead member for managed growth has been scrapped. The cabinet remains largely the same as last year, with Coun Delaney promoted to deputy leader and Coun Pinwell joining to oversee the resources portfolio. Both vacancies arose from former council leaders Ian Courts and Bob Sleigh not contesting this year’s elections.
