New leader appointed for Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council’s labour group has elected Ian Ward to be its new leader, succeeding Mike Clancy who resigned earlier this month following criticism of his handling of the city’s ongoing dispute with refuse workers.

Cllr Ward, who was the former deputy leader and had been acting interim leader of the council, saw off a challenge from rival Barry Henley.

His appointment as council leader will be formally ratified at the next full council meeting in November.

His first task will be to try and resolve the bitter bin dispute, which has rumbled on since June and attracted much unwelcome publicity for the council as it looks to highlight Birmingham’s investment prospects to a global audience.

The latter point could be underlined later today when the city is expected to be formally ratified by the Government as its choice to be host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking after his appointment, Cllr Ward said his first priority would be to resolve the bin strike.

He addressed his message not just to the people of Birmingham but to the independent panel appointed to review the workings of the council in the wake of the Kerslake Report.

That panel has recommended to Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid that it remain in place for the foreseeable future to ensure the bin strike and the council’s budget issues are properly handled.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close