Sandwell residents get new council leadership team

Councillor Ray Nock has been formally confirmed as the new Leader of Sandwell Council, with a new deputy leader and Cabinet team appointed after the authority’s annual meeting on Tuesday, 26 May.

The change sets the political leadership structure for the council, including responsibility for regeneration, finance, housing, education, adult services, neighbourhoods and children’s services.

Councillor Gary Dale has been appointed Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services. Councillor Nock will also hold the regeneration and economic growth portfolio.

Cabinet roles confirmed at the annual meeting

Sandwell Council said Councillor Nock has selected the Cabinet responsible for setting the council’s strategic and policy direction.

The new Cabinet is:

• Councillor Ray Nock, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.
• Councillor Gary Dale, Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services.
• Councillor Ken Parsons, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing.
• Councillor Bob Jones, Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement.
• Councillor Mona Khurana, Cabinet Member for Children and Families.
• Councillor Jack Sabharwal, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.
• Councillor Ritchie Massey, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing.
• Councillor Mike Cooper, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Neighbourhoods.

The appointments follow the council’s annual meeting and come after local political attention on Sandwell Council election results.

Jobs, high streets and cost of living named as priorities

Councillor Ray Nock said he was born in Sandwell and had lived and worked in the borough all his life.

“It is an honour and privilege to be elected the new Leader of Sandwell Council,” he said.

He said the new Cabinet would focus on issues including creating jobs, boosting town centres and high streets, and helping residents with the cost of living.

The Cabinet’s portfolios place economic growth, housing, education, health and neighbourhood services under named political leads, giving residents clearer points of accountability as the council sets its work programme for the year ahead.

Source: Sandwell Council