Who is on Birmingham's new cabinet

New cabinet announced

Rhi Storer - Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 18th May 2022 10:11am

Birmingham has a new crop of senior councillors after local elections on May 6 – and a dramatic weekend leadership challenge.

Ian Ward, Birmingham council leader, appointed his new cabinet last night, selecting the councillors who will make key decisions for the next four years..

We look at who the new and incumbent cabinet members are, what policies we can expect  and what their selection tells us about the city's ruling Labour Party.

Councillor Ward was re-elected as leader in a close second ballot, against challenger Waseem Zafar on Saturday. He now hopes his “talented diverse team” of ten cabinet members would deliver the city's 'golden decade'.

Here's what we know so far about who is in and out of key positions:

Liz Clements 

Moves to: Cabinet member for transport. 

Liz Clements was one of two councillors who challenged Ian Ward's leadership last week. Reports suggest her decision to run was to ensure a woman's voice was in the debate.

The appointment may be seen as a move to push forward Councillor Ward's ambitious plans for future transport in Birmingham. Councillor Clements, is a keen cyclist and public transport user – and as a recognition for her decision to stand against him.

Her appointment will be closely watched after the departure of Waseem Zaffar, and the creation of controversial clean air zones during his time. 

Sharon Thompson

Moves from: Cabinet member for vulnerable children and families

Moves to: Cabinet member for housing 

Councillor Thompson is a veteran of Birmingham Labour politics, viewed by Birmingham Labour as a safe pair of hands loyal to the party, and trusted to go out and help during difficult political periods.

Thompson was first elected in 2014 in the Soho ward before being elected again in 2018 in the North Edgbaston ward. She has held a variety of positions, including membership of the council's health and social care overview & scrutiny committee.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she said: “This is one of the most diverse cabinets in the history of Birmingham city council and I look forward to working with my new cabinet colleagues. I will of course miss my former cabinet colleagues who have moved on from the council or are no longer serving alongside me – I wish them well.”

Her appointment comes at a critical time for renters across Birmingham, after the government approved legislation for a 'Renters Reform Bill' to strengthen protections for private renters and abolish 'no-fault evictions'. Birmingham also continues to experience the fallout from HMOs – something she says she is keen to sort.

Jayne Francis

Moves from: Cabinet member for education, culture, and skills

Moves to: Cabinet member for culture, heritage and tourism

The Harbourne councillor will need to get up to speed quickly on a different brief. But with the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, and Birmingham's upwards climb to match the likes of London and Manchester, the councillor may do very well in this role and make history within it. 

Majid Mahmood 

Moves to: Cabinet member for environment

Councillor Mahmood rejoins the cabinet, after dramatically leaving in 2019 over the council's handlings of disputes with unions, which he said jarred with his socialist principles.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: “This is a new role and it reflects the vital importance of the environment to each and every community in Birmingham. We must deliver clean streets for each and every community in our city, ensuring our waste collection is reliable and frequent, and that we improve our rates of recycling. 

“The climate crisis is the single biggest challenge that we face as a society, and I am determined to make sure that Birmingham plays a leading role in the country in reducing our emissions and cleaning up our air. 

“Birmingham has taken a big step forwards in cleaning up the poisonous air in our city, but there is a lot of work still to be done. I look forward to taking on this role, and I would like to thank councillor Ward for putting his trust in me.”

Mariam Khan 

Moves to: Cabinet member for health and social care 

Councillor Khan has made a name for herself as chairman of the Eid Mela Committee, responsible for organising and running one of the largest Muslim cultural festivals in the country.

The Alum Rock councillor was first elected as member for Washwood Heath in 2012 at the tender age of 21. She swiftly became one of the council's more outspoken members. 

Her role as cabinet member for health and social care replaces Paulette Hamilton, now MP for Erdington, after the death of Jack Dromey MP.

Yvonne Mosqutio

Moves to: Cabinet member for finance and resources 

Once Lord Mayor, and now in the cabinet, Councillor Mosqutio has finally set her foot into cabinet after 26 years as a council member for Bordesley and Highgate. 

Councillor Mosquito hopes to turn this role into a key position in the cabinet. But controversy may be on her doorstep. In 2016, she was suspended from her role as deputy crime commissioner after making an unannounced and irregular visit to the family of a teenaged murder victim.

But in 2019, her tenure as Lord Mayor ended in high spirits when she agreed to officially open the kitchen extension of TV comic Joe Lycett.

Karen McCarthy

Moves to: Cabinet member for children, young people and families

Councilllor McCarthy was previously chair of the planning committee. Though her role had put her at the heart of the most challenging and sensitive decisions in government, this new appointment is said to be a new challenge for her. 

OUT

Paulette Hamilton

The former cabinet member for health and social care has moved onto greener fields as MP for Birmingham Erdington, replacing the late Jack Dromey MP.

John O'Shea

The bins chief, also known as cabinet member for street scenes and parks, was unexpected ousted by the Liberal Democrats, and lost his Acock's Green seat  in this year's local elections. 

Waseem Zaffar

Transport tsar Waseem Zaffar, who unsuccessfully ran as Labour leader last week, is back to being a councillor for Lozells. His appointment was successful in introducing a clean air zone, but received flak in 2019 after receiving a bill for £60,000 in legal costs over a bid to silence a resident who accused him of domestic violence, bigamy and dishonesty.

Shabrana Hussain

The Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East councillor is no longer cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods. It is unclear why the demotion took place, but recent scandal about housing in Birmingham may have contributed.

Tristan Chatfield

Tristan Chatfield, who was previously cabinet member for finance and resources, stood down before this year's local elections.

STAYING IN SAME POST 

• Brigid Jones, deputy leader 
• John Cotton, cabinet member for social justice, community safety, and equalities

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