Walsall Council leader defends extra chairman role after criticism
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird has defended his appointment as chairman of an influential committee following criticism from his own party.
The authority boss confirmed his new cabinet team, as well as the chair and vice chair of council committees for the coming year at a full council meeting on Wednesday.
But Councillor Bird said his selection as the chair of the personnel committee had been questioned by a member of his own party.
He said having the leader as chairman of personnel has been in place since 2016 and added it would involve setting the vision for the council and employing senior officers with whom he would have to work.
He also said the chairs of the corporate parenting and health and wellbeing boards are traditionally the cabinet members for those areas.
