City council Labour leader John Clancy has been forced into a mini-cabinet reshuffle just days after announcing his new team of top councillors.
The changes came after Hall Green councillor Kerry Jenkins, appointed to the new role of cabinet member for value for money and efficiency found herself unable to accept the £25,000 a year role due to outside work commitments.
The new cabinet is due to be officially confirmed at the council's annual meeting on Tuesday, May 24.
COMMENT:
Cllr Jenkins, who works for the Unite union, said: “I have been unable to make the necessary arrangements to enable me to fully commit to the time requirements of the position.
“Really disappointed that I could not participate at this level for the good of our citizens but sometime it is just not meant to be.”
Instead the post, which involves overseeing council contracts to ensure good value for the taxpayer will go to solicitor and Hodge Hill councillor Majid Mahmood, who was also newly appointed to the cabinet earlier this week.
His initial role of cabinet member for jobs and skills has now been passed on to Brett O’Reilly (Northfield), another newcomer to the city council’s top table.
Cllr Clancy said: “I am grateful of Kerry’s honesty with me and thank her for the approach she has taken in trying to secure the time commitment that is required to serve as a Cabinet Member at Birmingham City Council.
“I believe I have a cabinet of leaders and I firmly believe that in Brett O’Reilly I’m adding a talented young leader to the team.”
