Solihull is to get the equivalent of a Culture Secretary, with the creation of a new role among the top team of councillors.
Announcing his cabinet last night (Tuesday), the Leader of Solihull Council, Cllr Bob Sleigh, confirmed that there would be a new brief covering leisure, tourism and sport. Cllr Joe Tildesley (St Alphege) will return from the backbenches to take responsibility for the new portfolio.
Ahead of the recent election, Cllr Sleigh had said that he was keen that leisure remained a central part of his administration's plans, and acknowledged that it was sometimes seen as a vulnerable service at a time when council budgets are being squeezed.
It's understood that Solihull also wants to capitalise on tourism opportunities presented by some of the major events coming to the region including 2022's Commonwealth Games, which though hosted by Birmingham will see a number of sporting events staged at the borough's NEC site.
In addition, the route of next year's Velo Birmingham bike ride is scheduled to pass through Solihull, while the Bear Grylls Adventure, a major new attraction, will also be opening at the NEC this autumn.
Cllr Robert Hulland, the cabinet member for resources and delivering value, argued it was important to "refresh" portfolios and that sectors such as tourism could bring money into the borough.
"Given the importance of leisure and tourism we wanted to invest in a new cabinet post to maximise the opportunities going forward," he said.
Cllr James Burn, leader of the Green group, said that the new role would come at a cost to the taxpayer - with cabinet members entitled to an additional allowance of £8,795.
"While I support making the most of the Commonwealth Games and [Coventry's] City of Culture, I don't think we need a new post to do that."
The new appointment brings the number of councillors at Solihull's top table to nine (including Cllr Sleigh himself, who has been elected for another four year term as Leader).
Aside from the new role, the line-up is largely unchanged from before the election, although two members, Cllrs Alison Rolf and Tony Dicicco, have swapped jobs.
The new cabinet is as follows:
- Cllr Bob Sleigh - Leader of Solihull Council
- Cllr Ian Courts - Deputy Leader and cabinet member for managed growth
- Cllr Karen Grinsell - cabinet member for adult social care and health
- Cllr Robert Hulland - cabinet member for resources and delivering value
- Cllr Ken Meeson - cabinet member for children, education and skills
- Cllr Ted Richards - cabinet member for transport and highways
- Cllr Tony Dicicco - cabinet member for the environment and housing
- Cllr Alison Rolf - cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships
- Cllr Joe Tildesley - cabinet member for leisure, tourism and sport
