Council leader Ken Meeson to stand down

Council leader – and leader of the Conservatives – Ken Meeson is to stand down from his positions.

The Dorridge and Hockley Heath ward councillor has been involved with local politics for nearly 30 years and has spent the last 11 as leader of the Conservatives on Solihull Council and ten years as Leader of the Council.

One of the main reasons for his standing down is to ensure a good relationship between his replacement and the new Chief Executive Nick Page.

“One of the essentials for successful local authorities is the development of a good working relationship between Chief Executive and Leader over a period of years and that was very much what I enjoyed with Mark Rogers,” said Councillor Meeson.

“The change I am proposing will give the new Chief Executive and new Leader the opportunity to work together from day one.

“I am not looking to put my feet up and hope to serve the council and residents of the borough for years to come, as well as continuing my roles on the boards of the National Children’s Bureau, National Youth Agency and the Local Government Association, where I am pleased to say that Solihull has been selected as the only Metropolitan council represented on the newly created People and Places Board.”

Councillor Meeson’s electoral seat is not up for election until 2016.

Read the full story here: http://www.solihullobserver.co.uk/2014/05/02/news-Council-leader-Ken-Meeson-to-stand-down-105393.html