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The council has been under [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] majority control since 2012. It is based at the [[Council House, Birmingham|Council House]] on [[Victoria Square, Birmingham]].
The council has been under [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] majority control since 2012. It is based at the [[Council House, Birmingham|Council House]] on [[Victoria Square, Birmingham]].


On 6 September 2023, the council [[Section 114 notice|declared effective bankruptcy]],<ref name="bankruptcy">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66777536|title=Residents fear a rise in crime and taxes as Birmingham declares 'bankruptcy'|website=[[BBC]]|date=11 September 2023 }}</ref> and central government commissioners were later appointed to run the council under emergency measures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-19 |title=Government sending in officials to run Birmingham City Council |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66852048 |access-date=2023-09-19}}</ref>
On 6 September 2023, the council [[Section 114 notice|declared effective bankruptcy]], and central government commissioners were subsequently appointed to run the council under emergency measures.


==History==
==History==
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[[File:Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen + Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham.jpg|thumb|left|Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham, used 1838–1889]]
[[File:Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen + Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham.jpg|thumb|left|Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham, used 1838–1889]]


Birmingham was granted [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] on 14 January 1889, after which the corporation was also known as the city council. When elected county councils were established in April 1889, Birmingham was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it became a [[county borough]], independent from the new [[Warwickshire County Council]], whilst remaining part of the [[Ceremonial counties of England#Geographical counties 1889–1974|geographical county]] of [[Warwickshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Birmingham Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10101001 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref>
Birmingham was granted [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] on 14 January 1889, after which the corporation was also known as the city council. When elected county councils were established in April 1889, Birmingham was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it became a [[county borough]], independent from the new [[Warwickshire County Council]], whilst remaining part of the [[Ceremonial counties of England#Geographical counties 1889–1974|geographical county]] of [[Warwickshire]].<ref name=VoB>{{cite web |title=Birmingham Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10101001 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> The dignity of a [[lord mayor]] was conferred in 1896, with James Smith being appointed the first [[Lord Mayor of Birmingham]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lord Mayor's Office |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20158/lord_mayor/318/lord_mayors_office |website=Birmingham City Council |access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref>


On 9 November 1891, the districts of [[Balsall Heath]], [[Harborne]], [[Saltley]] and [[Little Bromwich]] were absorbed into the city. The dignity of a [[lord mayor]] was conferred in 1896 and Sir James Smith Kt was appointed as the first [[Lord Mayor of Birmingham]] on 3 June 1896. The parish of [[Quinton, Birmingham|Quinton]] became part of Birmingham on 9 November 1909 and two years later, under what was termed 'The Greater Birmingham Scheme', the Boroughs of [[Aston Manor]], the Urban Districts of [[Urban District of Handsworth|Handsworth]] and of Erdington, part of the [[Urban District of Kings Norton and Northfield]] and the Rural District of Yardley were all incorporated. Such was the expansion involved that the Council Chamber, originally designed to accommodate 80 members, had to be modified to seat the representatives of the new wards. Further additions occurred on 1 April 1928 (most of the [[Perry Barr Urban District]]) and 1 April 1931 (parts of the Parishes of [[Solihull]], [[Castle Bromwich]], [[Minworth]] and [[Sheldon, West Midlands|Sheldon]]). By 1972, there were 39 Wards each represented by an alderman and three councillors, a total of 156 members.
The city boundaries have been enlarged many times. Notable expansions were in 1891 ([[Balsall Heath]], [[Harborne]], [[Saltley]] and [[Little Bromwich]]), 1909 ([[Quinton, Birmingham|Quinton]]), 1911 ([[Aston Manor]], [[Erdington]], [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]], [[Kings Norton]], [[Northfield, Birmingham|Northfield]] and [[Yardley, Birmingham|Yardley]]), 1928 ([[Perry Barr]]), 1931 ([[Sheldon, West Midlands|Sheldon]] and parts of other parishes), and 1974 ([[Sutton Coldfield]]).<ref name=VoB/>


The county borough was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], being replaced by a [[metropolitan district]] of Birmingham, covering the area of the old county borough plus the borough of Sutton Coldfield. The new district was one of seven metropolitan districts within the new [[metropolitan county]] of the West Midlands.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=30 May 2024}}</ref> Birmingham's borough and city statuses and its lord mayoralty passed to the new district and its council.<ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |access-date=30 May 2024 |date=28 March 1974}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46334|page=7419|date=28 June 1974}}</ref>
A major national re-organisation of local government was implemented in 1974 and saw the City of Birmingham being combined with the Borough of Sutton Coldfield to form the new Birmingham District Council consisting of 42 Wards each with three elected councillors (in 1982 the number of Wards was reduced to 39). On 1 July 1986, the title was changed to Birmingham City Council. Part of [[Bromsgrove District]] known as Frankley and Kitwell Estates was added to the city on 1 April 1995. A review of the ward boundaries on 10 June 2004 resulted in an increase from 39 wards to 40 wards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=SystemAdmin%2FCFPageLayout&cid=1223092734590&packedargs=website%3D4&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FCFWrapper&rendermode=Live |title=History of the Council |publisher=Birmingham.gov.uk |access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref>


From 1974 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the [[West Midlands County Council]]. The county council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the county's ten borough councils, including Birmingham City Council, with some services provided through joint committees.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1985|year=1985|chapter=51|access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref> In 1995, [[New Frankley]] and the Kitwell Estate were transferred into the city from the parish of [[Frankley]] in [[Bromsgrove District]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Hereford and Worcester and West Midlands (County Boundaries) Order 1993|year=1993|number=2971|access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref>
On 5 September 2023, Birmingham City Council issued a [[Section 114 notice]], effectively a bankruptcy,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Birmingham City Council effectively declares bankruptcy after being hit by 760m bill|url=https://news.sky.com/story/birmingham-city-council-effectively-declares-bankruptcy-after-being-hit-by-760m-bill-12955400 |website=Sky News|date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> and is to stop all future spending with the exception of money for statutory services including the protection of vulnerable people. The leader of the Labour authority stated that the notice was a necessary step to get Birmingham back into a sound financial footing.<ref name='bankruptcy' />


Since 2016 the council has been a member of the [[West Midlands Combined Authority]], which has been led by the directly elected [[Mayor of the West Midlands]] since 2017. The combined authority provides strategic leadership and co-ordination for certain functions across the county, but Birmingham City Council continues to be responsible for most local government functions.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The West Midlands Combined Authority Order 2016|year=2016|number=653|access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Understand how your council works |url=https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works |website=gov.uk |access-date=30 May 2024}}</ref>
=== Women and minorities ===


On 5 September 2023, Birmingham City Council issued a [[Section 114 notice]], being the local government equivalent of bankruptcy, stopping all future spending with the exception of money for statutory services, including the protection of vulnerable people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Birmingham City Council effectively declares bankruptcy after being hit by 760m bill|url=https://news.sky.com/story/birmingham-city-council-effectively-declares-bankruptcy-after-being-hit-by-760m-bill-12955400 |website=Sky News|date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> The leader of the Labour authority stated that the notice was a necessary step to get Birmingham back into a sound financial footing.<ref name="bankruptcy">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66777536|title=Residents fear a rise in crime and taxes as Birmingham declares 'bankruptcy'|website=[[BBC]]|date=11 September 2023 }}</ref> The government subsequently appointed commissioners to oversee the running of the council under emergency measures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-19 |title=Government sending in officials to run Birmingham City Council |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66852048 |access-date=2023-09-19}}</ref>

=== Women and minorities ===
The first woman elected to the council, on 1 November 1911, was [[Ellen Pinsent]].<ref name="Roberts">{{cite web|url=https://theironroom.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/my-whole-time-is-given-to-the-service-of-my-fellow-citizens-the-first-women-elected-to-birmingham-city-council/|title='My whole time is given to the service of my fellow citizens' – the first women elected to Birmingham City Council|last=Roberts|first=Sian|date=4 March 2015|publisher=[[Library of Birmingham]]|access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref> She represented the Edgbaston Ward as a [[Liberal Unionist]].<ref name="Roberts" /> She had earlier been co-opted as a member of the council's Education Committee and served as Chairman of the Special School Sub-Committee.<ref name="Roberts" /> She stood down from the council in October 1913 upon appointment as Commissioner for the [[Board of Control for Lunacy and Mental Deficiency]].<ref name="Roberts" />
The first woman elected to the council, on 1 November 1911, was [[Ellen Pinsent]].<ref name="Roberts">{{cite web|url=https://theironroom.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/my-whole-time-is-given-to-the-service-of-my-fellow-citizens-the-first-women-elected-to-birmingham-city-council/|title='My whole time is given to the service of my fellow citizens' – the first women elected to Birmingham City Council|last=Roberts|first=Sian|date=4 March 2015|publisher=[[Library of Birmingham]]|access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref> She represented the Edgbaston Ward as a [[Liberal Unionist]].<ref name="Roberts" /> She had earlier been co-opted as a member of the council's Education Committee and served as Chairman of the Special School Sub-Committee.<ref name="Roberts" /> She stood down from the council in October 1913 upon appointment as Commissioner for the [[Board of Control for Lunacy and Mental Deficiency]].<ref name="Roberts" />


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Birmingham's third woman councillor, Clara Martineau, was elected on 14 October 1913 in the Edgbaston ward, and served until 1932, when she died, aged 57.<ref name="Roberts" /> Her father was former Mayor Sir [[Thomas Martineau]], Lord Mayor Ernest Martineau was her brother, and Alderman Sir George Kenrick was her uncle.<ref name="Roberts" />
Birmingham's third woman councillor, Clara Martineau, was elected on 14 October 1913 in the Edgbaston ward, and served until 1932, when she died, aged 57.<ref name="Roberts" /> Her father was former Mayor Sir [[Thomas Martineau]], Lord Mayor Ernest Martineau was her brother, and Alderman Sir George Kenrick was her uncle.<ref name="Roberts" />


Mary Cottrell became the first female [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] councillor in February 1917, when she was elected unopposed to the Selly Oak ward. The first female Lord Mayor, Marjorie Brown, held the post from 1973 to 1974. [[Theresa Stewart]] became the first female leader in October 1993,<ref name="WLGS">{{cite web|url=http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |title=Women's Local Government Society |publisher=[[Women's Local Government Society]] |access-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209142043/http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |archive-date=9 February 2012 }}</ref> until 1999; and [[Lin Homer]] the first female chief executive, was in post from 2002 until 2005.
Mary E. Cottrell became the first female [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] councillor in February 1917, when she was elected unopposed to the Selly Oak ward.

The first female Lord Mayor, Marjorie Brown, held the post from 1973 to 1974. [[Theresa Stewart]] became the first female leader in October 1993,<ref name="WLGS">{{cite web|url=http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |title=Women's Local Government Society |publisher=[[Women's Local Government Society]] |access-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209142043/http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |archive-date=9 February 2012 }}</ref> until 1999; and [[Lin Homer]] the first female chief executive, was in post from 2002 until 2005.


[[Bert Carless]], a migrant from Jamaica, was elected the City's first non-white councillor in 1979. He was later made an [[Honorary Alderman]].<ref name="LGC">{{cite web |title=Death of Birmingham's First Black Councillor |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/death-of-birminghams-first-black-councillor-20-08-2003/ |website=[[Local Government Chronicle]] |access-date=16 December 2023 |date=20 August 2003}}</ref><ref name="JollyClarke">{{cite news |last1=Jolly |first1=Bradley |last2=Clarke |first2=Nathan |title=Brum's first Black councillor to be honoured - but activist says 'it's too late' |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birminghams-first-black-councillor-finally-28281945 |access-date=16 December 2023 |work=[[Birmingham Live]] |date=13 December 2023 }}</ref>
[[Bert Carless]], a migrant from Jamaica, was elected the City's first non-white councillor in 1979. He was later made an [[Honorary Alderman]].<ref name="LGC">{{cite web |title=Death of Birmingham's First Black Councillor |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/death-of-birminghams-first-black-councillor-20-08-2003/ |website=[[Local Government Chronicle]] |access-date=16 December 2023 |date=20 August 2003}}</ref><ref name="JollyClarke">{{cite news |last1=Jolly |first1=Bradley |last2=Clarke |first2=Nathan |title=Brum's first Black councillor to be honoured - but activist says 'it's too late' |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birminghams-first-black-councillor-finally-28281945 |access-date=16 December 2023 |work=[[Birmingham Live]] |date=13 December 2023 }}</ref>


==Governance==
==Political control==
Birmingham City Council provides [[metropolitan borough]] services. Some strategic functions in the area are provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority; the leader and deputy leader of the city council sit on the board of the combined authority as Birmingham's representatives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact details WMCA Board |url=https://governance.wmca.org.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=137 |website=West Midlands Combined Authority |access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref> There are two [[civil parish]]es in the city at Sutton Coldfield and [[New Frankley in Birmingham]], which form an additional tier of local government for their areas; the rest of the city is [[Unparished area|unparished]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=30 May 2024}}</ref>
{{for|historical political control and leadership|Birmingham City Council elections}}


===Political control===
[[File:Mike Whitby by John Hemming.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mike Whitby]], leader of the council from June 2004 to May 2012]]
[[File:Mike Whitby by John Hemming.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mike Whitby]], leader of the council from June 2004 to May 2012]]
[[File:Cllr Sir Albert Bore.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Albert Bore]], leader of the council from May 1999 to May 2004 and again from May 2012 to December 2015]]

[[File:Cllr Sir Albert Bore.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Albert Bore|Sir Albert Bore]], leader of the council from May 1999 to May 2004 and again from May 2012 to December 2015]]

[[File:Cllr John Clancy - 23097209149 CROP.jpg|thumb|upright| [[John Clancy (Labour politician)|John Clancy]], leader of the council December 2015 to September 2017, seen in the Council House's 'Crystal Gallery]]
[[File:Cllr John Clancy - 23097209149 CROP.jpg|thumb|upright| [[John Clancy (Labour politician)|John Clancy]], leader of the council December 2015 to September 2017, seen in the Council House's 'Crystal Gallery]]
The council has been under Labour majority control since 2012.


Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre |access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=change>{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/cn.stm | title = Birmingham | access-date = 2009-09-25 | work = [[BBC News Online]] | date=2008-04-19}}</ref>
The council was run by a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] administration between 1984 and 2004, with Sir [[Dick Knowles]] as Council Leader from 1984 to 1993, followed in turn by [[Theresa Stewart]], and Sir [[Albert Bore]]. They lost overall control in 2003 but continued to run the council as a minority administration for the following year. At the election of 10 June 2004, the 121 seats were divided between the Labour, (53 councillors), [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (39) and [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (28) parties. The Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups then formed a governing coalition, moving Labour into opposition.


{| class="wikitable"
In 2005, [[Richard Mawrey]] QC (as an election commissioner) ruled invalid Birmingham City Council elections in two wards, Aston and Bordesley Green, held the year before, and required re-votes. He blamed most of the [[electoral fraud]] on [[absentee ballot]] manipulation, and implicated the returning officer and six Labour councillors. By-elections and defections in 2005 altered the distribution of seats within the council with [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] holding 46 seats, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] holding 40, [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] holding 30, the [[People's Justice Party (UK)|People's Justice Party]] holding 2 and independent councillors holding a further 2.
! colspan=2|Party in control || Years

|-
In 2006, the People's Justice Party disbanded, with their two councillors joining the Liberal Democrats, and Councillor Ann Holtom defected from Labour to the Liberal Democrats. In the [[2006 Birmingham City Council election|2006 local elections]] the [[British National Party]] initially gained a seat, but it soon transpired their candidate's election had been caused by a counting error and the result was subsequently overturned in favour of the previously third-placed Labour party candidate following an election petition.<ref name="Post-2006-07-27">{{cite journal|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=27 July 2006|title=BNP never won seat on city council|journal=Birmingham Post|url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_objectid=17458343&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=bnp-never-won-seat-on-city-council-name_page.html |access-date=16 February 2010}}</ref>
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1974–1975

|-
After the [[2008 Birmingham Council election|local elections on 1 May 2008]], there remained no overall control, with the 120 seats divided between [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (49 councillors), [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], (36), [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (32) and [[RESPECT The Unity Coalition|Respect]] (3).<ref name="birmingham.gov.uk">[https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/elections Birmingham City Council election service] Birmingham.gov.uk</ref> After the 2010 elections the seats were divided between [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (45 councillors), [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], (41), [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (31) and [[RESPECT The Unity Coalition|Respect]] (3).<ref name="birmingham.gov.uk"/> The Conservatives' main local strongholds are in the [[Sutton Coldfield]] and [[Edgbaston]] constituencies. In the [[2011 Birmingham Council election|local elections on 5 May 2011]], Labour won an extra 14 seats on the council but there continued to be no overall control, with the seats divided between [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (39 councillors), [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], (55), [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (24) and [[RESPECT The Unity Coalition|Respect]] (3).<ref name="birmingham.gov.uk"/>
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1975–1976

|-
Labour regained overall control in [[2012 Birmingham City Council election|May 2012]], gaining 20 seats for an overall majority on the council.<ref>{{cite web|first=Nick |last=Robinson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17920848 |title=Labour are back throughout country, says Ed Miliband |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> After the [[2014 Birmingham City Council election|2014 election]], Labour were on 77 seats, having won 22, with the Conservatives on 31, winning 14 and the Lib Dems dropping to 12 seats, having won 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2014-05-23/birmingham-city-council-stays-in-labour-control/|title=Birmingham City Council stays in Labour control|date=23 May 2014|access-date=23 May 2023|website=ITV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2014-05-23/the-colour-of-the-political-map-across-birmingham/|title=The colour of the political map across Birmingham|date=23 May 2014|access-date=23 May 2023|website=ITV News}}</ref> Labour gained a further 2 seats in [[2015 Birmingham City Council election|2015]], increasing their total to 79, gaining a seat from each of the Tories and Liberal Democrats. They won 80 seats in [[2016 Birmingham City Council election|2016]], gaining one each from the Conservatives and Lib Dems again from their 78 before the election. Boundary changes took place in [[2018 Birmingham City Council election|2018]] and an all-out-election took place, with Labour winning 67 seats, the Conservatives 25, the Liberal Democrats 8 and the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] winning one seat. Following the [[2022 Birmingham City Council election|2022 council election]], Labour continues to hold control of the council, winning 65 seats, with the Conservative Party dropping to 22 seats, the Lib Dems gained 4 seats to go back up to 12 and the Greens won a second seat on the council.
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1976–1979
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1979–1980
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1980–1982
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1982–1984
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1984–2003
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2003–2012
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 2012–present
|}


==Cabinet==
===Leadership===
{{see also|List of mayors of Birmingham}}
The role of Lord Mayor of Birmingham is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the [[leader of the council]]. The first leader of the council after the 1974 reforms, Clive Wilkinson, had been the leader of the old county borough of Birmingham since December 1973.<ref name=Wilkinson1973/> The leaders since 1973 have been:


{|class="wikitable"/
{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|+ Cabinet of Birmingham City Council<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-city-councils-new-leader-26969874|title=Birmingham City Council's new leader picks his top team of eight women and two men|last=Haynes|first=Jane|date=22 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023|website=Birmingham Live}}</ref><ref name=cabinet/>
! colspan="1"|Portfolio
! colspan="2" |Cabinet Member
! colspan="1" |Ward
! colspan="1" |Term
|-
|-
| Clive Wilkinson<ref name=Wilkinson1973>{{cite news |last1=Slim |first1=John |title=The new Mr Birmingham |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Birmingham Post |date=7 December 1973 |page=10}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|Dec 1973 || align=right|May 1976
|colspan="5"|'''Cabinet members of Birmingham City Council'''
|-
|-
| [[Neville Bosworth]]<ref>{{cite news |title=The Tories sweep back: Labour lose control of Birmingham after four years |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Evening Mail |date=7 May 1976 |location=Birmingham |page=14}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1976 || align=right|May 1980
|Leader of Birmingham City Council<br />Leader of the Labour Group
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|John Cotton
|Glebe Farm & Tile Cross
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| Clive Wilkinson<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Roy |title=Bosworth's men swept out in Labour tidal wave |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Evening Mail |date=2 May 1980 |location=Birmingham |page=27}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1980 || align=right|May 1982
|Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council<br/>Deputy Leader of the Labour Group
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Sharon Thompson
|North Edgbaston
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Neville Bosworth]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Roy |last2=Clarke |first2=Roger |title=It's a night of triumph for the Tories |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Evening Mail |date=7 May 1982 |location=Birmingham |page=1}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1982 || align=right|May 1984
|Cabinet Member for Finance
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Brigid Jones
|Bournbrook and Selly Park
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Dick Knowles]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Roy |title=Labour's mods firmly in control of city |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Evening Mail |date=8 May 1984 |location=Birmingham |page=4}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1984 || align=right|Oct 1993
|Cabinet Member for Housing & Homelessness
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Jayne Francis
|Harborne
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Theresa Stewart]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Philip |title=Leader gets back to basics |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Birmingham Post |date=6 October 1993 |page=8}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|Oct 1993 || align=right|May 1999
|Cabinet Member for Environment
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Majid Mahmood
|Bromford and Hodge Hill
|July 2022{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Albert Bore]]<ref>{{cite news |title=New city leader |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Birmingham Weekly Mercury |date=9 May 1999 |page=12}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1999 || align=right|May 2004
|Cabinet Member for Transport
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Liz Clements
|Bournville and Cotteridge
|July 2022{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Mike Whitby]] || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|June 2004 || align=right|3 May 2012
|Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Karen McCarthy
|Bournbrook and Selly Park
|July 2022{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[Albert Bore]] || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|3 May 2012 || align=right|1 Dec 2015
|Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Mariam Khan
|Alum Rock
|July 2022{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| [[John Clancy (Labour politician)|John Clancy]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Birmingham City Council elects new leader John Clancy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-34907832 |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=BBC News |date=24 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Clare |title=Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy resigns after bins strike fiasco |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/birmingham/2017/09/11/birmingham-city-council-leader-john-clancy-resigns-after-bins-strike-fiasco/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Express and Star |date=11 September 2017}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1 Dec 2015 || align=right|11 Sep 2017
|Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage & Tourism
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
|Saim Suleman
|Hall Green North
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|-
|-
| Ian Ward<ref>{{cite web |title=Confirmation of Leader and Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/188/confirmation_of_leader_and_deputy_leader_of_birmingham_city_council |website=Birmingham City Council |date=7 November 2017}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|7 Nov 2017 || align=right|23 May 2023
|Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community, Safety and Equalities
|-
|style= "background: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 1px;" |
| John Cotton<ref>{{cite web |title=Council’s new Cabinet line-up confirmed |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/1337/council_s_new_cabinet_line-up_confirmed |website=Birmingham City Council |date=23 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2023 || align=right|
|Nicky Brennan
|Sparkhill
|May 2023{{snd}}present
|}
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2022 Birmingham City Council election|2022 election]] and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to June 2024, the composition of the council was:<ref>{{cite web |title=Birmingham |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=birmingham |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/councillors/party|title=Councillors by Party &#124; Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|65
! colspan=2 rowspan=2 style=text-align:center;vertical-align:middle; | Affiliation
! colspan=2 style=vertical-align:top; | Members<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/councillors/party|title=Councillors by Party &#124; Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk}}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|22
! Current
|-
|-
|{{Party name with color|Labour Party (UK)}}
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|11
!65
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|2
|style=width: 4px style="background-color:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}};"|
| style=text-align: left" scope=row | [[Conservative Party (UK)|{{party shortname|Conservative Party (UK)}}]]
!22
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|1
|style=width: 4px style="background-color:{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}};"|
| style=text-align: left; scope=row | [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|{{party shortname|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}]]
!12
|-
|style=width: 4px style="background-color:{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}};"|
|[[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]]
!2
|-
| colspan=2 rowspan=1 | '''Total number of seats'''
!101
|-
| colspan=2 rowspan=1 | '''Actual majority'''
!29
|-
|-
! colspan=2|Total
! align=center|101
|}
|}

The next election is due in May 2026.

==Elections==
{{also|Birmingham City Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2018, the council has comprised 101 [[councillor]]s representing 69 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Birmingham (Electoral Changes) Order 2016|year=2016|number=1140|access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref>


===Wards and councillors===
===Wards and councillors===
Following the boundary review, the number of wards was increased from 40 to 69.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20097/elections_and_voting/1054/local_government_boundary_review|title=Local Government Boundary Review|author=Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref><ref name="wards">{{cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20057/about_birmingham/665/wards_and_constituencies|title=Wards and constituencies|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>
The wards and councillors are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20097/elections_and_voting/1054/local_government_boundary_review|title=Local Government Boundary Review|author=Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref><ref name="wards">{{cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20057/about_birmingham/665/wards_and_constituencies|title=Wards and constituencies|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

Each ward is represented by either one or two councillors.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"

Revision as of 06:33, 11 June 2024

This article is about the council in England. For the council in the United States, see Birmingham City Council (Alabama).

Birmingham City Council
Coat of arms or logo
Coat of arms
Birmingham City Council logo
Council logo post-2015
Type
Type
Leadership
Ken Wood,
Conservative
since 21 May 2024[1]
John Cotton,
Labour
since 23 May 2023[2]
Graeme Betts (interim)
since 22 March 2024[3]
Structure
Seats101 councillors[4]
Birmingham City Council composition
Political groups
Administration (65)
  Labour (65)
Other parties (36)
  Conservative (22)
  Liberal Democrat (12)
  Green (2)
Joint committees
West Midlands Combined Authority
Elections
Plurality-at-large
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
7 May 2026
Motto
Forward
Meeting place
Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB
Website
www.birmingham.gov.uk
Constitution
www.birmingham.gov.uk/constitution/

Birmingham City Council is the local authority for the city of Birmingham in the West Midlands, England. Birmingham has had an elected local authority since 1838, which has been reformed several times. Since 1974 the council has been a metropolitan borough council. It provides the majority of local government services in the city. It is the most populous local government district in England, serving over 1.1 million people. The council has been a member of the West Midlands Combined Authority since 2016.

The council has been under Labour majority control since 2012. It is based at the Council House on Victoria Square, Birmingham.

On 6 September 2023, the council declared effective bankruptcy, and central government commissioners were subsequently appointed to run the council under emergency measures.

History

Further information: Government of Birmingham

Until the 18th century, Birmingham was governed by manorial courts and its parish vestry. A body of improvement commissioners called the Birmingham Street Commissioners was established in 1769 to provide services in the rapidly growing town. Birmingham was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1838, after which it was governed by a body formally called 'the mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Birmingham', generally known as the corporation or town council. William Scholefield became the first mayor and William Redfern was the first town clerk. The corporation absorbed the functions of the street commissioners in 1852.[5]

Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham, used 1838–1889

Birmingham was granted city status on 14 January 1889, after which the corporation was also known as the city council. When elected county councils were established in April 1889, Birmingham was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it became a county borough, independent from the new Warwickshire County Council, whilst remaining part of the geographical county of Warwickshire.[6] The dignity of a lord mayor was conferred in 1896, with James Smith being appointed the first Lord Mayor of Birmingham.[7]

The city boundaries have been enlarged many times. Notable expansions were in 1891 (Balsall Heath, Harborne, Saltley and Little Bromwich), 1909 (Quinton), 1911 (Aston Manor, Erdington, Handsworth, Kings Norton, Northfield and Yardley), 1928 (Perry Barr), 1931 (Sheldon and parts of other parishes), and 1974 (Sutton Coldfield).[6]

The county borough was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, being replaced by a metropolitan district of Birmingham, covering the area of the old county borough plus the borough of Sutton Coldfield. The new district was one of seven metropolitan districts within the new metropolitan county of the West Midlands.[8] Birmingham's borough and city statuses and its lord mayoralty passed to the new district and its council.[9][10]

From 1974 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the West Midlands County Council. The county council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the county's ten borough councils, including Birmingham City Council, with some services provided through joint committees.[11] In 1995, New Frankley and the Kitwell Estate were transferred into the city from the parish of Frankley in Bromsgrove District.[12]

Since 2016 the council has been a member of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has been led by the directly elected Mayor of the West Midlands since 2017. The combined authority provides strategic leadership and co-ordination for certain functions across the county, but Birmingham City Council continues to be responsible for most local government functions.[13][14]

On 5 September 2023, Birmingham City Council issued a Section 114 notice, being the local government equivalent of bankruptcy, stopping all future spending with the exception of money for statutory services, including the protection of vulnerable people.[15] The leader of the Labour authority stated that the notice was a necessary step to get Birmingham back into a sound financial footing.[16] The government subsequently appointed commissioners to oversee the running of the council under emergency measures.[17]

Women and minorities

The first woman elected to the council, on 1 November 1911, was Ellen Pinsent.[18] She represented the Edgbaston Ward as a Liberal Unionist.[18] She had earlier been co-opted as a member of the council's Education Committee and served as Chairman of the Special School Sub-Committee.[18] She stood down from the council in October 1913 upon appointment as Commissioner for the Board of Control for Lunacy and Mental Deficiency.[18]

Pinsent's time on the council overlapped with that of Margaret Frances Pugh, who was elected on 22 November 1911 to serve in the North Erdington ward.[18] She resigned in November 1913.[18]

Birmingham's third woman councillor, Clara Martineau, was elected on 14 October 1913 in the Edgbaston ward, and served until 1932, when she died, aged 57.[18] Her father was former Mayor Sir Thomas Martineau, Lord Mayor Ernest Martineau was her brother, and Alderman Sir George Kenrick was her uncle.[18]

Mary Cottrell became the first female Labour councillor in February 1917, when she was elected unopposed to the Selly Oak ward. The first female Lord Mayor, Marjorie Brown, held the post from 1973 to 1974. Theresa Stewart became the first female leader in October 1993,[19] until 1999; and Lin Homer the first female chief executive, was in post from 2002 until 2005.

Bert Carless, a migrant from Jamaica, was elected the City's first non-white councillor in 1979. He was later made an Honorary Alderman.[20][21]

Governance

Birmingham City Council provides metropolitan borough services. Some strategic functions in the area are provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority; the leader and deputy leader of the city council sit on the board of the combined authority as Birmingham's representatives.[22] There are two civil parishes in the city at Sutton Coldfield and New Frankley in Birmingham, which form an additional tier of local government for their areas; the rest of the city is unparished.[23]

Political control

Mike Whitby, leader of the council from June 2004 to May 2012
Albert Bore, leader of the council from May 1999 to May 2004 and again from May 2012 to December 2015
John Clancy, leader of the council December 2015 to September 2017, seen in the Council House's 'Crystal Gallery

The council has been under Labour majority control since 2012.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[24][25]

Party in control Years
Labour 1974–1975
No overall control 1975–1976
Conservative 1976–1979
No overall control 1979–1980
Labour 1980–1982
Conservative 1982–1984
Labour 1984–2003
No overall control 2003–2012
Labour 2012–present

Leadership

See also: List of mayors of Birmingham

The role of Lord Mayor of Birmingham is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The first leader of the council after the 1974 reforms, Clive Wilkinson, had been the leader of the old county borough of Birmingham since December 1973.[26] The leaders since 1973 have been:

Councillor Party From To
Clive Wilkinson[26] Labour Dec 1973 May 1976
Neville Bosworth[27] Conservative May 1976 May 1980
Clive Wilkinson[28] Labour May 1980 May 1982
Neville Bosworth[29] Conservative May 1982 May 1984
Dick Knowles[30] Labour May 1984 Oct 1993
Theresa Stewart[31] Labour Oct 1993 May 1999
Albert Bore[32] Labour May 1999 May 2004
Mike Whitby Conservative June 2004 3 May 2012
Albert Bore Labour 3 May 2012 1 Dec 2015
John Clancy[33][34] Labour 1 Dec 2015 11 Sep 2017
Ian Ward[35] Labour 7 Nov 2017 23 May 2023
John Cotton[36] Labour 23 May 2023

Composition

Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to June 2024, the composition of the council was:[37][4]

Party Councillors
Labour 65
Conservative 22
Liberal Democrats 11
Green 2
Independent 1
Total 101

The next election is due in May 2026.

Elections

See also: Birmingham City Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2018, the council has comprised 101 councillors representing 69 wards, with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years.[38]

Wards and councillors

The wards and councillors are:[39][40]

Ward Councillor Party Council Service
Acocks Green Roger Harmer Liberal Democrats 1995–2001, 2008–2012, 2014–
Penny Wagg Liberal Democrats 2003–2011, 2022–
Allens Cross Jack Deakin Labour 2022–
Alum Rock Mohammed Idrees Labour 2002–
Mariam Khan Labour 2012–
Aston Ayoub Khan Liberal Democrats 2022–
Mumtaz Hussain Liberal Democrats 2022–
Balsall Heath West Shehla Moledina Labour 2022–
Bartley Green Bruce Lines Conservative 2003–
Kerry Brewer Conservative 2022–
Billesley Phil Davies Labour 2012–
Katherine Iroh Labour 2021–
Birchfield Mahmood Hussain Labour 1996–2011, 2012–
Bordesley and Highgate Yvonne Mosquito Labour 1996–
Bordesley Green Raqeeb Aziz Labour 2022–
Bournbrook and Selly Park Brigid Jones Labour 2011–
Karen McCarthy Labour 2012–
Bournville and Cotteridge Liz Clements Labour 2017–
Fred Grindrod Labour 2018–
Brandwood & King's Heath David Sean Barker Labour 2022–
Lisa Trickett Labour 2012–
Bromford and Hodge Hill Diane Donaldson Labour 2016–
Majidd Mahmoob Labour 2011–
Castle Vale Ray Goodwin Labour 2022–
Druids Heath and Monyhull Julien Pritchard Green 2018–
Edgbaston Deirdre Alden Conservative 1999–
Matt Bennett Conservative 2008–2012, 2015–
Erdington Robert Alden Conservative 2006–
Gareth Moore Conservative 2011–
Frankley Great Park Simon Morrall Conservative 2018–
Garretts Green Saddak Miah Labour 2018–
Glebe Farm and Tile Cross Marj Bridle Labour 1986–
John Cotton Labour 1999–2008, 2010–
Gravelly Hill Mick Brown Labour 2012–
Hall Green North Akhlaq Ahmed Labour Co-op 2018–
Saima Suleman Labour 2021–
Hall Green South Timothy Huxtable Conservative 2002–
Handsworth Hendrina Quinnen Labour 2009–
Handsworth Wood Gurdial Singh Atwal Labour 2004–
Narinder Kaur Kooner Labour 2006–
Harborne Martin Brooks Labour 1982–1999, 2022–
Jayne Francis Labour 2016–
Heartlands Shafique Shah Labour 2005–
Highter's Heath Adam Higgs Conservative 2018–
Holyhead Rinkal Shergill Labour 2022–
King's Norton North Alex Aitken Labour 2018–
King's Norton South Rob Grant Green 2022–
Kingstanding Des Hughes Labour 2010–2014, 2015–2018, 2022–
Rick Payne Conservative 2022–
Ladywood Albert Bore Labour 1980–
Kath Hartley Labour 1996–2000, 2002–
Longbridge and West Heath Debbie Clancy Conservative 2015–
Ron Storer Conservative 2014–
Lozells Waseem Zaffar Labour 2011–
Moseley Kerry Jenkins Labour 2014–
Izzy Knowles Liberal Democrats 2022–
Nechells Lee Marsham Labour 2022–
Newtown Ziaul Islam Labour 2006–
North Edgbaston Marcus Bernasconi Labour 2022–
Sharon Thompson Labour 2014–
Northfield Kirsten Kurt-Elli Labour 2022–
Oscott Barbara Dring Labour 2004–
Darius Sandhu Conservative 2021–
Perry Barr Jon Hunt Liberal Democrats 2003–
Jan Morriam Liberal Democrats 2017–
Perry Common Joanne Bermingham Labour 1995–2008, 2022–
Pype Hayes Basharat Mahmood Labour 2022–
Quinton Sam Forsyth Labour 2022–
Lauren Rainbow Labour 2022–
Rubery and Rednal Adrian Delaney Conservative 2004–2015, 2018–
Shard End Ian Ward Labour 1995–
Sheldon Paul Tilsley Liberal Democrats 1968–1982, 1988–
Colin Green Liberal Democrats 2022–
Small Heath Shabina Bano Labour 2022–
Saqib Khan Labour 2022–
Soho and Jewellery Quarter Chaman Lal Labour 1994–
Sybil Spence Labour 1986–
South Yardley Zaker Choudhry Liberal Democrats 2006–2010, 2014–
Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East Mohammed Azim Labour 2004–2006, 2012–
Shabrana Hussain Labour 2016–
Sparkhill Rashad Mahmood Labour 2022–
Nicky Brennan Labour 2018–
Stirchley Mary Locke Labour 2016–
Stockland Green Amar Khan Labour 2022–
Jane Jones Labour 2022–
Sutton Four Oaks Maureen Cornish Conservative 2007–
Sutton Mere Green Meirion Jenkins Conservative 2012–
Sutton Reddicap Richard Parkin Conservative 2022–
Sutton Roughley Ewan Mackey Conservative 2014–
Sutton Trinity David Pears Conservative 1987–1991, 1992–1996, 2004–
Sutton Vesey Rob Pocock Labour 2012–
Kath Scott Labour 2018–
Sutton Walmley and Minworth David Barrie Conservative 2009–
Ken Wood Conservative 2008–2012, 2014–
Sutton Wylde Green Alex Yip Conservative 2015–
Tyseley and Hay Mills Zafar Iqbal Labour 2012–
Ward End Bushra Bi Labour 2022–
Weoley and Selly Oak Miranda Perks Labour 2022–
Jamie Tennant Labour 2022–
Yardley East Deborah Harries Liberal Democrats 2021–
Yardley West and Stechford Baber Baz Liberal Democrats 2018–

Chief executives

Mark Rogers in 2014

Past chief executives have included:

  • 1994 (1994) – 2001 (2001): Sir Michael Lyons
  • 2002 (2002) – 2005 (2005): Lin Homer
  • 2005 (2005) – 2014 (2014): Stephen Hughes[41]
  • 2014 (2014) – 2017 (2017): Mark Rogers[42]
  • 2017 (2017): Angela Probert (Acting)[43]
  • 2017 (2017) – 2018: Stella Manzie (Interim)[43][44]
  • 2018 (2018) – 2019 (2019): Dawn Baxendale[45]
  • 2019 – 2020 Clive Heaphy (Acting)
  • 2020 – Chris Naylor (Interim)
  • 2021 – Deborah Cadman

Services and facilities

Notable services provided and facilities managed by Birmingham City Council include:

Service Birmingham, set up in 2006, is a joint IT venture operated by Birmingham City Council and Capita under which Capita runs the city's ICT systems and council tax collection services and formerly ran its call centre. The Council and Capita have agreed to end the joint venture by March 2018.[46]

The city's museums were transferred to the independent Birmingham Museums Trust in 2012. The council sold its Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre, by auction, in October 2014.

Highways

In 2010, Birmingham City Council agreed a 25 year deal with Amey plc to manage the city's highways, but, after allegations of sub-standard repairs to roads and pavements, the council invoked penalty clauses and entered into a prolonged legal dispute.[47] In December 2018, Amey parent Ferrovial put the business up for sale,[48] after allocating €237m for losses on Amey's highway maintenance contract with the Council.[48][49] In February 2019, Amey was close to a deal to exit its Birmingham contract, liabilities from which were preventing the company's sale by Ferrovial.[50] A £215m deal to terminate Amey's Birmingham contract[51] was confirmed in July 2019. The council was set to receive £160m in 2019 with a further £55m paid over the next six years, with services continuing on an interim basis until September 2019, and potentially until March 2020.[52] However, in February 2020, it was announced the Birmingham contract would end in March 2020; Kier Group was appointed as interim contractor for 15 months while the council sought a permanent replacement for Amey.[53] In February 2022, the city council formally began the process of identifying a contractor to deliver £2.7 billion of works over 12 years,[54] and invited Kier and Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin to tender for the city’s restructured highways PFI contract, covering more than 2,500km of road and 5,000km of footway. However, in October 2023, the council claimed the government was preparing to "pull the plug" on £600m of highways funding.[55] Kier were awarded the restructured contract, set to start in February 2024, but the deal was subject to government approval.[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ Alexander Brock (21 May 2024). "Birmingham's new Lord Mayor takes up office amid hope for city's future". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Council's new Cabinet line-up confirmed". Birmingham City Council. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Deborah Cadman to leave the city council". Birmingham City Council. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Councillors by Party | Birmingham City Council". www.birmingham.gov.uk.
  5. ^ A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 7, The City of Birmingham. London: Victoria County History. 1964. pp. 318–353. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Birmingham Municipal Borough / County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Lord Mayor's Office". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Local Government Act 1972: Schedule 1", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70 (sch. 1), retrieved 30 May 2024
  9. ^ "District Councils and Boroughs". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  10. ^ "No. 46334". The London Gazette. 28 June 1974. p. 7419.
  11. ^ "Local Government Act 1985", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1985 c. 51, retrieved 5 April 2024
  12. ^ "The Hereford and Worcester and West Midlands (County Boundaries) Order 1993", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1993/2971, retrieved 11 June 2024
  13. ^ "The West Midlands Combined Authority Order 2016", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2016/653, retrieved 11 June 2024
  14. ^ "Understand how your council works". gov.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Birmingham City Council effectively declares bankruptcy after being hit by 760m bill". Sky News. 5 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Residents fear a rise in crime and taxes as Birmingham declares 'bankruptcy'". BBC. 11 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Government sending in officials to run Birmingham City Council". BBC News. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Roberts, Sian (4 March 2015). "'My whole time is given to the service of my fellow citizens' – the first women elected to Birmingham City Council". Library of Birmingham. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Women's Local Government Society". Women's Local Government Society. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  20. ^ "Death of Birmingham's First Black Councillor". Local Government Chronicle. 20 August 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  21. ^ Jolly, Bradley; Clarke, Nathan (13 December 2023). "Brum's first Black councillor to be honoured - but activist says 'it's too late'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Contact details WMCA Board". West Midlands Combined Authority. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  24. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  25. ^ "Birmingham". BBC News Online. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  26. ^ a b Slim, John (7 December 1973). "The new Mr Birmingham". Birmingham Post. p. 10. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  27. ^ "The Tories sweep back: Labour lose control of Birmingham after four years". Evening Mail. Birmingham. 7 May 1976. p. 14. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  28. ^ Smith, Roy (2 May 1980). "Bosworth's men swept out in Labour tidal wave". Evening Mail. Birmingham. p. 27. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  29. ^ Smith, Roy; Clarke, Roger (7 May 1982). "It's a night of triumph for the Tories". Evening Mail. Birmingham. p. 1. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  30. ^ Smith, Roy (8 May 1984). "Labour's mods firmly in control of city". Evening Mail. Birmingham. p. 4. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  31. ^ Smith, Philip (6 October 1993). "Leader gets back to basics". Birmingham Post. p. 8. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  32. ^ "New city leader". Birmingham Weekly Mercury. 9 May 1999. p. 12. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  33. ^ "Birmingham City Council elects new leader John Clancy". BBC News. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  34. ^ Butler, Clare (11 September 2017). "Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy resigns after bins strike fiasco". Express and Star. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Confirmation of Leader and Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council". Birmingham City Council. 7 November 2017.
  36. ^ "Council's new Cabinet line-up confirmed". Birmingham City Council. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Birmingham". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  38. ^ "The Birmingham (Electoral Changes) Order 2016", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2016/1140, retrieved 11 June 2024
  39. ^ Birmingham City Council. "Local Government Boundary Review". www.birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  40. ^ "Wards and constituencies". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  41. ^ K, Sarah (20 December 2013). "New Chief Executive appointed". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  42. ^ "Chief executive of Birmingham City Council Mark Rogers leaves role". BBC Online. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  43. ^ a b Kirby, Sarah (20 March 2017). "Birmingham to name Stella Manzie as Interim Chief Executive". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  44. ^ Ndikon, Uchenna. "Management structure". www.birmingham.gov.uk. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Management structure". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  46. ^ Digital by Default News, Council to wind up joint IT venture, 19 May 2017, accessed 30 May 2017
  47. ^ Elkes, Neil (29 January 2015). "Gone to pot? City council in dispute with repairs contractor Amey over quality of roads". BusinessLive. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  48. ^ a b "Amey up for sale". The Construction Index. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  49. ^ Elkes, Neil (13 July 2016). "Legal dispute could cost Birmingham roads contractor £55 million". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  50. ^ Daniel, Alex (17 February 2019). "Amey eyes escape route from Birmingham road repair PFI contract". City A.M. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  51. ^ Morby, Aaron (31 May 2019). "Amey to pay £215m to exit Brum highways PFI". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  52. ^ Prior, Grant (1 July 2019). "Amey agrees to pay £215m to end Birmingham roads contract". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  53. ^ Morby, Aaron (4 February 2020). "Kier stands in for Amey on Birmingham Highways upkeep". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  54. ^ Morby, Aaron (9 February 2022). "Bidding to start for rejigged £2.7bn Birmingham highways job". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  55. ^ Knott, Jonathan (31 October 2023). "£600m Birmingham roads contract set to be axed, claims council". Construction News. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  56. ^ Knott, Jonathan (2 November 2023). "Kier picked for restructured £2.7bn Birmingham roads contract". Construction News. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
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