Statement from Councillor Ian Courts
At Annual Council this Tuesday, I announced that I am standing down as Leader of the Conservative Group and as Council Leader, albeit definitely not as an active councillor. It is my intention to retain my upfront involvement in the business, economic and regional agendas, which are so vital for the welfare of the borough and our residents.
I am pleased that I am being succeeded by My Deputy, Cllr Karen Grinsell, the first female leader of Solihull Council, with whom I have worked for so many years. She will be supported by a highly capable and diverse Cabinet team. I wish her every success in our continuing journey to make Solihull a place of opportunity, success and ambition.
Ours is a successful borough, we have a strong agenda not just on the economy, but also on tackling the problems that local government everywhere is facing at the moment. One part of success is ensuring strong teamwork and succession, and this is the right time to ensure that strength continues. We are here to serve our residents as best as we possibly can. With that in mind, I have accepted Councillor Grinsell’s kind offer to take on the Deputy Leadership of the Council.
During my six years as leader, we have had Covid and health issues, the cost-of-living crisis, wars and migration, a deepening climate crisis, all having local effects; ongoing political turmoil; awful children’s tragedies. We have tackled a vital and overdue improvement journey on our Children’s Services and have listened with growing pride in the team as evidence of success on this unfurls. Then there is the financial crisis that local government is facing everywhere, coupled with the continuing need to tackle the root of the social and regeneration issues faced. We know there is still much to do – our work goes on.
I will finish by thanking my councillor colleagues, our excellent council staff and our partners in organisations across the region for their support and collaboration during my time in office.
Councillor Ian Courts