Councillor Mike Bird was elected as Leader of the Council, following the resignation of Councillor Garry Perry last month.
Councillor Bird was first elected to Walsall Council in 1980. He previously held the position of Leader of the Council between 2018 and 2024.
Following his election the new Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Mike Bird said:
“ It’s good to be back! It has been an honour for me to represent the people of Walsall for more than 40 years. Walsall is my home and I want the best for the borough and the very best for Walsall people, they deserve nothing less.”
Following a difficult few weeks for the Council I want to bring councillors together to enable us to tackle the challenges that we face in a united way. This Council has achieved a great deal. In my previous period as Council Leader we were recognised as the most Improved Council in the Country in 2024. An independent review by our peers in local government praised this Council for doing the right things and for making good progress. I want us to build on that.
Our residents are at the heart of what we do. We are here to serve the residents and businesses of the borough. We are ambitious for Walsall and my priority as Leader of this Council is to enable us to achieve those ambitions.
I would like to pay tribute to my Deputy Councillor Adrian Andrew for his tenure as Acting Leader in the last few weeks which has enabled the smooth transition to the decision we have now achieved. “
Councillor Mike Bird
Leader of Walsall Council