Chairman in outburst at ‘public humiliation’

A COUNCILLOR who was stripped of chairing a key scrutiny board after more than two years in the job has branded the decision “unlawful”.

- SAM GREENWAY Local Democracy Reporter

Cllr Alan Feeney (Castle Bromwich) was removed from his role at the head of Solihull Council’s stronger communities and neighbourhood services scrutiny board.

His removal was the latest move in a power struggle after former Tory councillors, including Cllr Feeney, quit the party to join a new Solihull independents group.

Also ousted was Cllr Samantha Gethen (St Alphege) who had been chairman of the authority's children’s services and education scrutiny board.

Cllr Feeney’s position was “reconsidered” at the latest stronger communities meeting and he said it was “shameful” council officers had been dragged into the situation.

Conservative Cllr Richard Holt (Blythe) objected, saying that language used was “ill-suited to the chairman”.