Solihull Borough Conservatives

03/06/2026

As the Mayoral year 2025/26 has come to a close, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Councillor Annette Mackenzie for her outstanding service as Mayor of Solihull.

Throughout her year in office, Councillor Mackenzie demonstrated unwavering dedication, warmth, and commitment to the borough and its residents. An extraordinary highlight of her tenure was the remarkable achievement of completing 635 Mayoral Engagements across the year. This is a truly exceptional number and reflects not only her tireless work ethic but also her determination to be present in every corner of our community.

From attending community celebrations, school visits, charity fundraisers, remembrance services, cultural events, business openings, civic ceremonies, volunteer recognition events and local festivals, Annette embraced every opportunity to champion the people, organisations and causes that make Solihull such a special place. Her diary was one of the busiest in recent memory, averaging more than 12 engagements every single week of her Mayoral year.

Whether meeting young people achieving great things in our schools, supporting local charities and community groups, recognising the dedication of volunteers, celebrating business successes, or representing Solihull at regional and national events, she carried out every engagement with enthusiasm, professionalism and genuine care.

Her Mayoral year has showcased the very best of civic leadership – bringing people together, highlighting the incredible work taking place across our borough, and ensuring that communities felt valued and recognised. The breadth of the 635 engagements illustrates just how deeply connected she remained to the people she served and the importance she placed on being an active and visible Mayor.

Thank you, Annette, for an exceptional year of service, for your energy, your commitment, and for being such a fantastic ambassador for Solihull. Your legacy will be measured not only by the impressive number of engagements undertaken, but by the countless lives you touched and the positive impact you made across our borough.

We thank you for everything you have done for Solihull.

31/05/2026

I am deeply saddened to learn that Ruckleigh School will be closing its doors at the end of this academic year.

For 117 years, Ruckleigh has been a cornerstone of our community, providing an exceptional education and nurturing environment for generations of children. The school's closure is a significant loss not only for current pupils and staff, but also for parents, former students, and the wider Solihull community who have been part of its remarkable history.

Families are facing rising costs, schools are under increasing financial strain, and children are being forced to leave the communities and classrooms where they feel most secure.
I have repeatedly warned of the unintended consequences of this approach. What was presented as a simple policy change is now having a real and damaging impact on schools, jobs, and families across the country.

As Shadow Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Meriden and Solihull East, I have consistently raised concerns about the unintended consequences of this policy. What was presented as a straightforward revenue-raising measure is proving to be far more damaging in practice, affecting schools, jobs, and local communities in every part of the country.

The Conservatives are committed to reversing this policy which is hurting our children.

I will continue to press Ministers to rethink this policy and stand up for pupils, parents, teachers, and school communities across Meriden, Solihull East, and beyond.

My thoughts are with everyone connected to Ruckleigh School at this difficult time. Thank you for everything you have contributed to generations of young people and to our local community.

For anyone who wants to get in touch please do not hesitate to contact me on [email protected]

30/05/2026

Update from the leader of Solihull Council

Karen's Column - Friday 29 May

Hello again!

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Solihull Council will be run by a Conservative minority administration and that I will be continuing as Leader of The Council.

This follows the elections earlier in May, so I want to say thank you to everyone involved, and that includes a lot of people and a lot of hard work. So, thanks to everyone in Shirley East & Sharmans Cross who chose to re-elect me, and thanks to every voter who turned out across Solihull to make their voices heard and to the Council staff who successfully ran the first all-out election we’ve had for a long time. It’s a big task but everything went smoothly on the day and at the count.

The all-out election means there’s been a lot of change. I saw plenty of new faces at Full Council on Tuesday, and I welcome all of them and the energy they will bring. Ultimately, regardless of which party we represent, we all work for our constituents and for all the people of Solihull, so I look forward to hearing new ideas and seeing people working hard in their wards.

I’d like to take this chance to acknowledge the work done by every councillor who has not returned after the election, thank you for your time, energy, and expertise. In particular I want to mention two former leaders of this Council, Ian Courts and Bob Sleigh, for their dedication to this borough. They have given a huge amount of themselves to Solihull and can both go into retirement knowing they worked extremely hard to make Solihull a better place, particularly in driving our economy forwards. For that they have my thanks, and I’m sure those of many people across Solihull.

Their departure from the Cabinet means we have a new face – Cllr Dave Pinwell, who will be taking over the Resources portfolio, which is focused on how the Council spends its money. Cllr Heather Delaney will also be shifting into the role of Economy, Business and Skills Portfolio Holder, as well as becoming Deputy Leader of The Council. Cllr Delaney has been an excellent cabinet member for a few years now and is well known in the borough for her outstanding work for children with SEND. I have no doubt she will bring the same energy and skill to her new roles.

The full cabinet is as follows –

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children & Education - Cllr Karen Grinsell

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business & Skills - Cllr Heather Delaney

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health - Cllr Tony Dicicco

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change & Planning - Cllr Andy Mackiewicz

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities - Cllr Wazma Qais

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment & Infrastructure - Cllr Ken Hawkins

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing - Cllr Mark Parker

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Resources - Cllr Dave Pinwell

Finally, we have elected a new Mayor – Cllr Sardul Marwa MBE. He has had a long and distinguished career in public service, and I know he will be an excellent representative for Solihull. Cllr Alan Feeney will serve as Deputy Mayor.

I’ll be back to a more normal column next week, bringing you news from around the borough and some things to look out for in the weeks ahead, but for now – enjoy what’s left of the sunshine and thanks for reading.

Karen

26/05/2026

Your local Conservative team is in place and continues to deliver for our communities. From protecting our green spaces to supporting local businesses, we are hard at work for you.

Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Children & Education - Cllr Karen Grinsell

Deputy Leader and Economy, Business and Skills Portfolio - Cllr Heather Delaney

Communities Portfolio - Cllr Wazma Qais

Climate Change and Planning Portfolio - Cllr Andy Mackiewicz

Environment & Infrastructure Portfolio - Cllr Ken Hawkins

Adult Social Care & Health Portfolio - Cllr Tony Dicicco

Housing Portfolio - Cllr Mark Parker

Resources Portfolio - Cllr Dave Pinwell

10/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who voted Conservative in the Solihull Council local elections 2026.

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

Polls are open until 10pm tonight- don't forget to use your THREE votes to VOTE CONSERVATIVE.

07/05/2026

🗳️ Polling Day Reminder – Solihull Residents

Today’s the day! If you’re registered to vote, don’t forget to head to your local polling station and make your voice heard.

✔️ Polls are open 7am to 10pm
✔️ Remember to bring valid photo ID
✔️ You have three votes this year- use your three votes to vote for your Conservative Team
Every vote counts- take a few minutes to have your say.

Balsall and Berkwell:
Terry Baker, Heather Delaney and Tony Dicicco

Blythe:
Simon Coles, Keith Green and Richard Holt

Castle Bromwich:
Bernie Donnelly, Leslie Kaye and Martin McCarthy

Chelmsley Wood:
Jim Cooper, John Courtenay and Martin Tomlinson

Dorridge and Hockley Heath:
Andy Mackiewicz, Sally Tomlinson and Paul Whitehouse

Elmdon:
Sandra Green, Georgina Hartland and Pav Matharu

Fordbridge:
Jacob Beardmore, David Cole and Kamren Grant

Kingshurst and Smiths Wood:
Georgia Peplow, Ethan Potter and Sarah Young

Knowle:
Yvonne Clements, Edward Fitter and Dave Pinwell

Lyndon:
Kim Dodd, Danyal Rana and Paula Yates

Meriden and Arden:
Jane Lamden, Ciaran O'Neill and Catherine Price

Olton:
Lachhman Bhambra, James Johnson and Wasim Zaman

Shirley East and Sharmans Cross:
Karen Grinsell, Annette Mackenzie and Mark Parker

Shirley South:
Simon Burke, Dipesh Chauhan and Howard Nicholls

Shirley West:
Manjit Singh, Chris Smith and Annette Wilcox

Silhill:
Hitesh Bikumalla, Josh O'Nyons and Wazma Qais

St Alphege with Monkspath and Hillfield:
Bob Grinsell, Ken Hawkins and Sardul Marwa.

06/05/2026

ST ALPHEGE WITH MONKSPATH AND HILLFIELD
Tomorrow is polling day- don't forget to use your THREE votes for Bob Grinsell, Ken Hawkins and Sardul Marwa

06/05/2026

SILHILL
Tomorrow is polling day- don't forget to use your THREE votes for Josh O'Nyons, Wazma Qais and Hitesh Bikumalla.