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Sir Albert Bore stands down as Birmingham city council leader Sir Albert Bore stands down as Birmingham city council leader
(35 minutes later)
Sir Albert Bore is standing down as leader of Birmingham city council after 16 years as the Labour group leader.Sir Albert Bore is standing down as leader of Birmingham city council after 16 years as the Labour group leader.
Bore’s position had come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with two senior Labour councillors resigning amid criticism of his leadership.Bore’s position had come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with two senior Labour councillors resigning amid criticism of his leadership.
He said “a new voice will see Birmingham through the next period in its history” and that media reports of infighting were drawing attention away from the work the council needed to do.He said “a new voice will see Birmingham through the next period in its history” and that media reports of infighting were drawing attention away from the work the council needed to do.
James McKay, a cabinet member for social cohesion and community safety, resigned earlier this month, saying that although Birmingham owed Bore an enormous debt for his work, he was not the right person to take the council forward.James McKay, a cabinet member for social cohesion and community safety, resigned earlier this month, saying that although Birmingham owed Bore an enormous debt for his work, he was not the right person to take the council forward.
Labour group secretary Valerie Seabright quit days later after Bore filled McKay’s vacant cabinet post without consulting colleagues. Local media reported that other senior councillors were threatening to resign before Bore’s decision to leave.Labour group secretary Valerie Seabright quit days later after Bore filled McKay’s vacant cabinet post without consulting colleagues. Local media reported that other senior councillors were threatening to resign before Bore’s decision to leave.
In December, Bore was criticised in a report by former civil service head Sir Bob Kerslake into the council’s operations, which was commissioned by then local government secretary Eric Pickles after the Trojan horse affair. The report found the authority suffered from poor political leadership. In December, Bore was criticised in a report by former civil service head Sir Bob Kerslake into the council’s operations, which was commissioned by then local government secretary, Eric Pickles, after the Trojan horse affair. The report found the authority suffered from poor political leadership.
“By going now and handing over to the next generation, Albert’s putting not just Birmingham, but lots of the region, ahead of his personal interests,” Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston, said.“By going now and handing over to the next generation, Albert’s putting not just Birmingham, but lots of the region, ahead of his personal interests,” Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston, said.
A government decision over a possible £8bn devolution package for the West Midlands is to be announced over the next few weeks, and local government secretary Greg Clark told a commons inquiry in September that doubts over Birmingham city council’s leadership was putting that deal at risk. A government decision over a possible £8bn devolution package for the West Midlands is to be announced over the next few weeks, and the local government secretary, Greg Clark, told a Commons inquiry in September that doubts over Birmingham city council’s leadership was putting that deal at risk.
“Both Birmingham and regional government was something that was always very dear to Albert’s heart and he really worked for and it clearly reached a point where his kind of leadership wasn’t the right thing anymore,” Stuart said. “He drew the conclusion that was for the greater good.”“Both Birmingham and regional government was something that was always very dear to Albert’s heart and he really worked for and it clearly reached a point where his kind of leadership wasn’t the right thing anymore,” Stuart said. “He drew the conclusion that was for the greater good.”
Announcing his decision to leave his post before December, Bore said: “There are several essential items on our agenda for Birmingham at the moment, including the work of the independent improvement panel, the delivery of a combined authority and a devolution deal with government, and an agreement on budget parameters which will be necessary to take this council through to 2020.”Announcing his decision to leave his post before December, Bore said: “There are several essential items on our agenda for Birmingham at the moment, including the work of the independent improvement panel, the delivery of a combined authority and a devolution deal with government, and an agreement on budget parameters which will be necessary to take this council through to 2020.”
Birmingham city council’s troubles are understood to have been discussed at a shadow cabinet meeting on Monday. The council’s troubles are understood to have been discussed at a shadow cabinet meeting on Monday.
In May, Bore fought off John Clancey in the the fourth challenge to his leadership in five years. The city’s Labour councillors voted 46-30 in favour of Bore.In May, Bore fought off John Clancey in the the fourth challenge to his leadership in five years. The city’s Labour councillors voted 46-30 in favour of Bore.
Ian Ward, a councillor for Shard End and deputy leader of the city council, is one of the favourites to succeed Bore. He described Bore as an inspirational leader who had made a huge contribution to the city. “I have worked closely with him for over 15 years and have learned a great deal from his selfless dedication to public service. I owe him a great debt of gratitude,” Ward said.Ian Ward, a councillor for Shard End and deputy leader of the city council, is one of the favourites to succeed Bore. He described Bore as an inspirational leader who had made a huge contribution to the city. “I have worked closely with him for over 15 years and have learned a great deal from his selfless dedication to public service. I owe him a great debt of gratitude,” Ward said.
Birmingham city council is the country’s largest local authority and Labour holds 79 of the 120 wards in the city. Nine of Birmingham’s 10 MPs are Labour, after Jess Phillips won Yardley from Liberal Democrat John Hemming in May.Birmingham city council is the country’s largest local authority and Labour holds 79 of the 120 wards in the city. Nine of Birmingham’s 10 MPs are Labour, after Jess Phillips won Yardley from Liberal Democrat John Hemming in May.
Bore was a physics lecturer at Aston University from 1974-99, and has been a councillor on the Ladywood ward since 1980. He was knighted in 2002 for services to local government.Bore was a physics lecturer at Aston University from 1974-99, and has been a councillor on the Ladywood ward since 1980. He was knighted in 2002 for services to local government.