By Rachel Alexander
The make-up of Walsall Council鈥檚 cabinet is still yet to be finalised following the change of leadership at the authority. The newly elected leader, Councillor Mike Bird, had already announced the nine-strong line up of councillors each responsible for finances, education, adult social care and more. READ MORE: Nostalgic Three Men in a Boat to return to Saddlers Centre But at the time a vacant position remained for children鈥檚 services, a major portfolio at the authority. The last post holder, Councillor Stacie Elson, resigned from the Conservative Group on May 6. In an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Councillor Elson said she resigned after being 鈥榚xtremely disappointed鈥 in the behaviour displayed by the leader at the time, Councillor Garry Perry. A fortnight later, Councillor Perry resigned from the post, claiming he had been subjected to 鈥榖ullying and hostility鈥. Councillor Bird was then voted in as leader on June 10. Following the change in leadership, Councillor Elson asked to rejoin the Conservative Group but it was rejected by members. In her request to rejoin, Councillor Elson said it is 鈥榥o secret鈥 that she is a supporter of Councillor Bird, adding that he was the 鈥榖est leader Walsall has ever had鈥. Speaking to the LDRS, Councillor Bird confirmed that the children鈥檚 services will now be merged with Councillor Mark Statham鈥檚 portfolio, education and skills. He added that if Councillor Elson had been accepted into the group, then he 鈥榤ay鈥 have appointed the children鈥檚 services portfolio to her. Councillor Bird also confirmed that he will be creating a dedicated area for the council鈥檚 enforcement services under Councillor Adam Hicken鈥檚 portfolio, safer communities. It will include all areas of the authority鈥檚 enforcement including flytipping, car parking, environmental health, food standards and planning. Councillor Bird said: 鈥淎ll of the enforcement we do across the borough is fragmented. 鈥淢y view is to put it all under Adam Hicken and we鈥檙e going to have an enforcement board, to make sure we are putting the force back into enforcement. 鈥淧eople think it鈥檚 acceptable to dump rubbish. Unfortunately we鈥檝e got to educate people and the only way we can do that is if it鈥檚 in the pocket. 鈥淲e get criticism from the opposition, Mr Reform, not that they know anything about policy, but planning enforcement is a big issue in the borough so we鈥檙e going to make sure people are building in accordance with the permission they鈥檝e got.鈥 The above changes still leave a vacant cabinet position. Councillor Bird said he is in discussion with the existing portfolio holders to see how it can be best filled. He said: 鈥淚鈥檓 speaking to my cabinet colleagues to see if we are leaving any gaps anywhere and if we are, we鈥檝e got the flexibility to do something with it.鈥 Councillor Elson has been approached for comment by the LDRS.