Birmingham City Council

{{further|Government of Birmingham}}

Until the 18th century, Birmingham was governed by manorial courts and its parish vestry. A body of improvement commissioners called the Birmingham Street Commissioners was established in 1769 to provide services in the rapidly growing town. Birmingham was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1838, after which it was governed by a body formally called 'the mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Birmingham', generally known as the corporation or town council. William Scholefield became the first mayor and William Redfern was the first town clerk. The corporation absorbed the functions of the street commissioners in 1852.{{cite book |title=A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 7, The City of Birmingham |date=1964 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=318–353 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/warks/vol7/pp318-353 |access-date=10 June 2024}}

File:Common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen + Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham.jpg

Birmingham was granted city status on 14 January 1889, after which the corporation was also known as the city council{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}. When elected county councils were established in April 1889, Birmingham was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it became a county borough, independent from the new Warwickshire County Council, whilst remaining part of the geographical county of Warwickshire.{{cite web |title=Birmingham Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10101001 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=10 June 2024}} The dignity of a lord mayor was conferred in 1896, with James Smith being appointed the first Lord Mayor of Birmingham.{{cite web |title=Lord Mayor's Office |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20158/lord_mayor/318/lord_mayors_office |website=Birmingham City Council |access-date=11 June 2024}}

The city boundaries have been enlarged many times. Notable expansions were in 1891 (Balsall Heath, Harborne, Saltley and Little Bromwich), 1909 (Quinton), 1911 (Aston Manor, Erdington, Handsworth, Kings Norton, Northfield and Yardley), 1928 (Perry Barr), 1931 (Sheldon and parts of other parishes), and 1974 (Sutton Coldfield).

The county borough was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, being replaced by a metropolitan district of Birmingham, covering the area of the old county borough plus the borough of Sutton Coldfield. The new district was one of seven metropolitan districts within the new metropolitan county of the West Midlands.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=30 May 2024}} Birmingham's borough and city statuses and its lord mayoralty passed to the new district and its council.{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |access-date=30 May 2024 |date=28 March 1974}}{{London Gazette|issue=46334|page=7419|date=28 June 1974}}

From 1974 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the West Midlands County Council. The county council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the county's seven borough councils, including Birmingham City Council, with some services provided through joint committees.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1985|year=1985|chapter=51|access-date=5 April 2024}} In 1995, New Frankley and the Kitwell Estate were transferred into the city from the parish of Frankley in Bromsgrove District.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Hereford and Worcester and West Midlands (County Boundaries) Order 1993|year=1993|number=2971|access-date=11 June 2024}}

Since 2016 the council has been a member of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has been led by the directly elected Mayor of the West Midlands since 2017. The combined authority provides strategic leadership and co-ordination for certain functions across the county, but Birmingham City Council continues to be responsible for most local government functions.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The West Midlands Combined Authority Order 2016|year=2016|number=653|access-date=11 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Understand how your council works |url=https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works |website=gov.uk |access-date=30 May 2024}}

On 5 September 2023, Birmingham City Council issued a Section 114 notice, being the local government equivalent of bankruptcy, stopping all future spending with the exception of money for statutory services, including the protection of vulnerable people.{{Cite web|title=Birmingham City Council effectively declares bankruptcy after being hit by 760m bill|url=https://news.sky.com/story/birmingham-city-council-effectively-declares-bankruptcy-after-being-hit-by-760m-bill-12955400 |website=Sky News|date=September 5, 2023}} The leader of the Labour authority stated that the notice was a necessary step to get Birmingham back into a sound financial footing.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66777536|title=Residents fear a rise in crime and taxes as Birmingham declares 'bankruptcy'|website=BBC|date=11 September 2023 }} The government subsequently appointed commissioners to oversee the running of the council under emergency measures.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-19 |title=Government sending in officials to run Birmingham City Council |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66852048 |access-date=2023-09-19}} The bankruptcy has been ascribed to equal pay liabilities plus a disastrous implementation of an ERP system.{{cite news |last1=Wallis |first1=William |last2=Williams |first2=Jennifer |title=Birmingham to settle equal pay claim that tipped council into bankruptcy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f6786106-0c4d-4135-8083-e14e89bd1cee |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Financial Times |date=9 December 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Saran |first1=Cliff |title=Birmingham City Council's Oracle implementation explained: What went wrong? |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366572935/Birmingham-City-Councils-Oracle-implementation-explained-What-went-wrong |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Computer Weekly |date=11 March 2024}}

The first woman elected to the council, on 1 November 1911, was Ellen Pinsent.{{cite web|url=https://theironroom.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/my-whole-time-is-given-to-the-service-of-my-fellow-citizens-the-first-women-elected-to-birmingham-city-council/|title='My whole time is given to the service of my fellow citizens' – the first women elected to Birmingham City Council|last=Roberts|first=Sian|date=4 March 2015|publisher=Library of Birmingham|access-date=10 March 2015}} She represented the Edgbaston Ward as a Liberal Unionist. She had earlier been co-opted as a member of the council's Education Committee and served as Chairman of the Special School Sub-Committee. She stood down from the council in October 1913 upon appointment as Commissioner for the Board of Control for Lunacy and Mental Deficiency.

Pinsent's time on the council overlapped with that of Margaret Frances Pugh, who was elected on 22 November 1911 to serve in the North Erdington ward. She resigned in November 1913.

Birmingham's third woman councillor, Clara Martineau, was elected on 14 October 1913 in the Edgbaston ward, and served until 1932, when she died, aged 57. Her father was former Mayor Sir Thomas Martineau, Lord Mayor Ernest Martineau was her brother, and Alderman Sir George Kenrick was her uncle.

Mary Cottrell became the first female Labour councillor in February 1917, when she was elected unopposed to the Selly Oak ward. The first female Lord Mayor, Marjorie Brown, held the post from 1973 to 1974. Theresa Stewart became the first female leader in October 1993,{{cite web|url=http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |title=Women's Local Government Society |publisher=Women's Local Government Society |access-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209142043/http://www.womeninlocalgovernment.org.uk/db/index.php |archive-date=9 February 2012 }} until 1999; and Lin Homer the first female chief executive, was in post from 2002 until 2005.

Bert Carless, a migrant from Jamaica, was elected the City's first non-white councillor in 1979. He was later made an Honorary Alderman.{{cite web |title=Death of Birmingham's First Black Councillor |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/death-of-birminghams-first-black-councillor-20-08-2003/ |website=Local Government Chronicle |access-date=16 December 2023 |date=20 August 2003}}{{cite news |last1=Jolly |first1=Bradley |last2=Clarke |first2=Nathan |title=Brum's first Black councillor to be honoured - but activist says 'it's too late' |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birminghams-first-black-councillor-finally-28281945 |access-date=16 December 2023 |work=Birmingham Live |date=13 December 2023 }}

{{Main|Birmingham bin strike}}

On 11 March 2025, Members of the Unite union went out on strike due to a long-running dispute over the role of waste recycling and collection officer (WRCO) position being removed. The union claims the move will leave about 150 members £8,000 worse off. Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on 31 March 2025, saying the "regrettable" move was taken in response to public health concerns, as picket lines were blocking depots and preventing waste vehicles from collecting rubbish.{{Cite web |title=Birmingham bin strike: Why are workers striking and how long will it last? |url=https://news.sky.com/story/birmingham-bin-strike-why-are-workers-striking-and-how-long-will-it-last-13339621 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

Birmingham City Council provides metropolitan borough services. Some strategic functions in the area are provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority; the leader and deputy leader of the city council sit on the board of the combined authority as Birmingham's representatives.{{cite web |title=Contact details WMCA Board |url=https://governance.wmca.org.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=137 |website=West Midlands Combined Authority |access-date=11 June 2024}} There are two civil parishes in the city at Sutton Coldfield and New Frankley in Birmingham, which form an additional tier of local government for their areas; the rest of the city is unparished.{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=30 May 2024}}

File:Mike Whitby by John Hemming.jpg, leader of the council from June 2004 to May 2012]]

File:Cllr Sir Albert Bore.jpg, leader of the council from May 1999 to May 2004 and again from May 2012 to December 2015]]

File:Cllr John Clancy - 23097209149 CROP.jpg, leader of the council December 2015 to September 2017, seen in the Council House's 'Crystal Gallery]]

The council has been under Labour majority control since 2012.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre | date=4 March 2016 |access-date=10 August 2022}}{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/cn.stm | title = Birmingham | access-date = 2009-09-25 | work = BBC News Online | date=2008-04-19}}

{{see also|List of mayors of Birmingham}}

The role of Lord Mayor of Birmingham is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The first leader of the council after the 1974 reforms, Clive Wilkinson, had been the leader of the old county borough of Birmingham since December 1973. The leaders since 1973 have been:

Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to September 2024, the composition of the council was:{{cite web |title=Birmingham |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=birmingham |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=11 June 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/councillors/party|title=Councillors by Party | Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk}}

The next election is due in May 2026.

{{also|Birmingham City Council elections}}

Since the last boundary changes in 2018, the council has comprised 101 councillors representing 69 wards, with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Birmingham (Electoral Changes) Order 2016|year=2016|number=1140|access-date=11 June 2024}}

The wards and councillors are:{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20097/elections_and_voting/1054/local_government_boundary_review|title=Local Government Boundary Review|author=Birmingham City Council|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}{{cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20057/about_birmingham/665/wards_and_constituencies|title=Wards and constituencies|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=26 March 2022}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

The council meets and has some offices at the Council House on Victoria Square in the city centre. The building was first completed in 1879 for the old borough council and has been extended several times since.{{NHLE|desc=Council House, City Museum and Art Gallery and Council House extension|grade=II*|num=1210333|access-date=11 June 2024}} The council has several other office buildings, notably at 10 Woodcock Street, completed in 2011.{{cite news |title=Birmingham council staff prepare for move into new £38m office block |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/birmingham-council-staff-prepare-move-3917581 |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Business Live |date=27 October 2011}} There are two customer services centres, at 67 Sutton New Road in Erdington and at 1a Vineyard Road in Northfield.{{cite web |title=Customer Service Centres |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory/28/customer_service_centres |website=Birmingham City Council |access-date=11 June 2024}} The possible closure and sale of some of the council's buildings is being considered as part of addressing the council's financial difficulties following the issuing of the Section 114 notice in 2023.{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Simon |last2=Sandiford |first2=Josh |title='Dark day' for city amid tax rises and assets sale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3g0y1xvqgvo |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=BBC News |date=20 February 2024}}

File:Birmingham City Council Chief Executive - Mark Rogers.jpg

Past chief executives have included:

• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1994}} |end_date={{End date|2001}} |event=Sir Michael Lyons }}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2002}} |end_date={{End date|2005}} |event=Lin Homer }}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2005}} |end_date={{End date|2014}} |event=Stephen Hughes }}{{cite web|url=http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2013/12/new-chief-executive-appointed/|title=New Chief Executive appointed|last=K|first=Sarah|date=2013-12-20|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=11 June 2014}}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2014}} |end_date={{End date|2017}} |event= Mark Rogers }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39021051|title=Chief executive of Birmingham City Council Mark Rogers leaves role|date=19 February 2017|work=BBC Online|access-date=20 March 2017}}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2017}} |end_date= |event= Angela Probert (Acting) }}{{cite web|url=http://birminghamnewsroom.com/birmingham-to-name-stella-manzie-as-interim-chief-executive/|title=Birmingham to name Stella Manzie as Interim Chief Executive|last=Kirby|first=Sarah|date=20 March 2017|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=20 March 2017}}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2017}} |end_date=2018 |event= Stella Manzie (Interim) }}{{cite web|last1=Ndikon|first1=Uchenna|title=Management structure|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50068/how_the_council_works/965/management_structure|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=12 December 2017|language=en}}
• {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2018}} |end_date={{End date|2019}}|event=Dawn Baxendale }}{{cite web|title=Management structure|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50068/how_the_council_works/965/management_structure|publisher=Birmingham City Council|access-date=4 May 2018|language=en}}
• 2019 {{ndash}} 2020 Clive Heaphy (Acting)
• 2020 {{ndash}} Chris Naylor (Interim)
• 2021 {{ndash}} Deborah Cadman

Notable services provided and facilities managed by Birmingham City Council include:

• Library of Birmingham
• Public Library and Baths, Balsall Heath
• Birmingham Wholesale Markets
• Cemeteries
• Brandwood End Cemetery
• Handsworth Cemetery
• Lodge Hill Cemetery
• Witton Cemetery
• Council House
• Hall of Memory
• Parks
• Brookvale Park
• Calthorpe Park
• Handsworth Park
• Kings Heath Park
• Swanshurst Park
• Several country parks

The city's museums were transferred to the independent Birmingham Museums Trust in 2012. The council sold its Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre, by auction, in October 2014.

In 2010, Birmingham City Council agreed a 25 year deal with Amey plc to manage the city's highways, but, after allegations of sub-standard repairs to roads and pavements, the council invoked penalty clauses and entered into a prolonged legal dispute.{{cite news |last1=Elkes |first1=Neil |title=Gone to pot? City council in dispute with repairs contractor Amey over quality of roads |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/gone-pot-city-council-dispute-8535623?_ga=2.232197339.552829252.1644484003-425634795.1636358392 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=BusinessLive |date=29 January 2015}} In December 2018, Amey parent Ferrovial put the business up for sale,{{cite news |title=Amey up for sale |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/amey-up-for-sale |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=The Construction Index |date=3 December 2018}} after allocating €237m for losses on Amey's highway maintenance contract with the Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/legal-dispute-could-cost-birmingham-11609054 |title=Legal dispute could cost Birmingham roads contractor £55 million |first=Neil |last=Elkes |work=Birmingham Mail |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=29 July 2018}} In February 2019, Amey was close to a deal to exit its Birmingham contract, liabilities from which were preventing the company's sale by Ferrovial.{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Alex |title=Amey eyes escape route from Birmingham road repair PFI contract |url=http://www.cityam.com/273359/amey-eyes-escape-route-birmingham-road-repair-pfi-contract |access-date=18 February 2019 |work=City A.M. |date=17 February 2019}} A £215m deal to terminate Amey's Birmingham contract{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Amey to pay £215m to exit Brum highways PFI |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/05/30/amey-to-pay-215m-to-quit-brum-highways-pfi/ |access-date=31 May 2019 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=31 May 2019}} was confirmed in July 2019. The council was set to receive £160m in 2019 with a further £55m paid over the next six years, with services continuing on an interim basis until September 2019, and potentially until March 2020.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Amey agrees to pay £215m to end Birmingham roads contract |url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/07/01/amey-agrees-to-pay-215m-to-terminate-birmingham-roads-contract/ |access-date=1 July 2019 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=1 July 2019}} However, in February 2020, it was announced the Birmingham contract would end in March 2020; Kier Group was appointed as interim contractor for 15 months while the council sought a permanent replacement for Amey.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Kier stands in for Amey on Birmingham Highways upkeep |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/02/04/kier-stands-in-for-amey-on-birmingham-highways-upkeep/ |access-date=4 February 2020 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=4 February 2020}} In February 2022, the city council formally began the process of identifying a contractor to deliver £2.7 billion of works over 12 years,{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Bidding to start for rejigged £2.7bn Birmingham highways job |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/02/09/bidding-to-start-for-rejigged-2-7bn-birmingham-highways-job/ |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=9 February 2022}} and invited Kier and Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin to tender for the city’s restructured highways PFI contract, covering more than 2,500km of road and 5,000km of footway. However, in October 2023, the council claimed the government was preparing to "pull the plug" on £600m of highways funding.{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Jonathan |title=£600m Birmingham roads contract set to be axed, claims council |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contracts/600m-birmingham-roads-contract-set-to-be-axed-claims-council-31-10-2023/ |access-date=31 October 2023 |work=Construction News |date=31 October 2023}} Kier were awarded the restructured contract, set to start in February 2024, but the deal was subject to government approval.{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Jonathan |title=Kier picked for restructured £2.7bn Birmingham roads contract |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/contractors/kier/kier-picked-for-restructured-2-7bn-birmingham-roads-contract-02-11-2023 |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Construction News |date=2 November 2023}}

• Government of Birmingham
• Birmingham City Council elections
• Birmingham Baths Committee
• Redevelopment of Birmingham
• City Architect of Birmingham

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.birmingham.gov.uk Birmingham City Council]
• [http://www.birminghamnewsroom.com Birmingham City Council news]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110906033333/http://openlylocal.com/councils/167-Birmingham-City-Council Birmingham City Council on OpenlyLocal]

{{City of Birmingham}}

{{Local authorities in the West Midlands}}

{{Metropolitan districts of England}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom

Category:Politics of Birmingham, West Midlands

Category:Metropolitan district councils of England

Category:Local education authorities in England

Category:Local authorities in the West Midlands (county)

Category:Billing authorities in England

Category:Leader and cabinet executives

Category:1974 establishments in England