Councillors clash over how Solihull's political map should be drawn

Councillors have clashed over how they would like to see Solihull ’s political map carved up. The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) has published its proposed electoral map for the borough which includes new wards and boundaries and would see the biggest change for two decades.

Under the proposed changes there would continue to be 17 three-councillor wards but with some having different names and areas of the borough. The LGBC's proposed ward names would be:

• Arden
• Balsall and Berkswell
• Blythe
• Castle Bromwich
• Chelmsley Wood
• Dorridge and Hockley Heath
• Elmdon
• Kingshurst and Fordbridge
• Knowle
• Lyndon
• Olton
• Sharmans Cross
• Shirley South
• Shirley West
• Silhill
• Smith’s Wood
• St Alphege and Monkspath

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The total number of councillors would remain at 51 under LGBC’s proposals The LGBC will publish final recommendations before any new electoral arrangements are implemented for the 2026 Solihull local elections - when all councillors will be standing for election.

One of the most hotly debated topics at Solihull Council's recent governance committee meeting was where the boundary should fall between the Castle Bromwich and Smith’s Wood wards. The ‘Cars’ estate - the area between Lanchester Way and Auckland Drive - is proposed to move from the current Smith’s Wood ward to the Castle Bromwich ward by the LGBC.

But keeping the ‘Cars’ area within Smith’s Wood is the recommendation of the Conservative group included in the council’s proposed submission. At the latest full meeting of councillors discussed what the authority’s final response to LGBC’s recommendations would be and the 'Cars' area debate resurfaced.

Green Councillor Max McLoughlin proposed an amendment to use LGBC’s recommendation. “Only Conservative members of the governance committee voted for it,” Coun McLoughlin said.

“Every single other member of the committee voted against. The amendment proposed by the Conservatives disregards electoral parity (across wards).

“Look at the proposed map - it's like you have two wards badly fit together.” But Councillor Dave Pinwell, vice chairman of the governance committee, replied: “The matter was long debated at that committee meeting.

“There is not a significant difference in the number of electors each councillor represents (between the LGBC and the council’s proposal). I think we need to see the 'Cars' area as part of Smith’s Wood. We are not the only ones who do.

“The ‘Cars Area Together’ Facebook page, the main community group, says in big bold letters at the top ‘Cars Area - Smith’s Wood’. I don’t think I have to say anymore.”

Conservative Councillor Alan Feeney added: “The 'Cars' area is a fiercely proud part of Smith’s Wood, they do not want to be part of Castle Bromwich. Castle Bromwich's (identity) has been built over centuries, it goes back to the Romans.

“Smith’s Wood is an entirely different development, the 'Cars' area would not be appropriate to move to Castle Bromwich.” The amendment was voted down.

Coun McLoughlin then said: "It’s a statement of fact Solihull Conservatives’ submission to the LGBC matches this (council submission) significantly. It does seem party politics has entered the chamber rather than the interests of people of the borough.”

When the vote was taken on the final submission to the LGBC it passed with Conservative support, opposition party councillors voting against. The meeting took place at the Civic Suite on October 8.

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