Ex-Walsall children’s services boss asks to rejoin Conservatives weeks after resigning
Just weeks after resigning from the Conservative Party, the ex-children’s boss at Walsall Council has submitted a request to rejoin the group.
Councillor Stacie Elson was the portfolio holder for children’s services at the authority from November 2022 until her resignation on May 6, 2025.
The reason behind her departure or wanting to rejoin the group has not been confirmed.
At the time of Councillor Elson’s resignation, Councillor Garry Perry was leader of Walsall Council.
But on May 21, Councillor Perry resigned, stating he had been subjected to a ‘campaign of political attrition, deliberate undermining, and personal hostility’.
Last week, Councillor Mike Bird was voted in as leader of Walsall Council for the sixth time since he first joined the authority.
A number of councillors have called for an independent investigation into the bullying claims made by Councillor Perry on his departure.
Under Councillor Bird’s leadership, the new portfolio holder for children’s services and safer communities is Councillor Adam Hicken.
Next week, the Walsall Conservatives will meet privately to decide on Councillor Elson’s application to rejoin the group.
Councillor Elson has been approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service for comment.
