Walsall Council issues 'absence' update amid speculation about chief executive

Walsall Council has issued a statement following rumours about the authority’s chief executive, Emma Bennett.

At a meeting of full council on Monday (November 2) members demanded clarification about the six-figure-salary officer after unusual council documents were published last week.

The documents were without the customary signature from Ms Bennett and included a private item for discussion about “governance and leadership arrangements”.

The discussion was due to be held amid speculation about the relationship between council leader Councillor Elaine Williams and chief executive Emma Bennett.

Walsall Council declined to answer a series of questions from the Express & Star ahead of the meeting, including whether Councillor Williams and Mrs Bennett “had a good working relationship”.

At the meeting on Monday night, monitoring officer Edwina Adefehinti said the chief executive “felt unable” to sign the summons as she was “conflicted by an item on the agenda”.

Reform council leader Councillor Elaine Williams then withdrew the private item and refused to comment further, leaving council members and the public in the dark.

The top boss, whose salary in March 2026 was between £210,000 and £215,000, was absent from the meeting.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Walsall Council whether the chief executive is still in post.

A spokesperson confirmed that Ms Bennett is the chief executive, and executive director Dave Brown has stepped in to fill the post during Ms Bennett’s absence.

No reason was given for her current absence.

The council’s statement in full said: “Emma Bennett is the chief executive of Walsall Council.

“Under our existing monthly rota cover arrangements, Dave Brown, executive director for environment, housing and growth at Walsall Council, is acting as chief executive in Emma Bennett’s absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and council business.

“Council services are operating as normal, and our focus remains on delivering for the people of Walsall.”