Why Walsall Council chief executive didn't sign 'summons' to meeting amid speculation

The chief executive of Walsall Council did not sign a “summons” inviting councillors to a meeting because she felt “conflicted” by its contents.

Speculation has been mounting about a potential rift between council leader Elaine Williams and chief executive Emma Bennett ahead of tonight’s meeting, which will see the authority’s ‘leadership and governance’ discussed in a behind-closed doors session.

Councillor Robin Perry, who left the controlling Reform group within days of being elected, asked why the summons had not been signed.

He questioned whether the summons to the meeting was legal, and whether it could be challenged in court.

Interim monitoring officer Edwina Adefehirti replied: “Under the constitution, it is usually the chief executive who signs the summons, but she felt unable to authenticate the summons because she was conflicted. That is as much as I can say.”

She said it was possible that the summons could be challenged in the courts, but said the matter was not clear cut. She added that the council’s constitution did not permit any other officer of the authority to sign the notice.

Distribution of the papers outlining the contents of the item to be discussed in private were also delayed, adding to speculation.

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”.

The council also declined to comment on whether another senior officer had been placed on “gardening leave”.