A Conservative councillor in Solihull has publicly distanced himself from a motion he co-signed that would oust two scrutiny board chairs — including two of his former party colleagues.
Cllr Leslie Kaye, a Conservative, said on Facebook that he was asked to sign the motion “without the relevant detail,” adding:
“No knives from me Alan. The motion was put under my nose for signature without the relevant detail. I’ll see what I can do.”
His comment was in response to Cllr Alan Feeney, a former Conservative who defected to the Solihull Independents now chairs the Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board. Feeney, alongside Cllr Samantha Gethen — also of the Solihull Independents — would be removed from their scrutiny roles if the motion is approved.
Cllr Gethen, who chairs the Children’s Services and Education Scrutiny Board, has received widespread support, including from members of all opposition parties. A petition has now been launched by residents to keep her in post, with campaigners warning the motion undermines cross-party scrutiny at a time when the council is under government oversight for failings in children’s services.
Both Feeney and Gethen were elected at the council’s meeting in May.
The Solihull Journal asked Solihull Council and Cllr Karen Grinsell, leader of the Conservative group, whether it was standard practice to ask councillors to sign motions without full details and whether any formal rules had been breached. Neither had responded at the time of publication.
The motion is expected to be debated at the next Full Council meeting on 8 July 2025.