Story perspectives

Mayor Puts Kerrie Carmichael’s Commissioner Appointment Under Review

9/4/2026

Summary

Mayor Reviews Appointment

Mayor Richard Parker put Kerrie Carmichael’s commissioner appointment under internal review.
Carmichael lost her Sandwell council seat and leader’s allowance in the May 7, 2026 local elections.
She claimed £40,136 in councillor and special responsibility allowances during her final year.
The appointment process lacked the required independent observer on the interview panel.
Reform controls 41 of 72 Sandwell Council seats while Labour holds 28.

Summary

Mayor Seeks Commissioner

The mayor’s office advertised a commissioner role to support expanding devolution powers.
The posting ran for one week and received 16 applicants, four shortlisted and two interviewed.
The position required about 2.5 days per week.
The role’s name was later altered from commissioner for health, wellbeing and public service reform.
MHCLG guidance under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act mandates merit-based, widely advertised appointments, not political rewards.

Summary

Carmichael Targets Commissioner

Carmichael served as Blackheath councillor for 14 years before becoming WMCA commissioner candidate.
She led the council’s communities and neighbourhoods portfolio before assuming Sandwell leadership in 2021.
Her tenure as council leader was praised for improving services and tackling corruption scandals.
WMCA emphasized anonymised shortlisting to prevent bias during the recruitment exercise.
WMCA has not officially confirmed the internal review outcome or any subsequent steps for the appointment.

History

Historical Context

Enacted in 2011, the Localism Act transferred decision-making to English local authorities and narrowed tenancy succession to spouses, reflecting the broader early-21st-century localist push for subsidiarity and devolved governance. This legislative shift, championed by figures such as Labour MP Alan Milburn, set the framework that now obliges councils to publish advertised vacancies, a requirement still tested today.

1 of 4

Mayor Reviews Appointment

Mayor Richard Parker put Kerrie Carmichael’s commissioner appointment under internal review.
Carmichael lost her Sandwell council seat and leader’s allowance in the May 7, 2026 local elections.
She claimed £40,136 in councillor and special responsibility allowances during her final year.
The appointment process lacked the required independent observer on the interview panel.
Reform controls 41 of 72 Sandwell Council seats while Labour holds 28.

1 / 4