Full Breakdown
West Midlands Mayor’s Commissioner Appointment Under Review
9/4/2026, 2:55:10 PM
Core Appointment and Review
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) announced that former Sandwell Council leader Kerrie Carmichael had been selected for the part-time role of Commissioner for Communities and Public Service, a position requiring roughly 2.5 days a week. Following inquiries by BirminghamLive about possible cronyism, the WMCA launched an “internal review” and placed the appointment on hold. A source close to Mayor Richard Parker described the matter as an administrative issue, while the review may lead to candidates being “re-interviewed.”
Background and Context
Carmichael, a Labour councillor for Blackheath for 14 years, became council leader in 2021 after a period of turmoil. She lost her councillor seat and the associated leader’s allowance at the May 7 local elections, when Labour was defeated in Sandwell. Carmichael had publicly endorsed Parker’s mayoral candidacy in 2024 and served on the WMCA board throughout his term. The commissioner posts are part of the devolution agenda that expands mayoral powers under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act.
Data & Statistics
- Job advert was live for one week and attracted 16 applications.
- Four candidates were shortlisted; two proceeded to full interview, with Carmichael emerging as the successful candidate.
- Carmichael’s final year as council leader included £40,136 in councillor and special-responsibility allowances.
- No independent observer was present on the interview panel, contrary to guidance that requires a three-person panel including an independent member.
Official Statements & Responses
The WMCA issued a formal statement asserting that the recruitment was competitive and publicly advertised via the WMCA careers website, WM Jobs, and other platforms. It emphasized that applications were anonymised during initial assessment, that the shortlist and interview process complied with the published requirements, and that prior elected office does not automatically disqualify a candidate. The authority noted that the government’s guidance mandates appointments on merit and not as political rewards.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Process compliance: The WMCA claims the process met competitive standards, yet the absence of an independent observer contradicts the guidance that mandates one.
- Guidance timing: The MHCLG guidance was reportedly updated while the appointment was being made, creating uncertainty about which version applied.
- Remuneration: The salary for the commissioner role has not been disclosed, leaving a gap in public understanding of the appointment’s financial terms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The appointments process was conducted through a competitive recruitment exercise with the role being publicly advertised through the WMCA careers website, WM Jobs and a number of other job search platforms.” — West Midlands Combined Authority
What’s Next
The WMCA’s internal review remains ongoing, and no official decision on whether Carmichael will assume the commissioner role has been announced. The authority has indicated that candidates could be invited to re-interview, suggesting that the outcome of the review may alter the current appointment.
