It has now been 100 days since Reform UK achieved a significant victory in the Walsall local elections held on 8 May, marking a major political shift in the borough. Reform UK secured an overwhelming majority, unseating both the Conservative and Labour parties, which suffered notable losses across Walsall.
The election results led to the replacement of numerous long-serving councillors, including Mike Bird, the former Conservative council leader, who described the outcome as the ‘worst ever’ for his party. This electoral change ended the Conservative administration, with the new council composed of 40 Reform councillors, 10 Conservatives, eight Walsall Community Independents, one Labour, and one independent councillor.
Shortly after the elections, two Reform councillors resigned from the party to stand as independents. Councillor Robin Perry, representing Harden, Goscote, and Ryecroft wards, stepped down less than two weeks after the elections amid allegations of discrimination. More recently, Councillor Bella Simon of Short Heath also left Reform to become an independent, though she has not publicly explained her reasons.
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In her first media interview since the elections, Reform UK leader Councillor Elaine Williams revealed that £109,000 of taxpayers’ money had already been saved within the first month of their administration. These savings resulted from reducing the number of cabinet members from ten to seven, abolishing one committee, and scaling back the mayoral welcome event.
Councillor Williams also voiced Reform UK’s opposition to net zero policies, highlighting that Walsall Council reportedly spent £23.462 million pursuing net zero objectives. Additionally, Reform UK supported reinstating the singing of the National Anthem at council meetings.
At the council’s most recent meeting, members scrapped the climate emergency declaration established in 2019 and approved the continuation of the National Anthem before meetings. Opposition leader Councillor Adrian Andrew requested an itemised breakdown of the alleged £23.462 million net zero expenditure; however, this information has yet to be provided.
One of Reform UK’s principal pledges before the election was to reopen the Walsall Leather Museum at its original site on Littleton Street West. Previously, the Conservative-led council had closed this attraction with plans to relocate it to 1-3 The Bridge and repurpose the existing building for Walsall College’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. At their second cabinet meeting, Reform councillors voted unanimously to cancel the Conservative plans and to seek termination of the lease with the college.
Other campaign promises included overhauling the council’s planning processes, extending garden waste collections into December, enforcing regulations more rigorously, and protecting the green belt.
Since taking office, Reform has restructured the planning committee following peer review recommendations. The proposed extension of brown waste garden collections into December could be implemented from 2027, though this remains unconfirmed. Enforcement fines for littering have increased by 62% over the past three months, despite uncertainty from Enforcement Lead Councillor Ian Benton on whether these fines would be increased under the Reform administration compared to the previous Conservative government.
Regarding the green belt, the final draft of the Walsall Borough Local Plan, expected soon, will detail green belt sites earmarked for residential development.
Reform UK pledged increased support for veterans, with a new Walsall Armed Forces Hub scheduled to open in September at Walsall Library.
One early decision by Reform UK generated controversy when they broke tradition by not selecting one of the longest-serving councillors as Mayor. Instead, Councillor Alan Fleming, newly elected for Streetly, was appointed.
Reform councillors also faced criticism for their response to the contentious Reedswood School project. The Department for Education scheme plans to clear 13.7 acres of woodland for a 1,000-place school, accessed via the already congested Reedswood Lane. The Walsall Community Independents requested clarity on Reform’s position, given their previous opposition. However, half the cabinet, including the leader and deputy leader, walked out during this agenda item, reportedly on advice to maintain an open mind due to the live planning application. Reform’s portfolio holder for children, education and skills, Councillor Lisa Jones, stated only that “a decision will be announced in due course.”
The first 100 days have seen a busy start for Reform UK in governing Walsall Council. With thirteen Reform councillors, including the authority’s leader, facing re-election in eight months, the party will need to closely monitor its performance and the electorate’s views.
At present, the council is in recess for August, with political decision-making due to resume next month.