Leader of Sandwell council quits after being charged with theft
Oct 26 2009 by John Marsden, Birmingham Post
The leader of Sandwell council, Bill Thomas, has quit as head of the authority after being arrested and charged with theft, it has been revealed.
The resignation of 69-year-old Coun Thomas on Friday “shook the foundations” of the authority, said a colleague.
He had been arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation by West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Team.
A force spokeswoman said: “The investigation continues – the charge relates to a personal matter and is not connected with the defendant’s position at Sandwell Council.”
Details of the alleged offence were unclear, but Sandwell Council chief executive Dr Allison Fraser confirmed Coun Thomas had decided to stand down. However, he still serves as a member of the authority, representing Rowley Regis.
He is due to appear before Sutton Coldfield magistrates on Friday.
With eight years at the top, Coun Thomas had been one of the West Midlands’ longest-serving council leaders.
He had intended to step down next May.
News of his arrest and charge has rocked all parties at the authority.
Conservative councillor Bill Archer said: “It’s a mystery to all the members exactly what’s happened.
“It’s such a shock – a man of his standing, although nobody knows what’s meant to have happened.
“It shook the foundations of Sandwell Council that this has happened.”
Deputy Labour group leader Steve Eling has taken over the task of leading the council. He broke the news to cabinet members at a meeting yesterday morning. Coun Eling said: “Coun Thomas’s resignation is for reasons which are wholly unconnected with the council and his role here. For us it is business as usual.”
Coun Thomas, who was unavailable for comment, served as a member of local health authorities and trusts for 22 years. The work led to him being awarded the OBE four years ago for services to the NHS. He was a teacher in Sandwell for 33 years, taking in a decade as head of Smethwick Hall Boys’ School.
