Councilor Mark Statham is currently being investigated by the monitoring officer.

Councilor Statham remains deputy leader of the council and cabinet member responsible for finance.

Councilor Statham called the allegation “false” and is confident no wrongdoing will be found.

Walsall council leader Garry Perry told the Express & Star Councilor Statham only stood down as chairman of the planning committee.

Statham, councilor for Bloxwich East, chaired the committee in May. Prior to that, he served as vice chair of the committee with Councilor Mike Bird as chair.

His replacement will be decided tonight (Monday) by the Walsall Conservative group. Members voting by secret ballot can choose between two candidates, Councilor Waheed Rasab or Councilor Mike Bird.

Councilor Waheed Rasab, elected in 2018 for the Paddock ward, is currently chair of the health and welfare board and vice chair of a taxi licensing sub-committee. He is not currently a member of the planning committee.

Rasab’s challenger is former council leader Mike Bird. Councilor Bird was ousted by the National Conservative party last year because of allegations of harassment and bullying made against him.

The suspension did not affect Bird’s role on the council, as the authority deemed it a matter of party matters. However, he resigned as leader a few weeks later.

Councilor Bird represents the Pheasey Park Farm ward and was first elected over 40 years ago. In his time, he has held various positions as president and vice president and is currently a member of the planning committee.