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LESS HASSALL FOR CABINET AS MULLANEY VOTED IN

09-05-2009

Birmingham Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure Ray Hassall was deposed on Friday at the Liberal Democrat AGM. He'll be replaced by Martin Mullaney, who is still serving a month's suspension from his role as councillor.

Hassall has been in post since 2006, when he replaced John Alden. He can take credit for launching the city's International Dance Festival.

The new city library also falls within his brief, although in reality, this has been led by Tory leader Mike Whitby - himself the subject of a challenge by Randal Brew.

Hassall has nailed his colours to the mast of bringing a Olympic sized swimming pool to Birmingham - seen by many as a potential white elephant.

Mullaney was suspended by the local government Standards Board for trespassing on the old tramshed in Balsall Heath. He argued that he was simply trying to expose a failure of the planning system.

The Moseley and Kings Heath Councillor has previously suggested on The Stirrer Forum that the existing library - which the city's leadership wants to demolish - could be converted to a modern art museum. He has also questioned the validity of the swimming pool plan.

Neither Hassall nor Mullaney was available for comment today.

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