Birmingham leisure chief Councillor Ray Hassall is sacked

May 11 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

He is replaced by outspoken maverick Martin Mullaney, who has just finished a one month suspension for trespass.

The principled stand which led him to trespass to expose neglect of a historic tram depot for a YouTube video, has done him no harm.

The pair have frequently sparred over leisure policy with Coun Mullaney campaigning for the full restoration the Moseley Road Swimming Baths and the preservation of Birmingham Central Library.

It is the second year running that Coun Mullaney (Moseley and Kings Heath) has challenged for the Cabinet post having lost by 23 votes to 8 last May.

Coun Mullaney’s promotion sees his pay rise from just under £30,000 a year as a scrutiny committee chairman to more than £46,000 as cabinet member.

Coun Karen Hamilton (Perry Barr) will take over from Martin as Liberal Democrat chairwoman of the Transport and Street Services Scrutiny Committee.

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Tilsley added: “Ray did a great job with a very complicated portfolio. He has been under a considerable amount of pressure. Martin comes in with a fresh view.”