Sandwell residents get new council leadership team: practical information

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-05-27 13:34 2 min read

High-angle view of a formal legislative chamber with rows of seating.

Sandwell Council has confirmed Councillor Ray Nock as its new Leader following the authority’s annual meeting on 26 May.

Councillor Gary Dale has been appointed statutory Deputy Leader, with a new Cabinet also named to oversee the council’s main service areas and policy direction.

Councillor Nock said he had been born in Sandwell and had lived and worked in the borough all his life. He said the new administration would focus on jobs, town centres, high streets and support with the cost of living.

New leadership confirmed at annual meeting

The leadership change means Councillor Ray Nock now heads Sandwell Council and also takes responsibility as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.

Councillor Gary Dale will serve as statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services.

The appointments set out who will lead the council’s political direction for the coming period, including decisions on local services, housing, education, neighbourhoods and economic priorities.

Cabinet roles across Sandwell services

Councillor Ken Parsons has been appointed Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, while Councillor Bob Jones will oversee Environment and Enforcement.

Councillor Mona Khurana becomes Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Councillor Jack Sabharwal takes on Education and Skills.

Councillor Ritchie Massey will hold the Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing portfolio, with Councillor Mike Cooper appointed Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Neighbourhoods.

For readers following other local authority changes, Beehive has also covered recent council leadership appointments elsewhere in England.

Jobs, town centres and living costs named as priorities

Councillor Nock said the Cabinet would work for residents across the borough and seek to bring communities together.

He said: “We will be focused on the issues that matter to people in Sandwell, creating jobs, boosting our town centres and high streets and helping with the cost of living.”

Source: Sandwell Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This brief is based on Sandwell Council's published update about its annual meeting and Cabinet appointments.

Checks

Confirmed the named council leader and deputy leader from the source statement.
Checked that the annual meeting date was reported as 26 May.
Matched each Cabinet member with the portfolio listed in the source.
Kept the article limited to stated priorities and did not add unsupported policy claims.

Sandwell Council Check wider coverage