Councillor Ken Meeson was invested as the 69th Mayor of Solihull at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 17 May.
Councillor Meeson lives in Dorridge and was first elected in 1984, representing Dorridge and Hockley Heath Ward as a Councillor for 36 years. He previously served as the Mayor from 1990 to 1991 and from 2021 to 2022.
The Mayor will be supported in the role by his wife Annette Meeson, as Mayoress of Solihull.
During his career, Councillor Meeson served in the Police Force, insurance claims investigation as a Regional Inspector and then was a Development Manager for Lloyds of London Underwriting. His final working years were as Clerk to the Corporations of Dudley College of Further and Higher Education and Matthew Boulton College, where he was also Company Secretary and worked on the newly merged Birmingham Metropolitan College.
In his time on the Council, he has chaired the former Social Services and Education Committees, been Leader of Council for 10 years, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills for most of the last 19 years (when not Leader) and has also worked for Adult and Children’s Services and Chair of Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board.
Councillor Meeson has a long-standing concern for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and was Chair of Governors for Hazel Oak Special School for 21 years, chaired national conferences and given evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee on Special Needs.
On his appointment Councillor Meeson said: “I am delighted to be appointed again as Mayor of Solihull.
“This year I look forward to getting involved with more in person events in the community. In my previous term I witnessed communities coming together and many voluntary organisations overcoming challenges and continuing to provide an outstanding service. Solihull’s voluntary sector continues to do amazing work and I look forward to meeting more people involved this year to learn about and celebrate the work they do.
“I have nominated OVOS Solihull, a charity which encourages and supports looked after young people in Solihull to have their say, among other Mayoral charities for my tenure. I want to continue the charity work that I highlighted in my first term and hope to be able to do even more this year for vulnerable children and young people.”
Any organisation or individuals planning an event who would like the support of the Mayor are invited to email: mayor@solihull.gov.uk