Mayoral
Councillor Alan Fleming QRM elected Mayor of Walsall for 2026-27
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A new Mayor for the borough has been appointed following the annual Mayor Making ceremony in the Council Chamber in Walsall on Monday 18 May 2026.
The ceremony is one of the highlights in Walsall’s civic calendar, with the new Mayor receiving the robes and chains of office and naming the charities that will benefit from fundraising activities during their time in office.
Councillor Alan Fleming QRM (Queen’s Rhodesia Medal) was elected as Mayor of Walsall for 2026-27 and Councillor Jim Parsons was elected as Deputy Mayor for 2026-27. The new Mayor takes over from Councillor Louise Harrison. During his year in office, the Mayor will chair council meetings, represent the council at civic events and attend community engagements.
Councillor Fleming was elected to Walsall Council in May 2026 and represents the Streetly ward. He served in policing for 32 years. His wife, Sue Fleming, will serve as Consort during his Mayoral year.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jim Parsons was elected to Walsall Council in May 2026 and represents the Pelsall Ward.
“ It is a great honour to be appointed Mayor of Walsall. Public service has been at the heart of my career in policing, and I am proud to have the opportunity to represent our borough over the coming year. I look forward to meeting residents, supporting local organisations and businesses, and celebrating everything that makes Walsall such a special place.
"I would also like to thank Louise Harrison for her dedication and service during her term of office.
"My chosen charities for the year, which will benefit from the Mayor’s Appeal 2026-27, are Streetly Sports and Community Association, and Caldmore Village Festival Ltd. “
Following the Mayor Making ceremony, the council meeting was adjourned until 6pm on Thursday 21 May 2026, when the council meets to make appointments to the council’s boards and committees and external organisations.
This Annual Meeting will take place in the Council Chamber and is available to view at:
http://www.walsallcouncilwebcasts.com/
The agenda is available online at:
https://cmispublic.walsall.gov.uk/cmis/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/4170/Committee/542/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx
Notes to editors
About Councillor Alan Fleming QRM
Councillor Fleming QRM was born in Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, where he attended the Model School, sang as a choirboy at Enniskillen Cathedral, played drums in the local pipe band, and was an active member of the Boys’ Brigade. He moved to England in 1966 and has lived in Streetly for 62 years. After attending Streetly Comprehensive School, he joined the Warwickshire Police Cadets in 1972 and went on to join West Midlands Police in 1974.
During a 32-year policing career, Councillor Fleming served in a range of roles including Uniform Patrol, CID, the Serious Crime Squad and murder incident rooms. In 1984, he established the first Child Abuse Squad. In 1980, he was deployed to Rhodesia as a trained firearms officer to escort mobile election stations in Matabeleland during the Zimbabwe Independence Elections. For his service, he was awarded the Queen’s Rhodesia Medal (QRM) and the Zimbabwe Independence Medal for service in a war zone.
After retiring from the police in 2004, he worked overseas as a scuba diving instructor and later as a driving examiner for the army, helping to prepare troops for deployment to Afghanistan. He also worked with a charity supporting women and children fleeing domestic abuse, helping families move towards safe and secure resettlement.
Councillor Fleming has also been actively involved in community life for many years. He is a Designated Safeguarding Lead, serves on a number of sporting organisation committees, plays golf at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, and dives with Sutton Coldfield Sub-Aqua Club.
He is married to Sue Fleming and they have two grown-up children, Ellie and Jack.
Streetly Sports and Community Association
Streetly Sports and Community Association is a registered charity and limited company serving the local community in Streetly. Formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of Streetly Youth Club, the Sports Hall and Streetly Community Centre, the Association became a limited company in 2001. The Association’s mission is to benefit the people of Walsall, and Streetly in particular, by advancing education and leisure opportunities, especially for young people, and by promoting an inclusive community for people of all ages and backgrounds.
https://www.streetlycommunitysports.com/
Caldmore Village Festival Ltd
Established in 2009, Caldmore Village Festival Group supports the regeneration of Caldmore in Walsall and challenges negative stereotypes through creative, community-focused projects. Over the past 17 years, the organisation has developed a strong track record that includes an annual arts festival attracting more than 5,000 people, the volunteer-led Caldmore Community Garden created in 2011 on a former derelict site, and Caldmore Community House, which has been open to the community since 2016 and hosts a wide range of activities. Through its House and Garden project, the group brings people together, improves access to arts, education, free play and nature, and encourages local residents to develop practical skills and help shape community spaces and services.
Caldmore Village Festival Group Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cf83gcjG2/
Caldmore Community Garden Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kde6BPT2K/
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