Marston Green councillor awarded an OBE

A MARSTON Green man - who is currently serving as the Leader of Solihull Council - has been named in the New Year's Honours.
Councillor Bob Sleigh, who was first elected to represent the Bickenhill ward in 2000, will receive an OBE for services to local government.
Prior to taking the top job, the 67-year-old had held a number of positions within the borough's Conservative group and had served as deputy to the previous Leader, Ken Meeson.
When Coun Meeson announced he would be standing down in 2014, it was confirmed that Coun Sleigh would be taking on the role.
Last year he was also named as the chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has been set up to lay the ground for greater collaboration between the region's different councils.
Coun Sleigh is now the fourth councillor currently serving on the local authority to have been recognised by the Honours system. Ted Richards OBE, who represents Castle Bromwich, is the other member from North Solihull.
Among the other Silhillians named in today's List are the entertainer Malcolm Stent, England women's international Karen Carney and Stephen Maddock - the chief executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).