Senior advisers have been asked to sign a deal allowing companies run by Azeem Hafeez to provide transport for children with special educational needs (SEND) in the borough through 2025 at a cost of more than £ 20million .

But new council chief Rajbir Singh, chairing his first cabinet meeting, intervened before the issue could be put to a vote to confirm that a decision was being postponed.

Councilor Singh said he was “aware of a number of concerns raised” and must be satisfied that “the proper process has been followed”.

The Express & Star reported on Wednesday ahead of the ruling how serious opposition Tory advisers had expressed about the decision to award the contracts to companies run by Mr Hafeez, North Birmingham Travel and County Cars. They were the only two companies to have successfully closed a closed tender.

Mr. Hafeez is the son of the former deputy head of the council Mahboob Hussain. Both were involved in the 2016 Wragge report, which alleged violations of the code of conduct by ex-adviser Hussain.

Mr Hafeez, 36, was arrested for the scandal before being released without charge and the investigation was dropped. He denied any wrongdoing.

Tory advisers accused council officials of “looking after their comrades” in selecting Mr Hafeez’s businesses and said this showed the Labor-led authority “had the same mistakes”.

Chief Advisor Singh said at the cabinet meeting: “I am aware that a number of concerns have been raised.

“I think it’s appropriate that we first make sure that the proper process has been followed before a decision is made on this.

“This decision is not due to the outcome of the procurement or the recommendations of the report.”

The land sales inquiry eclipsed the Sandwell Council in the mid-2010s. Part of it involved the sale of the Crocketts Lane coroner’s office in Smethwick, which was sold to Mr Hafeez for 80,000 £ in May 2013.

Mr Hafeez, an employee of the council at the time, made an offer for the site the day before it went on sale, it was said. The report said the sales were “likely the result” of confidential information shared between Mr. Hussain and his son. Mr. Hussain was later found guilty of abusing his position as an adviser by authority.