Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Coverage of Birmingham’s World Half Marathon features in national, local and regional press (The Times, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Daily Star, BBC News, Birmingham Post, BBC WM etc).
Birmingham seeks Middle East cash (Daily Telegraph, 12 October) Much-maligned manufacturing heartland of Britain seeks exotic, cash-rich partner from Middle East. That’s the message being put forward by Birmingham. BCC set to host visitors from the wealthy Gulf state as it tries to attract new investments. Council leader Mike Whitby quoted.
Taxpayers face £250,000 legal bill in tenants row (Birmingham Post, 12 October) Taxpayers are facing a £250,000 bill because of a legal wrangle over allegations that a Birmingham housing officer “unlawfully” gave homes to 12 families. At a hearing at the Civil Appeals Court in London, BCC argued that 12 tenants from seven properties in the city should be evicted because a housing officer acted beyond his powers. BCC spokesman quoted.
Financial storm sees authorities steer hard course (Birmingham Post, 12 October) Local councils across the West Midlands are battling the worst cash crisis for a generation, with cuts of almost half a billion pounds being planned.
Best of Barcelona and Berlin for digital city (Birmingham Post, 12 October) Companies in the area earmarked for Birmingham “digital district” will have the chance to quiz speakers from Barcelona and Berlin on how their cities are boosting business through high-speed broadband. Cllr Paul Tilsley quoted.
City’s kid abuse toll (The Sun, 12 October and Sunday Mercury, 11 October) Nineteen children have died of abuse or neglect, 16 of them known to social services. Tony Howell quoted.
Big isn’t beautiful for city, says top designer (Birmingham Post, 12 October) Birmingham needs to ditch its obsession with the big and the prestigious in order to successfully regenerate the city, according to a leading urban designer.
Regional Headlines
A woman is paid more than £100,000 in damages after her leg was amputated unnecessarily because a lump was mistaken for cancer.
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Birmingham to cheer on those who took part in two half marathons through the city.
Six people are assessed in hospital after a fire in a terraced house causes smoke damage to neighbouring properties.
National Headlines
MPs return to the Commons after the summer break to face demands they repay thousands of pounds in expenses.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the winner of Afghanistan’s election will need to do more to stabilise the country.
Gordon Brown is to set out proposals to reduce the soaring budget deficit by raising £16bn from the sale of assets.
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