Media Watch - Aug 26
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Sacked school governor sued for £100k (Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and Birmingham Mail) Birmingham City Council is suing former Al-Hijrah School chair of governors Waseem Yaqub over claims he led a campaign of harassment against staff brought in to turn the school around.
Community spirit among business world creates jobs (Great Barr Observer) A Kingstanding community centre's scheme to get unemployed young people into work has seen the creation of 21 jobs. Mentions Birmingham City Council as one of the organisations involved in the scheme to give help and support to young people not in employment, education or training in Erdington.
It's not a home any more, it's a cell (Birmingham Mail) A terminally ill grandfather living in a 10th floor flat believes Birmingham City Council is not doing enough to find him a more suitable ground-floor home. Quotes council spokesperson explaining that Keith Desforges did not start bidding for properties until 1 July 2014 and that the authority is currently working with Mr Desforges to find him a suitable property.
Thieves target baby's grave (Great Barr Observer) Thieves and vandals have targeted the grave of a baby buried in Witton Cemetery for the third time in two months. Quotes Birmingham City Council spokesperson reiterating advice not to leave items of value in the cemetery grounds.
Knife bin launched in Birmingham (BBC News online) A campaign urging people to hand in knives is being launched in Birmingham. Deputy mayor Mike Leddy will unveil a knife bin at The Hub in Holford Drive, Perry Barr, as part of the “Save A Life Surrender A Knife” initiative. Another knife bin is due to be opened in Sparkbrook next week while Aston will get one next month.
The man who knows where the bodies are buried! (Birmingham Mail) Article on retirement of Birmingham City Council's planning archaeologist, Dr Mike Hodder.
Hundreds of cases of UK people trafficking (Sunday Mercury) Figures from the National Crime Agency (NCA) show that 566 potential cases of people trafficking have been identified in the UK in the first three months of this year. Mentions Birmingham City Council as having worked with West Midlands Police to refer 21 cases to the NCA.
Congestion charge plan back on cards (Sunday Mercury) A London-style congestion charge is among proposals put forward by Birmingham City Council transport chiefs in a bid to cut the number of cars on city centre roads.
Wholesaler fined for fire safety breach (Asian Voice and Cabinet Maker) Birmingham-based Furniture Wholesale Central Ltd has been fined after being found to be in breach of fire safety regulations. Quotes Cllr Barbara Dring.
Demolition of landmark pub given OK (Birmingham Mail) The demolition of the Bromford Inn, in Hodge Hill, has been approved by Birmingham City Council's planning committee. Quotes Cllr Peter Douglas Osborn.
Jobs galore created at new bargain store (Birmingham Mail) Article on new B&M Bargains store opening in Birmingham city centre, with photograph of Lord Mayor Cllr Shafique Shah, who was in attendance.
Regional Headlines
FBI to hunt jihadists in our midst as Brum man linked to beheading An elite band of US crack counter-terror cops is set to touch down in the Midlands as the net closes in on the brutal British killer of American journalist James Foley.
Motorist clocks up 48 points A Birmingham motorist has amassed 48 points for flouting the law, sparking calls for sentences to be toughened.
National Headlines
Police stop-and-search code launched
Police forces in England and Wales agree to adopt a government code of conduct on the use of their powers to stop and search members of the public.
Salmond and Darling clash in final Scotland debate
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Better Together head Alistair Darling clash in a heated final TV debate ahead of next month’s independence referendum.
