Media Watch - August 20
Top Birmingham City Council Stories:
2,800 new places ‘created in failing schools’ by city (Birmingham Post) The New Schools Network, a charity which advises on how to set up free schools, has criticised Birmingham City Council for creating 2,800 new places in failing or below average schools. Quotes council spokesperson saying the authority has created nearly three times as many places in good or outstanding schools and that places are created where there is the greatest need, rather than in areas where there are not enough children to fill them.
Personal details lost 450 times by councils (Birmingham Post) Councils in the West Midlands have lost or disclosed sensitive personal details concerning private individuals more than 450 times since 2011. References fact Birmingham City Council had just seven data breaches during that period – the second lowest number in the region. Sandwell topped the list with 187 data breaches.
Literacy campaigner hits out at cuts to city library service (Birmingham Post) Nick Poole, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, has written an open letter to Birmingham City Council chief executive Mark Rogers, expressing concerns about cuts to the city’s library service. Quotes Cllr Penny Holbrook saying that the council is continuing to look at ways to secure the future of all community libraries, but tough choices needed to be made in the meantime.
New homes stall after row over payment to city (Birmingham Post) Plans for new homes on the Calthorpe Estate in Edgbaston, which were approved in April, have been resubmitted after developers failed to agree a Section 106 payment outlined in the original application. Council was approached for a comment and a spokesperson is quoted saying the authority could not comment on the new application as it was subject to the planning process. Also quotes Cllr Barry Henley, chair of the council’s conservation panel, from the time of the original approval, welcoming the development.
School children turn market traders for the day (BBC WM) Coverage of pupils from St Paul’s School for Girls pitching their business ideas at the Bull Ring Markets today as part of the Skills to Shine Summer School.
Regional Headlines:
Police were this morning still questioning a man arrested following a five-hour siege at the Bita Pathways mental health charity in Alcester Street, Digbeth, yesterday afternoon (August 19).
Plans for Birmingham’s tallest office tower – and third tallest building – have been submitted. Developers of the Beorma Quarter, in Digbeth, have unveiled plans to build a 30-storey tower directly opposite the Bullring.
National Headlines:
Pupils across the country are opening their eagerly anticipated GCSE results today.
British police are to work with French officers and the UK Border Force at a new “command and control centre” in Calais, the UK government has said.
