Media Watch - Dec 23
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Jobs cull for ‘inadequate’ children’s department (Birmingham Post) Birmingham’s Children’s social services department, which was heavily criticised by the Government for failing to safeguard youngsters, is to see a major cull of staff as part of a radical shake-up and cost cutting exercise.
Rebellion halts committee plan (Birmingham Post) Plans to abolish Birmingham City Council’s 10 devolved constituency committees have been abandoned following public anger and a backbench rebellion.
Equal pay claims could open way for many more (Birmingham Post) Thousands of female council workers who had been denied access to compensation over a row about wequal pay could now receive a payout after a ruling in the High Court.
Council’s £400k scaffolding bill for clock tower (Birmingham Post) Cash-strapped Birmingham City Council has been criticised for spending £400,000 on scaffolding around a crumbling building which it may shortly sell to help balance its books.
Birmingham City Council praises gritting efforts (BBC, BRMB) Birmingham City Council’s deputy leader has praised staff for managing to keep the city’s roads passable in the icy weather.
Regional Headlines
Facebook status updates are ‘burglary risk’
Detailed Facebook status updates could increase the risk of people’s homes being burgled, West Midlands Police has warned.
Elderly Birmingham couple die after fire at flat
A couple, both aged in their 80s, have died after a fire at their home in Birmingham.
Tarmac Building Products to cut 550 jobs
West Midlands-based firm Tarmac Building Products Ltd is to cut 550 jobs and close one of its divisions due to “tough market conditions”.
National Headlines
Roads busy as Christmas getaway freeze continues
Millions of motorists are taking to the roads for the festive getaway as the big freeze continues to make driving conditions “treacherous”.
Osborne ‘out of touch’ says Lib Dem David Heath
Two senior Liberal Democrats have told undercover reporters that they voted in favour of tuition fees even though they opposed the policy.
Wife killer Eddie Gilfoyle cleared for release
A man who has always maintained he was wrongly convicted of murdering his pregnant wife has been cleared for release from jail on parole.
