Media Watch - Feb 17

Top Birmingham City Council Stories

Contractor reveals 700 jobs created through council deal (Birmingham Mail) Service Birmingham has announced that it has delivered on a pledge to create at least 720 jobs by 2013. SB's Stewart Wren and council Chief Executive Stephen Hughes both quoted.

From the cradle to the grave (Birmingham Mail) Feature on a day in the life of staff at the Birmingham Register Office.

Metro extension (BBC WM) Preview news bulletin coverage of report due before Cabinet later today.

Council tax will rise but service cuts will go ahead, says Bore (Sutton and Great Barr Observers) Continued coverage of Birmingham City Council’s budget proposals, due before Cabinet today.

‘Sign up’ plea to save town’s register office (Sutton Observer) A petition backed by Conservative councillors has been launched as part of an effort to keep Sutton Coldfield’s register office open.

Shock victory for Tories in council by-election (Birmingham Mail) Further coverage of Thursday’s Kingstanding by-election, won by Gary Sambrook for the Conservatives.

Action over air pollution risks (Sunday Mercury) Featuring looking at data that ranks Birmingham the ninth most polluted area in terms of air quality, outside of London.

No warning signs leads to bus lane amnesty appeal (Birmingham Mail) Cllr Rob Pocock has called for bus lane enforcement fines to be refunded after he claimed that government guidelines had not been followed because there were no signs stating that CCTV enforcement was taking place.

New library blast as smaller one is facing axe in cuts (Birmingham Mail) Community campaigner Desmond Jaddoo has branded the Library of Birmingham a “tourist trap” as part of his battle to save Spring Hill Library from closure.

Regional Headlines

A police inspector who has won awards for his work as a mental health liaison officer is being investigated for alleged misuse of his Twitter account. West Midlands Police said Insp Michael Brown’s account, @MentalHealthCop, was suspended on Friday.

The Ring and Ride service used by about 60,000 people in the West Midlands has been saved from the axe. It was feared the door-to-door minibus service might be scrapped due to government cuts. However Sunday services will end and fares will rise from 60p to £1.

National Headlines

The UK floods are set to continue as more heavy rain hits already saturated ground, and the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning.

Swiss police say an Ethiopian Airlines plane en route from Addis Ababa to Rome was forced to land at Geneva and a hijacker has been arrested.

Alex Salmond says he will “deconstruct” George Osborne’s case against a currency union when he addresses business leaders in Aberdeen later today.

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