Media Watch – Jan 21
Top Birmingham City Council stories
Find out why health chief is backing 20mph speed limit plans (Birmingham Mail online): The 20mph speed limit plans for Birmingham will help cut obesity rates, the city’s director of health has claimed.  Dr Adrian Phillips backed plans for lower car speeds as the council announced the roll-out of the scheme across roads in Washwood Heath, Hodge Hill, Bordesley Green, Nechells and South Yardley.
Schools face disruption as a result of universal infant free school meals policy (Guardian website): Report based on the DfE’s announcement of which schools have received monies under a second round of funding to enable infant schools to provide free hot school meals. Birmingham schools applied for a total of £3m and received no funding, but all its infant schools already comply with this policy.
Maybe we should recruit our licensing officers from Birmingham (Cab Driver magazine): Article highlights that licensing officers in Birmingham have prosecuted more drivers in a year than Transport for London has managed to do in 14 years. Also references enforcement operation done by West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council in January 2014.
Fly flag for Brum with a top design (Birmingham Mail): Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Mike Leddy has launched a competition to find a flag that could become part of the city’s identity. Cllr Leddy quoted.
Even seagulls in a flap over wheelie bins (Birmingham Mail): Report based on comments made by Cllr Stewart Stacey that the introduction of wheelie bins in his Acocks Green ward had resulted in fewer gulls attacking refuse sacks. Cllr Lisa Trickett, also quoted, welcoming introduction of technology in collection lorries, to enable bin men to receive live updates.
Teacher accused of abuse ‘a sadistic bully’ – ex-pupil (Birmingham Mail): Coverage of court case involving retired teacher Marcus Marcussen, who is accused of abusing boys over three decades at Ilmington Road School, Weoley Castle.
Regional headlines
Sutton Coldfield MP and former government Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell has paid £300,000 in legal costs after losing his libel case in the “Plebgate” affair.
Hong Kong police arrest a man, then release him without charge, as part of an investigation into the potential theft of £2.5m from Birmingham City football club’s owners.
National headlines
The findings of the Chilcott Inquiry into the 2003 Iraq War will not be published before the general election.
Four men have been charged with providing support to the gunman who killed four people at a kosher supermarket in Paris.
