Media Watch - July 16
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Pool reopens after £170k refurbishment (Birmingham Mail, BRMB) Newtown Baths will reopen to the public today following a £170,000 repair programme. /?p=12179
Protesters handed over a petition demanding that a pool (Sparkhill Baths) threatened with closure is re-opened as a council-run facility.
Councils spending millions on website redesigns as job cuts loom (Daily Telegraph) Local authorities are paying for costly redesigns to refresh the appearance of their websites, on top of salaries and other external costs. Article features the Birmingham City Council launched last year.
Regional Headlines
Birmingham charity raises £2m for Pakistan flood relief
A Birmingham-based charity says it has now raised more than £2m for flood victims in Pakistan.
Manhunt in Thailand for British boxer
Police in Thailand have launched a manhunt for a British Thai boxing expert, believed to be from Birmingham, who is suspected of murder.
Prince Charles to go on national green projects tour
Prince Charles is to visit Birmingham as part of a five-day tour of Scotland, Wales and England to encourage sustainable living.
National Headlines
Pledge to end mixed-sex hospital wards by end of 2010
The coalition government is preparing to announce an end to most mixed-sex hospital wards in England by the end of the year, it has been reported.
Votes over housing schemes ‘could tear villages apart’
Government plans to hold local referendums on new housing schemes in England could tear village communities apart, rural campaigners have said.
Union and BAA set for talks to avert airports strike
Talks are due to begin later at the conciliation service Acas in an attempt to avert a strike that could close six UK airports later this month.
