Media Watch - July 4
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Traffic chaos feared as tunnels shut (Birmingham Mail, BBCWM, BBC online, Free Radio) Coverage of the planned closures this summer as the A38 city centre tunnels are set to close for the second year running. Eddie Fellows from Amey interviewed on BBCWM.
Dumped green waste bags 'full of maggots' (Birmingham Mail) Rubbish bags dumped on Birmingham's streets because of the garden tax are now covered in grass and teeming with maggots, it was claimed. Quotes Councillors Jon Hunt, Robert Alden and Lisa Trickett.
'Trojan' school 'needed more time' (BBC online. BBCWM) Governors at one of the Birmingham schools at the centre of the 'Trojan Horse' inquiry say they were not given enough time to make improvements before a visit by Ofsted (Golden Hillock which is an Academy school).
DfE under fire over proposed cuts to councils' education services grant (Guardian online) Local government leaders say cutting funds to cover school improvements will hit efforts to revive failing establishments. Quotes Chief Executive Mark Rogers.
Council chief defends cuts to lollipop ladies (Birmingham Mail) A council district chief has refused to reinstate funding for lollipop men and ladies despite the accounts showing £200,000 underspend. Quotes Councillors Josh Jones and Gareth Moore.
Parents' fury at leadership (Birmingham Mail) Angry parents are at war with a city headteacher amid claims children are wetting themselves after being refused permission to go to the loo and teachers have been crying in classes (Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Primary School). Quotes a council spokesperson commenting on the school's Ofsted report and that we are working with the school to address the issue..
War memorial gets a facelift for centenary (Solihull News) A war memorial in Acocks Green has undergone a facelift to tie in with the centenary year of the Great War. Quotes Councillor Stewart Stacey.
Miliband boost for Greater Brum plan (Solihull News) The creation of a 'Greater Birmingham' super council moved a step closer - as Labour leader Ed Miliband announced plans to let authorities keep hundreds of millions of pounds in local business taxes, buy only if they create combined regional councils.
Government axes unique Caribbean catering college (The Voice) Campaigners fighting to save Birmingham's only catering college which teaches Caribbean cuisine are holding a public meeting on Thursday July 3, to rally the community in their bid to save Kajans Hospitality & Catering Studio College. Quotes a council spokesperson.
Regional Headlines
Rally planned for council staff pay strike - Council workers and schools support staff are building a rally in Birmingham city centre next week during their one0day walkout over pay and conditions.
Thousands due at Wireless Festival - Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Birmingham this weekend for the Wireless Festival.
National Headlines
Hamas ‘ready for Gaza ceasefire’ - Hamas says it is ready for a ceasefire with Israel, amid tension around the planned funeral of a murdered Palestinian teenager, the BBC understands
Rolf Harris due to be sentenced - Rolf Harris is due to be sentenced for 12 counts of indecent assault against girls - including one as young as seven or eight - in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Queen to name UK’s biggest warship - The Queen will use whisky instead of champagne when she gives her name to the largest warship ever built in the UK at a ceremony in Fife later.
