Media Watch – June 12
Top Birmingham City Council stories
Left to die in the pub (Birmingham Mail): A drunken man died in The Gunmakers Arms, Bath Street, after the bar’s supervisor had locked up the premises to go and have a late night meal, it has been claimed. The premises licence is to be reviewed by Licensing sub-committee next week (16 June).
Postcode lottery on parking permit charges (widespread local and national coverage): Coverage of survey, conducted by a car insurance company, which found that Birmingham and Manchester charge the most for residents parking permits - £750.
‘It’s like living in a war zone’ (Birmingham Mail): Report on claims a Bartley Green resident had reported that a burnt out car, covered in graffiti, had been dumped on Scotland Lane, near Bartley Green Reservoir, on May 30 – but it still hasn’t been moved. City council spokesperson quoted it will be removed.
16-year-olds set to be given the vote in Birmingham (Birmingham Mail): Report that the city council’s Labour Group has backed plans for 16- to 18-year-olds in Balsall Heath, who could become the first under 18s to vote in a ballot on a neighbourhood on revitalising the area. Cllrs Paul Tilsley and Victoria Quinn quoted.
Child on parent abuse (BBC WM – Adrian Goldberg Show): Discussion with Cllr Ewan Mackey and Andrew Mitchell MP on child on parent abuse, following Cllr Mackey’s comments made during full council earlier this week.
Library of Birmingham protest (BBC WM – Adrian Goldberg Show): A student from King Edward College, in Stourbridge, interviewed about the Library of Birmingham’s reduced hours, stating her lessons finish at 4pm, so the library is closed by the time she gets into Birmingham. Cllr Penny Holbrook interviewed: she explained reducing its opening hours was not a decision the council wanted to make but it was looking at possible partnering options.
Centre where happiness is standard (The Voice): Story on how Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church has taken over the running of Laurel Road Community Sports Centre, in Handsworth, as a result of a successful community asset transfer bid.
‘Beware of cutting £200m from public health budgets’ (The MJ): Coverage of the Chancellor’s announcement that £200m is to be shaved from councils’ public health budgets, as part of a drive to achieve £2.5bn in year savings. Cllr Paulette Hamilton quoted.
Obituary on Clive Dutton (The MJ): Brief obituary in the People section, paying tribute to Clive Dutton, the council’s former head of planning and regeneration who died last week.
Regional headlines
Three more rides closed at Alton Towers – including Air and the Runaway Mine Train rides, and the Octonaughts mini rollercoaster in CBeebies Land – a week after a serious crash on the Smiler ride.
A 34-year-old man has been charged with causing religiously aggravated harassment, alarm and distress after dumping four pigs heads outside a community centre in Solihull on April 12.
National headlines
South Yorkshire Police will not be investigated over its handling of violent clashes between miners and officers at Orgreave coking plant in 1984, the Independent Police Complaints Commission have said.
Briton Eleanor Hawkins has pleaded guilty to public nuisance charge after posing naked on a Malaysian mountain.
