Media Watch - March 20
Top Birmingham City Council Stories:
Council leader calls for fightback on 'schools Jihad plot' (Birmingham Mail, Birmingham Post, BBC online) Council leader Sir Albert Bore has called on communities to play a greater role in their local schools following claims of a takeover plot by Muslim fundamentalists. (Response to the ‘Trojan Horse’ allegations.)
Outdoor learning centres axed in council cost move (Birmingham Mail, Birmingham Post) Birmingham City Council is to scrap an outdoor education service for children - putting 13 farms, cottages, country retreats and gardens at risk of closure. Quotes Cllr Stewart Stacey and Cllr Paul Tilsley.
Paradise Circus: New vision for the city centre (Birmingham Post) Dramatic new images show the future of a key part of Birmingham city centre - and work on the £160 million first phase is to get under way within months.
City 'failed family' after special needs girl 'lost in system'(Birmingham Post, The i, BBC online ) Birmingham children's services 'failed a family' after losing a child with special needs in the social care system for more than four years.
Claims of drugs and violence at controversial club (Birmingham Post) The future of Birmingham's biggest nightclub Gatecrasher, which left dozens of creditors out of pocket amid debts of over £2 million, is to be decided by licensing chiefs following claims of violence and drug taking.
20mph speed limit gets green light (Birmingham Post) Birmingham councillors have ignored fierce opposition to roll out plans for a city-wide 20mph speed limit on residential roads. Quotes Cllr James McKay.
Regional Headlines:
Children and mother stabbed in Birmingham house - A mother and her two daughters aged 16 and 10 have been stabbed in what police say was a “tragic family incident” in Birmingham.
Huge bus order is massive jobs boost - Birmingham-based giant National Express West Midlands is backing Britain with a £100 million spending spree on 600 new buses - helping safeguard hundreds of UK jobs.
Teen dies after running into Birmingham bus stop - A teenager died after running into a bus stop in what police said was a “freak accident”.
National Headlines:
Australia sees possible plane debris - Australia is investigating two objects seen on satellite images that could potentially be debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, officials say.
Chancellor defends pensions overhaul - Chancellor George Osborne defends changes to pensions in the Budget, saying people “are capable of making decisions” over their future finances.
Russia faces fresh Crimea sanctions - European Union leaders prepare to meet in Brussels to discuss further targeted sanctions in response to Russian moves to annex Crimea.
