Media Watch - May 19
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Widespread ongoing Trojan Horse coverage.
Finishing touches made ahead of Chelsea Flower Show (Daily Telegraph) Birmingham City Council and the Royal British Legion have created a display to remember those who fought in the First World War.
Marco Pierre White’s rooftop Birmingham restaurant rated ZERO for food hygiene (Sunday Mercury) Marco Pierre White's flagship restaurant in Birmingham has received a ZERO food hygiene rating from environmental health officers.
The DHP divide (Inside Housing) As some councils hand back millions in unspent discretionary housing payments, tenants in dire need are going without extra support. Cllr John Cotton quoted.
City demands rail revamp as price for HS2 support (Birmingham Mail) City leaders have demanded rail and tram improvements as a pay off for Birmingham’s staunch support of the HS2 scheme.
Wheels groups in council talks (Birmingham Mail) Motorsport businesses based at the Birmingham Wheels Park are in talks with the council over their future.
Sugar warning (BBC WM) Birmingham Public Health’s Nutrition Lead Eleanor McGee reflects on recent warnings on sugar consumption, including warnings that people should drink just one glass of juice a day.
Fag-end litter louts cough up £70,000 in fines (Birmingham Mail) Birmingham City Council has clawed back nearly £70,000 from 218 smokers who have been prosecuted for littering in Birmingham in the last 12 months.
Laying right foundations in search for a good builder (Birmingham Mail) Birmingham City Council’s Jacqui Kennedy offers advice to people planning home improvements.
LGA must ‘toughen up’ to assist sector (Municipal Journal) The Local Government Association (LGA) needs to 'toughen up' its approach to sector-led improvement of children's services, one of local government's most senior figures (Birmingham City Council’s Chief Executive Mark Rogers) has said.
The myth of trust (Municipal Journal) Article from Birmingham City Council’s Chief Executive Mark Rogers: During my first weeks in Birmingham, I have been talking with colleagues about the importance I place on promoting and embedding the values of empathy, respect and trust.
Could Birmingham’s green waste anger decide its election? (BBC) A row over bin collections has dominated the run-up to Birmingham’s local election, with some claiming it could damage the city’s Labour administration. But why do people get so angry about their bins? And could voters really vent their fury at the polling station?
Regional Headlines
Recycling plant fire still burning
Fire crews remain at the scene of a blaze at a recycling plant in Meriden which started two days ago.
Meriden service marks WW1 cyclists’ sacrifice
A service takes place to commemorate the part played by cyclists during World War One.
National Headlines
AstraZeneca rejects new Pfizer bid
UK drugs company AstraZeneca rejects the improved “final” £69bn takeover offer from US firm Pfizer.
Miliband sets out minimum wage plans
Ed Miliband says a Labour government would set a statutory minimum wage target linked to average earnings, as he sets out plans to tackle low pay.
