Media Watch - May 21

Top Birmingham City Council Stories

Villa stars relive their finest hour (Birmingham Mail) A civic reception for Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup winning team was staged last night, 32 years after the victory. Lord Mayor Cllr Mike Leddy quoted.

Brum garden is a golden wonder at Chelsea show (Extensive local coverage) Birmingham City Council's First World War display at the Chelsea Flower Show has scooped the city's third consecutive gold award at the event and the president's award for best in show in the grand marquee.

Labour slammed over 'crude' leaflet (Birmingham Mail) Labour campaigners have been criticised for an election leaflet in which the party says the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have not stood up to the Government against budget cuts. Lib Dem group leader Cllr Paul Tilsley quoted.

£4million to aid young jobless (Birmingham Mail) Almost 3,000 young people are set for employment mentors and training grants through a new Government funded scheme. Cabinet Member Cllr Tahir Ali says the funding will meet one of the council's key priorities. Lib Dem group leader comments that skills shortages are the key barrier to filling existing vacancies, while Cllr Bruce Lines for the Conservatives said too much focus was placed on inner-city areas - a point rejected by Cllr Ali, who said a condition of the funding was to spend it in high-unemployment areas.

Manufacturing cash boost (Birmingham Mail) The council has been confirmed as the accountable body for a further £100million of funding which will be used to aid research, development and job creation through the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative. Cllr Tahir Ali quoted.

Reasons to be cheerful in the local elections (Guardian) Writer Peter Hetherington previews the local elections, with a focus on the financial challenges facing councils. Reference made to Council Leader Sir Albert Bore's past comments that local government is “as we know it is “fast disappearing”.

Why councils need to talk about the cuts (Guardian) Column in which the need to clearly communicate with residents is discussed. Council Chief Executive Mark Rogers is cited as an example of someone having an “engaged style”.

Pedal-powered pupils (Sutton Coldfield Observer) Pupils at an Erdington primary school are set to enjoy a host of pedal-powered fun before the whole community is invited along to mark a grant of £7,500 handed to a create a new cycling hub. Story Wood Primary School is hosting the community cycling event today, with activities for youngsters and their families during the day, including a ride around Witton Lakes.

Regional Headlines

Rail unions and London Midland met yesterday for emergency talks over up to 200 job losses as a summer of possible industrial action looms.

Plans for a £19million school at the University of Birmingham, offering pupils “world-leading expertise” in subjects such as technology and engineering, have been unveiled.

National Headlines

A former Polish war refugee who met Prince Charles in Canada has said he likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Royal Mail is to trial a Sunday delivery service for parcels in response to the increasing demand for goods ordered online. Later this summer it will open around 100 offices on a Sunday afternoon for customers to pick up their parcels.

The search for four British sailors missing in the Atlantic is continuing after it was called off on Sunday.

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