Media Watch - May 22
Top Birmingham City Council Stories:
More mindless destruction by ‘mad axeman’ (Birmingham Mail) Birmingham’s ‘mad axeman’ has struck again causing a trail of destruction by mindlessly chopping down trees. Article links the latest vandalism at the River Cole to earlier vandalism at Cannon Hill Park and Farm Park.
V puzzling city mystery solved (Birmingham Mail) Article about the fact the letter V is missing from the Virgil monument outside Baskerville House in Centenary Square. Quotes council spokeswoman explaining that it has been damaged and that is going to be repaired.
Road repairs row rolls on (Birmingham Mail) A bitter dispute between Birmingham City Council and its highways maintenance contractor over the quality of road repairs in the city has been escalated and will go to an independent adjudicator. Quotes a council spokesperson, Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Tahir Ali.
More tourists having an ace time in Brum (Birmingham Mail) Birmingham is booming as a destination for overseas tourists according to new data. Quotes Sir Albert Bore.
Bold 28 join cycling team with aim of raising £80k for charity (Birmingham Mail) Twenty eight intrepid cyclists from PwC’s Birmingham office , have joined the UK firm’s ambitious Ride the Nation challenge, which is in the middle of covering 2,500 miles and raising more than £80,000 for charity. Quotes BCC’s Head of transportation Anne Shaw.
People (MJ) Piece about Strategic Director of Place, Sharon Lea’s retirement in July. Quotes Sharon Lea and Sir Albert Bore.
May Bank Holiday: 10 free things to do in Birmingham (mirror.co.uk) Top ten includes 1. Library of Birmingham, 2. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 3. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, 6. Lickey Hills Country Park. 7. Cannon Hill Park.
Regional Headlines:
Teacher stress absences on the rise – The numbers of teachers in the West Midlands signed off work because of stress or depression rose by nearly 300 in five years, according to information obtained by the BBC.
Petrol theft drive-offs have risen - Petrol theft drive-offs have risen to their highest level since 2011 in the West Midlands, with more than 13 happening every day in 2014.
National Headlines:
Cameron starts EU reform negotiations – David Cameron says he is determined to reform Britain’s relationship with the EU as he begins discussions with European leaders on the plans.
Last Iraq-Syria crossing ‘falls to IS’ – Islamic State militants reportedly seize the last government-controlled border crossing between Syria and Iraq, after taking over ancient Palmyra.
