Media Watch - Nov 3
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
New statue of ‘ordinary Brum family’ targeted by campaigner (Sunday Mercury, Birmingham Mail and BBC WM) A New Fathers for Justice campaigner stuck photographs of himself and his two daughters on the statue at the Library of Birmingham.
Why does the left put single mums on a pedestal? (Daily Mail) Opinion column critical of the new statue positioned in front of the Library of Birmingham. An unrelated story in the Daily Telegraph reports on the unveiling, including quotes from artist Gillian Wearing, who designed the piece.
Ofsted chief clashes with councils (Extensive national and local coverage) Ofsted chief inspector Michael Wilshaw has said those who criticised his organisation after its re-grading of schools in the wake of the Trojan Horse allegations had “very little understanding” of its work.
Bar may face probe after ‘Ebola night’ (Birmingham Mail, BBC WM, Free Radio and Heart FM) Community activist Desmond Jaddoo has called on the council to review Bar Risa’s licence after a so-called ‘Ebola-themed’ night. Critics claim the night was a form of discrimination on the basis that most people affected by the disease are of a black African background.
Fly-tipping cases up by 15.26 per cent (Birmingham Mail) Number of cases have increased in Birmingham when 2012/13 figures are compared with 2013/14 – but the city’s rise is still below the national average of 20 per cent.
Chartering success (Great Barr Observer) Local firm SKIPS Educational, a signatory to the Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility, has joined forces with Dennis Eagle for a recycling education programme for families in the city. Deal struck after the two firms came together as a result of their charter status.
Search dog sniffed out illicit ciggies as shop loses licence (Great Barr Observer) Handsworth Wood off-licence Super Zabka on Rookery Road has had its licence revoked. Cllr Barbara Dring quoted.
Flash flooding prompts calls for extra cleaning teams (Great Barr Observer) Cllr Jon Hunt has claimed that Birmingham’s garden recycling service is responsible for drain blockages and flooding in his area.
Exercise your right to earn free shopping (Sutton and Great Barr Observers) The Active Parks scheme is support a new phone app that is linked to GPS technology, enabling participants to earn points that can be redeemed as High Street vouchers or donated to charities. Cllr John Cotton quoted.
MP calls for ‘wait and see’ policy to protect green belt for the future (Sutton Observer) Andrew Mitchell MP has suggested an eight to ten-year pause for any possible development on the green belt in his area to allow the city’s emerging development plan to bed in first, to see what demand there ultimately is for new homes and associated works.
Outdoor centres are snapped up (Sutton Observer) Round-up of details from recent auction at which several public sector lots were up for sale, including Ogwen Cottage - sold to the Wales National Trust for £450,000.
Sandwell boss warns: ‘Join us by Christmas or we look elsewhere’ (MJ) Sandwell leader Darren Cooper says he will strike a deal with South Staffordshire and Telford & Wrekin if Birmingham and others do not reach agreement for a Greater Birmingham authority by the end of the year.
Street’s ahead (Estates Gazette) In-depth interview with LEP chair Andy Street, in which he discusses a range of matters including combined authorities and housing need in the city.
New Street offers new heat to Birmingham (Passenger Transport) Feature on the new combined heat and power supply for the revamped station and other buildings in the city centre.
London exodus surges as housing and welfare pressures take toll (LGC) The number of families given council help to leave London has risen over the last year. Cllr John Cotton quoted.
Paving by the book (RIBA Journal) The council has launched a design competition for a revamp of Centenary Square.
Regional Headlines
Redditch Borough Council has struck a deal with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association to restrict the number of chuggers operating in the town centre.
Fans of TV soap Crossroads mark its 50th anniversary at a real hotel which doubled up as the soap opera’s motel – the Ramada in Sutton Coldfield.
National Headlines
The UK Living Wage - an hourly rate based on the amount needed to cover the basic costs of living - has been raised by 20p to £7.85. The voluntary rate has been adopted by more than 1,000 employers across the country, benefiting 35,000 workers.
Chancellor Angela Merkel would accept the UK’s exit from the EU if David Cameron insists on migration curbs, German press reports say.
A 29-year-old British man accused of murdering two women in Hong Kong after their bodies were found in an apartment appears in court.
