Media Watch - Sept 18
Top Birmingham City Council Stories
Government is trying to destroy city with cuts, claims MP (Birmingham Post) Liam Byrne has criticised central government after the city council's announcement that 6,000 jobs are likely to be lost by 2018. His comments are backed by Jack Dromey MP, but John Hemming MP says the problem is being exaggerated (also in Birmingham Mail).
Consultation to help sell future vision of city centre (Birmingham Post) Continued coverage of the launch of a new city centre retail strategy. Council Leader Sir Albert Bore quoted along with council director of planning and regeneration, Waheed Nazir.
Party might not be over after all for Birmingham (Birmingham Post) Council Leader Sir Albert Bore has revealed he expects to make an announcement shortly on the future of party conferences in the city - after it appeared they were coming to an end when the council cut its financial support for such events.
Cycle storm councillor hits back at her critics (Birmingham Post) Conservative councillors Deirdre Alden has defended her recent claim that the plan to transform cycling in Birmingham was only for “young white men” after fierce criticism from cycling groups and campaigners.
Dear Deirdre: We're not young, white and male but love cycling (Birmingham Post) Double page spread featuring interviews with cyclists of various ages and backgrounds.
Water slides to be lost in pool revamp (Birmingham Post) Stechford Cascades' water slides are likely to be lost when the pool is replaced as part of £36million city-wide overhaul of sports centres. Cllr Sue Anderson quoted, also expressing concern over the loss of a spectator area. Deputy Leader Cllr Ian Ward quoted as saying the new Icknield Port Loop centre would become the new centre for swimming competitions.
'Rise in crime' warning over minicab plans (Birmingham Mail) Government plans to ease restrictions on the use of minicabs could lead to a rise in crime, it has been claimed by Cllr Barbara Dring, chair of the council's Licensing and Public Protection Committee.
Free schools accused of racism (Birmingham Mail) A document commissioned by the NASUWT has alleged many free schools do not operate “fair and inclusive” admissions policies. The findings have been dismissed by Liam Nolan, head of the Perry Beeches Academy Trust, who says his organisation employs the city council to carry out its admissions process.
Regional Headlines
Simon Warren, Chief Executive at Wolverhampton City Council, has announced he is to leave the authority.
Residents in Sandwell are to be given “bingo cards” as part of an incentive scheme to encourage food waste recycling.
National Headlines
People in Scotland have begun voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.
British Muslim leaders have called for the immediate release of Alan Henning, the UK hostage threatened with death by Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria. In a letter to a national newspaper they described IS as un-Islamic fanatics and urged them to show mercy on Mr Henning.
