Media Watch – September 11
Top Birmingham City Council stories
Tory apologises for 'headscarf' comments to a Muslim councillor (Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail): Reports comments made by Cllr James Hutchings during a Trojan Horse scrutiny meeting yesterday. Cllr Brigid Jones quoted.
City cycle scheme only for 'white, young men' (Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail): Report on comments made by Cllr Deirdre Alden at Edgbaston District committee meeting, claiming the £23m Cycle City project is discriminatory. Cllr James McKay quoted.
Outcry as planners allow 'monstrosity' extension to remain (Birmingham Post, Birmingham Mail and BBC WM): Report on how city planners allowed a two-story extension to a property in Moseley - which had extended further than permitted.
Chief exec calls for an end to 'serial' enquiries into city failings (Birmingham Mail): Report based on interview with Mark Rogers, in which he states further investigations could make it harder for the council to tackle other issues across the city.
Final preparations as Tories hit town for conference swansong (Birmingham Post): Look ahead to the Conservative's conference which takes place at the ICC between 28 September and 1 October. It references Sir Albert's calls for events funding to be focused elsewhere.
Devolution bid for city launched (Birmingham Mail): Report that a review of grass roots democracy in Birmingham is to be launched, following Sutton Coldfield's calls to have its own town council. Sir Albert quoted.
Company fined for false claims over halal meat (Birmingham Mail, BBC WM and Heart FM): Report on JKY Food Solutions Limited, based in Highgate, who were ordered to pay more than £62,000 for selling non-halal meat.
Food crime hub set to be established (Birmingham Post): Report states Birmingham is bidding to become home to a Food Crime Intelligence Unit, which could see the city council provide services.
Loan shark 'made life hell for victim' (Bromsgrove Advertiser): Court report on a case brought by the Illegal Money Lending Team, working in partnership with Worcestershire Trading Standards and West Mercia Police, against Kevin Donaghey, who received a nine-month suspended sentence.
Year of Reading launches at library (Birmingham Post): Report on the launch of the Year of Reading at the Library of Birmingham.
Developers hit back at planner's 'hideous' jibe (Birmingham Post): Developers of Concord House in the city centre have hit back at a city planner's criticism of their project.
Regional headlines
A 13-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a 47-year-old woman who was discovered in Cheshire Road, Smethwick on 3 September.
Scientists at Birmingham University are trialling a sports concussion 'breathalyser' to help improve pitch-side diagnosis of head injuries.
National headlines
RBS and Lloyds banks say they will push for legislation to allow them to move their HQs to England in the event of a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum
Rotherham Council is to face an independent inspection following the report that revealed 1,400 children were sexually abused in the town.
