When the pandemic hit and we all went into lockdown very nearly two years ago, we also lost our local paper, The Observer, so I began to send out a weekly newsletter as an alternative, to keep in touch with everyone in the Royal Town. 

Now we are very fortunate to have the new and brilliant Chronicle informing us on all things local.  However, with several thousand subscribers now for my weekly newsletter, having taken soundings, I thought I would carry on, at least for now, to keep you informed on my working week in Parliament and the constituency; and also, as an extra conduit for local information and opportunities that come my way.

Royal Sutton Coldfield Updates

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking at the Royal Sutton Coldfield Civic Society chaired by Robert Cheshire.  We, of course, discussed the catastrophic events in our international affairs that is Ukraine.  I also talked about the four key aims I have for the Royal Town in a period between now and our 500th anniversary in 2028.  

Photo: Here seen with The Honorary Alderman David and Jenny Roy, Chairman Robert Cheshire and Town Councillor John Cooper

This morning, I met with Chief Superintendent Mat Shaer who is the senior police officer responsible for the Royal Town.  We discussed various policing issues and a number of specific issues concerning the Royal Town including problems in the town centre raised by Councillor David Pears who has been working closely with the police in tackling them. 

I was particularly pleased to hear that there has been a 35% decrease in burglary and a 14% decrease in robbery.  I was also relieved to hear that there has been a 19% reduction in vehicle crime.  The police are doing specific work on low level anti-social behaviour which is also good news.

You may also be pleased to hear that the police station is filling up as the robbery squad will be based in Sutton Coldfield in our station and many more CID teams are moving here for at least the next year.

This helps explain why the Labour proposal to close our police station and all its infrastructure and then replace it with a counter is so heavily opposed by virtually all my constituents.  Once again let us appeal to the Labour Police & Crime Commissioner to take the sensible action of maintaining a full police hub in Sutton Coldfield as the Royal Town deserves.

I then met with Laura Wilson, of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres who wanted to discuss her plans and how she and the organisations she represents, may support refugees coming to our region.

Laura is an advocate and director of outdoor education programmes, supporting children in trauma and would like to offer something to incoming families fleeing the Ukraine.  Laura would like to support children and mothers who will not be able to access schooling or psychological help using outdoor learning programmes via fun and therapeutic support programmes. 

I shall be writing to Birmingham City Council on Laura’s behalf to see how best this excellent plan of action can be enacted.  In the meantime, anyone wishing to help the Ukrainians, please see the following link….

https://www.andrew-mitchell-mp.co.uk/news/how-you-can-help-ukraine

Inspecting the brilliant work by Joanna Fletcher and her helpers in collating help for Ukraine Joanna has been organising, with others, a collection of specific items needed by Ukrainian refugees which will be transported to the border areas in about a weeks’ time.  Once again people in the Royal Town have shown extraordinary generosity.  The collection of items is going brilliantly well thanks to Joanna and her fantastic helpers.  

I then attended the Moor Hall Luncheon Club hosted by Mick Webb the owner of Moor Hall Hotel.  A most enjoyable occasion where I talked about the future of our Royal Town and as you would expect, the appalling war crimes of Russia in Ukraine.  https://www.andrew-mitchell-mp.co.uk/news/how-you-can-help-ukraine

Local campaigners, Richard Parkin and Tony Briggs have asked me to post a couple of thank you notices as follows:-  

“Thanks to everyone who came along to the litter pick in Sutton Park this week by the new car park for the Commonwealth Games and along the banks of Powell’s Pool. The amount of rubbish in the area was dreadful and there is still an awful lot of work to be done to make the park clean and tidy for the Games and all the visitors who will be coming to watch the triathlon.  In total, 20 bags were collected between us so a huge thank you.”

“Thanks also to PCSOs Walton and Wright who joined us for a speed watch at the junction of Lindridge Road and Rectory Road.

The spot was chosen because of complaints from local residents about the number of drivers regularly exceeding the speed limit on this particular stretch of road.

A total of 13 drivers were identified as driving excessively over the 30mph limit today, including one travelling at 47mph. All owners will receive formal letters from the police warning them to reduce their speed in future.

In its various campaigns to date the Reddicap Speedwatch Group has now identified over 60 vehicles breaking the speed limit on various roads in the ward.”

Westminster news and Parliamentary business

During yesterday’s meeting in the House of Commons, I asked the Home Secretary to work as closely as possible with our European partners so we are part of a co-ordinated and effective European response to this horrendous humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The Home Secretary is absolutely right that many of the people who are fleeing from this appalling murder and mayhem, from war crimes and from breaches of the international rules of war want to remain as close as possible to the areas from which they have been driven, so that when this appalling catastrophe is over, they can return.   I urged her to work seamlessly with our European partners on both their practices and procedures so that we help these desperate people whom our constituents are rightly intent on us assisting, and so we are part of a co-ordinated and effective European response to this horrendous humanitarian crisis?  You can view here: https://youtu.be/sG7BIV5d6_o  and read here: Hansard

The Economic Crime Bill which addressed the issue of sanctions and dirty money – an area where I have been heavily engaged in tackling over recent years is making good progress through the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is likely to return to the Commons next week. 

On Wednesday evening I had been invited to the Parliamentary Book Awards as I had been nominated for the best biography category and to my great astonishment, I won!  I really had not expected this and am absolutely thrilled to have received the award.  On 24th March, I am doing a talk at the Town Hall based on the book which will kick off the fundraising for the refurbishment programme.  If you are interested please see below under Events, Opportunities and Information.

Events, Opportunities and Information

Sutton Coldfield MP, Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell is kickstarting the Town Hall’s 2022 fundraising with a talk based on his new book ‘Beyond A Fringe: Tales from a reformed Establishment lackey’, a fascinating and entertaining story of his life in and out of politics.

From his prep school years, through the Army to Cambridge, the City of London and the Palace of Westminster, he has passed through a series of British institutions at a time of furious social and political change – in the process becoming rather more cynical about the British Establishment. He will reflect on the perils and pleasures of loyalty, whether to a party, to individuals or to one’s own principles.

Plus Q&A session.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES There are 20,000 Games time roles up for grabs at Birmingham 2022 (@birminghamcg22).

The first of their summer Jobs Fairs takes place this Friday at the Library of Birmingham.

Go along and make the Games work for you!

http://birmingham2022.com/jobs #b2022

There are a wide range of jobs are available, lasting from three months to three weeks, with roles in security, stewarding, catering, cleaning, retail, and logistics and many more opportunities to help our Games run smoothly. Most roles available don’t need formal experience or qualifications, and full training will be provided.

There are 20,000 Games time roles up for grabs at Birmingham 2022 (@birminghamcg22).

The first of their summer Jobs Fairs takes place this Friday at the Library of Birmingham.

Go along and make the Games work for you!

http://birmingham2022.com/jobs #b2022

Holland House Infant School and Nursery:  I have recently reported that BCC is now recruiting for a school crossing patrol for outside Holland House School.  I am, therefore, putting out a plea for anyone who feels they would be a suitable candidate to please contact Cllr. David Pears on David.pears@birmingham.gov.uk

Mobile Household Recycling Centre:

Please see below the visits scheduled week commencing 14 March 2022 of the Council’s Mobile Household Recycling Centre. Visit times are 7am to 12 Noon.

Mon 14/03/2022               Boddington Road, B75 7ES

Tue 15/03/2022                Sir Alfreds Way B76 1ES

Wed 16/03/2022               Knighton Drive B74 4QP

Fri 18/03/2022                  Fourlands Avenue B72 1YY

Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit: I have received the latest update from the NDSU in relation to External Funding as of 8th February.  Please see for any opportunities that may be available to you and your organisation.

https://sway.office.com/5vR8Z2nEMm7iWwO7

TfL News:  Please see the following information as it could affect us all in Sutton Coldfield.

Easter weekend, 15 – 18 April

Our Easter railway upgrades include:

• Track and signal upgrades between London Euston and Milton Keynes
• Bridge work in the Camden and Regents Park area near Euston station
• Railway drainage, track and signal improvements between Crewe and Warrington
• Track upgrades between Carlisle and Scotland.

Travel either side of the Easter bank holiday weekend

We’re asking passengers to travel either side of the bank holiday weekend to avoid longer, busier journeys and bus replacements and changes on the following routes:

• between London Euston and Milton Keynes
• on the Coventry corridor from Leamington to Coventry and Rugeley to Birmingham New Street
• between Carlisle and Glasgow and Edinburgh
• changes to services to and through Crewe station.

Our communications will point passengers to plan their journeys in advance at www.networkrail.co.uk/wcml. Details of services can be found at National Rail Enquiries or by calling 03457 48 49 50. Passengers who require assistance are advised to pre-arrange this with their local train company.

Early May bank holiday weekend, 30 April – 2 May

Over the early May bank holiday weekend, work will take place to:

• Upgrade track and railway drainage between London Euston and Watford
• Reconstruct a bridge at Euston/Camden ​
• Renew electrical switches and crossings at Watford Junction
• Replace a bridge in Saltley
• Modernise signals through Macclesfield
• Track improvement work between Warrington and Preston (Sunday 1 May).

Travel either side of the early May bank holiday weekend

Again, passengers are asked to plan ahead and travel either side of the bank holiday weekend to avoid longer, busier journeys and bus replacements on some routes including between London Euston and Milton Keynes.

Travel to FA Cup matches may be affected, and we advise passengers to please check with their local train company or the Football Association for more information.

Birmingham 2022 – The Birmingham 2022 Festival

Birmingham 2022 have today formally launched our Birmingham 2022 Festival, a six-month long cultural programme taking place across Birmingham and the West Midlands which will accompany the Games. It will be the biggest celebration of creativity ever seen in our region and one of the largest ever cultural programmes to surround a Commonwealth Games.

There will be over 200 events including a spectacular open-air show, a brand-new Birmingham inspired album, an immersive 3D experience on public transport, photography exhibitions across billboards, a city centre forest of magical proportions, a mass tap-dancing extravaganza and much, much more. With events running from March to September, the festival will put Birmingham and the West Midlands’ creativity, ambition, heritage, and diversity on a global stage. Activities will take place in every Birmingham constituency.

To learn more, view the full programme of events or get involved visit: www.birmingham2022.com/festival

As your MP I am here to help. If you feel I can assist with any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing me on andrew.mitchell.mp@parliament.uk

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