Covid 19 & Vaccinations
An additional 35 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 29th May – 4th June compared to an updated figure of 19 for the week of 22nd 28th May based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.
The 7-day case rate between 29th May- 4th June in Birmingham was 58.5 cases/100K population, compared to 41.8/100K for the period between the 22nd – 28th May.
Over the 7 days leading up to 5th June, of 13,085 PCR pillar 2 tests, 638 (4.9%) were positive in Birmingham, a higher positivity rate than both the West Midlands and England.
Birmingham ranks 13th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 1,146 tests per 100k population. 41,649 LFD pillar 2 tests were also carried out.
Hospital admissions range between 4 and 12 new cases a day at Birmingham hospital trusts over the 7 days from 29th May – 4th June .
The attached image shows an overview of vaccinations across different wards in Sutton Coldfield, based on the data that was available on Tuesday. If you are 25 or over you can now book your vaccine slots: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/. Please feel free to share with anyone who might like to receive a copy.
Royal Sutton Coldfield updates
The Boundary Commission for England has published its initial proposals for the 2023 boundary review of Westminster constituencies. There is very little change in the proposals for the Royal Town as you can see from the following map: https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-06-08-West-Midlands-Initial-Proposals-46.-Sutton-Coldfield-BC.pdf. Specifically in relation to the City of Birmingham ward of Sutton Walmley & Minworth, a small uninhabited area between the River Tame and the M6 motorway is currently in the existing Erdington constituency. The proposals mean that this area would be included in our constituency. Obviously like most people in the Royal Town I’m relieved that our Royal boundaries are being respected.
This week is Carers Week and I would like to thank carers across Sutton Coldfield for all that they do to support vulnerable people. This week is an important opportunity to recognise publicly the huge amount of time, effort and devotion which Sutton Coldfield's carers contribute week in, week out. I have written to the Government to highlight the work of unpaid carers in the Royal Town and I have pledged my support publicly on the Carers UK website.
On Wednesday I spoke to Ben Ansell one of our expert advisors on the development of our Town Hall (where I have the pleasure of being President of the Trust) about the Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Redevelopment plans which include proposals to create an arts hub for Sutton Coldfield. The trustees’ vision is to establish the Town Hall as a recognised, vibrant arts venue, not only for Sutton Coldfield but for the whole of the North Birmingham area and beyond. This will help boost arts and culture provision locally and provide a space for new productions and exhibitions, as well as a base for arts companies and workshops. Once fully operational the Town Hall will become a draw for visitors from neighbouring areas and I hope this will also have a positive knock on effect on our town centre, providing increased footfall for local shops, cafes and restaurants. A Phase 1 Feasibility Study has been completed and architects have been appointed to advise and steer the Trust through a more detailed design phase, exploring the best ways to develop the building and to produce drawings, schedule of costs and a delivery programme.
This week I also spoke to Richard Kirby, Chief Executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust about our Royal Sutton Coldfield Cottage Hospital. We discussed the fact that Covid has meant we have effectively lost a year in our great plans for the hospital, so we are now drawing up a road map with dates and objectives to be met to ensure that progress can be made. I hope that this will come together by the end of the month and I will provide further details as soon as I can.
I have written to West Midlands Railway and the Government to highlight the importance of improving accessibility for train passengers with sight loss. Blake Street, Four Oaks and Butlers Lane stations don’t have raised warning tactile surfaces on the edge of their platforms. These surfaces are vital to help those with sight loss orientate their way around platforms and help warn people when they are close to a platform edge. In Sutton Coldfield station while some surfaces have been improved, the tactile surfaces do not cover the entire length of all platform edges. Improving platform safety and ensuring that tactile edges are installed would make a huge difference to those living with sight loss and I am keen to ensure that smaller stations see the same improvements as larger transport hubs such as Birmingham New Street.
Transport for West Midlands has teamed up with operators including West Midlands Railway and National Express West Midlands to advertise that the transport network remains fully operational across the West Midlands and to reassure travellers that their safety remains a priority. https://www.wmnetwork.co.uk/plan-your-journey/ready-when-youre-ready/
The Turn2us Benefits Calculator was used by people in Sutton Coldfield 3919 times last year. The calculator helps people to understand their eligibility for welfare benefits and the team behind the scheme has launched a new, completely re-engineered version of the calculator which is easy to use and can help ensure that people are receiving the support that they are entitled to receive: www.turn2us.org.uk/benefitscalculator
Westminster news and Parliamentary business
It has been a busy week in Parliament this week. Unfortunately the Speaker did not select my New Clause to the ARIA Bill on Monday, however, I was granted a three hour emergency debate on Tuesday. I have posted a clip of my opening speech on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_u0Z6SZ0qw&t=1s I also outlined my thoughts in a Conservative Home article: https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/06/andrew-mitchell-tomorrow-conservative-mps-should-honour-our-promise-to-some-of-the-poorest-people-in-the-world.html while of course I appreciate that not absolutely everyone in the Royal Town shares my views, I have been overwhelmed by the large number of emails, letters and phone calls in favour of the campaign to protect our international development budget.
The UK has led the way in the campaign to eradicate Polio and I have filmed a clip for the #EndPolioNow campaign: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryinGBI/posts/10159240458995692
Earlier today it was announced that the UK will donate at least 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses within the next year, including 5 million beginning in the coming weeks. This donation is in addition to the UK’s work to support Oxford-AstraZeneca’s contribution to fighting Covid and our financial backing to COVAX. G7 leaders are expected to agree to provide 1 billion doses via dose sharing and financing. In order to effectively tackle Covid 19 we need to control the spread across the world and this announcement will make a significant difference to efforts to end the global pandemic.
Today we have announced a Tourism Recovery Plan to help domestic tourism return to pre pandemic levels. The tourism sector has faced an incredibly challenging year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is why we have provided it with £25 billion in support so far. Our Tourism Recovery Plan aims to return domestic tourism to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and international tourism by 2023, including a £10 million voucher scheme launched by The National Lottery to encourage trips to popular tourist attractions, and a rail pass for ‘staycationers’ helping tourists to get around the country. Tourism makes a huge contribution to our economy, and our plan will support the sector to return to its former strength, supporting jobs across communities across all four nations of the UK. I remain concerned about the impact of the travel restrictions on local tourism companies here in Sutton Coldfield and I continue to raise issues directly with my Ministerial colleagues. As many businesses recover from the pandemic, those in the travel and events sectors in particular may need extra support.
Tuesday was World Ocean Day. Under UK leadership 80 countries have now signed up to an international target to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030 - helping to deliver healthy and sustainable seas as we work with our global partners to build back greener. We have also launched plans to increase protections for England’s waters through a pilot scheme to designate marine sites in England as ‘Highly Protected Marine Areas’, which will ban activities that could have a damaging effect on wildlife or marine habitats.
Yesterday the Prime Minister agreed a new ‘Atlantic Charter’ with President Biden, pledging to work together with the United States to tackle global challenges and build a more prosperous future based on our shared values. The Charter outlines eight key areas of cooperation, including defending democracy, tackling climate change, strengthening global defence as well as supporting the world’s recovery from the pandemic.
Opportunities and Events
NHS Blood and Transplant Service has a growing need for people to donate plasma. They are seeking healthy 18-65-year-old males to urgently make a donation - this is because men are apparently more likely to have the necessary blood plasma volumes and larger vein sizes needed to help make a speedy donation. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit http://www.blood.co.uk/plasma to book an appointment.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens are looking for trustees to join their board in three key areas: Education, Horticulture and as Chair. Applications close 18th June. https://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/would-you-like-to-join-our-board-of-trustees/
Registration has opened for the International Net Zero Leadership conference taking place next month in the West Midlands. Hosted by Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, the international event will bring together leaders from across the UK and worldwide, from government, industry and research, to discuss the climate challenge and how best to achieve net zero. https://uk.virtualeventhosts.com/UK100-Netzero/register
This year's Birmingham Indian Film Festival runs from 17 June to 4 July, at the Midlands Arts Centre. The programme includes powerful documentaries, rare British Asian films, plus Q&A events with special guests. https://macbirmingham.co.uk/biff-2021
Gallery37 will develop 100 hand-picked young creatives (16-25) across 9 creative camps with nationally recognised specialist mentors from 23rd August - 3rd September; for an intensive two-week creative development programme. https://www.wearepunch.co.uk/gallery37
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