Covid 19 & Vaccinations

An additional 67 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 5th – 11th June compared to an updated figure of 37 for the week of 29th May – 4th June based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.

The 7-day case rate between 5th – 11th June in Birmingham was 87.1 cases/100K population, compared to 62.0/100K for the period between the 29th May – 4th June

Over the 7 days leading up to 12th June, of 18,174 PCR pillar 2 tests, 953 (5.2%) were positive in Birmingham, a higher positivity rate than both the West Midlands and England.

Birmingham ranks 10th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 1,592 tests per 100k population. 66,250 LFD pillar 2 tests were also carried out.

Hospital admissions range between 3 and 17 new cases a day at Birmingham hospital trusts over the 7 days from 5th – 11th June.

Birmingham has been designated as a Strengthened Support Area to tackle a rise in delta variant cases. Cases are rising across the city and all residents are encouraged to avoid extended travel unless it is necessary. Several areas within Sutton Coldfield are seeing sharp rises in case rates; the Sutton Walmley & Minworth rate is now 118 cases/100,000 and Sutton Four Oaks is 98 cases/100,000 in comparison Edgbaston which is around 54 cases/100,000 population.

The attached image shows the number of vaccines per age group for Sutton Coldfield. All those aged 18 and over can now book a vaccine.

Royal Sutton Coldfield updates

Good Hope Hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department has opened to paediatric patients. The new department provides ten treatment cubicles, a new reception space, as well as a quiet room and wellbeing room. It also means that more space can be dedicated to treating adult patients in the area vacated by the current children’s department.

This morning the Leader of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Simon Ward and I met Joshua Walsh and Nigel Smith from the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets to discuss their ongoing plans for their Headquarters. As their President I am very proud of the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets and their plans will advantage not only the brilliant young people who are directly involved with this great organisation but also the wider community with what will be extraordinary and excellent facilities.

At lunchtime I visited the United Reform Church and met the Minister David Walton. He and his colleagues make a huge contribution to the local community both spiritually and in their support for vulnerable people. The United Reformed Church is currently looking for a Parish Nurse, to find out more please ring: 0121 355 1217.

I then went to the Sutton Coldfield YMCA, who quite apart from providing homes for 40 people, also do an immense amount to support our local community.

This afternoon I visited Arthur Terry to support “Thank a Teacher Day” and met with students and teachers to discuss local and national issues of mutual interest.

I have also had a meeting with Tony Whitehead founder of the Sutton Coldfield Our Town Campaign and his colleague Jane Findlay, about our Town Centre regeneration plans and the proposals for the new Aldi store. I am very grateful to Tony and his colleagues for the work they are doing to try to make sure that the plans for our town centre evolve to best possible advantage.

Green Token Giving is a key part of Asda Foundation’s grant giving programme, providing £1.4 million to charities and good causes each year. Whilst in-store voting is paused due to Covid 19, local people can visit https://www.asda.com/green-tokens to support one of three good causes (please select Minworth from the drop down list for our local store). The winner of each store's vote will receive £500 and the two runners-up, £200 each.

Congratulations to Laura Shoaf who is the new interim Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Laura was previously the managing director of Transport for West Midlands. Laura replaces Deborah Cadman, who has recently confirmed that she will be taking on the role of interim Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council.

Westminster news and Parliamentary business

On Monday the Prime Minister announced a short delay to the easing of the Covid 19 restrictions while the Government ramps up our vaccination programme. The Government has now brought forward its target to offer all adults a first dose of a vaccine to the 19th of July. A majority of over-40s, who are most at risk of serious illness, will have been offered a second dose before the new full re-opening date. Modellers have predicted that the delay could reduce the number of Covid 19 cases ending up in hospital by between a third and a half over the coming weeks and months. Some easings will still go ahead, including removing the 30 person limit on weddings and wakes and removing the requirement for care home residents to isolate for 14 days after visits to external locations. Major sporting events – including the final four UEFA Euro 2020 matches at Wembley and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships will also go ahead with greater capacities.

I remain concerned about the impact of the remaining restrictions on individuals and local businesses. I continue to raise specific points of concern with my Ministerial colleagues. I have also tabled a Written Parliamentary Question about support for the travel industry over the summer months.

On Monday I spoke in an Urgent Question on the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia.

and on Wednesday I spoke in a Statement on the G7 and NATO summits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbqfhieuShs I also held another meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Trafficked Britons in Syria.

I have tabled a number of Written Parliamentary Questions this week, particularly on healthcare issues of direct interest to the Royal Town including mental health, cancer waiting lists and treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions?SearchTerm=&DateFrom=11%2F05%2F2021&DateTo=31%2F07%2F2022&AnsweredFrom=&AnsweredTo=&House=Commons&MemberId=1211&Answered=Any&AnsweringBodyId=17&Expanded=True

Yesterday the Chancellor Rishi Sunak opened the new UK Infrastructure Bank to support local growth and tackle climate change. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-infrastructure-bank-opens-for-business

The Government has announced a £3.4 million investment to expand The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in schools, supporting pupils in deprived areas to take part in volunteering and extra-curricular learning.

Opportunities and Events

On Tuesday HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson will host an online event for small and medium sized businesses in the West Midlands about the benefits of joining HS2’s supply chain. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hs2-how-can-west-midlands-businesses-get-involved-tickets-158096337401

The WMCA is hosting an online Summer Careers Festival across the summer, delivered by Aspire 4 U. Upcoming events, along with registration links can be found on the Youth Employment UK Platform: https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/employment-help-young-people/youth-friendly-places-in-the-uk/west-midlands/find-your-future-summer-careers-festival-2021

Bishop Challoner and Queensbridge schools have agreed the use of their Moor Green Lane playing fields for this year's British Schools Cycling Association Regional Grass Track Championships. The event will take place on Saturday 10 July and entries will be open to young riders in school years 1 to 8. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bsca-regional-grass-track-championships-tickets-153329331157

Men’s Health Week is taking place this week with a focus on Prostate Cancer. 1 in 8 men and 1 in 4 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. There are often no symptoms which is why it is so important that everyone knows their risk. This online checker will produce results in approximately 30 seconds: https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker for further advice and support: https://prostatecanceruk.org/nurses

This week is Cervical Screening Awareness Week. Cervical screening (a smear test) is the best protection against cervical cancer, yet over a quarter of those invited don’t take up their invitation. Jo’s Trust has information and resources for those that are nervous about the process: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening

The Centre for Sustainable Energy, a national environmental charity, is offering £100,000 to community groups across Birmingham to support citywide low carbon sustainability projects. https://www.cse.org.uk/news/view/2615

School Diversity Week which is taking place next week is a good opportunity for schools and colleges across the UK to show support for their pupils, who may be LGBT+ or have LGBT+ families. https://www.justlikeus.org/school-diversity-week

The WMCA is hosting a webinar to celebrate International Women In Engineering Day and the female heroes within the engineering sector. The webinar will take place on Wednesday 23rd June from 10-11:30am. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/157649918149

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