Covid 19
An additional 68 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 12th- 18th June compared to an updated figure of 68 for the week of 5th-11th June based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.
The 7-day case rate between 12th- 18th June in Birmingham was 120.6 cases/100K population, compared to 91.2/100K for the period between the 5th-11th June.
Over the 7 days leading up to 19th June, of 19,121 PCR pillar 2 tests, 1,228 (6.4%) were positive in Birmingham, a higher positivity rate than both the West Midlands and England.
Birmingham ranks 11th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 1,675 tests per 100k population. 61,425 LFD pillar 2 tests were also carried out.
Hospital admissions range between 9 and 18 new cases a day at Birmingham hospital trusts over the 7 days from 12th- 18th June
Vaccinations
The attached image shows the number of vaccines per age group for Sutton Coldfield from data published yesterday morning.
Walk-in appointments are taking place at a mass vaccination centres across Birmingham over the weekend. These appointments are for first doses and those eligible to receive a second dose (there must be a gap of 8-12 weeks between appointments).
Across the wider area a number of drop in sites are available this weekend.
Iridium Medical Practice and Holte Secondary School will be offering the Pfizer vaccine for anyone over 18.
Villa Park and Millennium Point will be offering the Pfizer vaccine for anyone under 40.
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Iridium Medical Practice, Summerfield Primary Care Centre and Muath Trust will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine for the over 40s.
Locations and available times:
Villa Park, Trinity Road, Aston, B6 6HE. Wednesday 23 June – Sunday 27 June, 10am-4pm.
Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Wednesday 23 June – Sunday 27 June, 10am-4pm
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Edgbaston Road, Birmingham, B5 7QU. Sunday 27 June, 10am-4pm
Iridium Medical Practice, 299 Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B33 8TA. Saturday 26 June, 9am-7pm
Muath Trust, Bordesley Centre, Stratford Road, B11 1AR. Saturday 26 June, 10am-1pm
Summerfield Primary Care Centre, Cavendish Medical Practice, 134 Heath Street, B18 7AL. Saturday 26 June, 9:30am-3:30pm
Holte Secondary School, Wheeler Street, Lozells, B19 2ET. Saturday 26 June, 9:30am-3:30pm
For the latest information and for details of additional mobile vaccination sites please visit: https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/walk-in/
Royal Sutton Coldfield updates
Today I visited a number of local businesses in Boldmere ahead of Independents’ Day 2021 which will take place next weekend https://www.independentsdayuk.org/ As part of this national campaign I want to draw attention to the advantages of shopping locally and Boldmere is a prime example of a thriving local economy conquering the inevitable severe difficulties of the last 18 months.
I also spoke to Anna Mavroulakis from Skyfare Travel Ltd about the ongoing difficulties and challenges affecting the travel industry. As one of the Royal Town’s much respected travel agents (they have been here for the last 36 years) they too have had a torrid time, I will continue to press the Government to make it easier to go on holiday especially for those that have had both their jabs. Thank you to all those that have contacted me on behalf of the travel industry, it is an important sector within Sutton Coldfield’s economy supporting many local jobs.
In the afternoon I visited Bishop Walsh school and had a catchup with Mrs Brodie who was appointed Head Teacher at the start of this academic year. This great school in Sutton which is heavily oversubscribed has worked its way through innumerable challenges over the last year.
This week the Royal Town Council’s Conservative Group outlined plans to subsidise car parking in our Town Centre, in order to support our Town Centre retailers and hospitality venues after an incredibly hard 18 months. The Town Council wanted to subsidise car parking, via their own funding, for visitors. I am disappointed and surprised that Birmingham City Council has blocked a scheme that would not have cost them a penny, by refusing the Town Council access to the Car Parks they own. The Conservative Group’s petition can be found here: https://www.suttoncoldfieldconservatives.com/campaigns/sign-our-petition-subsidise-car-parking-our-town-centre
Congratulations to Sue Bailey MBE who has been awarded the prestigious Pearson Silver Award. Sue is Safeguarding Lead for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and previously Assistant Head at Arthur Terry School. https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/birmingham/sutton-coldfield/2021/06/23/national-accolade-for-sutton-coldfield-teacher-sue/. Wednesday was “Thank a Teacher Day”, a good opportunity to thank all our local teachers who have done so much to support their pupils during the pandemic.
The Education Secretary has announced almost £483 million of support for schools from the Condition Improvement Fund. In Sutton Coldfield Fairfax, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and the Bridge School will all receive funds.
The Birmingham and Solihull Shared Care Record (previously called the Health Information Exchange) will soon let health and social care professionals see relevant information about the care and treatment you’ve had across all services. Having a more joined-up view of your information will help them give you the best care as quickly as possible without having to make phone calls or wait for other organisations to forward details. https://www.livehealthylivehappy.org.uk/birmingham-and-solihull-shared-care-record/
The Covid Local Support Grant (previously known as the Covid Winter Grant Scheme) has enabled Local Authorities to support families across the country who are struggling with the cost of food and utility bills as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The scheme has provided over £269m so far. The Government has announced that the Covid Local Support Grant arrangements will be extended for a final time and Birmingham City Council will receive a further £4,883,704 to cover the period up to 30th September.
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce second quarterly business report of 2021 suggests that the majority of businesses across the region are now on the road to recovery after the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2021/6/21/positivity-coursing-through-the-veins-of-region-s-businesses-chamber-report/
Westminster news and Parliamentary business
This week I asked both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House of Commons to give MPs a meaningful vote on the cut on our international development budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1dcjrq62DwcP5ztQMoLWg/videos I also held a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on War Crimes which is looking into matters relating to the presence of alleged Rwandan war criminals in the U.K, and I had a useful chat with the Mines Advisory Group.
Yesterday the Environment Secretary outlined plans to boost our biodiversity, protect our peatlands and create new woodlands. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-secretary-to-set-out-plans-to-restore-nature-and-build-back-greener-from-the-pandemic
New flexible season tickets are now on sale (which can be used from Monday) helping rail passengers save hundreds of pounds by giving them greater freedom and choice. Flexible season tickets allow passengers to travel on any 8 days in a 28-day period. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/flexible-season-tickets-on-sale-saving-hundreds-of-pounds-for-rail-passengers
The Prime Minister has announced plans to create a National Science and Technology Council supported by a new Office of Science and Technology Strategy – which will work across government to strengthen our understanding of how we can develop the technology we need on a wide range of issues including our net zero target and improved cancer treatment and healthcare.
Opportunities and Events
Local Suttonian Andrea Noone will be cycling 980 Miles across Britain in September in aid of PAPYRUS, the national Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide. To find out more about her challenge and to support her efforts please see her JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrea-noone?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=andrea-noone&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=1847b96cb6d5445e825ceb18038cc76d
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, a chance to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from our currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.
The National Grid’s new competition “Voices for a Green Future” is an opportunity for school pupils to have their voices heard by world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow. Pupils have until 17th August to answer the following question: “If you were in charge of the country, what would you do to help look after the planet?” via a 200-word submission. Ten entrants will then be shortlisted and filmed presenting their 200-word submission. Two primary school and two secondary school winners will have their speeches delivered digitally at COP26. They will also win £150 worth of National Book Tokens and STEM-related science toys, as well as a £5,000 grant for their school, to use towards STEM or climate change related educational resources, equipment or experiences. The six runners-up will also receive a £50 National Book Token for taking part. https://www.nationalgrid.com/cop26/voices-for-a-green-future
The West Midlands Combined Authority and its partners are hosting a free webinar for SMEs about the advice and grants that are available from the Government to help their businesses recover, or to recruit or upskill their staff. The Skills Recovery Webinar will take place on Wednesday 30 June from 10-11.30am. Click here to book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/156235451441
Applications are now open for Future Leaders Connect – the British Council global network of emerging policy leaders. If you are aged 25 - 35, have a policy idea and the potential to be a senior leader, apply now: https://jobs.guidantglobal.com/british-council-future-leaders-connect
Up to £3.5 billion of benefits aimed at older people on low incomes go unclaimed every year. Recent ‘take-up’ figures show that over a million pensioner households are missing out on Pension Credit- which amounts to around 2 in 5 of those who are entitled to receive it. Please share with anyone who might be eligible: https://bit.ly/3emhSzm
A new online platform has launched to highlight the wide range of apprenticeships available across health and care in the region and neighbouring areas https://www.healthierfutures.co.uk/apprenticeships
Citizens Advice is running a 2021 Scams Awareness campaign. Scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people. More than 71% of people in the West Midlands have been targeted by a scam since the start of the year. For tips on being #ScamAware visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scamsadvice/. On the same theme, last month eight people were arrested under suspicion of carrying out scams targeting Royal Mail customers. Royal Mail only sends email and text notifications when the customer has requested tracking or it is part of their shipping arrangement. Royal Mail will only ask the recipient to make a payment by email or text when a customs charge is due. In such cases, the recipient will also receive a “Fee to pay” card through the door. Customers can report scams by emailing reportascam@royalmail.com
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