Andrew Mitchell MP spoke at the packed Annual General Meeting of the Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association and reported on his wide ranging work on behalf of his constituents in Sutton Coldfield and Westminster over the past year. Speaking at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Andrew Mitchell reflected on the improved economic prospects in Sutton Coldfield which are the best they have been for five years. Employment figures are more encouraging with signs that the labour market is stabilising. Mr Mitchell also outlined the Government’s three priorities for this year: growth, aspiration and modernising public services. He assured Members that the Government is committed to working to help more people secure employment and get on in life in a Britain that has the best modern public services. Mr Mitchell praised the long record of public service of retiring Councillor Dennis Birbeck who has served on Councils in Sutton and the wider area for more than 45 years. He also paid tribute to the contribution of Councillor Peter Howard who is retiring this year. Andrew Mitchell went on to applaud Sutton’s Conservative Councillors who have been working tirelessly on local issues of importance for the town. Recent months have seen some encouraging news for Sutton Coldfield. There has been good progress in Boldmere and Mere Green and very promising signs for Sutton Town Centre. In January Sutton town centre became a Business Improvement District and Sutton Coldfield was listed 8th in the top 20 places to live and bring up children in the whole of the UK. During the meeting Hon. Alderman David Roy OBE was elected President of the Conservative Association, Councillor Margaret Waddington JP as Chairman, Mr Meirion Jenkins as Honorary Treasurer, Councillor James Bird as Deputy Chairman Membership, Mr David O’Hagan as Deputy Chairman Campaigning and Miss Grace Cross as Chair of the Women’s Constituency Committee. Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP with Sutton Coldfield’s Councillors and Malcolm Harbour MEP.