Royal Town Cinema Update
I have been chasing up progress on our Town’s cinema this week. The slight delay has been caused by failure to sign the Section 106 deal which releases the money which then unlocks the renovation. However, the good news is that I understand the deal is being signed this week, which will hopefully keep the cinema on track for its grand reopening by the spring.
Easter Railway Refresh in the Royal Town…
From Friday 7 April until Tuesday 11 April, the railway bridge on the Sutton Park line - where it passes over the Cross City line in Sutton Coldfield town centre – will be replaced. This is being done to ensure that both lines remain safe for residents, passengers and freight trains using the railway through Sutton Coldfield for many years to come.
The main work compound will be located in the Sutton College car park to minimise traffic through the town centre while work takes place. There will also be smaller compounds set up at the Royal Mail Delivery Office off Station Approach, and at Sutton Coldfield station.
Engineers will start work on the main compound from early February and some preparatory work will take place ahead of the main bridge replacement.
So that work can take place safely, the railway between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley will be closed from Friday 7 April until the early morning of Tuesday 11 April and a rail replacement bus service will be in operation.
A public information event will be held in March to inform residents of the work taking place and its impact. I will share details of that, and any other news, as and when I receive it.
National Discharge Fund
The government has made available a new £200m national discharge fund to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to reduce risk and increase patient safety for patients in hospital beds and those waiting to access them. This allocation for Birmingham and Solihull is £5,272. The fund is designed to increase capacity in post-discharge care and support improved flow through hospitals, patient safety, experience and outcomes.
In an oral statement to Parliament last Monday, the Secretary of State also announced an additional £50 million funding has also been provided for the creation of ‘modular units’ which trusts will be able to use for either short stay spaces for those who may require care after a visit to A&E, but do not require a stay on a ward; the creation of ‘discharge lounges’ for patients who no longer require a bed and are waiting to be discharged; or the creation of ambulance hubs so vehicles can hand over patients more quickly and get back out on the road.
Speaking in the House, the Health and Social Care Secretary said (in view of the interest locally, here is his statement in full):
“There’s no question it has been an extraordinarily difficult time for everyone in health and care. It is clear we need to do more right now in light of the level of Covid and flu rates and given hospital occupancy remains far too high and emergency departments too congested.
“Today’s announcement provides a further £250 million of funding which recognises that the spike in flu on top of Covid admissions, on top of high delayed discharge numbers from the pandemic, will provide immediate support to reduce hospital bed occupancy and decompress A&E pressure and in turn, unlocking much-needed ambulance handovers.
“This builds on the £500 million funding for discharge specifically at the Autumn Statement, which is ramping up, and the additional funding for next year.”
Asda’s Green Token Giving is Back!
Digital Green Token Giving has been launched in Sutton Coldfield. Supporting three new charities in the Royal Town, the Green Token Giving scheme is a key part of the Asda Foundation’s grant giving programme and donates £1.4 million to local charities and good causes each year.
Constituents can go online to https://www.asda.com/green-tokens to place their vote and support one of the three following local causes:
- You’re Cherished CIC - supporting the wellbeing of young girls in our community with projects that can help with their emotions. https://www.cherisheduk.org/
- Pheasey Book Borrowers Knit and Natter - the donation will help with funding for wool and other materials.https://www.facebook.com/people/Pheasey-Book-Borrowers
- Shining Bright Futures CIC - supporting the needs of local communities and providing the necessary tools for people to unlock their full potential. http://www.shiningbrightfutures.org/
To vote, residents will need to select their local store from the drop-down list at the top of the page and will be able to see the three good causes that they can choose from, along with some more information about each to demonstrate the work they do.
The cause with the most online votes will receive a £500 donation with second place receiving £400 and third place £300. The online voting is open until 30th April.
National Lottery in Sutton Coldfield: from Good Causes to the King’s Coronation
Thanks to the National Lottery Fund, Sutton Coldfield has been awarded £277,472.00 to support local community projects. Congratulations to all local beneficiaries whose work makes a positive difference to people’s lives!
Later this year, the National Lottery will be making more funding available for local community groups which are planning events and activities that celebrate and commemorate the King’s Coronation. Groups based in Sutton Coldfield are encouraged to apply onlineby 11 February:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england
Ministerial Round-Up
This week I responded in two debates in the House of Commons on Afghanistan. The first debate was an Urgent Question in the wake of the Taliban’s abhorrent decision to ban Afghan women from working for non- governmental organisations. This adds to a series of restrictions on women, effectively aiming to erase women from society, and represents a further violation of their rights and freedoms.
Members across the House united to condemn the Taliban’s treatment of women, which the Rt Hon Hillary Benn MP accurately described as ‘medieval misogyny’. The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
The second debate was about the resettlement of Afghans in the UK following the withdrawal from Kabul last year: The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)
Retained EU Laws
I have received many emails from constituents about the retained EU Law Bill currently going through Parliament. I thought it would be helpful to set out my position and the reasons that I have voted in favour of it.
In January 2022, the government announced plans to bring forward a Bill to create a more innovative regulatory regime that would not have been possible were the UK still a member of the European Union. The Bill will abolish this special status and will enable the government, via Parliament to amend more easily, repeal and replace retained EU Law. The Bill will also include a sunset date by which all remaining retained EU Law will either be repealed or assimilated into UK domestic law.
I have been assured that Government is committed to maintaining and enhancing workers’ rights following the UK’s departure from the EU. The Working Time Directive has been transposed into UK law through the Working Time Regulations 1998, and under the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 these and other Regulations have been retained.
The regulations provide that, subject to certain exceptions where the nature of the work makes it impractical, employees cannot work more than 48 hours a week averaged, normally, over a period of 17 weeks. It is possible for employees to opt out of this provision voluntarily and in writing, either indefinitely or for a specified period. Employers can request that an employee opts out but cannot terminate their employment or treat them unfairly if they decline.
Ultimately, the UK has one of the best records on workers’ rights, going further than the EU in many areas, and I am determined to build on this progress. By further protecting workers, supporting business to comply with the law, and preventing them from being undercut by a minority of irresponsible employers, the UK can continue to have a high-wage, high-employment economy that works for everyone as we build back better from the pandemic.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 has led to the UK having one of the best records on health and safety in the world, and I am confident that this record will continue. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains focused on ensuring that regulatory frameworks maintain the UK's high standards of health and safety protection and continue to reduce burdens for business.
This Bill will benefit people and businesses across the UK. I am assured by my ministerial colleagues that the Bill will not weaken environmental protections. Indeed, in 2021 the government passed a new Environment Act which sets in law a series of environmental targets, enforced by a new Office for Environmental Protection. This landmark Act will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats, increase biodiversity, reduce waste and make better use of our resources.
Defibrillator Rollout
Today the government began the largest ever defibrillator rollout programme in England, to ensure every school has a device by the end of this academic year, providing pupils and staff with access to lifesaving first-aid equipment.
The new devices will save lives and give pupils, parents, and teachers peace of mind, while providing the tools schools’ need to keep pupils safe.
Sad news for the Mitchell family
Our beloved springer spaniel, Scarlet, has been put to sleep and crossed the rainbow bridge. She was much loved and will remain in our hearts, always.
Useful Information
Forthcoming MHRC locations:
- Tue 31/01/2023 Welshmans Hill B73 6RZ 0700 – 1200 Sutton Vesey
- Wed 01/02/2023 Signal Hayes Road B76 2RF 0700 – 1200 Sutton Walmley & Minworth
Jobs Fair at Birmingham Airport, Wednesday, 25 January:
- Careers fair page: Let your career take flight - Birmingham Airport Website