Catching Up with the Chief Executive of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council
I held one of my regular meetings with RSTC’s Chief Executive, Olive O’Sullivan, to discuss local issues of mutual concern and in particular the progress on key projects.
We focused on the regeneration of the town centre ahead of my upcoming meeting with Andy Street (see below) and the status of our park ahead of my next meeting with the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council. I strongly support our Town Council’s view that we need a Trust which will comprise the Royal Town Council, BCC and a major national body which has investment and expertise in what is a very important local amenity within our Royal Town
Town Centre Regeneration
I’m very much looking forward to seeing Andy Street on 10th February where we will be discussing the £25 million that is to be spent in the Royal Town. This money will open doors for the most ambitious project our Town has ever seen, namely the regeneration and renovation of our town centre which is currently unfit for purpose.
Thanks to the work of the Royal Town Council and many others, this scheme is taking shape. Our regional mayor, Andy Street, together with Leader of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Simon Ward, and myself have wrested the money from London to our region and now await nailing down the final details.
Holland House Infant School and Nursery achieves Academy Status
I am pleased the government has approved funding to allow Holland House Infant School and Nursery to become an academy. The date of conversion will be 1 February 2023.
Academies form an integral part of the government’s education policy to raise attainment for all children and to bring about sustained improvements to all schools.
I wish Holland House the best of luck as it enters this positive new phase.
Parking Charges in Royal Town Parks Scrapped
I am pleased that plans to bring in parking charges in Sutton Coldfield sites have been scrapped. Birmingham City Council confirmed it would not go ahead with car park charges at Sutton Park and Rectory Park, among other places in Birmingham.
This is a welcome move as the proposal to introduce charges was unworkable. I commend the work of Royal Town Councillors Richard Parkin, David Pears and Simon Ward and others in highlighting the various problems that would have arisen if these plans went ahead, particularly in restricting access for people who rely on accessibility to these public spaces.
I support their calls for a more effective funding model which would involve the transfer of parks to the jurisdiction of the Royal Town Council as well as BCC, and then place them in a Trust that would work to deliver the upgrades the parks need. Local bodies are best placed to deliver local solutions.
Let’s End Cervical Cancer in the UK
This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd-29th January), and I am supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust as they call for action to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK. I knew Jo, who died of this terrible disease, and her family well.
Cervical cancer currently kills two women in the UK every day and the charity is calling for action, innovation, and awareness to help end cervical cancer.
Cervical screening and HPV vaccines can both help prevent cervical cancer, and I would encourage everyone who can to make use of these amazing cancer prevention tools.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust recognises that attending a screening isn’t always easy, but they are there for you with information and support if you ever need them.
Cancer Services to Stay Put
I was delighted to hear that our local cancer support centre has negotiated a new lease with St Giles for 12 months to remain on Lindridge Road. This is vey good news for local service users.
Todays speech by the Chancellor
Today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out his plan to boost productivity and grow the economy.
The government has steadied the ship and is on the right path to reducing inflation. Now it is time to start looking to the future.
Setting out the government’s plans, the Chancellor focused on key industries such as digital technology and advanced manufacturing while using Brexit freedoms to our advantage - including reforms to EU insurance regulation to unlock £100 billion of investment.
This is part of the commitment to deliver on the priorities of halving inflation, growing the economy and creating better paid jobs for people across the country.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember the millions of people - primarily Jews but also many Catholics, gay and Roma victims - who were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust. It is a moment also to reflect on genocides that have continued to disfigure our world, such as in the Balkans and Rwanda, which show that humanity still has much to learn.
The government has announced plans to introduce legislation to pave the way for a new National Holocaust Memorial which will serve as a powerful reminder of the Holocaust to the whole of society.
For the sake of future generations, we must continue to educate people about the horrors of genocide, and preserve the testimonies of the brave survivors so that when we say ‘never again’, we truly mean it.
Ministerial Visit to Senegal
Earlier this week I spent time in Senegal. I held meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Foreign and Finance Ministers, to discuss our deepening partnership, shared security challenges and trade and investment opportunities.
I also took part in a panel discussion about food security, where I underscored the importance of coherence and coordination among Africa’s partners for building a resilient food system.
Food scarcity and starvation have increased in Africa, not least because of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Dad’s Army
After a busy week which included a cabinet ‘away day’ in Chequers, I finally got back to Sutton Coldfield late last night.
Ahead of my advice surgery this afternoon I wanted to express my gratitude to the Townhouse – one of the Royal Town’s great hotels – for letting us use the Assembly hall to meet constituents. The hall was in fact the ‘Drill Hall’ for the Home Guard during WW2.
Many will remember the TV show Dad’s Army, led by Captain Mainwaring and played by Arthur Lowe who lived in the Royal Town towards the end of his life.
And incidentally Private Pike (the sole surviving member of the cast) was born in Northfield!
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
Avanti West Coast Update: “Due to unseasonably high staff shortages, we are unfortunately expecting a large number of cancellations on Saturday 28th January. Trains are likely to be extremely busy, and passengers should check their journey online before coming to the station.”
Industrial action: Passengers travelling with West Midlands Railway (WMR) and Avanti West Coast are being warned not to travel on Wednesday 1 February and Friday 3 February due to industrial action.
Royal Sutton Coldfield’s Orchestra: Young Soloist Concert, 4 March