Royal Mail deliveries
I went into bat with the Royal Mail on behalf of constituents and wrote to the head office to seek clarification on why some of my constituents were getting their mail so late - I received the below letter.
I am hopeful that these issues are now being straightened out and that these new changes will soon embed with the local Delivery Office so that we can return to a quicker service.
Fly-tipping local grants from Government
The Government’s crackdown on fly-tipping continues with new grants awarded to local councils to trial innovative approaches to tackling fly-tipping. DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have written to me about the £45,000 grant to be awarded to Birmingham City Council which is news I very much welcome.
Fly tipping is a nuisance which blights the Royal Town just like anywhere else, and I look forward to seeing what innovative methods the local community will come up with to use this funding and keep Sutton Coldfield looking its best.
Four Oaks Baptist Church Coronation Community Garden
The National Lottery shared with me the brilliant news that Four Oaks Baptist Church has been awarded £6,000 funding for the Coronation Community Garden with a Coronation Day launch celebration.
The funding will be used to create a community garden and host a celebration for the King’s Coronation. The project aims to create an outdoor space for people to access to reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness.
With less than a month to go until His Majesty the King’s Coronation, over £3 million of National Lottery funding has been awarded to communities across the UK so they can come together in celebration, and its wonderful to learn that Four Oaks Baptist Church is being awarded some of this for their Community Garden project.
Parkinsons Fair
As Patron of the Sutton Coldfield Branch of Parkinson’s UK, I am looking forward very much to being at the Parkinsons Fair tomorrow at the Methodist Church Hall to mark World Parkinsons Day. There will be fun for the whole family and the chance to win some prizes, all for a very important cause.
See below: Here is a picture of me with the team at Sutton Coldfield Parkinson’s UK at their Christmas Fair a few years ago.
Mere Green Litter Picking session tomorrow!
Tomorrow morning, I will be launching our brilliant litter pickers, Active Citizens, who will be doing their next litter pick at Mere Green on Saturday 15th April, meeting at Mere Green Community Centre at 10am.
All equipment will be supplied, and all are welcome to join!
Thank you so much to my public spirited constituents for this.
State Pension Increase
Many of my constituents wrote to me about the importance of protecting the State Pension Triple Lock, so the rise in the State Pension by 10.1% this week has been some very welcome news. This is the biggest cash increase in the State Pension ever.
21,000 Pensioners in the Royal Town will benefit from the Triple Lock, helping with the cost of living and ensuring they have the security they deserve. We must ensure that everyone has security and dignity in their retirement.
Visiting the UN in New York, and the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC
As part of my ministerial duties, I was in New York at the UN Head quarters to set out how the UK’s development offer can support the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.
I met with UN partners and listened to developing countries’ concerns.
These discussions were continued at the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings in Washington DC.
Against the backdrop of crises in development and climate change, one thing is clear- we must reform our international financial system.
https://twitter.com/AndrewmitchMP/status/1646632572502302722
Sutton Park Grange, Scam Awareness event
Sutton Park Grange Care Home have sent me information on a Scam awareness event they are holding on 18th April at 11:30am.
Join PCSO Ian Fletcher from West Midlands Police and find out how to protect yourself from scams & fraudsters including information about telephone, internet and email safety, password dos and don’ts and how to deal with bogus callers.
This event has limited places so please call Karen on 0121 269 1235 or get in touch via the Contact Form(https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/ME_ZCxnKDC1ZB1VYCxPwvk?domain=cinnamoncc.us7.list-manage.com) for more information or to arrange your visit.
M42 Closures Near Coventry
A series of closures are planned on the M42 near Coventry to enable upgrades, HS2 work and the installation of a new motorway bridge.
Please see the article below for more details:
MHRC Locations:
Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 17th April 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre:
Wed 19/04/2023, Le More B74 2XY, 07:00 -12:45, Sutton Four Oaks
Thu 20/04/2023, Hill Village Road B75 5HX, 07:00 - 12:45, Sutton Mere Green
Fri 21/04/2023, St. Chads Road B75 7QR, 07:00 - 12:45, Sutton Reddicap
Please note the extended operating times which are being trialled through April.
