Death of former Lord Mayor, Honorary Alderman Jim Whorwood
I was sorry to learn this week of the death of Honorary Alderman Jim Whorwood, a former Liberal Democrat member of the Sutton Coldfield borough council for nearly 10 years until it was abolished in 1974, and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham when I became your MP in 2001. We always got on well inspite of our political differences though my hopes of winning his support for the Conservative Party were laughed off in a very good-natured sort of way!
I send his family my condolences and good wishes on behalf of our Royal Town which I know he served with great affection.
The King’s Coronation
It was an honour of a lifetime to attend the coronation of the King in Westminster Abbey last Saturday, representing Sutton Coldfield and helping to look after many of the king’s international guests who came to London to mark this remarkable occasion.
It was I know enjoyed across our country and indeed around the world – though I am sure nowhere more so than in our Royal Town.
Traveller disruption at Mitchells Shopping Centre
Up early this morning to visit the Mitchells (no relation), the brilliant bespoke and boutique shopping centre off Weeford road where anti-social behaviour and an unauthorised Traveller encampment have caused great upset to shopkeepers and customers alike.
Parliament has passed new laws to stop this outrageous behaviour, and what possible excuse can there be for leaving litter and rubbish strewn all over the area?
Yesterday, thanks to the energetic and diligent hard work of the local councillor Ewan Mackay and the police, the problem was resolved, but I resent my constituents have to put up with this.
Photo right: James Gannon, the part owner of the Bistro at the Mitchell Centre, had to close his restaurant
Meetings with Chief Superintendent and the new Chief Constable
Very much a day of driving forward objectives on local policing: - this morning I had a meeting at our local police Headquarters in Sutton Coldfield with Chief Superintendent Richard North, who looks after local policing across Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
We discussed a number of local issues noting that crime across the country has fallen sharply since 2010 and that challenges remain in terms of resource management and visibility. Residents want to see police officers around and about. This is one of my regular meetings on local policing supporting our local priorities.
I also had an excellent meeting with our New Chief Constable Craig Guildford whom I had the pleasure of welcoming to the Town this afternoon.
It was an opportunity to introduce him to our interests and concerns on policing and related matters.
Simon Ward, the Leader of the Town Council also joined our meeting, and we were both greatly encouraged to hear of the reforms and changes he is making. I was particularly pleased to hear the importance our new Chief Constable attaches to Local Policing- something which I know will resonate with my constituents.
Visit to Highclare School 6th form
It was great to visit Highclare School’s sixth form today.
We talked about a number of topics such as the King’s coronation, the pros and cons of social media and of Brexit and what a good job the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is doing.
I also had a separate meeting to discuss sustainable transport with Isobel, who is thinking very constructively about this interesting and complex subject.
Visit to the Peddimore Amazon Site
I paid my first official visit to the huge new Amazon warehouse at Peddimore. I have been watching closely as the infrastructure is being put in - roads etc - as well as the landscaping, in order to protect my constituents’ quality of life and try to preserve the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
I was accompanied by Cllr Ken Wood who along with our local town councillors and Cllr Barrie is diligently looking after the interests of local residents - particularly those in Minworth most directly affected by this and indeed in Walmley.
From the pictures below, you can see the sheer scale of it all: there are 600 people working on the site. The warehouse will stock 30 million items!
The construction sees 7,200 Solar panels producing 3.6 megawatts.
We always said we wanted to see high quality and highly skilled local employment created if this goes ahead, and that does indeed seem to be the case. Between 1300 and 2000 such jobs are being created with advertising and recruiting locally taking place. We are probably 3 years from opening but there will be high quality apprenticeships, ranging from 14 months to 4 years in duration.
This is the future and of course part of the reason for the decline in our Town centre. However, I thought the Amazon management were sensitive to local concerns (such as light pollution - for which they are putting in blinds), committed to local jobs and bringing in good neighbours.
Civic Sunday - 21st May
I am very much looking forward to the Civic Service next Saturday at 10am in Holy Trinity, the Royal Town’s Civic Church.
This is always immensely enjoyable as we celebrate many organisations and structures which make up the rich tapestry of our local community and life.
All are welcome and refreshments are served afterwards!
The civic service from a few years ago:
Investment in Schools in Sutton Coldfield
The government has provided schools in Royal Sutton Coldfield with £2,848,407 as part of the £2 billion investment this year and next year for primary schools and secondary schools in England.
Schools received their first payment on 10th May 2023 and will be able to choose how best to invest the extra funding, including to pay for teacher salary uplifts and teaching assistants.
This is some very welcome news – I am very proud of how brilliant the schools are in the Royal Town and this investment will allow them to continue supporting young people to reach their full potential.
Debate on Sri Lanka
I know Sri Lanka has been a holiday destination for some in the Royal Town, and last night I responded to an adjournment debate on British relations with Sri Lanka.
You can read the debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-05-11/debates/9DEA9232-4F5F-46F4-AB65-A48AB86FB157/EconomicAidToSriLanka
Or watch it here:
Education World Forum 2023
At this year’s Education World Forum I announced the UK’s new work in South East Asia to boost education opportunities for women and girls, launched new research and met world Education Ministers.
I am proud to champion every girl's right to 12 years of quality education, working in partnership to reach SDG 4 #RightsFreedomPotential
The Africa Debate
It was a pleasure to speak at the Africa Debate at the Guildhall yesterday to highlight the increasing opportunities for collaboration and growth between the UK and Africa.
Stronger UK-Africa trade and investment partnerships are critical to elevating living standards & boosting prosperity which creates jobs including in the East Midlands and in Sutton Coldfield.
Thanking those involved in the Syria-Turkey rescue effort
In February, a series of devastating earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey near the border with Syria. The UK International Search and Rescue Team joined the lifesaving response operation in the region and worked day and night to help people affected by this devastating earthquake.
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hosting a thank you party in Downing Street on behalf of the Prime Minister to thank many of those who were involved in this vital operation.
We continue to support the region’s long-term recovery effort.
Further information
Civic Sunday - 21st May
Residents are invited to attend the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield's Civic Service to be held at Holy Trinity (CE) Church, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1TF at 10.00am on Sunday 21st May 2023.
The annual service welcomes our civic guests and those who represent the many public and voluntary organisations within our town. The service has become an annual event and provides a visible reminder of the important roles so many people play in our local community in many different ways from which we all benefit.
The service is well attended and guests are encouraged to RSVP to enquiries@suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk by Friday 28th April.
Light refreshments will be served after the service.
Pension Credit and Cost of Living Payment
There are just seven days left to claim Pension Credit and qualify for the first £301 Cost of Living Payment of 2023.
Pension Credit provides a vital income for our most vulnerable pensioners - worth more than £3,500 per year on average.
You can check if you are eligible for Pension Credit by using the online Pension Credit Calculator - https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
Provided a claim is made before 19 May, it can be backdated for up to three months.
Further information on Pension Credit can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit/pension-credit-toolkit-advice-and-guidance-for-stakeholders#introduction, including instructions on how to apply.
Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists - Spring Exhibition 2023:
Message from the Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists:
We are delighted to announce that the Spring Exhibition of the Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists will take place in the Crush Hall, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall from 11:00am Sunday 7th May until 4:00pm Sunday 14th May.
Exhibition open 9:00am to 5:00pm
We would also like to extend a warm invitation to the Official Opening and Award Presentation, which is to be held on Sunday 7th May at 11.00am. if you are unable to attend the presentation, we hope that you will be able to visit the exhibition during the opening hours.
We look forward to welcoming you and we hope that you enjoy our exhibition!
From,
Rachel David
Chairman
Train strikes
A series of strike dates have been announced by ASLEF and RMT unions in May and June that will impact rail services across the network and across operators.
ASLEF, the drivers’ union, has announced strike action across 16 train companies, including Avanti West Coast, on 12 and 31 May, and 3 June.
For the latest travel information for any upcoming strikes, please see: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/strike
Midlands Rail Hub:
Midlands Connect are proposing improvements to the regional rail network that would better connect the rail network across the Midlands and further afield – from Cardiff to Coventry, and Birmingham to Bristol. Complete the short survey and help support the case for funding. https://midlandsconnect.consultationonline.co.uk/midlandsrailhub/