I arrived back from government business in Africa - straight to the Royal Town for a Friday advice session.
I am looking forward very much to our Civic Service on Sunday (reminder, it starts at 10am at Holy Trinity) all are welcome.
Empire Cinema
My constituents are very often writing to me for an update on when our Royal Town’s cinema will back open.
I want to reassure you that I am, like everyone else, keen to see this happen and excited to have our cinema revamped and open to the public.
Though progress can move arduously slow, and we all cannot wait for the cinema to get back open again, we are making vital but important progress to that final step.
I am due to go on a hard hat visit to the site in the next couple of weeks with the CEO of Empire Cinemas, Justin Ribbons, who I am working very closely with.
Progress on the Cottage Hospital
This week I thought it was time to chase up the progress on the brilliant news of the £5 million investment in our cottage hospital. I have written endlessly about our great plans for care here - particularly of older folk but does it takes so long to secure results and get anything done.
However, as you can see from the letter below from Richard Kirby, we are making reasonable progress and I am grateful to everyone who is working hard on this important project for our future and for the future of our Royal Town.
Birmingham City Council's Sustainability & Transport Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Yesterday, the Birmingham City Council's Sustainability & Transport Overview & Scrutiny Committee called-in the decision to extend the City's contractual agreement with Tyseley Incinerator for waste disposal, the meeting having been triggered by the ever-diligent Cllr Ewan Mackey of Sutton’s Roughley ward imparting a sense of urgency and importance to the matter at hand.
In the midst of the recent upheaval over the question of Leadership, which has thrown the Labour group into disarray, it is reassuring to see Sutton Councillors such as Cllr Mackey providing much-needed guidance and leadership on pivotal issues.
When I spoke to Cllr Mackey this morning, who holds the position of deputy leader within Birmingham Local Conservatives, he expressed his concern that the decision to extend the tenure of the Tyseley Incinerator had primarily catered to the council's self-serving interests. Quite rightly, he contends that this approach is entirely contrary to the core essence of our role as public servants.
I am confident that our Sutton Conservative Councillors, will continue to hold the City Council to account, & stand up for the best interests of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.
Sutton Coldfield’s falling unemployment claimant count
Over the past year the claimant count for Sutton Coldfield has fallen by 125, which is some very welcome news.
I know that the staff at the Job Centre on the High Street worked hard to help people in to work, and they continue to help the people of Sutton Coldfield from the branch in Erdington only 1 mile away, easily reachable by bus from Sutton Coldfield High Street.
Highclare Sixth form
I mentioned last week that I had visited Highclare Sixth form where I spoke with students about a number of local, national and international topics.
I also had a separate meeting to discuss sustainable transport with Isobel, who is thinking very constructively about this interesting and complex subject:
Civic Sunday - This Sunday
I am very much looking forward to the Civic Service this Sunday 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:
Funding for the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) services in the West Midlands
I received the below letter from Tom Pursglove MP, the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, and Helen Whately MP, the Minister of State for Social Care regarding funding for the delivery of Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) services in the West Midlands.
The government released 12 grants funding the delivery of IPSPC services which will cover 41 local authorities in total across England. I am very pleased to learn that the West Midlands were successful in its bid and have been offered a share of this funding enabling them to support around 3,400 people by March 2025, which will provide an excellent opportunity to improve employment and health outcomes in our area.
I have just arrived back from various governmental visits in Africa.
My first stop was to Zambia. I met with the Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema and the finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane. We discussed debt restructuring and increased investment and explored opportunities for UK-Zambian business and trade, including here in the West Midlands.
My next stop was to neighbouring Mozambique.
Mozambique has some of the highest rates of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV in the world.
Through the Global Fund, the UK is supporting Mozambique to fight these deadly diseases. The picture below is of me in Maputo where I joined in a spraying programme which saves lives and prevents malaria.
The UK, Mozambique and the Global Fund are building health systems to fight Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV.
Together with Peter Sands, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, I saw for myself the work being done on the ground and in part financed by British taxpayers’ money. I was particularly keen to ensure our taxpayers are getting value for money and I can confirm that we are.
I then met with President Nyusi of Mozambique, to discuss how, as members of the UN Security Council, the UK and Mozambique are united in efforts to promote peace and stability across Southern Africa and the wider continent.
My last stop was to South Africa to discuss how the UK and South Africa are working together to deliver inclusive economic growth for both our countries and support South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy with the Justice Energy Transition Partnership.
Further information
External Funding Update from NDSU
Please see below deadlines for NDSU External Funding– May 2023.
Upcoming deadlines:
· Monday 29th May 2023 - Birmingham Cost-of-Living Information Advice Guidance Fund (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9BO0C5QN5hZOnWxAhzqqVm?domain=heartofenglandcf.co.uk) . Grants of up to £50,000 are available for Voluntary and Community-based organisations in Birmingham providing support for income maximisation, welfare rights and other related advice and guidance.
· Noon on Tuesday 30th May 2023 - WMPCC Helping Communities Fund (https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/helping-communities-fund/#:~:text=Since%20October%202021%20the%20Commissioner,Tuesday%2C%20May%209th%2C%202023) . The Helping Communities Fund (HCF) has been relaunched with a further £180,000 on offer to help make communities in the West Midlands safer.
· Wednesday 31st May 2023 - Be Bold Crowdfunding (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/XYODC6XO5Crx3G1XT6u5pp?domain=spacehive.com) . Build a crowdfunding campaign and pitch for up to £15,000* from Birmingham City Council towards your community project. *Check the Spacehive website for a list of wards that have funding available.
· 5:00pm on Thursday 1 June 2023 - Cultural Connections Commissioning(https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50050/culture_arts_and_heritage/1046/apply_for_arts_funding/3) . Constituted groups and arts organisations can apply for up to £5,000 for feasibility funding to develop and refine a proposal to support cultural connections (anticipated total project cost of between £20,000 to £30,000).
New NDSU webpage for funding and capacity building support for community groups and organisations in Birmingham:
The NDSU Team have a new webpage on the BCC website which includes information about current funding opportunities and resources to help community groups and organisations in Birmingham access funding and capacity building support:
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
Lastly - I am delighted to report that I have become a grandfather!
As your MP I am here to help. If you feel I can assist with any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing me on andrew.mitchell.mp@parliament.uk