Update on our cinema

I can report this week that the wheels are starting to turn on our cinema.

It is currently in the hands of the receiver, BDO, who have today advertised our cinema for sale, with CBRE, the well-known property group, marketing the cinema. 

I have spoken to the receiver to make clear the considerable interest of the local community and asked to be kept closely informed.

In addition, I have spoken to Mockingbird Cinema, who have experience of running and owning niche cinemas and they will be communicating with the receiver, too.

Similarly, McCarthy and Stone have an interest in a good out turn on this for the cinema-going community and I am in touch with them also - as well as our very good and strong local cinema support group, FoCiS.

So, in summary the wheels are turning. While there is no reason for pessimism or optimism at this point, I will be doing everything I can to support what I know are our local heartfelt wishes - the return of a modern functioning and exciting local cinema.

Current asylum seeker accommodation in the Ramada Hotel

I have been in touch with my colleague, Robert Jenrick the minister for immigration, regarding the use of the Ramada Hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers.

I am concerned that this location is not appropriate for reasons I set out in the past.

I have made clear my concerns about the increased number of asylum seekers being located at the Ramada and reemphasised how I believe the location is unsuitable. 

The minister has told me that the Home Office are expecting to begin closing asylum hotels at scale in the autumn, as more appropriate large sites come on board like disused army bases.

The minister also informed me that the backlog of asylum cases is falling sharply, so this facility should only continue to be used in this way for a short period. 

Most specifically, I was assured that the Ramada Hotel would be amongst the first to be closed for the reasons I have argued, which is very good news.

Concerns about Birmingham City Council

I have received further correspondence from constituents about Birmingham City Council this week.

In these past few months as we get closer to the start of the new school year, I have received numerous emails from parents across the Royal Town with concerns regarding the unsuitability of the schools their children have been offered, how they are miles away and are unable to take them that far.

A constituent shared this article with me: Labour-run Birmingham City Council is under fire after £11M probe over eye-watering payments made to taxi firm charging more than £200 a day to take a child three miles to school and back | Daily Mail Online

In the first instance, the Council must do better in providing suitable school placements each year, taking into consideration locality and transport. 

Our Royal Town Hall

Christmas is coming! Oh no it isn’t…

…Oh yes it is! While many of us are taking a well-earned break with family and friends, the Town Hall Venue team is busy planning and preparing for a diverse Autumn programme of entertainment. The events will climax with Jack and the Beanstalk throughout December. 

The Town Hall Venue has formed a new co-production partnership with Talegate Productions. Ticket sales were launched a few weeks ago and are already selling. So don’t miss out! Book your tickets soon! Councillor Tony Briggs, Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield has already got his ticket when he met the cast recently! https://www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com/pantomime-2023/ 

The Town Hall is also holding its annual Heritage Open Day on Saturday 9 September along with several other local heritage attractions. Members of the public are welcome to look around our much loved local landmark. You will get a rare glimpse behind the curtain as well as experience a short tour highlighting historical features and insights.

Please book your place online or call our Box Office on 0121 296 9543 for an Afternoon Tea Picnic Box in our beautiful Edwardian Crush Hall. 

The Town Hall Venue will be launching a new fortnightly Community Cinema. Watch this space!

The Town Hall always welcomes new volunteers to help backstage, front of house – and anything in between. If you are interested, either come to our Open Day or contact the manager, Liz Carnell on Liz.carnell@suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com

Niger

At the Foreign Office, we have been working hard to support British Nationals to leave Niger, which has seen a rise in violence in recent weeks.

We have issued advice against all travel to Niger and are working with France and Spain to ensure the safety of British nationals, while the UK’s ambassador and a core team remain in the country.

I spoke with the President of Niger on Monday (incarcerated in the basement of his presidential headquarters) as well as the African Union, supporting the need for a return to the legitimate democratic rule.

Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023

We are thrilled to launch the Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023 this weekend! 

Our speaker this year is the infamous, lively and passionate Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, my cabinet colleague and Minister of State for Veterans Affairs, who will be sure to provide us all with a phenomenally entertaining talk. 

Please do join us at 7pm on Friday 3rd November 2023 at Moor Hall Hotel for a wonderful three course dinner and a fantastic evening with local Conservative friends, supporters and neighbours. 

Tickets are £50 each, and tables of 10 can be purchased for £500. 

We have already pre-sold a number of tables, so please reserve your place quickly to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing ckhorrocks@yahoo.co.uk

Above: Last year our guest of honour was former prime minister Theresa May, seen here with senior royal town Tories, your Member of Parliament, and your brilliant regional mayor Andy Street. The former Prime Minister spoke to a full house in what was a very successful and enjoyable event.

Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield

I have received the below from Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network (SCHN):

‘Dear friends

I am delighted to send links to both the programme for Birmingham Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield and to an exciting photo competition running alongside it.

The programme has been co-ordinated by Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network (SCHN), a loose association of individuals and local societies with history or heritage interests.

SCHN has now adopted a constitution and is setting up a community group business account with Lloyds Bank.  We also have Facebook and Twitter accounts.

While this formalises the Network to a certain degree it changes nothing about the membership, which remains a non-subscription body.

As in 2022 SCHN has received a generous grant from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SCCT) to support some of the events between 8th and 17th September 2023, for which we are extremely grateful.

Information about the programme for this year's Birmingham Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield  is live on the main Birmingham site and the following link goes directly to the SCHN Eventbrite page for the Sutton Coldfield programme:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sutton-coldfield-heritage-network-50629663033

A brochure will shortly be printed for venues too.

We are also launching  a photo competition (link here: https://sites.google.com/view/schn-photo-comp/home)

We do hope you might consider participating yourselves and sending this information to your   your friends and contacts to encourage them also to take part in the competition and sign up for the events.  While some have quite limited capacity and are booking up fast, the big open days will have room for many visitors.’

#MYTOWNHALL

Your Town Hall requires donations to protect our heritage building for future use.

We are launching an APPEAL FOR £200k in order to continue to support Your Town Hall and protect it for the future community use, value and enjoyment. 

In this present situation of rising material prices, heating bills and social costs, why should YOU consider supporting your town hall? Because it is a precious historical building, an asset to the area, and the Trust needs support to keep it functioning. 

How to Support:

We are asking you to be as generous as you can, to enable the Town Hall to meet its present commitments. We are relying on your support. Every little helps ! 

Thank you! 

From all of the team at Sutton Coldfield Community Town Hall Trust and the trustees.

Donate with PayPal Giving Fund

You can read and subscribe to the Town Hall’s newsletter here: The Town Hall Presents: Summer is Here! (mailchi.mp)

Four Oaks Tennis Club, Warwickshire County Champs - Juniors, O-35s & Open

Our brilliant tennis club here in Four Oaks is hosting the Warwickshire County Championships for Juniors and Adults.

The Juniors and Over 35s events will be held locally at the Club on Highbridge Road and the 'Open' events at Leamington.

The deadline for entry is 6th August, which is next week, so don’t leave it too long!

See below posters for more details if you would like to enter:

UK Parliament Week

This year UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is taking place from 6-12 November.

Sign up for your free kit and explore @UKParliament and how to get involved on the issues that matter to you. 

UKPW is a great way to find out about UK Parliament and get a better understanding of the crucial work Parliament does.

#UKPW ukparliamentweek.org  

MHRC Locations

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 17th July 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre.

·       Mon 07/08/2023, Plants Brook Road B76 1EX, 07:00 - 12:30, Sutton Walmley & Minworth

·       Wed 09/08/2023, Woodleigh Road B72 1ER, 07:00 - 12:30, Sutton Wylde Green