Safety in the Town Centre

I have been extremely concerned to hear from all our secondary heads in the Royal Town about attacks on our students in the town centre and more widely in the last day or so close to Plantsbrook. 

These attacks which appear to be launched by people coming into our town from elsewhere are completely unacceptable and I have immediately taken this up with both our local police and with the Chief Constable to ensure that an effective crackdown on this lawlessness takes place at once.

It is important to bear in mind that crime in our Town is amongst the lowest in the country but with horrific events like these taking place and the horror rightly reflected by parents, students and teachers, urgent action must be taken immediately.

I received the below letter from West Midlands Police:

‘West Midlands police is aware of this very concerning spate of offences that has occurred in Sutton. 

The Neighbourhood teams and Robbery investigation team are working closely to progress all of the investigations and supporting the young victims of these offences.  All lines of enquiry are being progressed including review of CCTV and contact with Gracechurch Shopping Centre and other educational establishments in the area to highlight the offences taking place and to seek support to try and identify any people who are suspected of being responsible.  

The Neighbourhood team has been using plain clothes tactics to try and identify the suspects and also High Visibility patrols to deter further offending and provide reassurance. The Violence Reduction partnership has been brought in to provide a Step Together route from Bishop Vesey School to both the train station and the bus stops which commenced on 20 September following two of the Bishop Vesey pupils being victims of robbery on the 19th September in the Parade.  We work closely with the Violence Reduction Partnership and Step Together routes are adapted to where they are required.

Both BTP and Safer Travel have been made aware of these offences and requested to support with officers on the nearby routes.

The Schools Intervention and Prevention officer has a good working relationship with all of the secondary schools in Sutton and concerns such as these ones can be raised directly with her. Crime prevention advice has previously been shared with all schools in relation to pupil safety and will be circulated again.

As Neighbourhood inspector for this area, I can also be contacted directly by the schools and will be providing an update at the next schools panels.’

Birmingham City Council

I have asked our senior BCC Royal Town councillor Ewan Mackey to update us and his report is below along with the Minister for local government, Michael Gove ‘s statement to the House of Commons from Tuesday this week:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-intention-to-intervene-at-birmingham-city-council

It is deeply discouraging to hear that the Labour leadership still appear to be caught like rabbits in the headlights this week and remain so unable to make a decision that another official warning from council officers had to be issued. 

There is now a statutory consultation over 5 days, ending next Tuesday night after which, the government will announce the action it will take. 

I would like to record here the views I have put to ministers:- 

That this is a Labour problem and should be resolved by the Labour leadership. Labour won a democratic election in Birmingham and to govern is to choose. It should rest with Labour to work out how to sort out this mess.

Secondly, I believe my constituents in the Royal Town deserve better: they deserve a proper solution to these problems from the labour city leadership as well as a proper look at the alternatives and the best form of local government to serve the needs of our local community. I have urged ministers to take nothing off the table as we look to decide the best structures for the future.

Below is the report from Councillor Ewan Mackey on the current state of play:

‘The crisis at bankrupt Birmingham City Council shows no sign of abating. Just days after the Secretary of State announced he was minded to send commissioners in to support the failing Labour Council, the statutory officers of the council have been forced to take the unprecedented and extraordinary step of issuing two further notices against the Council Leader for his failure to act. The Labour Administration has known about its own self-inflicted equal liability since 2017 but has taken no action to resolve it, with the bill now looking at costing more than £1bn. The Leader cancelled 3 meetings over the summer where a new job evaluation scheme, designed to stop the bill from increasing further, was due to be agreed and even now, despite severe warnings from the Auditors and Officers about the dire impact of delay on council services and assets, still refuses to make a decision that would put him in conflict with Unions of which he is a member. It is starting to feel like Labour is deliberately allowing the council to crash so that others have to take the blame for the decisions needed to fix it. This dereliction of duty will cost residents in Sutton Coldfield and across Birmingham dearly, and they cannot be allowed to get away with it.’

Visiting New Hall Hotel

Today I had the pleasure of visiting New Hall hotel, one of the beautiful jewels of Sutton Coldfield and formerly the family home of David Owen – a local benefactor and local treasure who has, for very many years been a mainstay of the New Hall Mill. It became a very fine hotel opened by my predecessor Lord Fowler as the plaque below attests!

My visit today was to meet the new management team and hear about their exciting plans for building the next phase in the life of this historic building, which include the restoration of the King Henry VIII archery lawn!

Speaking to Highclare School 

I enjoyed my visit to Highclare school today to speak to the school assembly where I selected an international, national and local issue to put before them. Respectively these were:- climate change and this week’s meetings of the world community to address it in New York; the government’s changes to our own climate regulations; the bankruptcy of Birmingham City Council.

I tried to answer some very clever and well-argued questions from students including “is Rishi doing a good job?”. My answer was an emphatic yes!

New Headteacher takes over Plantsbrook School

I am so pleased to welcome Kerensa to Plantsbrook and look forward very much to meeting on my next visit to the school.

The new Headteacher of Plantsbrook says she feels privileged to lead the school – and is determined to live up to its motto of ‘be the best you can be’.

Kerensa Neal took over at the start of the new academic year at the Sutton Coldfield school, which is part of the Broadleaf Partnership Trust, and I am looking forward to meeting her soon.

The mum-of-three has joined from Holte School in Lozells, where she was Deputy Headteacher after working her way through a variety of roles.

She said: “Following my appointment, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to come into Plantsbrook a few times to get to know the school, to meet people and get to look around the fantastic facilities we have here, and I was really impressed.

“Now, after a couple of weeks of being in the job, those first impressions have been cemented further. 

“Most of all, I’ve been struck by just how friendly the place is, how caring and polite the pupils are and just how invested the staff are in getting the best for pupils.  The staff have a huge breadth of ‘Plantsbrook’ knowledge as well as professional expertise, and I’ll certainly be harnessing that.

“That’s a great foundation to build on as a headteacher, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity.”

For a full interview with Mr Neal, click here:

 https://suttonschoollife.co.uk/2023/09/20/new-plantsbrook-school-headteacher-says-i-feel-privileged-to-lead-school/

Elizabethan Luncheon Club

I was delighted to learn that the Elizabethan Luncheon club had a brilliant afternoon lunch on Monday with their esteemed guest speaker who was none other than our Mayor Andy Street. 

It is always something I look forward to and though my ministerial duties kept me from attending, I am glad to hear that the lunch went well followed by a QnA with our Mayor about the vital role Royal Sutton Coldfield has in the West Midlands.

Funding received for Walmley Ash Allotment 

Congratulations to Walmley Ash allotment for successfully gaining funding for their INC water tank project.

This is an excellent project and I encourage other allotments to follow suit.

Any Questions 

I will be on Any Questions on Radio 4 today at 8pm, click here if you would like to tune in and listen live: Radio 4 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

Net Zero - A New Approach

Over the last few days, I’ve had a number of emails from my constituents expressing their thoughts on the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on Net Zero and how we achieve our long-term goals, from both sides of the argument. 

The climate crisis is one of the biggest issues of our time and the Prime Minister highlighted the need for us to reach our long-term goal for Net Zero sustainably. Our current overzealous approach has been burdening hardworking families with extra costs, which is simply not fair during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Compared to our neighbours, over the last decade the UK has massively over-delivered on our climate commitments, and we have space to loosen the reigns to ease the financial burden that has been falling on the taxpayer.

If you would like to, you can read the Prime Minister’s statement on Net Zero here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-recommits-uk-to-net-zero-by-2050-and-pledges-a-fairer-path-to-achieving-target-to-ease-the-financial-burden-on-british-families

As development minister I see first-hand how we support developing nations with energy transition so that their growth and development is sustainable. We are very much doing our part, both domestically and globally to see a greener future. It is a long-term, sustained effort.

Our commitment to Net Zero by 2050 remains, I believe this new approach has become proportionate, sustainable, and fairer, with greater public choice and transparency and less burden on poorer families.

United Nations General Assembly

Earlier this week I was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders and policy makers discussed the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including health security, global food security, and sustainable growth and development.

MISSING PERSON:

While visiting the Bracebridge restaurant in the Park today I met a group of anxious friends searching for Nicky Aston who has been missing since yesterday. The Police are aware; please see below the notice they asked me to add to this week’s message:

Macmillian Coffee Morning at St Columba’s Church Hall 

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.

MHRC Locations

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 2nd October 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre.

·      Tue 03/10/2023, Ley Hill Road B75 6TE, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Mere Green

·      Wed 04/10/2023, Lisures Drive B76 1BG, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Reddicap

·      Thu 05/10/2023, Harvest Fields Way B75 5TJ, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Roughley

·      Fri 06/10/2023, Ebrook Road B72 1NU, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Trinity

Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit

I have received the latest update from the NDSU in relation to External Funding. Please see for any opportunities that may be available to you and your organisation.

NDSU external funding bulletin - September 2023 | Birmingham City Council

#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)

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  

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