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Visiting Peddimore Hall Today I went on a visit to Peddimore today and to Peddimore Hall, with its famous old words above the door in Latin “God is our Refuge” (see photo below). I referred to this in the debate in Parliament when we secured the reassertion of our Royal status. Here below with Richard Wallis, who owns the Hall and whose family have lived here for more than a century on one of the Royal Town’s oldest residences. |
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Opening the new Amazon site in Peddimore Today I opened the new Amazon facility at Peddimore. This huge new development will provide around 2,000 new and quality jobs and is an investment within the Royal Town of £550 million. In the company of the senior Amazon management and our two local BCC councillors Ken Wood and David Barry, we toured this extraordinary new building and saw the future - it is of course a firm challenge to bricks and mortar retail - as we have seen graphically in Sutton Coldfield, but we are directly tackling that too. I was extremely impressed by the professionalism and very high achievement which this massive investment is clearly delivering. |
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Above: A few members of the management team at the new Amazon site, with Cllr David Barrie, Cllr Ken Wood and I |
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Above: the official ribbon-cutting |
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Above: Touring the immense storage facilities which will hold up to 30 million items |
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Above: Cllr Ken Wood from Walmley and Minworth inspects the blinds at Amazon, which help prevent our constituents from light pollution. |
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The High Street and Pupils’ safety As reported recently here in my message, Sutton Headteachers wrote to me in regard to the recent spate of phone robberies on our High Street, and since then more worried parents have written to me about this concerning development. I have been in close contact with West Midlands police as well as the headteachers of our secondary schools. Please see below the letter sent to me by the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police. |
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I was reassured to hear that the Sutton Coldfield neighbourhood team have joined forces with partners at British Transport Police and Safer Travel and carried out high visibility patrols across the bus network to prevent anti-social behaviour and ensure passengers felt safe on their commute. You can see more on what West Midlands Police is doing to protect our High Street from crime and disorder: https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/news/police-and-partner-operation-sutton-coldfield https://twitter.com/Sutton_WMP/status/1709495807269822652?s=20 |
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Birmingham City Councillors Failures The ongoing situation regarding Birmingham City Council’s troubles continues to worry many here in the Royal Town, and I welcome the intervention from the government. Please seethe letter I received last night from Lee Rowley MP, the minister for Local Government, about this. This much needed interference was the right call by Michael Gove as residents deserve competent local governance. I am pleased to see that John Hutton, the respected former Labour cabinet minister, is now central to proceedings going forward. Please see below the letter I received from the government regarding this development. |
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My Meeting with Sutton Coldfield BID Today I had the pleasure of meeting with the Royal Town’s BID Board over lunch at the excellent Chelo restaurant next door to the Odeon. We discussed a wide range of issues including safety, security, and surveillance in the Town Centre. Matters discussed included Policing, CCTV surveillance, businesses reporting crime and the perception of safety in the town. The BID will be formally writing to the Police, Birmingham City Council and Sutton Coldfield Town Council to highlight issues and concerns the town and local businesses face. |
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[Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID is the trading name of Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) which is a not for profit, limited by guarantee company working on behalf of 400 businesses to help make Sutton Coldfield a more vibrant town centre and a more desirable place to shop, visit, work, study and do business. Sutton Coldfield has had BID status for 12years is 100% funded by local businesses through a levy on the individual business premises.] |
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Flu and Covid Vaccinations I would like to remind everyone who is eligible to get their COVID booster jabs and flu vaccines. I received my vaccines today from the Town Hall. |
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I also met the hardworking women who are running the appointment system, together with Annie McLoughlin who is the Nurse Manager, Helena Cotterill who is the Vaccine Site Manager, and Julie and Leanita who are the administrators. |
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The national booking system, available via the NHS website is also now open for those eligible to book their own vaccinations, with a number of locations offering appointments across the West Midlands - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ For anyone visiting Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham Heartlands or Solihull Hospital - to see relatives or have an outpatient appointment - vaccination appointments or walk-ins will also be available on site on certain days. Access times are listed on the Birmingham and Solihull vaccination website - https://www.birminghamandsolihullvaccination.nhs.uk/walk-in/). Those eligible are also encouraged to get their flu vaccines, more information can be found here- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ |
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As parliament is not sitting this week and is in conference recess, I spent the early part of the week in Manchester, Britain’s third city. The Prime Minister in his speech outlined some key new policy areas of change. Undoubtedly contentious, there is a great deal to welcome in the huge investment which will now be made in transport in the West Midlands. I want to congratulate Andy Street our brilliant mayor in negotiating a very good deal for the West Midlands whilst still ensuring that the HS2 trains will travel on existing lines North of Birmingham to Manchester, half an hour on the journey time from London. |
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Conservative Party Conference For us in Sutton Coldfield and the West Midlands, Network North means:
Another major policy announcement was the ban on smoking. If we want to change the direction of our country and build a better future for our children, that means tackling the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death: smoking. The Prime Minister’s announcement would see the first smoke free generation, support for current smokers to quit, and a crackdown on vaping. Creating a smoke-free generation will be one of the most significant public health measures in a generation, saving thousands of lives and billions of pounds for our NHS and the economy, and levelling up the UK by tackling one of the most important preventable drivers of inequality in health outcomes. This willnot take anyone’s rights away, and the vote in Parliament will be a free one anda matter of conscience. The third key announcement from the Prime Minister’s speech at conference was the introduction of a new Baccalaureate-style qualification for 16-19-year-olds: the Advanced British Standard. It will bring together A-Levels and T-Levels into a new, single qualification. It will deliver genuine parity of esteem, increase teaching time by a minimum of 195 hours to at least 1,475 over two years for16-19 year olds, ensure all students study some form of English and Maths to age 18, and that everyone takes a broader range of subjects. If we want to change the direction of our country and build a better future, we must build a world class education system that raises the floor for all, especially for the most disadvantaged, ensuring no child is left behind. It is very striking that since 2010 in almost all areas of education, Britain has moved sharply up the league tables with other countries. At the party conference, I spoke at many fringe meetings that related to my ministerial responsibilities and spent much time with colleagues across the West Midlands, working out how our party can continue to serve the interests of our region and deliver on policy priorities. |
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Camfed’s 30th birthday Camfed is a brilliant British charity which gets girls into school in the most difficult parts of the world. I joined them celebrating their 30thanniversary last night, and their track record since their inception demonstrates value for money for every pound they spend. It is abundantly clear to me that girls’ education is the best way to eliminate poverty. Congratulations, Camfed, I look forward to the next ten years. |
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The Guardian I did an interview with the political editor of the Guardian at the start of the conference, sharing my views on the Conservative Party and the need to get behind the Prime Minister as we run up to the election. If you would like to, you can read it here:
My interview with The News Agents and Jon Sopel During the conference weekend, I also gave an interview to The News Agents with Jon Sopel. You can see a quick excerpt of it here: https://twitter.com/TheNewsAgents/status/1708980181719736745 |
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My Sutton team hard at work today in our fabulous new office! - |
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GOOD COMPANY SINGERS, SUTTON COLDFIELD CONCERT at HOLY TRINITY PARISH CHURCH SUTTON COLDFIELD on: SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 2023 at 7.30pm. TICKETS are £15 and available on the door. "We're proudly anticipating our next local appearance as it will be the opening concert in the latest season of events staged in the inspirational surroundings of the 750 year old Holy Trinity Parish Church in the heart of Sutton Coldfield. The Choir, our Soloists and Boy Band all look forward to giving you a most entertaining evening." |
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October 2023 Changes to bus services TfWM has written to me to let me know that there will be a small number of bus changes from 29th October 2023. Out of 394 total services, there will be changes to approximately 32 services which are summarised in the attached table. Detailed information on all of the service changes, including alternative routes where possible, can be found at https://www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/ways-to-travel/buses-in-the-west-midlands/upcoming-bus-service-changes/ |
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UPDATE: Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023 We are fast approaching Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023 and have just a few spaces remaining! Our speaker this year is the infamous, lively and passionate Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, Minister of State for Veterans Affairs, who will be sure to provide us all with a phenomenally entertaining talk! You may have heard a fantastic preview from him at the Conservative Party Conference earlier this week! 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 sold the majority of tables, so please reserve your place quickly to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be reserved by emailing ckhorrocks@yahoo.co.uk |
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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. |
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MHRC Locations Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 9th October 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre. · Mon 09/10/2023 Stonehouse Road B73 6LJ 07:00 12:30 Sutton Vesey |
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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. |
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#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. |
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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)
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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 |
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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 |