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What price the safety of Sutton residents? Shock as our police station is up for sale.
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Above: The ‘For sale’ signs outside Sutton Police Station and (inset) my letter to the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner. You can read the full letter below.
This week residents of Sutton Coldfield were shocked to discover ‘for sale’ signs outside the Police Station that has watched over us since 1960.
I share the utter dismay felt by so many people to find these signs have appeared. I note also that the grass outside the station has been cut for the first time in weeks, no doubt to make it more attractive to potential buyers.
There has been no public consultation on this plan, and little information has been shared with local residents as to what might replace our station.
There are suggestions that some smaller buildings at the back of the station are to be retained, perhaps to be turned into a smaller station, but again – no details have been supplied to local residents.
What’s more, it seems that this shocking move was delayed until after the election by the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Neither I, nor Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, were made aware that the station was about to be put on the market.
Where is the transparency? Concerned residents here have so many questions. What hours will any new station be open? How many officers will be based there? How far away will response teams be based? Is there any intention of holding a genuine public consultation on these plans?
During my election campaign, I promised to fight to keep our station open. Sutton Coldfield has a population approaching 100,000, which is set to increase significantly due to developments at Langley.
Former Sutton Coldfield Police officers have told me that they fear closing the station would take the ‘local’ out of local policing. Clearly, a town of this size and stature requires a fully operational police station, not some downgraded satellite to bigger bases in Birmingham.
Below is the letter I have sent to the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner in response to the ‘for sale’ signs. I will keep you informed as this situation progresses.
Dear Simon,
I wish to express my concern in the strongest of possible terms regarding Sutton Police Station being put up for sale.
Consistently, myself and thousands of residents across the Royal Town have argued against any reduction of capabilities of policing in Sutton Coldfield. In both recent elections the democratic mandate from the people of Sutton was clear, both electing me to fight to protect the police station and with the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, promising in his own literature to support keeping Sutton's Police Station open.
The people of Sutton need and deserve effective local policing, not to suffer from worse response times and a reduced police presence. You recently wrote to discuss some of the pressing matters of policing, including a desire to rebuild community policing, however the sale of our station contradicts this objective.
I would urge you to immediately reconsider this plan for Sutton's Police Station and to listen to the democratic will of residents throughout Sutton Coldfield. They need a strong local police presence and deserve to be consulted on this matter.
I am particularly irritated that you did not have the courtesy to tell me or RSCTC that its sale was going ahead – in spite of writing to me today on other matters.
Andrew
Long time local campaigner Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal (who many of you supported to save our police station when he stood for Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021) is leading the charge to hold the PCC to account for the shambolic decision.
Jay is calling for a public consultation and is supporting Town Councillors and I as we seek answers on your behalf.
Jay has shared a news post with detailed information - including the fact that residents are paying £8m a year in Council Tax police precept yet face a dwindling local police service and the loss of a community asset. I urge you to read his post and to support the campaign for a public consultation into this disastrous decision.
You can read Jay's news post about the Police Station here: https://tinyurl.com/mryzmyw5
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The curtain is set to go up on our amazing new cinema.
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Above: Some of the stunning art deco features taking shape at The Royal.
Huge excitement is building for the opening of our new cinema – now aptly renamed The Royal – in the coming days.
The new signage is up, the luxurious seating installed, the new bar built, the glamorous chandeliers hung.
It seems so long ago now that I stepped in to speak to the administrators as this beautiful building sat empty and forlorn. Now, after a huge investment by the Jervis family, and new owners PDJ, it is on the brink of reopening, having been restored to its art deco glory.
To use a Hollywood phrase, it is ready for its ‘close-up’!
Manager Des Christie told me this week: “It's coming along and will be a showstopper for Sutton Coldfield, and there are such positive vibes around the town!”
At the moment, the plan is to open for the release of the blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine on July 26th – but look out for the new website, being launched soon, which will include all details.
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An opportunity to thank dedicated St Giles staff.
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Today I have visited St Giles Hospice in Whittington - the mothership, as it were, for our own Sutton Coldfield Hospice, on Lindridge Road, where the Sutton Coldfield Cancer Support Centre also performs such brilliant work and of which I have the great privilege of being patron.
It’s a while since I have visited St Giles HQ in Whittington. and once again I saw first hand the incredible care and support provided to patients and their families. The dedication of both the staff and volunteers is truly inspiring.
During my visit, I spoke with several staff members, who provide essential end of life care to those who need it.
Thank you to everyone at St Giles for their dedication and the remarkable service they provide. Your work is a testament to the strength and compassion of our community.
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Discussions over future of the Donkey Sanctuary
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Above: With our much-loved Donkey Sanctuary in Sutton Park facing potential closure, I am pursuing the idea that the facility could become a riding school.
Subject to statutory consultations, it now looks like the Donkey Sanctuary in the Park is set to close.
These consultations are ongoing with the centre’s staff, and the process of finding new homes for the donkeys has begun.
However, I wanted to update you on progress with the idea that this valuable facility could become a riding school.
I am now in the process of organising a meeting with the Sanctuary’s Director of Estates and Facilities, to be held at the appropriate moment in their plans.
The Sanctuary has been a much-loved asset to our town for decades and, if it does close when the consultations are complete, I think it is vital that we find a suitable new use for this facility in our Park.
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A brilliant celebration of the local sports community.
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Above: the tug-of-war at last weekend’s Community Games.
It was great fun to take part in the annual Sutton Coldfield Community Games at Wyndley Leisure Centre last weekend, which really have become one of the biggest dates on the Royal Town’s calendar.
It’s always impressive to see how many sports and activities are available to local people and the annual Games, run by Dennis Kennedy of Sutton-based Inspire Activity, provide a perfect showcase for dozens of brilliant groups and clubs.
In fact, Inspire’s success has spread beyond Sutton, leading to events across the region. Everyone who turned out for this event deserves huge credit, as it shows our town at its very best.
The highlight at The Sutton Games for me is always the tug-of-war between the town’s elected politicians and local youth - this year the younger generation won! I look forward to the rematch next year!
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Handing out the honours at Mere Green Nursery Graduation
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I was lucky enough to take part in the ‘graduation’ event for youngsters from Mere Green nursery this week, which was a very special, memorable day for all that attended.
Held at the 11th Sutton Coldfield East Scout hut, the nursery graduation was co-ordinated by Amy Chapman and Katy McAleese, with a fabulous team effort from the wonderful parents as well Mrs Mannion (nursery manager), Ms Cartmell, Miss Cherry, Miss Cockayne and Mrs Clowes (teaching staff at Mere Green Primary School under the acting head of Lucia Thornton).
All of the children got to celebrate completing nursery class together, before embarking on their next big adventure of starting reception class in September.
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A real buzz around the Beekeepers’ BBQ!
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On Thursday evening I had the great pleasure of attending the Royal Town Beekeepers annual BBQ in the Park.
It is always a great event although this year I was late as I rushed back from the House of Commons. However, there was the usual ‘buzz’ around the place when I arrived!
I usually attend this every year and catch up on local beekeeping issues. This year, the looming threat from the Asian Hornet featured large in our discussion.
The aim of this fantastic Association is to promote the craft of beekeeping and to support beekeepers. They offer a wide range of activities to suit all levels of beekeeping, including training courses for beginners and successive courses/talks and exams.
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Fighting for Four Oaks Pre-school Primary Playgroup
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Above: At a meeting concerned residents over the threat to Four Oaks Pre-School Playgroup
To a meeting at Four Oaks Primary School to discuss the ridiculous position this brilliant Playgroup finds itself in - something I have written about in a previous message.
Quite simply, the fabulous rebuild of this great school fails to take into account the long-term viability of this highly respected and admired local playgroup, which is much in demand from local parents.
Suffice to say the meeting today has been helpful in clarifying a number of issues and I hope with good will on all sides progress can be made with the various bodies involved.
At the heart of this is a brilliant playgroup delivering a great service for local children which must be put in a position to continue that great service and not be ‘hobbled’ by a combination of bureaucratic inertia and bad decision making.
I will soon be meeting with senior officials at the Department for Education’s Capital Delivery Director, to discuss the concerns that have been raised.
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A glowing Ofsted report for Fairfax Academy
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Above: Fairfax Academy is celebrating a glowing Ofsted report.
The Principal of Fairfax Academy has welcomed a glowing new Ofsted report in which the school was graded Good or Outstanding across all categories - calling it a ‘credit to the staff’.
I often visit Fairfax, and I am always impressed by the quality of leadership on display, which has shaped an enthusiastic and proud student body. Principal Sean Castle deserves great credit, as does his team.
The report, which described Fairfax as an “inclusive and thriving” environment, praised staff commitments to teaching, extracurricular activities and pastoral care, and highlighted the students’ “brilliant” behaviour and attitudes.
Ofsted inspectors visited Fairfax for the first full inspection since the Covid-19 pandemic on the 21st and 22nd May, meeting with leaders, staff and pupils and attending lessons. They also examined pupils’ work, the curriculum, safeguarding measures and surveys provided by pupils and staff.
For the full story, click here: https://tinyurl.com/ba5xw54j
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State-of-the-art fitness facility opens at ‘reborn’ school
Sutton Coldfield students are swapping exercise books for exercise regimes, after a pioneering new fitness facility opened at their school.
John Willmott School – soon to be renamed The Royal Sutton School – welcomed visitors and VIPs on Friday, July 12thfor the opening the new Functional Fitness Facility, which is the first of its kind on Birmingham.
The not-for-profit exercise facility, which includes weights, skiing and rowing machines and high-tech ‘assault’ bikes used by the global CrossFit gym brand, will also throw open its doors to members of the local community.
The facility was designed, funded and built through a partnership between the school, Sutton’s own CrossFit B76, the Academy Programme CIC, Sport Birmingham and Sport England’s Active Partnerships.
This is a remarkable facility, and yet another significant step in the rebirth of this school.
For the full story, click here: https://tinyurl.com/mrusdy85
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Grease is the word at rock’n’roll show
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Above: The Pink Ladies in Fairfax’s production of Grease.
Fairfax Academy was transformed into Rydell High this week, as its talented students took to the stage to perform the classic musical Grease.
Fairfax’s phenomenal young actors, singers and musicians raised the roof with their adaptation of the much-loved musical, with two packed-out performances on July 17th and 18th – marking the culmination of months of hard work put in by students and staff alike.
From Greased Lightning to the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, the ambitious school production was rock’n’roll perfection.
The role of Danny Zuko was taken by Leighton Coulson, while Faith Adomah played Sandy Olsson, the role made famous by Olivia Newton-John.
Fairfax is renowned for its cultural and artistic excellence – this show seems to have once again wowed audiences.
For the full story and lots of pictures, click here: https://tinyurl.com/bdf59r5p
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