Weekly Message to Constituents 226 - Ensuring that the Royal Town is safe

9 August 2024

In the Constituency

Keeping Sutton Coldfield safe

Above: One of the anti-racism protests that was held in Birmingham this week.

I wanted to begin this week by assuring Sutton Coldfield residents that I have been in close touch with the Craig Gilford, Chief Constable of the West Midlands, and elements of local policing throughout this week to ensure that there will be none of the disgraceful events we have seen elsewhere, here in the Royal Town.

I am satisfied that adequate plans are in place, and that prompt police action will be taken should there be any disorder here.

The West Midlands is such a richly diverse place and I, like many, was hugely encouraged to see how people across the region have shown that they will not accept intolerance. As we head into the weekend, there remains a risk of further disorder, but I know that the police stand ready to deal with it.

United with Sutton Council Leader over Police Station closure meeting

Above: Residents were appalled after ‘for sale’ signs suddenly appeared outside Sutton Coldfield Police Station.

An update on Sutton Coldfield’s Police Station, which still faces closure by Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), despite there being no public consultation at all on the matter.

The PCC has extended a further invitation to both me and Cllr Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, to meet him at Lloyd House for a private meeting over the closure plan.

His invitation came with the suggestion that, if we should decline, he would be meeting two ‘Town Councillors’ instead.

I have written back to him, saying:

“I do not think a behind-closed-doors meeting will be helpful, in which you would no doubt once again set out plans which I and nearly all my constituents believe to be seriously deficient.

“For that matter, nor do I think it worthwhile for you to hold a meeting with “two town councillors” - who I suspect will be Labour councillors who are amongst the very few here who agree with you.”

The PCC has been urged to attend the next meeting of the Town Council, so councillors and residents can question him on his plans in an open forum.

As I said in my letter:

“I must urge you to simply withdraw this proposal and properly consult with elected Town Council members, in a setting which will also allow members of our local community to attend and express their views.

“There has been no consultation at all into your plan to sell our police station and convert some semi-detached houses at the rear of the site into what would be a significantly downsized facility, unfit to meet the needs of a town of 100,000 residents.

“Our Police Station has been a reassuring and valued presence here since 1960. It is only right that local residents should be consulted on any plan to sell it. The correct forum for that would be a public meeting of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council – not in a back room at Lloyd House.”

Cllr Ward and I are united over this very serious issue.

He wrote to the Labour PCC:

“I can only repeat my invitation for you to attend the next Full Council meeting of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council on September 24th where you can address the concerns of local residents in public.

“The lack of a formal consultation and communication throughout the process surrounding the closure of our police station and your latest proposal of a private meeting only serves to make this essential.

“Residents have a right and expectation to hear from you and other officials directly. A behind closed doors meeting with selected Town Councillors is unacceptable for many reasons - I'm sure you can see how this lack of public openness looks to residents.

“I would urge you to reconsider this stance and provide long overdue transparency.

“I would also urge you to demonstrate your willingness and commitment to listen to local concerns by withdrawing your proposal to close our police station prior to proper local consultation.”

Can you help create new Cherished hub in the Town Centre?

Above: With Hannah Simnett of Cherished at the charity’s new home – the old town centre Post Office.

Last week I told you how much-loved local charity Cherished is creating a new ‘Connection Hub’ in the old Post Office unit in the Gracechurch Shopping Centre.

So many local businesses have already helped create the hub, as have the Gracechurch team and, as it nears completion, Cherished founder Hannah Simnett has reached out to ask for help in finishing this brilliant venue.

Cherished, which was recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service last year, was set up by Hannah in 2012 and now goes into virtually every school in the Royal Town and across Birmingham – that’s 70 schools in total. They help marginalised girls - and some boys - with confidence, guidance, support and encouragement as they chart the difficulties of young life.

Hannah said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Connection Hub in Sutton Coldfield, a vibrant space dedicated to fostering collaboration and community spirit.

“At the heart of this initiative is Cherished, the main resident charity, which will be creating a warm and inclusive environment for individuals and organisations to connect and collaborate.

“This hub is more than just a workspace — it's a place where purpose meets innovation, and we invite local businesses to be a part of this exciting journey.

“The Connection Hub will offer a variety of amenities, including desk areas, meeting rooms, and a versatile training room. It's the perfect setting for businesses looking to break away from the traditional office environment and enjoy a fresh, inspiring atmosphere.

“As we prepare for the final stages of setting up, we are reaching out to the local business community for support. We are in need of surplus furniture, seating, and IT equipment to help us furnish the hub and make it a fully functional and welcoming space.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for companies to contribute to a meaningful project and support a charity that is making a real difference. In return, we offer competitive rates and the chance to work in a trendy and purposeful environment.

Join us in creating a space where connections are made, and positive change begins. We look forward to welcoming you to the Connection Hub and building a brighter future together.”

Hannah has created a fundraising page where you can donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/connection-counts-hub

Or you can email her here: hannah@cherisheduk.org

Finding the right user for Donkey Sanctuary building in Park

Above: A number of riding school organisations are interested in taking over the former Donkey Sanctuary site in Sutton Park.

With the Donkey Sanctuary in the Park now sadly closed, this week I have been trying to ensure that the building – a beautiful location with a number of very useful facilities – finds a new user that will contribute to our community.

As a result of responses to the calls I put out in this message some weeks ago, interest has been expressed by local and national horse-riding schools.

I think it could be a perfect fit to have a riding school there – one that is both a strong commercial business but that also contributes to the community– which is able to take advantage of being in the largest municipal park in Europe!

It goes without saying that the appropriate safeguards would also need to be in place for all other park users.

As part of our research, we have discovered that there is enormous demand for horse riding lessons from existing facilities in our wider area - with long waiting lists locally and within inner city Birmingham. Such constructive activities for young persons are very much worth encouraging for a whole variety of reasons.

As a result, I am putting the Director of Estates at the Donkey Sanctuary in touch with several locally interested horse and pony related organisations and let us see what can be done.

As your MP, my role is to act as a convenor and midwife on behalf of us all to see what community benefits we can win from this situation.

A happy 103rd birthday to former councillor Dennis

Above: Former Councillor Dennis Birbeck pictured on his100th birthday in 2021. Next week he turns 103. Picture: Express & Star.

The one-and-only Dennis Birbeck, former local Councillor in Sutton and Birmingham Alderman, will celebrate his 103rd birthday next week. Dennis has lived in the Royal Town all of his life, and represented the former New Hall Ward (which is now Walmley) first on the Sutton Coldfield Council and then Birmingham City Council until May 2012 for 36 years.

Dennis is well known for his community work, and supported local community groups even after standing down as a Councillor.

I would like to send Dennis my best wishes on his birthday and take the opportunity to thank him for all the many years of work he put in, serving our community.

Library closures: Final consultation dates are revealed

Above: With protesters at last month’s walk in support of local libraries.

This month sees the final phase of bankrupt Birmingham City Council’s consultations into the future of local libraries – with three of Sutton Coldfield’s libraries at risk of closure.

Local people have been outspoken in their defence of our libraries, and last month I was pleased to join the join campaigners who walked from libraries in Boldmere, Mere Green and Walmley to our Town Centre library, to protest over the cuts.

It was inspiring to join the ‘Walk to Read and Support’, organised by the brilliant FOLIO Sutton Coldfield group, to raise awareness over the closure threat.

Now, however, the City Council has announced the timetable for the final face-to-face sessions taking place within community libraries. I understand this will involve sharing the results of the first phase of the consultation, including what the Birmingham library offer could look like.

The final phase will run from the end of August to Friday, September 27th and consist of a new online ‘Be Heard’ survey and in-person consultation sessions taking place in each library from Monday, September 2nd to Wednesday, September 25th.

FOLIO Sutton Coldfield (Friends of Our Libraries in Sutton Coldfield), who have led the local campaign to save our libraries, are urging people to join them at 11am on Thursday, September 5th in Sutton Coldfield Library.

You can find the full timetable of consultations in the ‘further information’ section at the end of this newsletter.

in the Commons

UNRWA must vet its personnel

Parliament has risen for the summer recess, but as Shadow Foreign Secretary, I remain alert to events around the world.

According to news reports, the UN says it fired nine UNRWA staff members after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the October 7th Hammas attack on Israel.

The UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

It is right that the UN has dismissed these individuals, and it is critical that UN bodies ensure adequate vetting of personnel and activities.

The Conservative government paused future funding of UNWRA because of the appalling allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the horrific October 7th attacks. We were very clear that it would not be ‘business as usual’ until the allegations were dealt with and significant changes put in place.

The Conservatives will continue to make the case that taxpayers’ money destined to help those most in need must never end up in the hands of terrorists. The Labour government must make sure UNWRA implements in full the Colonna reforms so that we never face this situation again.

Government priority must be to de-escalate conflict

Staying in the Middle East, some new reports suggest that the Labour Government has implemented a 'secret arms boycott' of Israel, with civil servants freezing applications for new weapons export licences.

At a time when our close ally Israel is under direct threat from Hezbollah, who recently murdered 12 children in a missile attack last weekend, Hamas, who murdered more Jewish people on October 7 than on any day since the Holocaust and who kidnapped hundreds of others, and when just recently British arms and military personnel were deployed to protect Israel from a direct assault by Iran using cruise missiles and bomber drones, it feels frankly bizarre to be threatening Israel with an arms embargo.

At a time of heightened danger of regional conflict and civilian death the government’s priority must be to work with all parties to de-escalate, accept a ceasefire, secure the release hostages and get more humanitarian aid in.

Further information