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Public meeting called over parking charges for Sutton Park
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Above: With community campaigners Oliver Cheary, John Cooper, Anja Pawson and Councillor David Pears at one of the car parks in Sutton Park.
An emergency public meeting has been called over bankrupt Birmingham City Council’s shocking plans to introduce car parking charges in Sutton Park – and a petition has been launched against the proposals.
Arranged by Councillor David Pears, the meeting, in the Bedford Suite of Sutton Town Hallon 27th November at 7pm, has been called after the city council launched an entirely unconvincing online consultation survey into their plans, which have enraged local people.
The survey, which only runs until December 6, asks for resident’s views on parking charges between 9am to 6pm, over 365 days a year, what improvements they would like to see, what they think would be a reasonable parking charge and if they would consider buying a parking ‘season ticket’. Crucially, it does not ask residents if they think there actually should be charges for parking in the park –clearly that decision has already been made.
It's not surprising that local people are so unhappy - residents in Sutton Coldfield already pay enough in rates to expect to use open green spaces without charge.
And, of course, parking charges wouldn’t just hit local people in the pocket. They would also encourage more on-street parking, causing misery for residents living near the Park.
What’s more, the money raised by parking charges would not be ring-fenced to be spent in the Park – instead it will disappear into the black hole in the city’s finances, which even the unions say is entirely a problem of Birmingham’s own making.
The Park desperately needs funding. The last time any real money was spent in Sutton Park was in 2011, when Councillor David Pears got £250k from a Conservative Controlled Birmingham Council. Since 2012, when Labour came into control, the park has been neglected.
We are still pursuing our dream of a new Trust to run Sutton Park – made up of the city council, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, and a national charity. This would have the ability to apply for much-needed grants and funding. However, plans to introduce car parking fees are not helpful as we work to bring people together to secure the future of the Park.
So, if you care about the future of the park, I urge you to attend the meeting on November27th.
I also urge you to sign the local petition against the parking charges here:
https://www.suttoncoldfieldconservatives.com/campaigns/stop-parking-charges-sutton-park
And fill in the Birmingham City Council’s consultation survey here: https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/bcc/proposed-parking-charges-at-sutton-park/consultation/intro/
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Sutton Coldfield Town Centre set to sparkle for Christmas
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Above: Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID, which is funded entirely by local businesses, has organised colourful attractions throughout the festive period.
The brilliant Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID has unveiled an exciting line-up of Christmas activities designed to make your Christmas shopping truly special this year.
Sutton Coldfield’s new 22-day Christmas Market will run from Thursday 28th November to Sunday 22nd December, when The Parade will be home to wooden chalets selling mulled wine, beer, bratwurst, hot food, sweet treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Open six days a week, Tuesdays to Sundays, with extended hours until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the market is here to attract both residents and visitors to Sutton Coldfield town centre.
When you visit the market don’t forget to support the national retailers like House of Fraser, The Entertainer, Waterstones, Beaverbrook’s, Fat Face, Pandora, H&M, JD Sports, TK Maxx and more, as well as unique independent shops such as Magical Story, Military Chef, Toys 4 You, Smart Ideas, Bert & Gert’s and DJ Collectibles. Your shopping will not only be fun but will also help to boost our local economy!
Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID has also organised visits from whimsical characters including The Grinch, Christmas Sloths, Bouncing Snowmen, Toy Soldiers, Bouncing Elves, Christmas Tree Dresses and Christmas Granny Turismo; creating a fun atmosphere for all ages on The Parade, every weekend from Saturday 30thNovember. Live performances by the King Brasstards band will keep the spirits high as you shop!
The festivities continue at Gracechurch shopping centre, where a brand-new ice-skating rink will be open from Thursday 28th November to Sunday 22nd December. Plus, children can enjoy a free magical meet-and-greet with Santa every weekend from Saturday 30th November to Sunday 22nd December, complete with a special certificate to take home. Don’t miss the real 20-foot Christmas tree, a pop-up florist and joyful performances from local choirs and community groups.
As well as funding the town’s Christmas lights, Sutton Coldfield Town Council is also making it more convenient to shop local by funding free parking in seven Birmingham City Council-owned car parks every Thursday and Friday after 4pm,and all-day Saturday and Sunday from Thursday 14th November to Sunday 5thJanuary. The seven car parks are Station Street, Upper and Lower Reddicroft, Mill Street, Anchorage Road, South Parade and Duke Street. Plus, Gracechurch shopping centre is also offering free parking every Sunday in their multistorey car park.
For details, see the ‘further information’ section at the end of this message.
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Police station survey shows just how unhappy residents are with plans
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Above: Campaigner Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal with protesters outside Sutton Police Station.
Residents continue to express concerns about the sale of the current Sutton Coldfield police station site by the Labour West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Despite his social media announcements and a billboard at the Lichfield Road site stating it will move to Anchorage Road, there has been scant detail about the provision of services or the cost or impact of his so-called plan: developing police houses into a fully functioning police station.
In the absence of a public consultation by the PCC, residents have taken matters into their own hands to capture the views of Suttonians in a fair and non-political manner. A residents’ survey was launched by longstanding campaigner Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal, and the interim results clearly show the need for the PCC Simon Foster to engage with us.
91% of respondents say they have NOT had enough information about the PCCs plans for Sutton Coldfield Police Station and that the PCC should engage local residents with a public consultation about his plans for Sutton Coldfield Police Station.
Only 3.5% of residents said they felt the PCC has treated Sutton Coldfield and its residents fairly and respectfully over our police station - the overwhelming majority say he has not.
And only 2.3%of residents say they trust the PCC when he says we'll retain current policing services. Without a plan put to residents, how can we?
When asked "What more would you like the PCC to do about his plans for Sutton Coldfield Police Station?", the vast majority stated they want a public and open consultation, so residents are engaged and understand his plans.
I'm pleased that residents are seeking answers, to date the PCC has failed in his duty to outline his plans. I shall continue to represent the interests of my constituency by pressing the PCC for an open and public consultation.
You can share your thoughts in the residents consultation via this link: https://forms.gle/bhzCm6oW8kZGAbgFA
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Honour for Sutton’s young author Jayce
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Above: Jayce with Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers and singer and dancer Kimberly Wyatt and (inset) when I met the talented young Sutton author.
Huge congratulations to Sutton Coldfield’s youngest author Jayce Joyce, who has been recognised with a Medal of Honour.
Jayce was invited to the House of Lords by Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury, where he was presented with the medal by Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, as part of the British Citizen Youth Awards.
Back in April, Jayce launched his third book and a diverse learning gift box at Mere Green Community Centre. This talented young author is an inspiration to all in Sutton Coldfield.
The award recognised how Jayce has used his writing talent to promote early literacy skills and inclusion for children in Sutton Coldfield, the UK and wider society with several to schools, libraries, community groups and bookshops as well as care homes.
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Determined to thwart plans for building on Green Belt
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Above: In Wishaw last week, discussing worrying plans for a huge new industrial estate on the Royal Town’s border.
Last week I joined a meeting in Wishaw at the cricket club, organised by our longstanding local campaigner and Town councillor John Cooper and Wishaw Parish Council to consider the proposal for an enormous industrial estate - called ‘Thrive’ - on the Royal Town’s border with North Warwickshire.
The proposals for Thrive, put forward by IM Group, could build 10 industrial units covering up to a million square feet on Green Belt land, however no one has put forward intentions to move into any of the units. That’s perhaps not surprising, given that more than 88 industrial Units are empty and available very nearby and have been empty for a number of years. Indeed, the nearby Hams Hall industrial estate, which was built more than 25 years ago, still has half its unit empty and unoccupied.
If thrive goes ahead, it would mean over 10,000 vehicle movements in and out of the estate every day, while the main route out would be along country lanes to the A446 then M42.
There are also concerns over how the estate would be connected to the sewage system.
Having looked carefully at these plans I have concluded that this is a speculative and wholly unnecessary development which would damage local quality of life and be a blot on the landscape. I really cannot see any justification for it at all, and I will be working with the new MP for North Warwickshire, Rachel Taylor, to thwart this unwelcome and unnecessary proposal.
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Cooking up success at Silver Tree’s Minworth base
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Above: With the Silver Tree team.
Last week, I also met the team at Silver Tree Bakery, and saw the operation that provides the delicious food they serve up at their Gracechurch shop.
This successful business – which not so long ago welcomed Rishi Sunak to open their new Gracechurch café – has an impressive set up in Minworth, where a skilled team provide a selection of sweet and savoury products.
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Family firm employs thousands around the globe
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Above: with the team from WHS Plastics.
I very much enjoyed my visit and meeting last week with the WHS Plastics group, based in Minworth.
They were formed in 1933 as a toolmaking company and now work in crafting plastic parts for, above all, the motor industry particularly JLR. Since its inception this successful local firm has been owned and run by the Smith family, and employs 2000 people, with 500 at Minworth. They have six sites including one in Cairo, Egypt.
As their MP, it’s a pleasure to pay tribute to the huge contribution to the local economy WHS makes - they are one of the many business gems to be found in our Royal Town.
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Royal Town falls silent in remembrance of those who served
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Last Sunday, in Royal Sutton Coldfield, we honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.
After a moving Service of Remembrance at Holy Trinity Church, I joined the town’s Mayor, Cllr John Perks, in laying a wreath at the war memorial in King Edward Square. Attended by people from all walks of life and representing organisations from the armed forces to voluntary groups, we stood in silence, as a united community, to honour those who have served. We will remember them.
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Getting across the point of COVID jab
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Above: With Dr Dubb.
Many thanks to Sutton Coldfield Group Practice for my Covid jab last weekend.
Here is a message from the chair of Sutton Coldfield Group, Dr Rahul Dubb, for us all in the Royal Town:-
“If you are over 65, or under 65 and at risk due to underlying health conditions, please make an appointment for your Covid vaccination and your flu jab from your local GP.”
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