Weekly Message to Constituents 241 - Campaign against parking charges in Sutton Park is growing

22 November 2024

In the Constituency

Campaign against parking charges in Sutton Park is growing

Above: Campaigners and councillors have been getting the word out about Birmingham’s plans to introduce parking charges in Sutton Park.

The campaign to stop bankrupt Birmingham City Council’s plans to introduce parking fees in Sutton Park is growing, with hundreds of people signing the petition launched last week by Councillor David Pears.

Last weekend campaigners were in the beauty spot, making sure Park users are aware of the city council’s ridiculously short consultation - which closes on December 6. Several thousand letters are also being delivered to residents who live near the Park, who could find themselves impacted by drivers who choose to park on surrounding roads to avoid the new charges.

Preparations are also under way for the emergency public meeting that has been called to discuss the proposals, which will be held in the Bedford Suite of Sutton Town Hall on27th November at 7pm.

This week Cllr Pears wrote to both to the head of the Parks department and the council’s Chief Executive in a bid to ensure an officer would be there to answer residents’ questions. Unfortunately, he has been told that “no officer will be able to attend the meeting due to the small number of officers engaged in managing the process and competing diary processes”.

This means that the only public consultation into these controversial new charges will be by the completion of the council survey!

The City Council will be holding a ‘stakeholder session’ on 26th November which will include groups and businesses who use the park, who will be worried over the impact on their customers. Businesses will be able to share views and concerns, which is important because of their free car parks being filled by those not wanting to pay - leaving no space for customers and the business losing out!

However, it transpired that an invite hadn’t been extended to Sutton Coldfield Town Council – who are surely best placed to represent residents’ views!

After an intervention by Cllr Pears, a separate informal session is to be planned with the Town Council.

If the charges go ahead, motorists visiting the park will have stump up using ‘Pay and Display’ machines that accept coin payments, or via the Ringo parking app.

However, there aren’t even plans to improve the quality of the beauty spot’s neglected car parks before charging to use them - it is expected that pothole repairs and other car park improvements will only start to take place in the years after implementation, and continue as the scheme generates revenue.

Any money collected from cars in Sutton Park will instead go to filling the black hole in Birmingham’s finances, to help support the 660 open spaces across the city.

Cllr Pears said: “In the meantime, we face misery on the roads and car parks in the park with more potential claims of damaged cars, costing the Council more.

“It’s grossly unfair that Sutton residents who use our park will be once again seen as ‘cash cows’ for the city, with diddlysquat likely to be reinvested in Sutton Park.”

If you would like to join the fight against the charges this Saturday, campaigners will be at Blackroot Bistro Car Park at 8.30am until 9.10am, Bracebridge Car Park 9.15am until 10amand Town Gate, near the Visitor Centre, from 10 to 11.30am.

If you would like to lend a hand in delivery of letters to residents to raise awareness, please join us if you can or contact the office on 0121 354 2229.

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/

Above: If ever there was evidence of the lack of investment in our Park it’s summed up by this photo. This is the ‘Information Board’ in Boldmere Gate car park where the council intends to charge residents for parking their cars. Pictured are community campaigners John Cooper and Anja Pawson.

A wonderful evening in a historic setting

Above: Our brilliant guest Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt with the officers of the Royal Town’s Young Conservatives.

Last week’s Conservative Association black tie dinner at New Hall Hotel and Spa was a fantastic evening with great company, wonderful food and insightful discussions.

In a change of setting, our annual dinner was held at New Hall Hotel, and I am grateful to the staff for accommodating the guests so well at their wonderful, historic venue.

I would like to thank our guest speaker, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, for his fascinating speech, and everyone involved in organising this brilliant event.

It has raised significant funds which will be put to good use by local Conservatives, as we set about removing from power the inept councillors who have so deeply damaged Birmingham’s finances.

Above: With former Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street alongside the officers of the Royal Town’s Young Conservatives.

In tribute to Keith Dudley

Above: With Keith and Lynda Dudley. Keith, who died last month, was a kind and engaging family man who dedicated his retirement to all kinds of good causes, not least leading Sutton’s oldest charity. He will be greatly missed.

This week I would like to pay tribute to a much-loved member of the Sutton Coldfield community who has passed away.

Keith Dudley, who was Chair of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, was a wonderful man whose commitment to the Royal Town shone through in his work for the Trust.

I last saw Keith the day after the General Election, when my very first job as Sutton’s newly-returned MP was speaking at his annual Chairman’s Reception at the Trust, to thank him and the team for all their work supporting local people.

Just a few days before I had bumped into him and his wife Lynda in the Gracechurch Centre, and we stood and chatted warmly in the sunshine for a while. A kind, engaging and fun person, it was always good to see him.

After five decades working in the legal profession, Keith dedicated his retirement to charity work, Birmingham City FC, Warwickshire CCC and his family – he was a devoted husband, Dad, and Grandad.

Keith was cared for by Birmingham Hospice before his death, and his family have set up a fundraising page in his memory. You can visit it and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/keith-dudley-1730991963895

Below is the tribute to Keith written by the CEO of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Tina Swani.

“It is with great respect and sadness that we honour the life of Keith Dudley who served as Trustee of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for over 10 years and as Chair since February 2022 until his death on 15October 2024.

It is barely comprehensible that Keith is no longer with us when six months beforehand he was leading the Board and steering an Away Day, with all the vigour and enthusiasm he brought to the role.

Keith brought a rare blend of insight, creativity and sharp wisdom with his legal expertise and passion, leading the shaping of our mission in many ways. He led with compassion and purpose and was always there for guidance and support, whist equally prepared to challenge where needed with a matter-of-fact clarity and calm strength.

Keith served on all the Committees of the Trust, being particularly passionate about our grants programme and steering us through increasingly challenging decisions.

As time goes forward there will be many instances when we recognise the legacy that Keith has left the Trust, through the initiatives he was determined Trustees should consider and see through, such as the organisational form of the Trust, testing out production of a community newspaper, and being sure that we were really reaching everyone who could benefit from the Trust’s provision of housing or grant awards.

Keith went to great lengths to give his personal thanks to staff, Trustees and advisors. His loss is deeply felt.

Our thoughts remain with Keith’s family, and we share lasting gratitude to Keith for all that he brought to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust.”

Discovering how Sutton’s Amazon base delivers for customers

Above: at the EMA4 Amazon Fulfilment Centre last week.

Last week I had an eye-opening visit to Sutton Coldfield’s remarkable Amazon Fulfilment Centre, code-named EMA4, which is now running at almost 100% capacity.

I met with Paul Roberts, the General Manager of EMA4, and Neil Travis, the Regional Director at Amazon. I was interested to learn about the Amazon Innovation Accelerator, a small business training programme focusing on technology and innovation.

It was fascinating to see how this highly automated site, which now employs 2500 people, responds to the round-the-clock demands of Amazon’s customers.

Energy and ambition driving Gracechurch and the town centre

Above: with Town council leader Simon Ward and some of the team behind the redevelopment of the Gracechurch Centre.

Last week I joined Cllr Simon Ward, leader of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, and members of the team that runs the Gracechurch to discuss progress on the redevelopment of the shopping centre and revitalising the broader town centre.

These are exciting times, and I emphasised the importance of full public consultation throughout as progress gathers pace.

I was able also to congratulate the centre management on a number of new lets and shops which have opened recently, including the Silver Tree Bakery which former PM Rishi Sunak opened, and the wonderful new Cherished Headquarters which I opened a few weeks ago.

Along with the ambitious work of the Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID – who have announced an impressive programme of Christmas attractions – there is real energy being put into revitalising our town centre.

Schools reaching out to former pupils

Above: with Sutton resident Laura Fairbanks.

I had the pleasure of meeting with local Sutton Coldfield resident, Laura Fairbanks, who is the Director of Development at Rugby School.

Our conversation centred on the importance of education and on ways in which alumni can support their old schools, in both the private and maintained sectors.

I know that Sutton’s forward-thinking schools are all very engaged with reaching out to their own alumni.

As we delved into the subject, it brought back memories from my own time as a pupil at Rugby — which I was horrified to hear took place a surprising fifty years ago!

We also discussed the imposition of VAT on private schools, and I emphasized the impact that this spiteful measure will cause overall, without necessarily raising any money for wider benefit.

Bard gets a ‘gangster’ makeover thanks to Fairfax students

Above: Shakespeare reimagined by Fairfax students.

The talented students of Fairfax Academy have been treading the boards again - this time closing the show at a prestigious Shakespeare festival.

On Tuesday, 5th November, 35 talented Fairfax students performed an abridged version of the Bard’s classic Macbeth at Birmingham’s Old Rep Theatre, as part of the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival.

The young actors decided to give the historic tragedy a 20th Century makeover, by resetting its power struggle in the mobster era of the 1920s.

I visit Fairfax regularly, and am always blown away by the school’s rich culture of art and performing. The talent on display at the Shakespeare Schools Festival was emblematic of Fairfax’s commitment to nurturing young people’s creativity.

For the full story, click here: https://suttonschoollife.co.uk/2024/11/18/fairfax-academy-shakespeare-festival-macbeth-gets-a-twenties-twist/

Supporting our brilliant British Legion

Above: Collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal with David Ballantine and Richard Larkin.

Now that the annual festival of remembrance has come to an end, I thought I would express my thanks to Sutton Coldfield’s Royal British Legion – and remind residents that this brilliant organisation is busy working for former services personnel all year round!

Their membership club in Rectory Road has a vibrant, friendly atmosphere and is a prime venue for guests of all ages to enjoy a function room for hire (perfect for a party or special event), relaxed lounge and snooker room.

Sutton Coldfield is all the better for having a strong Royal British Legion. They provide vital support for those who serve our country. Why not support them, and make a visit?

University’s valuable humanitarian research

Above: with Dr Sandra Pertek.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Sandra Pertek from the School of Government at Birmingham University.

As well as being one of the University’s local MPs, I also have a minor role as an Honorary Professor, which I use to encourage inward investment to the Region but also to the Royal Town – among other things.

Dr Pertek is doing excellent research work to help support and integrate displaced women, connecting humanitarian, religious and migration systems and working closely with the Home Office.

Her work will not only support people in need, but will also lead to the better and more effective spending of public money.

In the Commons

Putting our region on the international agenda

On Wednesday this week I had a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to discuss a range of issues including China investing in the West Midlands, Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.

Assisted Dying Bill

Above: Outside Parliament with some of the other MP’s who are supportive of the Assisted Dying Bill.

Next Friday I’ll be in the Commons rather than back in the Royal Town, debating the Assisted Dying Bill.

This is a subject that generates very strong feelings on both sides and indeed I have changed my own mind entirely as a result of the views and representations from people within our Royal Town.

Polling supports this circumstantial view and suggests that something like 3/4 of my constituents want to see this change in the law introduced.

So, I hope to speak up in the Commons next Friday and vote for the Bill’s second reading - before rushing back to attend the black tie dinner hosted by the Sutton Coldfield Cancer Support Centre - of which I have the great pleasure of being Patron.

Further information

Upcoming Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID events