£20 million Towns Fund confirmed for Sutton

Above: Sutton Coldfield is still to get a £20 million Towns Fund, which will be administered in the Royal Town.

First, as we approach Christmas, some good news for Suttonians. This week, I met with the government minister responsible for the Towns Fund, Alex Norris. 

You will recall that I managed to persuade the last government to include our Royal Town amongst those constituencies receiving £20 million, to tackle the negative effects of the damage the digital economy has inevitably done to the bricks and mortar retail economy in our Town centre.  

The Royal Town was one of 20 around the UK to benefit from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and the Communities’ Long-Term Plan for Towns. It will be spent over a decade under the guidance of a ‘Town Board’, which is already being assembled.

I was pleased to see that the Labour government is not going back on these commitments and our £20 million is secured. 

I look forward to welcoming Alex Norris to the Royal Town in the new year to show him what we plan to do with these tax payers’ funds, and how we will structure the Sutton Coldfield-based Board to oversee these developments. 

I am proud of how our Royal Town Council is tackling local challenges and building the future of our local community, something which I hope to show Mr Norris in person.

Litter pickers nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service KAVS

Above: With Richard Parkin, Andy Biddle and Debbie Lake of Sutton Coldfield Litter Action Group.

I am delighted to share that Sutton Coldfield Litter Action Group has now officially been nominated for a 2025 Kings Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to UK volunteer groups.

This fantastic news comes after a member of the public nominated the group for the award, which holds the same status as an MBE and is a lifelong honour.

The Litter Action Group was founded by Andy Biddle, who runs the group alongside Debbie Lake and Richard Parkin.

The group has amassed 1,500 volunteers who take excellent care of 650 adopted streets around the town. 

They have been supported and supplied by the Town Council since 2021, who have provided them with 578 pickers, 435 hoops, 38 pairs of gloves, and 614 hi-viz jackets for both adults and children.

The winners of the award will not be announced until the King’s birthday in November 2025, but simply being nominated in recognition of their amazing and selfless work is a huge honour for the Litter Action Group.

If you want to know more about the Kings Awards for Voluntary Service, click this link: https://www.gov.uk/kings-award-for-voluntary-service

A colourful night at the ‘Merriest Panto in the Land’

Above: With Royal Sutton Coldfield’s Mayor and Mayoress, John and Sarah Perks, Cllr David Pears and Town Hall Trust chair Claire Bolton, chair of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Trust. 

Last week, I returned from London for a truly delightful Royal Town evening, taking in two very different but equally brilliant local cultural events. 

First I joined the launch party at the Town Hall for this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood. Our Royal Town Mayor John Perks and his wife and local councillor David Pears were there too, along with many other strong supporters of the Town Hall.

As President of the Town Hall Trustees, I thanked the management and the trustees for the terrific progress made this year - not least thanks to the nearly £1 million that  Andy Street helped us to win to invest in the Town Hall.

I also thanked the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for their support, and especially the Royal Town Council which has provided financial support for the Town Hall.

Though I had to leave in the interval (read on!) the panto was very entertaining and excellently produced and acted. I strongly recommend all Suttonians to pop down to ‘Sherwood Forest’ to enjoy what is a delightful piece of festive entertainment - on until end of December. The acting, jokes and audience wooing is superb!

My favourite joke of the night (which was a little close to the bone!) was told by the Dame, when she quipped: “I don’t really like political jokes…. because they sometimes get elected!”

If you want to see the panto for yourself, tickets can be booked online at £19 for under 16’s, £26 for adults and £79 for a family ticket.

Above: the cast of Robin Hood

Christmas performance of Messiah brings joy to Royal Town

Above: Richard Mason with the hugely impressive ensemble behind this week’s performance of Handel’s Messiah.

I then rushed to Wylde Green and Emmanuel Church for a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Royal Sutton Coldfield Choral Society, Chamber Choir and Orchestra, under their brilliant Director Richard Mason.

This was my first visit to the Town’s Choral society since they did me the great honour of making me their President.

The quality of the performance and the four soloists’ contribution was absolutely outstanding. By common consent of the large audience attending it was moving, unforgettable and - for  me at least - a magnificent start to the Christmas season!

As their President I would like to add my thanks to the many others for a memorable evening and an outstanding performance of Handel’s Messiah. 

Richard Mason, Director of Music, writes:- 

“Two Sutton Coldfield Choirs, the Royal Sutton Coldfield Choral Society and Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir, came together for this year's "Christmastime" performance of Handel's Messiah. We were delighted to have the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell with us and indeed his first concert as President of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Choral Society. Zoe Challenor, a Sutton Coldfield resident, was once again our delightful soprano soloist. She was joined by Matthew Monaghan (counter tenor), a former chorister for Richard Mason at Emmanuel who is now in his final year singing at St. John's Cambridge, returned together with two other former choral scholars from John's namely, Carlos Rodrguez Otera, now Director of music at St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford) and Tom Butler who sings at Westminster Abbey. A sell-out, a standing ovation and not to forget our lovely orchestra gave the evening a special feel as we approach Christmas.

“The combined choirs are very much hoping to make a particular musical offering, at the appropriate time, to mark our Royal Sutton Coldfield centenary celebrations at our Town Hall.”

Historic trust welcomes new boss

Above: Lisa Martinali with the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Tina Swani.

I am delighted to welcome Lisa Martinali as the new Chief Executive Officer of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, who steps into her new role on 18 March 2025.

With 30 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, including her current role as CEO of St Paul’s Community Development Trust, I have no doubt that Lisa will bring great expertise and enthusiasm to her new role.

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust has been providing support and funding to Sutton people for many centuries, and traces its history back to Tudor times.

Lisa, who grew up locally, is very aware of its huge importance to the Royal Town.

Lisa said: “I am thrilled to be joining SCCT as their new CEO. Having grown up and worked in the locality for many years, Sutton Coldfield is a special place to me. The opportunity to work for SCCT, as a highly respected and trusted local charity supporting the local community in a number of ways, is inspiring. I look forward to building on their strong history.”

Lisa will take on the role after the current CEO, Tina Swani, leaves in December. In the meantime SCCT’s Finance Director, Claire Evans, will be filling in as interim CEO.

I must also once again pay tribute to Tina for all she has done for the Royal Town over her four and a half years at SCCT’s helm, and look forward to seeing Lisa’s direction for the Trust in 2025 and beyond.

Meeting with Friends of the Earth

Above: With Sutton Coldfield Friends of the Earth.

I had the pleasure of  welcoming  a delegation from Friends of the Earth’s local branch to talk about climate change and British government policies. 

It was a useful discussion about the international situation (which is pretty grim) and what we are doing locally in Sutton Coldfield and nationally to meet our climate commitments.

I stressed the importance of worrying also about the costs of net zero being shouldered by ordinary families having to pay unnecessary energy costs to achieve important targets.

Ofsted inspectors praise Boldmere Junior School 

Above: Anja Pawson, Associate Governor at Boldmere Junior School and community campaigner.

There is wonderful news for parents in Boldmere this week, as Boldmere Junior School received an excellent Ofsted report.

I would like to congratulate the school on their impressive Ofsted report, which found that 'pupils thrive at this happy and busy school'. Inspectors praised the school for their high expectations, strong leadership, and its broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning, and behaviour was noted as exceptional. 

Anja Pawson, Associate Governor at the school, and a passionate community campaigner said, “We are extremely pleased about this fantastic report. Pupils are off to a flourishing start in the Infant School and then continue to excel as they progress through the Junior School. 

“The Ofsted report reflects the vision of the Federation of Boldmere Schools to empower all children to embrace learning; achieve their personal best; and build their social, emotional and physical wellbeing.”

You can see the full report here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/103341