Local MP Andrew Michell held one of his regular meetings with Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s Chief Executive, Olive O’Sullivan, to discuss local issues of mutual concern and in particular the progress on key projects.

Andrew said:

“We focused on the regeneration of the town centre ahead of my upcoming meeting with Andy Street and the status of our park ahead of my next meeting with the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council. I strongly support our Town Council’s view that we need a Trust which will comprise the Royal Town Council, BCC and a major national body which has investment and expertise in what is a very important local amenity within our Royal Town.”

Amid the debates on the NHS, Andrew Mitchell visited Manor Practice, one of the Royal Town’s wonderful surgeries, who are focused on improving services to patients.

During his meeting with practice manager, Leanne Hoye, together with GPs Dr Forshall and Dr Fraser, they discussed a variety of issues, in particular the measures being taken to beat the backlog.

The Practice is now offering face to face as well as phone appointments, and they have recruited 3 new trainee GPs to provide added support. In addition, they are in the process of installing a new online system which will enable them to streamline operations.

In response to the difficulties Manor Practice have experienced with telephone system, the team there said the following:

“The Manor Practice is aware it is difficult to get through to us by telephone, so we have introduced a new way to contact us online. There is a link on the website which will allow you to submit non-urgent medical and administrative queries to the practice, and receive a response within 72 hours.”

The team recommend that those eligible should get their Covid and flu vaccines. They also asked that patients should be mindful of their behaviour to hard working staff, at an extremely challenging moment for GPs grappling with the post-Covid backlogs.

Andrew Mitchell’s first visit of 2023 was to Sutton Park School (formerly Banners Gate) in New Oscott, where he met head teacher Lucy Middleton and deputy head, Emily Dunnge, to talk about the school’s impressive achievements and the exciting changes afoot.

This may be one of the most improved schools in the country, following a significant change in leadership and structure, which was made possible in part by the tremendous support of the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust.

Sutton Park School is also one of the Royal Town’s schools selected for the government’s Schools Rebuilding Programme which was announced just before Christmas. It was great to see everyone kicking off the New Year in such high spirits.

Andrew Mitchell visited Bishop Vesey School and joined head Dominic Robson and students from Year 7 to discuss international development.

Andrew said:

“For me it was a moving moment as I told these superbly motivated and engaged young people about sitting in a school classroom in central Somalia just 24 hours ago listening to a class of young women talking about the extraordinary challenges they face in their everyday lives.”

Andrew Mitchell joined Councillor Richard Parkin on a visit to Twiglets nursery on Carhampton Road in Falcon Lodge.They were given a tour of the premises and had a chat with members of staff headed by Elaine Elwell.

The nursery aims to provide a creative learning environment so that every child is nurtured in the best way possible at a vital moment in their development. 

Twiglets is extremely popular and still has a few funded and non-funded places available. Nursery education funding is available to those eligible which in some cases pays 100% of the cost. For more information, please get in touch with Twiglets on 0121 378 051 or email info@twigletsprivatenursery.co.uk.

Andrew Mitchell took part in the official opening of a memorial garden at Plantsbrook School in memory of student Louis Watkiss, whose tragic death last year provoked such an outpouring of sympathy and sadness across the Royal Town.

Andrew said:

“This wonderful memorial garden, which was designed along a Japanese theme by Louis’ classmates, was made possible by donations and support from across the community.

“The event was very moving, and saw Louis’ family, along with staff and students from the school, officially unveil this wonderful, peaceful spot where his classmates can sit during quiet moments and remember not only what a great friend he was, but the many things he did during his short life to enrich the lives of others.

“I once again expressed my condolences to the Watkiss family on behalf of the whole of Sutton Coldfield, and my gratitude to the school for what they have done to honour Louis’ memory.”

Last Sunday as the whole country remembered the men and women in our armed forces who perished in defence of our freedoms, Andrew Mitchell joined Mayor Jan Cairns to lay a wreath at the King Edward’s Memorial along with Deputy Lieutenant John Craggs.

Following the ceremony at the memorial, Andrew joined veterans and younger participants back at the Royal British Legion where Mr Gary Truelove was presented with a special award for commanding more than 25 annual parades on Remembrance Sunday.

Andrew said:

“Remembrance Sunday ceremonies never fail to move me. The passage of time makes the occasion all the more poignant and necessary. We commemorate the fallen soldiers not only in two world wars but in all military operations past and present, to whom we owe the greatest debt of gratitude.

“Never forget. Always remember.”

Andrew Mitchell visited Arthur Terry School which, as their MP, he has visited more than 50 times. 

He said:

“It is always nice to visit and it was good to have a most useful catchup with the head teacher, Sam Kimble and deputy head teacher, Michael Gannon.”

On Friday I met with Simon Kirkland, Chair of West Midlands swimming at The Delhi in Boldmere, to try and advance the legacy of the Games this year for swimming and related activities.

Amongst other issues we discussed open water swimming in Powell’s Pool nearby and the success of the diving programme at Wyndley leisure centre. Indeed, I was pleased to learn that there’s been such a strong response locally since the Games, particularly amongst teenagers wishing to take up diving, that Wyndley has put on additional classes to meet the surge in demand.

There’s also a strong demand for open air swimming and subject to water quality (and there is a bit of an issue here) Powell’s pool would be the perfect place. Local triathlon clubs are also keen and there is wider interest across the Midlands. We will be working on all of these areas and creating opportunities for greater participation.

I should also say how grateful we are to Boldmere swimming club for all the work they did over covid, expanding opportunities - not only for children - to come and swim. Boldmere swimming club (which I am very pleased to hear may be considering changing its name to Royal Sutton Coldfield Swimming Club - as are many of the Royal Towns brilliant organisations) is also interested in the open water swimming at Powell’s Pool.

This is all very good news for the health enjoyment and exercise of my constituents of all ages and abilities and part of the legacy from those brilliant games last summer which we must be sure to support and promote!

I visited Falcon Lodge Community Hub where I met a number of community groups providing essential services in Falcon Lodge and the Royal Town.

First I met the local Police Neighbourhood team together with recently elected local Councillor Richard Parkin, to discuss local policing matters, where Richard is working so hard for people in the community.