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OPINION: My thoughts on Birmingham’s budget – Gravelly Hill Councillor Mick Brown

Words by Cllr Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill Ward, Labour & Co-operative) / Pics from Birmingham Labour and Erdington Local archives

As the Councillor for Gravelly Hill, I wanted to give my thoughts on Birmingham’s budget, the difficult decisions that had to be made and the impact the council cuts are likely to have.

As Councillors we have been left will no alternative other than to get the council back on a sound financial footing, but like many of my council colleagues it was with a very heavy heart that I voted for this budget. 

When I talk to Gravelly Hill residents about their concerns over what has happened in Birmingham, there are the four commonly asked questions:

What’s gone wrong here?
I believe that the Council needs to take responsibility for its part in the failings, which include both the ongoing equal pay liability and the botched implementation of the Oracle computer system.  For this reason, I’m backing the call for an independent inquiry so that the people of Birmingham can see that there is accountability for what’s gone wrong here.

The failure to deliver savings in previous years, is a further reason for the need to save £300 million over the next two years. However, much of the savings we have had to find are due to increased costs, and more people needing our services due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Is this just happening here?
While some of this situation is unique to Birmingham, the constant underfunding of local government is an issue for councils up and down the country regardless of political persuasion.  Birmingham has lost over a billion pounds over the last decade, as we are all being hit by inflation and rapidly increased demand for services such as adult social care and childcare services.

What’s been protected?
We will still have millions to spend on services, for example the Council has safeguarded the future of the Wellbeing Leisure Centres, and the aim is to ensure a £1 million fund for youth services across the city. While the cuts are far larger than we would have wanted to have made, with the adult care being cut by 6% and children and young people services cut by 14%; the rising demand for both services means that the amount of money spend is rising despite the budget cuts.

What’s happening next?
We know that the way the council works needs to change, and we need to get better at working with partners across the city. We are going to consult with the people of Birmingham on how you want services to be delivered in your local area, so that we give people the support that they need in the most effective way possible.

As councillors we all have a role to play going forward standing up for our communities and ensuring that the transformation of the Council delivers the better basic services that the residents of Birmingham deserve.

Click here for more from Gravelly Hill Councillor Mick Brown (Labour & Co-operative).

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Students from The Hive College invited for special dinner at Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant

Words & pics by The Hive College

Last week Live 2 students from The Hive College were invited to a special dinner at Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant in Birmingham.

It was a great experience for the students, some of whom have never been to a restaurant before! It also provided them with the opportunity to practise the skills they focus on in college, and to help them prepare for adulthood.

Speaking about their experience, the students gave a message of thanks for the kind hearted staff at Chung Ying. They told: “Thank you for having us at the restaurant and thank you to all the staff. Thank you for the free food and drink it was fun trying to use the chop sticks. Thank you for letting us take some back for one of our friends.

“The food was amazing; thank you for that and thank you for refilling our drinks. it was nice meeting you, we hope we see you again. From Live 2.”

Recently graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, The Hive College uses field trips and experiences outside the classroom to help prepare their students for adulthood.

The visit to Chung Ying allowed them to all choose what they wanted from the menu and place an order with the waiter. And of course, it was a chance to socialise and have fun with their friends.

A spokesperson from The Hive College added: “We are extremely grateful to Will and his team at Chung Ying for their generosity and making us all feel really welcome.”

For more on The Hive College visit: www.hivecollege.org.uk

For more on Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant visit: www.chungying.co.uk

The Hive College is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

To find out more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: edking@erdingtonlocal.com

 

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BACK TO SCHOOL: The Hive College students visit Kier Highways

Words & pics supplied by The Hive College

This morning we travelled to Kier Highways.

At Kier, they led us to a big entry point where trucks come and go – so we had to be careful of oncoming vehicles. We then geared up with PPE (helmet, gloves, and a hi-vis). After that, we used a weed killer but there was water in it.

Next, we saw the truck that grits the road with salt when its slippery.
Next, we watched a demonstration of how to paint a road with road directions.
After the demonstration, some of the students did some road painting with sand.

After that, we walked into an office and went to a meeting room and we listened to a presentation about what Kier was all about and all the different sectors that all the employees operate in. While in the meeting room, the employees talked about the entry requirements and the experience that you need to get the job.

The Kier employees talked about the history of Kier; it’s going to be 100 years since the company started in 4 years time. We were thrilled with excitement as they gave each of us some goody bags and in the goody bags was a bottle and a notebook.

After they showed us to a warehouse where all the boxes with the road signs get placed, and after they take the road signs out of the box, they get flattened by a machine.

All around it was a great day.

For more on The Hive College visit www.hivecollege.org.uk  

The Hive College is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

To find out more about going BACK TO SCHOOL please email: edking@erdingtonlocal.com

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NEWS: Andy Street announces £2.4m careers advisor fund during mayoral election campaign visit to Stockland Green School

Words and on location pics by Erdington Local

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street chose Stockland Green School to make his first major policy announcement of his election campaign.

Mr Street visited the Slade Road secondary on the first day of his official campaigning for the mayoral election to announce if re-elected on 2 May the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will pay for 40 careers advisers for schools in some of the region’s most challenged areas.

The plan has been costed at £2.4m with funding already identified by the WMCA.

Mr Street announced the policy at Stockland Green School due to its successful careers programme, which was launched after the legacy of lockdown saw work experience plummet and face-to-face careers sessions with pupils drastically decline.

Mr Street told Erdington Local: “This school has been praised by Ofsted for its commitment to careers advice, but sadly across the West Midlands the same not can be said for all schools.

“There are still too many young people who are not getting the right opportunities and guidance during the critical years when they are deciding what to do for work.”

He added: “30 per cent of our children have not had work experience; one in six have never had face-to-face careers advice. And as usual it’s the schools in the most challenged areas which have these problems.”

Mr Street, who credits his economics teacher as the catalyst for his journey into the business world – which saw him run the department store giant John Lewis from 2007 to 2016, before entering politics – is concerned youngsters will turn elsewhere for crucial advice if denied access to careers experts.

He continued: “In a world where youngsters are getting their career advice from people like Andrew Tate on social media, having trusted local grown-ups in schools is more important than ever.

“I spoke to children in this school today and they all had a spark, a passion, and an idea what excited them concerning jobs – and for children like these, they need help to give them advice about how to get to where they want be and fulfil their aspirations.”

As announced today, if Mr Street is re-elected as West Midlands Mayor schools which score high on the pupil poverty indicators will be able to apply to the WMCA for funds to employ a dedicated careers officer.

Stockland Green School, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, was praised last year by Ofsted for the “tenacious” approach of staff in driving up student aspiration.

Assistant headteacher, Katerina Lee, is also responsible for the careers advice in the school. She said: “The pandemic caused so many problems with work experience, and with careers advisors not meeting pupils we wanted to do something about it.

“We work with local companies to get our pupils the routes to the jobs and careers they want. However, it is hard. And it would be wonderful to have a full time careers advisor… in fact we could do with lots, their work is so important.”

She added: “It is not like in previous years, where pupils would be given a pathway to industries which would open their doors for work experience and then a job offer would be at the end of it.

“We have to work hard identifying the needs of pupils, like our SEN (special educational needs) children, it is very important to identify their needs very early on.”

Headteacher Rebecca Goode began working at Stockland Green School 16 years ago before getting the top job in 2022.

She said: “Our pupils enjoyed telling Mr Street their aspirations and what they want to do when they enter the job market. Giving them access to careers advice is a really important part of making that happen.”

Mr Street, who won the previous two West Midlands mayoral elections, promised to keep the region’s youngsters and children at the top of his agenda. He believes improving their economic prospects is key in both their success and that of the wider West Midlands.

He added: “This is one of those areas where we just haven’t had the budget, powers, and responsibility to sort this until now. But I will get a grip of career education if I’m re-elected in May.

The West Midlands Mayoral election is being held on Thursday, 2 May. Candidates include the incumbent Conservative candidate Mr Street, Labour’s Richard Parker, Reform UK’s Elaine Williams, and Sunny Virk for the Liberal Democrats.

For more on Andy Street visit www.andystreet.org.uk

For more on the West Midlands Combined Authority visit www.wmca.org.uk

Click here to learn more about the West Midlands Mayoral elections on 2 May.

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NEWS: A search for living relatives of WWII Erdington Aircraftman Maurice Joseph Berry

Words by Ed King

A search is on for living relatives of an Erdington aircraftman who died in the Second World War, hoping to invite them to a special memorial ceremony to be held in May later this year.

The Airfield Construction Branch Association (ACBA) have reached out to Erdington Local, looking for help in finding any friends or family members of Maurice Joseph Berry Aircraftman 2nd Class – who lost his life in a bombing raid whilst serving at RAF Ashford, Kent, in 1944.

Alongside Aircraftman Berry, a total of 20 people died in the raid on RAF Ashford – after a German Bomber dropped a 1000lb bomb on the construction camp whilst the men were on active service at the base.     

14 servicemen were killed immediately with a further six losing their lives following the attack. All the airmen were Volunteer Reservists attached to 5003 Squadron.

Founded in April 1918, the RAF grew to around 1.2m personnel in the Second World War – following the merger of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in the final stages of the First World War.

In the Second Ward War the RAF were also heavily supported by the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), established in 1939, which made up over 15% of the RAF at its peak and saw reportedly 2000 women signing up each week.

The RAF played a significant role in Second World War, as advances in German aircraft and airborne warfare gave birth to the German Luftwaffe – who had been secretly trained in the years in between the First and Second World Wars.

This ‘fight for the skies’ culminated in the Battle of Brittain and what is referred to today as ‘The Blitz’, air fought conflicts which lasted from July 1940 to May 1941 and were the German army’s precursor to their planned land invasion of Britain – named Operation Sea Lion.

However, by spring 1941 the Luftwaffe suffered significant losses and German plans for an invasion of the British Isles were scrapped.

Many of the Spitfire planes and Lancaster Bombers flown in the Second World War were made at the Castle Bromwich Aerodrome, on what is the Fort Dunlop site and Castle Vale estate today – with roads across the area named after the people and planes from Erdington that were so pivotal in Allies’ victory over the Third Reich and Axis powers.

Maurice Joseph Berry was born to Joseph and Alice Berry, who lived in Erdington. Maurice is buried at Witton Cemetery and it is believed he may still have family living in or around North Birmingham – or that people in the area might know how to locate any living relatives.

Anyone who has any knowledge of Maurice Joseph Berry or could help locate any living relatives is asked to contact ACBA Associate President Geoffrey Chesher-Brazier by emailing 5003squadron@gmail.com – or phoning 07481 992 2279.

A memorial service will be held in the St Mary parish church in Ashford, scheduled for 19 May, to honour the 20 fatalities from the raid at RAF Ashford, with a subsequent service held at Ashford War Memorial.

A letter sent by Mr Chesher-Braizer to Erdington Local concludes: ‘It will be greatly appreciated if you would assist us in locating living relatives of these young men who gave their lives in order that we may live in peace.”

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Last month, I was contacted by local people in Kingstanding and Oscott about a planning application that would have turned a family home into a 6-bed HMO. I am pleased to report that the Council have rejected these plans after we gathered 222 signatures from concerned residents as part of a campaign I led.

This yet again highlights the need for more affordable housing. Sadly, the Tory government has consistently fallen short when it comes to addressing the housing crisis, leaving countless families in an uncertain situation.

Labour has a plan to address the housing crisis on a national scale. We are committed to building 1.5 million new homes in the next parliament, ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. Labour would also give first time buyers first dibs on new homes in local areas.

The Tory government crashed our economy, and their recent spring budget announcement does little for working families. Under the Tories, we have seen lower growth in GDP compared to the last Labour government. There have been 25 Tory tax rises since the last election, and the average family will still be worse off under the Tories’ tax plan.

After fourteen years of chaos and instability, the Tories have failed and working people are worse off. It’s time for change.

It’s time for a Labour government that is committed to rebuilding our economy, keeping our communities safe, investing in our NHS, and getting Britain’s future back.

For more on Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington visit www.paulettehamilton.org

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Pic by Ed King – from Erdington Local archives

This month saw the Labour Council approve their new bankruptcy budget, leaving residents facing a double whammy of higher taxes and fewer services.

The Conservative opposition put forward a fully costed amendment, approved by officers, which would have saved all local libraries, increased street cleaning, scrapped Labour’s new ‘Rat Tax’ charge on pest controls and protected other services immediately and in the long term, showing how the Council can maintain weekly bin collections, funding in youth/adult services and keep Council Tax lower.

Sadly all 53 Labour Councillors voted against our alternative, instead voting for the Labour bankruptcy budget. Only Labour Councillors voted for Labour’s double whammy which puts up Council Tax by 21% over the next 2 years and closes most libraries.

Rest assured that Cllr Gareth Moore and I continue our campaign to try to save Erdington, Kingstanding and Perry Common libraries. You can sign our petition by visiting our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

Gareth and I are also delighted to announce funding has been secured to refurbish the Tennis Courts in Rookery Park, Brookvale Park and Pype Hayes Park.

The Council are trying to introduce charges for using these tennis courts. Gareth and I have been clear this is totally unacceptable. Thankfully have listened to us and the charges proposed will not happen in Erdington Ward; Rookery Park Tennis Courts will remain free.

In Stockland Green Brookvale will also remain free; however we will continue to fight for proposed charges to also be scrapped in Pype Hayes Park.

For more from Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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OPINION: A view from the Vale – Cllr Ray Goodwin

Pic supplied by Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale Ward, Labour)

I spent a few minutes reflecting on what to say, so here goes; I was hugely humbled to be elected in May 2022 as councillor for Castle Vale.

I promised to work tirelessly to get the best deal possible for Castle Vale, and in the period since May 2022 we have some big achievements – these include:

  • Securing the funding to rebuild Filton Croft Play Area and have a new park, shortly to be installed
  • Securing further funding to renovate all the parks on Castle Vale
  • Hold a fortnightly Pop Up Police Station
  • Campaigned for and secured the 64 Bus service that now runs to the Fort, Erdington High Street, and ASDA Minworth
  • New traffic crossings and road resurfacing – most notable by Sainsburys at Castle Vale and Innsworth Drive have been resurfaced.
  • Monthly Advice Surgeries
  • Weekly estate walks abouts to meet residents and understand their issues

This is just a small flavour of the achievements since May 2022. However, there is much more to come.

I will not be sitting on my laurels; I will be continuing to work hard and fight for Castle Vale – starting with the proposed train station. If the train station is located on Castle Vale, then it needs to be called Castle Vale and nothing else. And I will not be taking NO for answer.

I have said it once and I will say it a million times, Castle Vale is a rich diverse community full of amazing residents and organisations. Not only is it the best of what Birmingham is, it represents the best of all of us and this country.

So yes, I am and will always be deeply proud and humbled to be elected to represent Castle Vale.

For more from Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin visit www.facebook.com/thisiscastlevale

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Come and say hello – a message from Urban Devotion Birmingham

Words by Amy Heyes, Co-director at UDB / Artwork by Ash Porter

For the last 20 years we have been engaging with young people, children, and families in Erdington.

You may see our team out walking the streets in our blue coats and hoodies, or with our Mobile Youth Venue (MYV) – come and say hi if you do! In addition to this we work with local primary and secondary schools and run weekly free, open access drop-ins for children, families, and young people in partnership with the churches that host us. Snacks are included and if you’re a child or young person we’d love to see you there.

Between Monday and Tuesday, we run a children’s and two youth drop-ins from the basement of St Martins Church on Witton Lodge Road.

On a Tuesday we also host a youth cafe from St Barnabas’ Café on Erdington High Street.

We have a Wyrley Birch family drop-in on a Wednesday. In the summer this is on Witton Lakes, through the winter Lakeside have hosted us.

On Thursdays we take our MYV to Erdington Oaks Play Park on Topcroft, and we also run both a family and youth drop in at Lighthouse Church in Pype Hayes.

Every Friday we finish the week with a children’s and a youth drop-in from St Chads Church on Stoneyhurst Road, Erdington Hall.

Please scan our QR code to see more information including sign up forms and a link to our Instagram and Facebook accounts where we share updates and last minute changes – please check before attending, especially in school holidays.

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org

Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: A long term plan for social housing

Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – Castle Vale Community Housing

If you’re a social housing tenant, whatever you feel about the quality of your home and services your landlord supplies (and I hope you’re happy if your landlord is Pioneer), the reality is you have an increasingly precious resource.

In Birmingham alone, there are currently around 23,000 social housing applicants waiting for a home. There are more than 4,500 households in priority need – people in temporary accommodation – and tonight over 400 families will be in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation waiting to be housed.

But this is not just a Birmingham issue, it’s a national housing crisis with 8.5 million people unable to access the housing they need. The total cost of poor housing, on society, is estimated at £18.5bn per year. Compare this to the cost to the NHS which is £1.4bn a year.

Ahead of the next general election, our trade body the National Housing Federation is making a case to all political parties for a ‘long term plan for housing’. By 2035 this plan could fix child homelessness, halve overcrowding, provide a million more social homes for people, deliver warm decent homes for seven million more families and improve affordability and ensure all regions have the homes they need to grow.

Research shows that the economic impact of building social housing would be significant; building 90,000 social rented homes a year could add £51.2bn to the UK economy and create almost 350,000 jobs. Within 11 years the investment in the new homes by the Government would be fully paid back.

It’s not for me to influence how you vote in the next general election, though I would encourage everyone to use their democratic right to vote (remember your ID!), but what I do ask is that you look at what is in the parties manifestos to tackle the housing crisis and perhaps consider the one that comes closest to meeting the huge housing challenges and has a long term plan for social housing.

For more on Castle Vale Community Housing visit www.cvch.org.uk

For more on The Pioneer Group visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk and for more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk

Castle Vale Community Housing, The Pioneer Group, and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.