Category: Opinion

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Words and pics supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington, BIrmingham, in Westminster / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)

At the end of October, the Chancellor delivered the autumn budget – the first under a Labour government in 14 years. After over a decade of Conservative mismanagement, we’re finally taking steps to rebuild Britain and restore faith in our economy.

This budget focuses on the issues that matter most: fixing the NHS, raising wages, supporting our schools, and strengthening our communities – all without increasing taxes on working people.

So, what does this mean for Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott?

First, the increase in the National Living Wage will benefit thousands locally, putting more money in the pockets of hardworking families.

Our NHS will receive a £25.6 billion boost over the next two years, ensuring more appointments and better care for all. Schools will see a £2.3 billion increase in funding, 6,500 more teachers, and a £30 million investment in free breakfast clubs, ensuring every child starts the day ready to learn.

To tackle crime, we’re ending the neglect of low-value shoplifting and other petty crimes slipping through the cracks.

This budget funds 13,000 more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, so our streets and local traders – like those at Erdington High Street, Slade Road and Kingstanding Precinct – will be safer. And with £500 million to fix potholes, our roads will finally see the improvements they deserve.

This budget fixes the foundations to deliver change, with working people and local communities at its heart. It’s the reset our economy and country have needed.

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

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Words and pics supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Paulette Hamilton MP at community meeting

It’s been another busy month across Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott, despite the Parliament recess for conference season.

I have had the opportunity to visit some of our amazing community groups, such as Northside Welcome Centre and Growth Path, who do incredible work supporting local people.

Recently, I held my regular Erdington High Street meeting, where I met with residents, traders, Birmingham City Council representatives, and the police to discuss ongoing efforts to address the issues plaguing Erdington High Street.

During this meeting, I also shared the results of my survey, which highlighted the main concerns of residents and their suggestions for improvements. The full survey results are available on my website – www.paulettehamilton.org

Paulette Hamilton MP at meeting with local police

I am pleased to report that, as part of Operation Skybridge in Erdington, the police have successfully removed drugs from the streets and made several arrests. This is a welcome step forward in our fight against crime.

Additionally, I recently hosted the Kingstanding Crime Conference with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and local police. Residents voiced their concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour, and I am delighted to see that Kingstanding residents are now exploring local initiatives to support our collective efforts.

Addressing crime and antisocial behaviour remains a top priority for me. I am committed to working closely with our partners, the police, and residents to ensure our community remains safe and our neighbourhoods secure.

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

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OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pic supplied by Jack Brookes

Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, on the campaign trail

Recently the media have talked about the effects of this government’s policies in relation to old people, but what about us young people?

We have never had so much material wise, although in terms of what is meaningful, never had so little.

If you want to be able to have a home and or have a family, unless you’ve had the financial backing, you’re gonna find it extremely difficult in today’s economic, political and social climate. Arguably, the most difficult it’s ever been since the Victorian period based on the metrics – the price to earnings ratios.

Let’s look at what can be done by us young people…

Some of you may have started university. I remember what that was like seven years ago now; it can be quite intimidating, but embrace the chaos.

For all of us there is an opportunity going into this winter: use it as a chance to rebuild. In this rebuild start getting into good habits, and do it with other people so you can hold each other to account and also so you’re part of a team – you can encourage each other.

Even consider buying a house with several friends. More guarantors. More deposit money.

The young people in Reform UK know this: we raise each other up, not drag each other down like careerist do in the other parties. We are a party of ambition, strength, integrity and meritocracy.

However, the way we thrive… is together – not divided. “If you reform yourself, then you reform a nation.”

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

L-R Cllr Moore, Cllr Alden – Erdington Ward, Conservatives / Pic by Ed King

Cllr Gareth Moore and myself have been working with residents to try and improve road safety in a number of areas across Erdington Ward over the last year.

As part of that work, we raised at the last Council meeting the need for a number of improvements to take place including average Speed Cameras on the Chester Road to tackle speeding drivers.

Over the last year we have had yellow lines installed at a number of locations around the ward to tackle dangerous parking at junctions to try and make them safer, including on Gravelly Lane (at the junction of Oliver and Somerset Roads) Fosseway Drive and Hayes Grove.

Following a number of serious incidents at the junction of Kingsbury Road and Spring Lane, we have had plans drawn up to make changes to the layout to try and slow the speed cars take the corner so to make it safer for residents.

These have been consulted on locally with nearby residents and earlier this year Gareth and I secured funding for them so they will be installed in the coming months.

In previous years the Council has given each ward a pot of funding for minor works road safety improvements locally to be made where residents want them.

Sadly, now the Council has axed funding from those wards which used it, while keeping it for wards that haven’t spent last year’s funding yet (mostly Labour Councillor wards). This will make it harder to keep local roads safe.

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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OPINON: Making arrests in Edington with Operation Skybridge

Words and lead image supplied by West Midlands Police

Operation Skybridge police team

(Ed’s note: This article was first written by West Midlands Polcie and submitted for publishing in the Oct/Nov newspaper on 11.10.24 – there have continued to be arrests made by Operation Skybridge.)

#OpSkybridge the CID crime team have been in the Erdington area for the last few weeks and [at the time of writing] have made ten arrests.

The team made up of plain clothed and uniformed officers have been a highly visible presence in and around Erdington following concerns raised by the local community.

Since 30 September they’ve made ten arrests [at the time of writing] for offences like possession of an offensive weapon, burglary, driving offences and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

This has also resulted in three people being charged, two people have been remanded in custody until their next court date.

The team work closely with the local neighbourhood team in each area to understand the priorities and concerns of local people. They provide a highly visible presence to deter criminal activity, make arrests and offer reassurance to the local community.

Inspector Shameem Ahmed, from Erdington’s Neighbourhood Team said: “It’s been great to have the additional support to deal with issues the community tells us needs looking at.

“But I want to reassure people that this is not the end of our work in the area, the local policing teams are still there and will continue to disrupt and deal with crime that affects our communities.”

For more from West Midlands Police, and advice on how to report a crime, visit www.westmidlands.police.uk

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Words and pics supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

As a result of the parliamentary boundary review and subsequent general election, South Oscott is now part of the Erdington constituency. So, I was delighted to host a meeting with local residents to hear their priorities and concerns.

It was wonderful to meet so many residents who shared their experiences and told me about the improvements they would like to see. I am determined to engage, listen and champion every corner of our community.

Elsewhere in the constituency, I am leading a campaign to stop another HMO in Kingstanding. After hearing the concerns of local residents, I have organised a petition that has collected hundreds of signatures.

I plan to submit a formal objection to the planning committee and encourage local residents to do the same, emphasising issues such as overcrowding, noise, parking problems, and the potential negative impact on the character of the neighbourhood.

I recently attended the Erdington and Kingstanding libraries consultation carried out by Birmingham City Council. At the meetings, I made it clear that I wholeheartedly support keeping our local libraries open, as I believe closing them would have a negative impact on our community.

I also want to place on record my gratitude to local organisations, such as the Erdington Lunar Society and Friends of Erdington Library, for their tireless campaigning on this crucial issue.

Their dedication is inspiring, and I am proud to stand alongside these dedicated groups in their fight to preserve these important community resources.

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

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OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pic supplied by Jack Brookes

The system is not broken. It is doing what is designed to do: kill the good; elevate the evil.

Huw Edwards should be rotting in a cell. But he is not. However, post a Tweet that the government does not like… in the cage you go. The communists are to blame. Starmer and his cabal set a precedent. There is a theme with the BBC. Time to finally scrap the licence. Not to mention the grooming gangs and not deporting foreign criminals – Tories are equally disgustingly guilty in these crimes. But what do you expect when the commies constantly call these nonces, “Minor Attracted Person” (MAPs)?

If a child can consent to sterilisation… what else can they consent to? Hence why there is a rise in GaysAgainstGroomers, which has my full support. For me it’s, “Do what you want, but leave the kids alone.”

On top of this, we have the pensioners having their winter fuel payments stripped. This Labour government, by its own sources, know that this will result in excess deaths – hypocrisy on display.

This government and the establishment hate you. How much more evidence do you need?

Come the elections… you have a choice: freedom or tyranny. Once freedom is lost, you have to go to the extremes to get it back. And the extremes are not what I advocate.

As I have said before… “Peacefully come out of the system.” Violence is an extreme last resort and should be used only in self-defence.

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Words and pics supplied by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

This month has seen Cllr Gareth Moore and I, pictured at the recent consultation event at Erdington Library, continuing our campaign to save Erdington Library and working with Cllr Clifton Welch to try and also save Kingstanding and Perry Common Libraries.

It was therefore great to see so many people attending the recent consultation event at Erdington Library.

Erdington has had the largest attendance out of all the Council consultation events held so far. We will continue to be keeping the pressure on the Labour Administration at Birmingham City Council in the weeks ahead.

We’ve also had the latest High Street Task [Force] meeting discussing crime and anti-social behaviour. We discussed the good news that pressure for more police officers locally has started to deliver with the news the Erdington Police Team has been expanded with an extra officer.

Regarding tackling drug dealing, a dealer was arrested on High Street in early September with at least 12 wraps of drugs for sale on them.

We continue to push for additional CCTV on the High Street to help catch criminal behaviour, a CCTV application has been prepared by the Council’s Community Safety Team which is to be submitted to the CCTV team for them to progress.

Finally, we have raised the need to secure a renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on the High Street which expires at the end of the year.

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Words and pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)

As Parliament enters its summer recess and schools have broken up for the holidays, our community in Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott is bursting with activity. This period is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend quality time together and for me to focus on local issues that matter to you.

I have been very concerned about the recent developments at John Taylor Hospice. That’s why I have written to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to express my deep concerns about the hospice’s future.

Recently, I joined the local police and partners for the ‘All Out Day’ event on Erdington High Street. It was a fantastic day of community interaction and engagement. I am also pleased to say that police response officers have been redeployed at Erdington Police Station, strengthening local policing.

I had the pleasure of attending the Hesketh Neighbourhood Watch’s Summer Fete. It was heartwarming to see so many residents come together to celebrate and support each other.

Events like these highlight the strength and unity of our community, especially with the violence and disorder our country is witnessing on our streets. I’m proud to work with our local mosques and places of worship, community groups, and the police to ensure our community is a welcoming place for all.

As we enjoy the summer, let’s continue to work together to address our local challenges and celebrate our successes. Your support and involvement are what makes our community a wonderful place to live and work.

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

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OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pics supplied by Jack Brookes

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)

Britain is broken. Even if we had everything; house paid off, a great job and a family… you and your family are not safe. And if something horrible happens to them then this government acts in a disgustingly weirdly woke way.

It is self-evident that the social contract is now dead. This Totalitarian government will use your tax money – which is taken by force – to fund things against your interest and the National interest.

If you want to bring them down and liberate yourselves then withdraw your money from the bank, use cash, use metal money and don’t pay your taxes. Remember… The Suffragettes went on a tax strike.

The establishment want you to riot and they want this division in order to create enough chaos in order to enact totalitarian powers – covid, Nazi Germany, China and USSR. Do not fall into their trap.

To all communities… there us more that unites us than divides. However, we must all have a mutual respect and desire to live by British values. British is what’s in your heart.

In Liberty, JB.

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency