(l-r) Cllr Alden and Cllr Moore outside Erdington Library / Photograph supplied by Local Conservatives
Ed’s note… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Words byCouncillor Robert Alden
Cllr Gareth Moore and I have recently met with the Council to chase repairs to our much-loved Erdington Library. Chasing this work was one of our first actions following our re-election as it is so important to our area.
The assessment and initial design work was completed in April. This work includes replacement of the roof, replacement of the windows, a lighting upgrade and the reinstatement of public toilets.
The Council will now be seeking Listed Building Consent to enable these works to happen, and an application is expected to be made soon. However, delays within the Department mean a decision is not expected until October, meaning work could not start till November – which is a substantial delay.
We’ve made it clear that a new roof is desperately needed before the winter to avoid the risk of further damage during cold weather.
It’s hugely disappointing that there are further delays to repair and restore Erdington Library.
At the City Council a new Leader of the Council has been appointed following a vote at the Council AGM. Cllr Harmer came first in the vote followed by myself as Leader of the Local Conservatives in second, the Reform Leader came last after they refused to back the Local Conservatives to take control of Birmingham City Council.
One of the Reform Councillors even voted for the new Green, Lib Dem, Independent administration.
The Local Conservatives will be leading the scrutiny of the new administration and holding them to account in the year ahead.
The head of the of the Birmingham Liberal Democrats group, Cllr Roger Harmer (Acocks Green), was voted in as Leader of Birmingham City Council at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
Convening in the Council chamber at 6pm on 5 June, all 101 councillors from across the city were invited to attend and vote for the individual they wanted to take up the top job – which brings with it a special Responsibility Allowance of £56,579 on top of the Basic Allowance granted to all councillors of £19,952.
The vote for Council leader was called after no party managed to secure a majority in the recent Local Elections held in May 2026, with no majority coalition subsequently formed.
Official prepare to vote for city leader in Birmingham Council Chamber / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Harmer was nominated by Birmingham Green Party leader, Cllr Julien Pritchard (Druids Heath & Monyhull), as part of a minority coalition between the two parties and independent councillors from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
Also nominated, by members of their own parties, were the leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington) and the leader of the Birmingham Reform UK group Cllr Jex Parkin (Kingstanding).
Following the nominations, a 20 minute recess was taken before the three candidates were allowed five minutes to address the chamber and deliver a speech as to why they would be right person to form a Cabinet and lead the city’s elected officials.
Cllr Roger Harmer addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Speaking in the order they were nominated, Cllr Harmer was the first to address the chamber, presenting a “coalition built on partnership” and asking those present to allow him to establish a Cabinet that would “put right the failures of the past” – seemingly referring to the 14 year long Labour run administration which ended with the city effectively declaring bankruptcy and an unresolved bin strike.
Addressing the city’s elected official next was Cllr Robert Alden, who began by declaring Birmingham “the greatest city in the world” before reminding the room and those hoping to govern that “just blaming the failures of the last 14 years will not be accepted” by the city’s residents.
Cllr Robert Alden addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Alden further warned against the “frankly geographical [political] spilt across the city” following the recently Council elections, which saw concentrations of elected councillor from both political parties and independents in certain areas of Birmingham.
“None of us have a majority,” added Cllr Alden, “and no one over the next four years [until the next Council elections] should forget that.”
Cllr Alden’s speech received applause from across the Birmingham Council Chamber.
Last to address the room was the recently appointed head of Birmingham’s Reform UK group, Cllr Jex Parkin, who leads the lion’s share of Birmingham’s elected officials – overseeing 23 councillors, four more than Birmingham’s Green Party which sits as the second political group in the city.
Cllr Jex Park sits with Birmingham Reform councillors in Birmingham Council Chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
After describing how Birmingham is still “deciding how we interpret on of the most significant results”, which also saw the Birmingham Labour Party lose 48 councillors, Cllr Parkin called for “co-operation across all political boarders” and warned against a “chaotic coalition of musical chairs.”
Leader of both the largest and newest political party in the city, Cllr Parkin closed his argument by listing the attributes that Birmingham Reform councillors could bring to their potential governorship of the city, and declaring “life experience beats political experience each and every time.”
Councillors present were then asked to voice their votes for the Council Leader, a process which had been postponed after the previous Full Council meeting in May ran out of time due to the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor Zaker Choudhry.
After the results were counted, Cllr Roger Harmer won with a clear majority of 40 votes – against 19 votes for Cllr Robert Alden and 18 votes for Cllr Jex Parkin.
Birmingham City Council House, as viewed behind Heras fencing / Photgraph by Ed King
Analysis of the results showed that the Liberal Democrats and Green Party has used their party whips effectively, retaining support from all their elected officials – alongside those from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
The Birmingham Local Conservatives group also received votes from all its 16 councillors, alongside additional support from independents Cllr Amar Khan (Stockland Green) and Rinkal Shergill (Holyhead).
Birmingham’s Reform UK party however only received 18 votes from its body of 23 councillors, with their recently elected Kingstanding Councillor Graham Green absent from the meeting.
Of the last two remaining Labour councillors in the Erdington constituency, Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale) abstained and Cllr Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill) was absent.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also received one vote, although it was not officially counted in the final results.
Erdington’s MP Paulette Hamilton has called for Sir Keir Starmer to step down as Labour Party leader, telling the BBC’s Sarah Montague “we need change” in an interview on Radio 4’s World at One programme.
Appearing on Monday 11 May, a few days after Labour suffered drastic loses in the recent Council elections – and where Reform UK and independent candidates took eight of the twelve local seats across the Erdington constituency – Ms Hamilton told the broadcaster there was a need for an “orderly transition” of power at the top of the Labour Party.
“At the moment, people are burying their heads in the sand,” added Ms Hamilton, before describing how over the last year and a half “I have seen where we are, people are just not listening. They do not trust anything [Labour] have to say.”
Promotional poster for BBC Four’s World at One with Sarah Montague
“They’re telling you, ‘I have voted Labour all my life but I am not voting for Keir Starmer,’” she continued, “if you know the Brummie way of doing things, [the general public] have made it clear they are not voting for Keir Starmer.”
Earlier in the interview, Ms Hamilton had outlined the threat she believes is being faced by the Labour Party over issues with its leadership, stating: “I am telling people today, unless we wake up smell the roses we may as well hand the keys of Number 10 over to Reform in the next couple of years.”
This was highlighted in a recent and razor thin battle for the Stockland Green Ward, where the Labour candidate Derek Douglas lost to Reform UK’s Mansoor Butt by only one vote.
At the official count, Mr Douglas told Erdington Local he felt the loss was a direct result of negative feelings towards the national party.
Reform’s Mansoor Butt in an empty Utilita Arena after Stockland Green recount / Photograph by Ed King
The Erdington MP’s strong words today mirror a campaign spearheaded by Catherine West MP (Hornsey and Friern Barnet, Labour) to oust the Labour leader and establish a fresh face in Number 10 ahead of the next General Election.
At the time of writing, over 50 MPs across the UK have backed the call for a leadership challenge – with Sir Starmer making an impassioned speech to buoy support from his backbenchers and Cabinet, highlighting plans to potentially nationalise British Steel, and provide better opportunities for young people.
The Labour Leader was also clear on his plans to “[rebuild] our relationship with Europe” and put “Britain at the heart of Europe” – which many see as paving the way for a potential re-entry to the European Union.
Ms Hamilton MP also referenced this in her Radio 4 interview, stating she “was for Europe” and was “happy with what [Keir Starmer] said” in his speech, but that people in Erdington were contacting her constituency office the Labour leader’s stance.
“I’m telling you, residents have already started writing to me telling me they don’t like it,” Ms Hamilton told the BBC. “That’s the point. At the moment I’m starting to get mail into my office saying, ‘why has he (Kier Starmer) come out with that?’”
Paulette Hamilton and Keir Starmer in Erdington during by-election camapign in 2022 / Photograph from Erdington Local archives
Erdington Local reached out to Paulette Hamilton’s office for further comment on the issues over Europe and the EU and received the following statement from the Erdington MP:
“I campaigned to remain, but Britain voted to leave. That’s democracy. Residents have told me on the doorstep and by email that we voted to leave, and they’re right.
“A good relationship with Europe is important, but the ‘new direction’ won’t put us back to where we were in the EU.”
At the recent Council elections, Reform UK candidates won both seats in both Oscott and Kingstanding, and one of the two seats up for grabs in Stockland Green – with the other going to incumbent independent Amar Khan. Reform also one the single seats contested in Pype Hayes and Perry Common.
Elsewhere, Labour incumbents retained their seats in Gravelly Hill and Castle Vale – with the Local Conservatives also holding onto their two seats in the Erdington Ward.
(L-R) Cllr Alden and Cllr Moore standing outside Erdington Library / Photograph supplied Cllr Alden
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Tireless local Councillor Gareth Moore and I recently met senior officers and the Cabinet Member at Erdington Library to discuss the urgent need for repairs, a library provision during the current closure and to inspect the damage that the library has suffered.
We also since have held a public meeting to update residents on the latest and the next steps.
Sadly the damage to the roof has been significant, part of the ceiling has now fallen down and there has been significant water ingress.
Birmingham City Council have reiterated, following our campaign to save Erdington Library, they are committed to repairing and reopening the library.
(L-R) Cllr Moore and Cllr Alden standing by community artwork / Photograph supplied Cllr Alden
We have secured the following repairs: roof and skylights to be replaced, damaged plaster repaired, single glazed windows replaced, public toilets reinstated, lighting upgraded, reinstate hot water in staff areas, inspections of stone coping and underground heating pipework.
It’s vital that residents have a library service locally. So before the work begins, we’ve asked the Council to reopen the community room for bookings and book drop off.
With work expected to take around a year, longer term we are working with the Council to find a temporary location to house a library service for Erdington as well as for increased visits from the mobile library truck.
The Mobile Library will now visit the High Street every Wednesday 12.30pm-2.30pm – starting Wednesday 25 March and one Saturday per month 3.10pm-4.00pm – starting Saturday 11 April.
(L-R) Local campaigner Alex Richards and Cllr Clifton Welch in the Council House / Photograph supplied by Cllr Welch
Words byCllr Clifton Welch
Dear residents,
Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen some extraordinary scenes in the Birmingham Council Chamber when Labour – who have run Birmingham for the past 14 years and with an overall majority – were unable to pass their budget for 2026/27.
It required a second emergency meeting some six days later for Birmingham Labour to be able to pass their own budget.
In the original Council meeting, I was lucky enough to be called on to speak. Below are some extracts from my speech: “Birmingham Labour talk about fresh ambition’s, is that a joke? You are responsible for this mess.
“The proposed Council Tax increase of 5% means residents will be paying 82% more than when Labour took office and for what? Bin strike into its second year; Zero green waste collection; Weekly waste collections to be scrapped; Fly Tipping out of control; Pot holes like third world; Oracle IT system not working; Equal Pay crisis…
“Is this what Birmingham Labour calls fresh ambition?”
“But the agony for Birmingham residents is nearly over. Labour have broken Birmingham, but the Conservative alternative budget can start the process of fixing it.
“The Conservative alternative budget would provide: Cleaner streets, better local services, fixing the potholes, a community chest fund for local councillors to decide what to spend funds on.
“Our alternative budget is fully costed and funded. There is hope for residents once we get rid of this Labour Council.”
(l-r) Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore outside Erdington Library during recent heavy rains / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Local Conservatives
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Before Christmas Erdington library’s roof sprung a leak and despite an initial repair, it flooded a second time that has now seen it closed since then for repairs.
Over the last month Cllr Gareth Moore and I have continued to push the Council to get the roof repaired and the library reopened asap. We have asked officers for an urgent meeting on site to inspect the damage.
At the recent Council meeting we asked the Cabinet Member in charge of Libraries, Cllr Suleman, to hurry up and sign off funding for the repairs and to meet us on site to discuss the damage and how important Erdington Library is to our local community.
Sadly, this damage is another example of the cost of the Labour Council continually putting off proper maintenance. Gareth and I, along with the local Friends group, have all been warning the Council that the roof needed wholesale replacement.
This work was promised but has been delayed again and again by the Council. Now the damage and cost to repair it will be far greater.
Gareth and I know just how important our historic library is locally and we will not rest until we have got Erdington Library reopened.
This month has also seen the Labour run City Council announce another double whammy on residents with further Council Tax rises and service cuts announced for the next year. It means since Labour took control of the Council in 2012 Council Tax will have DOUBLED under their plans.
(l-r) Cllr Clifton Welch and local campaigner Alex Richards at Conker Island, Kingstanding / Photograph supplied by Cllr Clifton Welch
Words byCllr Clifton Welch
Dear residents,
During the bad weather in January Local Conservative Campaigner Alex Richards and myself were out reporting dozens and dozens of grit boxes that needed refilling. Residents also asked for several additional grit boxes across the ward which I have formally requested.
On 23 January Alex and I took the opportunity while looking at the new litter bins on Conker Island, to plant some daffodil bulbs close to the newly installed bins. I’m looking forward to seeing them bloom.
On 24 January, I took part in a group Litter Pick at the King George V playing fields.
On 26 January I was able to speak at the Full City Council. I took the opportunity to name a dozen plus roads in Kingstanding that had not had a waste collection for two weeks. I also raised the case of Greenholm Primary School that by mid January had gone a month without a waste collection, and still had the remains of the schools Christmas Lunch to be collected.
I also mentioned St Lukes Church which had gone at least two months since a waste collection.
Since my last Update on Pride in Place there have been some major changes. The main change is that the Programme now starts from April 2026 and the appointment of the so called Independent Chair has to be approved by the local MP.
The selection process for the Chair starts now, so if you are interested keep an eye on local social media for details.
Cllr Robert Alden with grit box in Erdington / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
(Ed’s note… this column was written for the January/February Erdington Local newspaper and first published on 20.01.26)
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
With the winter weather, Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been checking on grit bins and reporting empty ones for refilling in case the cold weather returns. We’ve also been challenging the Council to fix the potholes now in our local area.
This month has also seen the revelations that another Birmingham Labour politician has been revealed to have connections to HMO’s and Exempt Accommodation.
They’re not the only one.
This is why Labour keep voting against attempts to stop badly run exempt accommodation.
When Labour are not voting down attempts to tackle badly run exempt accommodation, they are buying up family homes to turn into supported accommodation. Last year the Labour Council bought 100s of houses in Erdington and Birmingham, using taxpayer’s money to outbid local residents trying to get on the housing ladder.
Only backing Birmingham Local Conservatives and kicking Labour out in May’s elections will give Birmingham a chance to stop the growth in badly run exempt accommodation.
Neither Cllr Gareth Moore and I, nor our families, have ever owned exempt accommodation or HMO’s. Sadly, this is not true for many Birmingham Labour politicians. Worse, they consistently refuse to be honest about it.
As other parties come out of the woodwork, with the City Council elections approaching in May, make sure you ask any candidates that you see to put in writing whether they or their family own or have ever owned HMO’s and Exempt Accommodation.
(l-r) Alex Richards, Father Christmas, Cllr Clifton Welch at Kingstanding Inn / Photograph supplied by Cllr Welch
(Ed’s note… this column was written for the January/February Erdington Local newspaper and first published on 20.01.26)
Words byCllr Clifton Welch
Dear residents,
I thought I’d take this opportunity to outline the type of visits my Local Conservative Campaigner Alex Richards I and have been making over the past six weeks.
On 21 November, Alex and I were proud to attend the memorial for the 51 year anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings, when the IRA murdered 21 innocent people. The memorial was held in the city centre with a church service followed by speeches at the New Street Station Tree Sculpture dedicated to the 21 victims.
On 20 December I met Father Christmas when he visited The Golden Hind pub. The next day Alex and I were lucky enough to have our photo taken with Father Christmas when he attended the Christmas Fun Day at the Kingstanding Inn.
On Christmas Eve, Alex and I attend a carol service at St Lukes Church and stayed for coffee and mince pies. On Boxing Day, Alex and I were invited to the Together in the Community meal dedicated to the homeless and elderly and had a great time enjoying the live music in the evening.
On 12 January, I met the People for People Charity based in College Rd and they outlined their proposals for community engagement through schools, churches, and local outreach.
On 14 January, I hosted the Kingstanding Ward Meeting which covered wide range of issues such as Pride in Place investment, new speed zones around Crossways Lane and Twickenham Road, Burford Road playing fields, and failed bin collections.
(l-r) Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore at the Erdington Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch on event / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Christmas time in Erdington is a wonderful time of the year, with all the excellent Christmas community events that residents put on.
This year, as always, we have tried to support as many of them as possible. Events such as the Abbey Church Christmas Fayre show Erdington at its finest as residents come together to celebrate a time of hope and salvation.
Cllr Gareth Moore and I also had the honour of helping Father Christmas switch on the Christmas lights on the High Street as well.
Thank you to all the residents, volunteers, charities, schools, churches and the Erdington Business Improvement District for all their efforts arranging Christmas events, Santa’s sleigh and grotto. It is really appreciated.
(l-r) Cllr Alden, Mrs Claus, Santa Claus, Cllr Moore at the official Christmas Light Switch On event on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
Away from Christmas we have continued to push for Erdington to get the level of police needed to cover the High Street and the residential areas. We are seeing an extra two officers joining the local team in January, however we will not be stopping there and will continue to push for further support.
We also raised the need for more support for areas like Erdington at the recent Full Council meeting. We’re also continuing to demand the front desk at Erdington Police station is reopened as well.
Finally, we’ve been chasing the Council about the urgent need for them to fix potholes on roads such as Gravelly Lane, Chester Road and many others.
Cllr Gareth Moore and I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit https://www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews
