Following the significant investment secured from central government earlier this year for Stockland Green Health Centre, it was a pleasure to mark the start of the new 32-bed purpose-built facility at the Highcroft site.
This long-awaited investment is a major step forward, and I’m proud we’re now seeing real progress.
Our faith and community groups play a vital role in bringing people together. That’s why it was a pleasure to join Pastor Aaron and the congregation at Charlton Road Church as they celebrated their 90th anniversary in Kingstanding.
It was a wonderful reminder of the dedication of volunteers, faith leaders and local organisations that make our area special. With Kingstanding benefitting from £20 million through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, I’m determined to ensure local people are at the heart of shaping that investment for years to come.
(l-r) Church Elder David Read, Paulette Hamilton MP, Pastor Aaron Reyes / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Alongside securing investment, I’m continuing to campaign on the issues that matter most.
I recently challenged the Prime Minister in Parliament over the loophole allowing some landlords, whose HMO applications have been refused, to convert properties into exempt accommodation with far less scrutiny.
Our communities deserve a proper say, and I’ll keep pressing the Government for stronger protections. You can support my campaign by signing my petition at www.paulettehamilton.org
Finally, as schools break up for the summer, I hope you and your family enjoy some well-earned time together.
Whether you’re staying local or heading away, I wish everyone across Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott a safe, happy and relaxing summer.
Paulette Hamilton MP on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour Group
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
I have lived in our area for nearly 40 years. I raised my children here. This is not just the constituency I represent; it is my home. So when our community is threatened, I fight back with everything I have.
Over the years, residents have rightly raised concerns about the spread of HMOs. That is why I have made it my mission to stand with you and challenge inappropriate developments.
My record speaks for itself. Time and again, we have stopped HMO applications across Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott, including a recent victory in Castle Vale.
Now, new HMO proposals are becoming increasingly rare. That is down to all of us. Residents who refuse to stay silent and an MP who refuses to back down.
But I am increasingly concerned about the growing influx of exempt accommodation, which is often being used as a Plan B when an HMO application has been refused. Landlords can lease properties to supported accommodation providers, who can then house a range of unrelated occupants, including people released from prison, without being subject to the same planning controls.
I have therefore written to the Housing Minister demanding an urgent update on plans to close this gap. I have also met with a fellow Birmingham MP to build a cross city alliance to tackle poorly managed exempt accommodation head on.
Too often, when one loophole is closed, another opens. But I want residents to know that I am watching this issue very closely.
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Self-professed patriotic campaigners from Kingstanding have started an online petition to see a commemorative statue of King Charles I officially erected at Kingstanding Circle, as a replacement for the unauthorised flag displays.
Legend has it Charles I reviewed his troops while standing on a neolithic barrow north of present-day Kingstanding Circle, in the run up to the first major clash of the Civil War, the Battle of Edgehill.
Artist’s impression of King Charles I commanding his forces at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 / Image taken from Adobe Stock ImagesSean Keatley of Raise the Colours Kingstanding, who have been responsible for the proliferation of Union Flags and St George’s Cross flags around the ward, says the story of the troop review “adds character to our community” and “connects us to our country’s rich historical tapestry”.
Charles I statue and Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square / Photohraph taken from Adobe Stock Images
Keatley says that growing up locally, he often wondered why there was no monument to King Charles, given the name of the area, and argues Kingstanding deserves the equivalent of Brownhills’ 40 foot Tin Man or Spitfire Island in Castle Vale. His vision is of a statue similar of Charles I on horseback in scale and style to the one in the centre of London, at the top of Whitehall.
Now he is looking to amass support for the statue and has told media if approval is given to the monument the sea of St George’s Cross and Union flags on the Circle could “come down permanently”. Raise the Colours’ Chris Davis adds that “having something a lot more permanent would be a lot more fulfilling”.
For several months, the Kingstanding ‘flaggers’ have played cat and mouse with Council workers and anti-flagging activists over the display around Kingstanding Circle – with local residents debating if the campaign represents patriotism or jingoistic aggression.
Some even call the campaign racist in its intent, echoing the historic concerns over cultural division in Kingstanding – where the British National Party candidate Sharon Ebanks was nearly elected as local councillor in 2006.
(L-R) Sean Keatley, Chris Davis from Raise the Colours Kingstanding by Kingstanding Circle / Image supplied by Sean Keatley
But Keatley insists things have moved on in the last twenty years and believes “we should be able to celebrate our history and our culture.”
“If we aren’t doing anything to celebrate it, it’s being taken away,” he adds.
Raise the Colours Kingstanding is optimistic about the statue, after receiving support from several candidates in the recent local elections. They now hope to progress the idea with the ward’s new Reform councillors, including the Birmingham group’s newly appointed leader, Jex Parkin.
Reform UK Deputy Leader, Richard Tice, who visited during the local elections campaign, “is in full support of our movement and what we stand for”, Keatley adds, and he’s waiting to see if Tice “will help us make it happen”.
Keatley suggests funding could come from the £20 million awarded to Kingstanding under the Government’s Pride in Place scheme.
Announced by the Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton in September last year, after funds were released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Pride in Place will see £20m come into Kingstanding over the next decade – with £2m allocated for projects annually.
Following an open application process, Birmingham Settlement boss Martin Holcombe has been appointed Chair of the Pride in Place Board that will oversee spending – with additional members being made up from local stakeholders and residents.
Hamilton says she is proud to have secured the funding and decisions on spending must be community-led. “This funding should reflect the priorities of local residents, whether that is investing in youth services, safe and welcoming spaces for older people, improving parks and public spaces, or indeed proposals such as a statue of King Charles I,” she confirmed.
Charles I (1600-1649) on engraving from the 1800s – as published in London by L.Tallis / Image taken from Adobe Stock Images
But historians warn that claims about Charles I’s presence at Kingstanding should be treated with due scepticism.
Professor Andrew Hopper, a Civil War specialist who grew up in Solihull, says he knew the story years ago, “but only from ‘tradition’ and oral sources”. Professor Hopper adds that enthusiasm for a Charles I statue is ironic, given Birmingham’s noted Parliamentarian sympathies in the Civil War and the sack of the city by Prince Rupert – an incident recalled by several Erdington Local readers.
After reading about Keatley’s petition on Erdington Local’s social media, James Wells from Erdington Lunar Society posted: “Let’s commemorate someone who attempted to take our democratic rights away, caused a civil war that divided the country and whose son viciously attacked Birmingham who supported the parliamentary side. I don’t think so.”
Artist’s impression of King Charles I commanding his forces at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 / Image taken from Adobe Stock Images
Doyen of Birmingham history Carl Chinn says a more prosaic explanation is that the name comes from a ‘standing’ – a hunter’s station – which Chinn thinks is plausible given the area’s proximity to Sutton, a royal chase.
Meanwhile researcher Ronald E. Crook once documented the word ‘king’ was common in the names of local fields before the Civil War and that there are stories linked to the Kingstanding barrow about a medieval Danish king’s exploits too.
Group gathered outside Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Words by Witton Lodge Community Association
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) hosted a landmark celebration to honour the achievements of local residents in reaching a significant milestone for youth employment, social entrepreneurship and volunteering in North Birmingham.
Held on 31 March, the event was presided over by Erdington MP, Paulette Hamilton, who was joined by community leaders to recognise three pillars of community growth successfully facilitated by WLCA.
The celebration served as a showcase for the WOW! (World of Work) Youth Trailblazer initiative which provided tailored support to help young people overcome barriers to employment, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to secure meaningful roles.
Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton speaking at community celebration event in Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA
It also honoured the latest cohort of aspiring local entrepreneurs who have successfully completed Witton Lodge’s latest Social Enterprise programme. Over the last five months these men and women presented a diverse range of business models – including new Community Interest Companies (CICs) and creative startups – designed to tackle local social issues. Their pitches demonstrated a unique blend of business acumen and a commitment to social good.
A full Perry Common Community Hall heard inspiring stories from several successful candidates who shared their personal journeys with an audience of over 70 invited guests.
“Seeing the diverse range of business pitches was truly inspiring,” said Marcia Lewis, Employment and Enterprise Advisor at WLCA.
“They’ve shown a unique blend of business acumen and a deep commitment to social good.”
With the event celebrating community impact, a well-earned spotlight shone on the selfless contributions of Witton Lodge’s dedicated volunteers.
Guest speaker at community celebration event in Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Chair of the organisation, Linda Hines, MBE, paid special tribute to the amazing men and women who continue to give their time to support other people. WLCA is proud to have an incredible team of volunteers who dedicate their time each week to supporting their local community – contributing more than 1,700 hours of service last year. From running local projects to providing peer support, these volunteers remain the backbone of North Birmingham’s resilience.
Linda commented: “Our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. Their selflessness ensures that no-one in North Birmingham has to walk their path alone.”
With certificates of achievement presented to all WOW! Youth Trailblazer and Social Enterprise participants as well as the volunteers, Paulette Hamilton MP, was keen to emphasise the importance of cohesive and collaborative community support.
“Investing in young people is investing in the future,” she said.
“Witton Lodge has a proud history of supporting local communities to develop talent so people can become the best they can be.”
WLCA staff and active community members outside Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer at WLCA, summed up the feeling of everyone who had attended.
“When a community invests in its own people, everyone thrives,” he said.
“The success of the WOW! Youth Trailblazer participants and the vision of the new social entrepreneurs serve as a powerful blueprint for the future of North Birmingham.”
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Paulette Hamilton MP outside Erdington Library / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
Like you, I’ve watched the news from the Middle East this week with a heavy heart. The renewal of conflict, with airstrikes on Iran, is deeply troubling.
It forces us to reflect on Britain’s place in a volatile world.
While I condemn the abhorrent actions of the Iranian regime, as your MP my first duty is to you. That is why I support the Government’s decision to ensure the UK is not automatically dragged into another distant war.
We cannot afford to enter conflicts at the behest of others. We must never forget the painful mistakes of the past, particularly the war in Iraq. Any decision involving our armed forces must have one thing at its core: the safety and security of British citizens and a clear, achievable goal.
We cannot commit to conflict without an exit plan.
Locally, I was pleased to host my coffee morning in Gravelly Hill, listening to residents. Whether we are talking about local priorities or our NHS, your voice shapes my work in Westminster.
It also means fighting for the things that hold our community together. I’ve been pressing hard for answers on Erdington Library. Our cherished Grade II-listed building has been left in limbo. I’m pleased that structural surveys are finally approved and plans are moving forward.
I will keep the pressure on for a clear timeline and the funding needed to bring this vital community hub back to life.
Please keep an eye out for my next coffee morning, I hope to see you there.
Paulette Hamilton MP outside Yenton Primary School, Chester Road, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
The new year has begun with real progress for families across our community. I am delighted that Gunter, Yenton, and Chivenor Primary Schools will soon open Labour’s free breakfast clubs, building on the support already reaching local schools.
That commitment to fairness is matched by decisive national action. After years of decline under the Conservatives, I was proud to see West Midlands rail services brought back into public ownership.
Services at Erdington and Gravelly Hill stations will now be run for passengers, not shareholder profit, helping to deliver the simpler, more reliable railway our communities deserve.
After the success of securing Kingstanding’s £20 million Pride in Place funding, I have been meeting residents and local organisations, listening directly to those who know the area best. Their voices will shape the priorities for this funding.
The next crucial step is appointing a chair to the local board, and I encourage anyone who lives or works in Kingstanding South East and shares our vision for renewal to apply.
Yet, as we deliver, the Conservatives are descending into chaos. Senior Tories like Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, architects of their party’s failed immigration policy and economic wreckage, are now rebranding themselves within the ranks of Reform.
They are one and the same. This is a desperate reshuffle of the same failed deck, offering no real solutions for communities like ours.
Despite the political noise, I remain committed to fighting for investment, fairness, and opportunity for Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott, today, tomorrow, and every day.
Paulette Hamilton MP (centre) with local community group memebers / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
(Ed’s note… this column was written for the January/February Erdington Local newspaper and first published on 20.01.26)
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
A very happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a restful Christmas and were able to spend quality time with family and loved ones, just as I did at home here in Erdington.
Over recent weeks, I have been meeting with local groups including the Friends of Conker Island, Together in the Community and New Heights to listen directly from residents about their priorities for Kingstanding. These conversations will shape how the £20 million Pride in Place fund is delivered. This investment has the potential to bring real, lasting change, but only if it is driven by local voices, local needs and local ambition.
I have also seen some surprising claims from local Conservatives attempting to take credit for this funding. Let me be clear. After 14 years of Conservative government, Erdington was repeatedly overlooked for investment, including a rejected £10 million Levelling Up bid for Erdington High Street. That is their legacy; this £20 million is ours.
To keep this conversation going, I am hosting a public meeting for Kingstanding residents on Friday 23 January, 11am–1pm, at New Heights, St John’s Centre. I encourage you to come along and have your say.
Community safety remains a top priority. I recently met Sgt Fulford for a local policing update and was encouraged by progress under Operation Skybridge, which has already led to arrests, reduced crime and the disruption of a major cannabis farm.
Paulette Hamilton MP at coffee morning in Stockland Green / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
As we approach Christmas, I want to wish everyone in Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott a peaceful festive season and a hopeful New Year. This is a time for community and reflecting on our shared progress.
My coffee morning in Stockland Green confirmed what I hear time and again, that residents are fed up with the out-of-control spread of HMOs. Many spoke about the impact on stability, safety, and the shortage of family homes. That’s why I’ve been campaigning with local voices like Derek Douglas and Shabrana Hussain to stop a proposed 5-bedroom HMO in Stockland Green.
The recent Autumn Budget delivers real change for families. Lifting the two-child benefit cap will be life-changing, helping 6,430 children in Birmingham Erdington alone. This, plus £20 million for Kingstanding, upgrades to Stockland Green Health Centre, and support with energy bills, shows a Labour government investing in our community.
Paulette Hamilton MP presenting winning Christams card to Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP – Speaker of the House of Commons / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
I’m also pleased that Operation Skybridge is now active across Stockland Green and Erdington. This increased police presence, which I’ve long pushed for, is crucial to tackling crime and keeping our streets safe.
These achievements don’t happen by chance – they result from a strong local MP working with a Labour government committed to communities like ours.
Finally, congratulations to Thomas from Abbey Catholic Primary for winning my 2025 Christmas Card Competition. I proudly presented his design to the Speaker of the House. Enjoy the match with your complimentary Aston Villa tickets!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026.
Paulette Hamilton MP at Pype Hayes Lighthouse Church Remembrance Sunday service / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP
This month, we paused to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It was an honour to join Pype Hayes Lighthouse Church for their Remembrance Sunday service and Abbey Catholic Primary School for Armistice Day. We will remember them.
One of the biggest concerns residents raise with me is the out-of-control spread of HMOs. Unlike the Conservatives, who have allowed this problem to worsen, I have been relentlessly campaigning to stop inappropriate HMO applications.
Recently, in Gravelly Hill, I have been campaigning against a proposal to convert a family home into a 9-bed HMO. This is part of my ongoing mission to oppose such plans, and I am proud that, by working together, we have successfully challenged every single HMO application I have campaigned against so far.
Paulette Hamilton MP at Black Histry Month event / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
It was a pleasure to host our second annual Black History Month event in Erdington. We welcomed a wonderfully diverse audience from across our communities, coming together to celebrate our shared ambition for a more just and equal society.
Many of you have also been in touch, deeply concerned about family and relatives in the Caribbean affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
As someone with Jamaican roots, I share these concerns and understand the anxiety. In my role, I have been working closely with the Foreign Office and local community members to support British nationals and ensure vital aid reaches the region, and I will continue this work.
I remain committed to fighting for a better Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott.
(**Ed’s note… this column was first published on Friday 17 October in the Erdington Local print edition.)
I am proud to share some fantastic news for our community. After months of campaigning, we have secured £20 million of long-term investment for Kingstanding through Labour’s Plan for Neighbourhoods.
This means £2 million a year for the next decade, going directly into the priorities that matter most to local people, whether that’s improving facilities, supporting community groups, creating opportunities for young people, or making our streets safer, cleaner, and stronger.
When I was elected, I promised to fight for investment after the Conservatives snubbed us with the Levelling Up Fund – twice.
Having already secured nearly £1 million for Operation Fearless in Erdington, I was determined that our area would not be overlooked again. This £20 million is the result of that fight, and today, we can proudly say our persistence has paid off.
But the real work starts now. The most important question is, how should this money be spent?
I want Kingstanding residents to lead the way so we can shape this investment around our community’s real needs. Whether it’s upgrading play areas, tackling anti-social behaviour, backing small businesses, this must be your decision.
For too long, communities like ours have been ignored. Labour is changing that by giving power back to local people. This £20 million is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I will work side by side with you to ensure your priorities lead the way.
This is our chance to rebuild pride, tackle long-standing challenges, and create better opportunities for the next generation.
