I’ve been contacted numerous times about the state of roads and pavements in Birmingham and recently, over the fact the government is withholding £600 million which is needed to support the highways maintenance budget. Roads and pavements across the UK are in very poor condition which makes me wonder where all the money goes. OneContinue reading POTHOLE PLIGHT
VISIT TO THE BEECHES
It was a pleasure to meet Arthur and Victoria from Bournville Village Trust and Raj from Spring Housing Association to hear about their plans for the redevelopment of the old Beeches Conference Centre. They have exciting plans to convert the disused conference centre into twenty-one apartments, where vulnerable families who are stuck in temporary accommodationContinue reading VISIT TO THE BEECHES
VISIT TO GREENRIDGE GP SURGERY
Last week, I had the privilege of meeting GPs and staff, led by Dr Ken Deacon, at Greenridge GP Surgery in Billesley. As soon as I walked into the surgery, I could sense the energy, focus and dedication of the staff. Their passion was infectious and their commitment inspiring. We should never forget that despiteContinue reading VISIT TO GREENRIDGE GP SURGERY
VISIT TO CASBA
It was a great pleasure last week to meet the staff at CASBA, Ginny, Becky and Sally, along with the participants in CASBA’s Link group. During term time, CASBA run LINK in Selly Oak, which is a self-advocacy group that empowers disabled people from south Birmingham to get active in their local communities to ensureContinue reading VISIT TO CASBA
TIME TO RESET OUR PRIORITIES
I wrote last week about my fears as Birmingham Council’s budgetary crisis threatens to wreak havoc in local communities and destroy assets we’ve spent years developing. It made me wonder what I’d do if I was a councillor today. I was a member of Birmingham Council from 1990 to 1997. Those were different times whenContinue reading TIME TO RESET OUR PRIORITIES
BEWARE THE REAL CULTURE WAR
I’ve had lots of emails and conversations about fears for our arts organisations and libraries following the council’s drastic budget. I share the worry that our city could end up a cultural desert if something isn’t done soon. It’s the question I posed to the Secretary of State’s Commissioners when Birmingham MPs met with themContinue reading BEWARE THE REAL CULTURE WAR
BRITAIN’S BROKE: WHAT WOULD LABOUR DO?
By the time you read this, we’ll know how the Chancellor hopes to tempt voters back to the Tories with his latest budget. After 14 years of destroying public services, cutting living standards and raising taxes, I suspect it’s too little too late. This government can’t escape responsibility for the state of our economy orContinue reading BRITAIN’S BROKE: WHAT WOULD LABOUR DO?
Living Under Tory Rule: Like Pulling Teeth
Did you see those pictures of people queuing round the block to try and access a dentist? The British Dental Association (BDA) says that more than 12 million people were unable to access NHS dental care last year. Children are major victims with more than 600 per week needing emergency hospital operations to extract rottenContinue reading Living Under Tory Rule: Like Pulling Teeth
Pride and Purpose at the Pavilion
It was brilliant to meet Rob, Dave and Sam, who work at the Rowheath Pavilion in Bournville. I had a wonderful time, as I was given a guided tour of the facilities and I had a very in depth conversation over a coffee with the CEO of Rowheath Pavilion, Rob Halcrow. We discussed the challengesContinue reading Pride and Purpose at the Pavilion
STRICTLY COME BELLAGIO
Last week, following Mr Bates versus the Post Office, I wrote about the importance of creative arts to our economy as well as the influence they can have on attitudes and behaviour. I once met the actor Kevin Whately who played Lewis in the Morse series. He told me his love of acting was bornContinue reading STRICTLY COME BELLAGIO