Positive start for council plans.

Birmingham council leader Sir Albert Bore last night promised immediate action in response to ideas put forward in the first ever Standing up for Birmingham public forum.

Speaking after the event at the Library of Birmingham, Sir Albert said: “I am extremely grateful to those who gave up their time to engage with the financial challenges the city faces in the years ahead. I’ve been told that today’s meeting was very positive and people have already shared many ideas about how communities can come together to make an even bigger contribution to the city.”

Responding directly to the priorities of those who took part, Sir Albert added: “Standing up for Birmingham is about communities and organisations coming together to tackle the challenges facing the city in a time of unprecedented cuts in public services. The City Council has a part to play but we will not succeed if we act alone. However I can commit the council to taking the following immediate steps:

• Review regulations and red tape that cause difficulties for community and voluntary organisations trying to make a difference in their community
• Develop new ways of building collaboration between public services and voluntary and community groups across the city – building on the work already done in the Fair Brum social inclusion process and by many other organisations
• Re-launch our staff volunteering scheme and encourage City Council staff to participate in time banking , a system for sharing skills and resources, and enabling community and self-help.
• Support efforts to build awareness of the time banking schemes already operating in the city and encourage new ones.”