Cameron: Drones On Alert
Prime Minister triumphant as opponent of “ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR IN BRITAIN” is neutralised.
Images of democracy
Do we take democracy for granted? asks Alan Clawley.
Birmingham said no!
Exactly what part of the word ‘No’ doesn’t George Osborne understand, asks Steve Beauchampé.
Political reform starts at home
Forget the current obsession with reforming the EU, reform of our domestic political institutions is far more important says Steve Beauchampé.
BT digital archives to celebrate UK’s telecoms heritage
A £1 million project to digitise BT’s historical collection of photos and documents is set to bring 165 years of UK telecoms heritage to the public’s fingertips today
Walsall Labour oppose move to exclude public and press
Labour councillors are opposing a move by Walsall council to discuss a tax-funded, multi-million pound project in secret session away from the eyes of the public and press.
Birmingham City Council in action
Coverage of Birmingham City Council’s meeting this afternoon can be found here starting at 13:30 today, apparently.
Library building ‘obsolete’
Birmingham City Council officials have written a report to the Cabinet stating that the 40-year-old Central Library building is not only vacant but ‘obsolete’ as well, reveals Alan Clawley.
Another quiet day in Paradise
Alan Clawley is really struggling to garner a useful reaction from Birmingham City Council.
Walsall Labour allege Tory panic over shopping centre
Walsall’s Labour group claim that after, what they describe as, three years of failed promises and unsuccessful negotiations, Walsall Council has committed £8 million to a flagship retail project with less than 24 hours notice.
Phone win for ‘bedroom tax’ campaigners
Walsall people needing to contact the council’s housing benefit helpline for advice on the so-called bedroom tax can now do so without worrying about excessive phone bills
Closed for good – The last chapter of the Birmingham Library story
Alan Clawley on the impending closure of Birmingham Central Library in June – but ideas are still being proposed for its future
Operation Black Vote: Unveiling Birmingham’s next generation of civic leaders
Operation Black Vote unveiled Birmingham’s new generation of civic leaders at a media launch of their Civic Leadership Programme last week.
The future of Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services
A new Facebook Group has been set up in response to local concerns for the future of Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services.
Not dead yet, Paul – Saving Birmingham Library
Alan Clawley, on the warpath to save the John Madin designed library in Birmingham, is suspicious of the language being bandied about by journalists and politicians.
Why This New Surveillance Bill Must Be Stopped
by Richard Lutz The Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei today was banned from videoing himself at home and posting it on a website. Whether he is doing this for artistic reasons- a kind of self imposed voyeur’s piece de resistance– or whether he is doing it in protest against state snooping- a real piece of…
Cowardly Cameron
David Cameron was ‘a bit busy’ and didn’t make it to The Commons yesterday to defend his party’s behaviour over the cash for access scandal. Richard Lutz has this to say: So, let me get it straight. The Conservatives get radical over allowing Prime Ministerial access for six figure sums. They get caught red handed…
An Elected Mayor: A good move for Birmingham?
The Co-operative Party – Birmingham Branch – cordially invites you to join them for a debate
Playing fields under threat?
Not according to LibDem councillor Martin Mullaney. Here, he explains proposals for a way to improve facilities.
Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill
“His findings are a challenge to officialdom but they are presented with the calm authority of the academic requesting that his thesis be given fair consideration”
Elected Mayors: A Constitutional farce
Steve Beauchampé is appalled that the electorate will be asked to vote next May without knowing what for.
Angry shoppers back petition against councillors’ cash increase
Nearly 500 people visiting Bloxwich High Street on Saturday signed an emergency petition opposing Walsall Conservative plans to increase payments to councillors…
Moseley Road baths: Another update
The re-opening date for the Moseley Road Baths in Balsall Heath has been pushed back yet again
BBC: A letter from Yardley
John Hemming has written to the BBC Director General to try to discover what the future holds for the links between the BBC and Birmingham.
Why borrow?
Alan Clawley asks; “How wise then was it for the Council to borrow money on a public library, a statutory service that would produce little or no income stream…”
ATV Studios: A letter to Birmingham City Council
John West, a campaigner for local jobs in the media, has sent an open letter to Andrew Round – Birmingham Council’s Planning and Development Manager
A library is not just a building
Friends of the Central Library: “Save the building but we’re just as worried about what is happening to the service itself”, writes Alan Clawley.
Advantage West Midlands under fire over toxic Walsall site
A public agency refused to reveal levels of pollution on one of the most contaminated sites in Europe – fearing it might halt plans for opencast coal mining.
Budget Consultations Announced
Birmingham City Council is asking you to tell them how to spend your money.
Save our Markets: Public meeting
As part of the SAVE OUR MARKETS campaign there will be a public meeting in St. Martin’s Church on Friday 14th October at 2pm – 4pm.