Updated 5:27am 25 May 2013

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

'End of local government' means pay as you go

Birmingham City Council faces a budget black hole of more than £600 million over the next five years. In an exclusive interview leader Sir Albert Bore tells Local Government Correspondent Neil Elkes the only option is making people pay moreRead

Labour targets Birmingham Yardley seat of Lib Dem MP John Hemming

Labour Party bosses are gunning for 15 key seats across the West Midlands at the next General Election, it has emerged.Read

Bore hits back at Pickles for 'misleading' public on Birmingham finances

Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore has hit back at local government secretary Eric Pickles for making ‘misleading’ statements about the city’s finances.Read

Birmingham Artfest scrapped by city council to save money

Birmingham City Councl has announced plans to scrap the annual free arts festival Artsfest and replace it with a cheaper event. Read

Sion Simon bid for West Midlands candidate for 2014 European Parliamentary elections

The MP who quit Parliament for an ill-fated campaign to become the first elected mayor of Birmingham is now bidding for a return to frontline politics with the European Parliament.Read

Scaled-back Snow Hill plans dubbed 'silver lining of recession'

Scaled down plans for a landmark city centre tower block have been a 'silver lining to the recession' according to a council planning committee member.Read

Birmingham City Council budget reveals host of cuts

One of the most feared budget announcements in Birmingham’s history revealed job cuts, axed childrens homes and a £35 per year charge grass cuttings charge as the council struggles to cut more than £100 million off the budget.Read

Sion Simon reveals plans to stand as MEP

The MP who quit Parliament for an ill-fated campaign to become the first elected mayor of Birmingham is now bidding for a return to frontline politics with the European Parliament.Read

Neil Elkes: Councillors talk rubbish

Attending the mammoth 90-minute question time session at the city council meeting, you would be forgiven for thinking that the only issue of any concern to anyone is wheelie bins.Read

Birmingham City Council budget reveals host of cuts

One of the most feared budget announcements in Birmingham's history revealed job cuts, axed childrens homes and a £35 per year charge grass cuttings charge as the council struggles to cut more than £100 million off the budget.Read

Plans to tackle gun and gang activity in Birmingham under spotlight

Measures to tackle guns and gang activity in Birmingham are under the spotlight in a new survey being issued to people in Birmingham ahead of spending cuts.Read

Council leisure centres under threat from school academies in Birmingham

Up to 12 Birmingham City Council-owned leisure centres and sports facilities could be facing the axe due to swingeing budget cuts.Read

Birmingham schools hoard £90m in cash reserves

Birmingham’s 450 schools are sitting on cash reserves totalling more than £90 million, sparking an inquiry by the city’s education watchdog.Read

Major housing development for former Selly Oak Hospital site approved

Up to 650 new homes will be built on the former Selly Oak Hospital site despite fears over pressure on school places and local roads.Read

City Council funding should support areas, not ethnic groups - ­report

Birmingham city council has been urged to consider a major rethink of community funding and support in a bid to end the view that certain ethnic groups are favoured over others.Read

Police and residents oppose 24-hour off licence plan for Kings Heath

Police and residents have united to oppose proposals for a store selling alcohol around the clock in a Birmingham suburb.Read

University of Birmingham in row with residents over new 22-storey tower

THE University of Birmingham was accused of riding roughshod over its neighbours in a student digs development row. Read

Birmingham's Smart City statement dismissed as 'meaningless drivel'

A vision statement of Birmingham’s bid to be at the forefront of the information age has been slated as ‘meaningless drivel’ by a council watchdog committee.Read

Council calls on Birmingham businesses to help tackle youth unemployment

Birmingham’s council leader has admitted the city has one of the worst youth unemployment rates in the country – but pledged a new £15 million campaign will make a huge difference.Read

Jobs 'disaster' as Walsall Council regeneration project falls through

Plans to create 4,000 jobs by regenerating 37 acres of derelict industrial land have suffered a setback after a deal to sell it fell through. Read

Author Profile

A local news reporter in the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and south Staffordshire area since 1995, Neil Elkes is the local government correspondent covering the activities of Birmingham CIty Council - Europe's largest local authority. An avid reader and collector of comics Neil is writing a column on this for the Birmingham Mail website.