Neil Elkes - Birmingham Post

Other UK business news: Sparkbrook and Soho Road areas of Birmingham offered BID status

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20:00 GMT

Two of Birmingham’s busiest independent shopping areas are being given the chance to take greater control of local facilities, boost trade and make improvements.

West Midlands News: Costs spiral for regeneration at former Walsall copper works

Birmingham Post — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:12:00 GMT

The projected costs of a major Black Country regeneration scheme have spiralled after a private sector development deal fell through according to a confidential report seen by Birmingham Post. Walsall Council has taken legal action to prevent publication of the financial details of the Cabinet report - claiming it could affect future contract negotiations. But it shows that the cost to the council taxpayer of transforming the blighted former IMI James Bridge Copper Works site at Darlaston into usable industrial land has soared since an £18 million deal with private sector developer, Parkhill Estates, fell through late last year. Estimates of potential jobs from the Pheonix 10 for the area have at the same time fallen from 4,000 to 3,000. The site is thought to be suitable for large warehouse and distribution units to take advantage of the location near to Junction 10 of the M6, The Cabinet agreed to seek a long-term loan to cover the potential costs which would be repaid via the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership through increased business rates from new occupiers of the 37-acre site. It also reveals that despite expected income from coal extraction and ultimately land sales there is still a strong risk that the council might never recover the initial investment. In a behind closed doors meeting the Tory-Lib Dem cabinet approved the scheme as too important to shelve even though it has been unable to attract private sector partners. The council will pay £1 to buy the land from the Homes and Communities Agency and accept responsibility for reclamation. Opposition Labour group leader, Coun Tim Oliver, said the project is vital to the regeneration of the borough and the Black Country but added that the council has mismanaged the project from the start by allowing the Parkhall deal to collapse. He said: “The costs have increased while the predicted jobs number has fallen from 4,000 to 3,000. We have to ask why the budget has spiralled, what is being done to ensure costs don’t continue to climb? “It’s ironic local Tories, who argue against public sector borrowing, are being forced to take out loans to fund a project they originally told us would be paid for by private money.”

Politics News: Tories hoping to wipe out memories of Solihull election losses

Birmingham Post — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

It was a huge shock to the Conservative Party when it lost its iron grip on the safe Solihull seat back in 2005 when Lib Dem Lorely Burt replaced John Taylor as MP.

West Midlands News: Campaign to save the old Warwickshire Fusiliers gathers pace

Birmingham Post — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Campaigners battling to save Birmingham’s own battalion from being disbanded have said it is not too late to back their petition before the July deadline.

Politics News: UKIP council election success just the start, says MEP Mike Nattrass

Birmingham Post — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:29:00 GMT

UKIP’S West Midlands Euro-MP has called on the main political parties to wake up and take notice after the anti-EU party gained its first local council seats – winning a quarter of the vote nationally.

Transport News: Rail travellers impressed with phase one of new-look Birmingham New Street

Birmingham Post — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:08:00 GMT

Rail passengers have given the seal of approval to the new Birmingham New Street concourse and facilities which opened to the public on Sunday.

More Columnists: Neil Elkes: A Living Wage for some - but not all, it seems

Birmingham Post — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Harmony almost broke out at the council Cabinet this week as the three political groups all nodded sagely and said how great it would be if all council staff, whether employed directly or indirectly through contractors could be reasonably paid.

West Midlands News: Birmingham children's services boss refuses to rule out a fifth year of service failure

Birmingham Post — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The political head of Birmingham’s children’s social services department has refused to rule out a fifth year of service failure for the organisation during an appearance before a council watchdog committee.

West Midlands News: Huge housing gap in Birmingham as building fails to meet record demand

Birmingham Post — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:30:00 GMT

Birmingham is facing a huge housing gap with new-builds in the city reaching a new low – despite demand being greater than any time since the Second World War.

West Midlands News: Birmingham City Council targets major sporting events

Birmingham Post — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:30:00 GMT

Birmingham City Council is targeting big events like the Rugby World Cup and international art exhibitions in a bid to transform the city’s profile.

West Midlands News: Money museum idea for Birmingham's Municipal Bank building

Birmingham Post — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Birmingham's historic Municipal Bank is to be put on the market by council bosses prompting calls for it to be used as a museum of finance, banking and industry.

West Midlands News: Sutton Coldfield breakaway campaign close to petition target

Birmingham Post — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:12:00 GMT

Campaigners battling for greater independence for Sutton Coldfield claim they are closing in on the petition target needed to trigger a referendum on setting up a town council.

West Midlands News: Birmingham agrees to fly flag at half mast for Thatcher funeral

Birmingham Post — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:15:00 GMT

Birmingham City Council will fly the city’s official flag at half-mast today as a mark of respect during the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

Politics News: John Clancy to challenge Albert Bore for Birmingham council leadership

Birmingham Post — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:28:00 GMT

A Labour backbencher has launched his second bid to become Birmingham City Council leader with a pledge to get the city building and invest in small businesses.

More Columnists: Neil Elkes: A balancing act on welfare

Birmingham Post — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

At a time when so much of what happens in public at the city council is staged, it was refreshing to hear an open admission that Birmingham’s Cabinet was divided over an issue.

West Midlands News: City Council 'has little idea' of Service Birmingham costs

Birmingham Post — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:48:00 GMT

Councillors are to investigate the accounts of the taxpayer-funded Service Birmingham venture – amid complaints that politicians had “little idea” of how much the arrangement was costing.

West Midlands News: Working families won't jump council housing queue in Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 06:20:00 GMT

A plan which would have allowed working families to jump the queue for a council house has been rejected in Birmingham.

More Columnists: Neil Elkes: A chance to change lives in Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:40:00 GMT

Ladywood is frequently highlighted as the constituency with the UK’s highest unemployment rate. Life-expectancy, infant mortality and child poverty rates are also among the worst in the UK – and this has barely changed over the last 30 years.

West Midlands News: Bishop of Birmingham outlines plans to combat inequality in city

Birmingham Post — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:50:00 GMT

The Bishop of Birmingham has called on councils and transport authorities to offer free travel to children and young people as part of a bid to combat inequalities.

West Midlands News: CBSO warned of funding cuts despite £1.5m city council subsidy

Birmingham Post — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:15:00 GMT

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has secured a £1.5 million council subsidy, but warned to make savings as grants may be cut next year.