Updated 11:28pm 15 February 2012:

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Paul Dale

Paul Dale

Iron Angle: Fighting market forces in Birmingham

You know things are bad when Birmingham City Council’s infamous myth-busting team springs into action.Read

Birmingham children's services department aiming for fresh start

Promises of radical change have been common currency during the past decade, but despite the constant departure and arrival of chief officers and senior managers all promising to make a difference, the standard of care for vulnerable children in Birmingham is still officially classified as failing.Read

Probe launched into how Birmingham library contract was won by Capita

A high-level review has begun into the way a city council contract to install fibre optic cable in Birmingham’s new civic library was awarded to Capita.Read

Vandals smash Victorian platform at Highbury Hall in Birmingham

A gang of teenagers caused £50,000 of damage at Birmingham’s Highbury Hall gardens, smashing a Victorian viewing platform used by Joseph Chamberlain.Read

Birmingham lacks strong candidates for mayor, says Bernard Zissman

Supporters of an elected mayor need to shape up because Birmingham shows little sign of producing a dynamic figure capable of the leadership and vision required, says Tory elder statesman Sir Bernard ZissmanRead

Top-of-the-range perks enjoyed by Birmingham City Council officers

Senior Birmingham council officers have enjoyed expensive perks including meals at luxury hotels, lunches at Michelin-star restaurants and tickets to top shows. Read

Iron Angle: A victory for democracy at the council

An angry cross-party backbench revolt appears to have been responsible for saving Birmingham City Council from the preposterous position of discussing the impact of last week's riots behind closed doors.Read

Some Birmingham rioters should be shown compassion, says chief constable

Some of the young people arrested after the Birmingham street riots have led difficult lives and should be shown compassion, a top police chief has insisted.Read

Some Birmingham rioters should be shown compassion, says police chief

Some of the young people arrested after the Birmingham street riots have led difficult lives and should be shown compassion, a top police chief has insisted.Read

Test cricket to generate £5.5 million for Birmingham

England’s sell-out third Test against India will generate a £5.5 million bonanza for the Birmingham economy, it has been claimed by the city council.Read

Council housing standards decline in Birmingham, claims new report

Birmingham’s council housing service has been demoted from two-star and good to one-star and only fair following an inspection by experts.Read

Birmingham cabinet and scrutiny committees fall out over budget deficit

The pressure of delivering a £212 million spending cuts package in a single year has re-opened simmering tensions between scrutiny committees and Birmingham City Council’s executive cabinet. Read

Council housing standards decline in Birmingham, according to new report

Birmingham’s council housing service has been demoted from two-star and good to one-star and only fair following an inspection by experts.Read

Birmingham City Council awarded PwC £250k contract without tendering

An inquiry is under way after Birmingham City Council broke its own rules by failing to put a £254,000 contract with financial consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers out to tender.Read

Birmingham's Gun Quarter name change row continues

Political leaders of Birmingham City Council are fighting a rearguard action in an attempt to defend their decision to abolish the Gun Quarter.Read

17th century Pype Hayes Hall to be sold by Birmingham City Council

One of a dwindling number of 17th century manor houses left in Birmingham is to be sold by the city council which says it no longer needs the building.Read

Birmingham Council to sell off 17th century hall to save money

One of a dwindling number of 17th century manor houses left in Birmingham is to be sold by the city council which says it no longer needs the building.Read

One of Birmingham's best known officials quits after £115,000 job axed

One of Birmingham City Council’s best known officials has quit after his £115,000-a-year job was scrapped.Read

Top legal officer quits Birmingham council as £115k-a-year job is scrapped

One of Birmingham City Council’s top officials has quit after his £115,000-a-year job was scrapped.Read

Iron Angle: Just the job for Alan Rudge

Mike Whitby is away on his annual holiday to Barbados, but leadership of the council appears to have bypassed his deputy. Read

Author Profile

Paul Dale has been writing about local government in the West Midlands for more than 20 years. The Post's public affairs editor, he is a previous political editor of the Coventry Evening Telegraph and Local Government Correspondent of the Oxford Mail.