Midlands Message

The biggest stories from the Midlands and beyond. Sign up to our newsletter at

[Midlands Message @MidlandsMessage]

Bus strikes latest as Rolls-Royce aim for the stars with space plan https://t.co/w7KNGgfJmH

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

🚨 Here is my report from last night's meeting about the future of the Ringway centre.

A spokesperson for the developer, CEG, could not confirm whether Snobs would be forced to relocate, if regeneration plans are approved by Birmingham city council.
https://t.co/UMSZHET6Pm

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

🚨 SCOOP: A Dudley councillor has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The leader of Dudley council, Patrick Harley, confirmed the councillor has been suspended from the Conservatives.

https://t.co/SLQdCqHVf8

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

It’s budget day at Birmingham city council. 💰

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham city council says the cost of living crisis is “hitting residents hard”.

But opposition leaders here say a 4.99% increase in council tax and a 7% increase in social rents is not a solution.

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

The Conservative leader of the opposition, Robert Alden, claims the “universal constant” - no matter if there is a Labour or Conservative government - is that Birmingham Labour “will put your council tax up”.

He references all the increases in council tax since the 90’s/00’s.

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

Birmingham city council's housing goals include 35% of all new build homes to be affordable.

But the leader of the council, Ian Ward, told councillors this week they're well short of that target - at 22%.
https://t.co/ibJpDmhg9i

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

Next week, Birmingham city council will receive a report recommending it to bid for gvt grants to help resettle refugees.

The money will help them acquire more homes and reduce reliance on temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.

https://t.co/1kflvBDX11

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

[BIG 🧵] Councillor Steve Melia has apologised to Sandwell council after assaulting a blogger in December 2021 - over a year later since the incident occured. Video of apology included.

https://t.co/oRbAg49mxo

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

A mother in Kings Heath has alleged her child has been banned from the playground and canteen for wearing braided hair.

The EHRC last year published guidance warning schools who ban hairstyles on the grounds of race are likely to be found unlawful.
https://t.co/g4JtJk1uJZ

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

A councillor who sits on Birmingham city council's licensing committee claims closing Crane nightclub will 'give more power to criminals'.

The council will consider next week whether to revoke the nightclub's licence following the murder of Cody Fisher.

https://t.co/GfQ3WtBJXh

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

🚨 Birmingham city council today approved a business case worth £2.5 million to make LTNs - or 'places for people' in local gov jargon - permanent in Moseley and Kings Heath.

The council say they've listened to residents - especially about modal filters. https://t.co/DNYxX6Tftd

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

Parking charges plan at Birmingham's beauty spots, including Lickey Hills and Sutton Park, are set to be scrapped.

The cost of living crisis, along with residents anger at the plans, have been cited as reasons why.
https://t.co/Bvg0XdNPPh

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

The owners of 1,000 Trades have approached Birmingham city council and asked them why they are making 'life even harder' for businesses.

The council are considering removing bollards, and with it, outdoor dining tables for their customers.

https://t.co/ST7Kd4i2Tv

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

A new lord mayor for Birmingham city council is due to be appointed next week. The annual role is picked by a different political party.

It's Labour turn, and naturally, they're split on who to choose.
https://t.co/eGelC8M42B

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

A motion calling for 'no confidence' in Birmingham city council's housing department will be debated next week.

Housing Ombudsman reports single out the council for not dealing with rotting floorboards, mould, and damp issues.
https://t.co/SaVPFCScdF

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

I’m at Sandwell council for the standards meeting into councillor Steve Melia’s assault.

Councillor Melia was found guilty in Feb assault after knocking a phone out of a blogger’s hands.

The meeting will decide whether councillor Melia brought the council into disrepute.

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

Residents in Kings Norton say Birmingham city council have let them down, after a wallpaper steamer accidentally set off a sprinkler system in the flats.

Some have had compensation - others haven't - and many possessions have been irreversibly damaged. https://t.co/FuRcz4vizh

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

🚨 For those interested, the investigation into councillor Steve Melia, the one convicted of assault by Dudley magistrates court after knocking the phone out of a blogger's hands, will conclude next week.

Details here: https://t.co/JJTNSftcLU

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

Here is my first report with @Keir_Starmer. Another one is to follow shortly... https://t.co/GtJupJpZ9R

[Rhi Storer @rhistorerwrites]

🚨 Last week councillors in Sandwell were told about 'no written agreement' to recover costs related to the abandoned Black Country Plan - a major planning policy uniting all four regional councils.

How much? It's £472,438.78 to be precise.https://t.co/9aGkh10qBS