Community News

House of Fraser’s much-loved Christmas Grotto raised an incredible £10,413 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

The annual winter wonderland, which was located on the fifth floor of the department store, donated £1 from every ticket purchased throughout the festive season to the charity’s Moments of Magic Christmas campaign.

Nirmal Madahar, General Manager at House of Fraser, said:“We’re delighted to raise over £10,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. This is the eighth year we’ve run our Christmas grotto and the second year we’ve supported the hospital charity – a real worthy cause.

The fantastic final amount raised is thanks to our loyal customers, as well as the team involved behind the scenes in making the grotto such a huge success.”

Kirsty White, Corporate Fundraising Officer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We were incredibly grateful to House of Fraser for choosing to support us over the Christmas period and helping to raise such a phenomenal amount for our Moments of Magic Christmas campaign.

The money raised will go a long way in making a huge difference to the lives of our brave children and their families by providing magical moments throughout 2019. Whether that’s helping a child to find their smile with a visit from a Giggle Doctor, a sing-a-long session with our Singing Medicine choir or a distraction bag filled with toys, games and puzzles to help keep little ones busy and occupied during medical procedures.”

Steve Hewlett, BID Manager at Retail Birmingham, the business improvement district for city centre retail businesses, said: “The traditional grotto at House of Fraser has again proved to be very popular at Christmas. Birmingham Children’s Hospital is such an important part of our city, with amazing staff and kids and we are thrilled that it has raised such a wonderful amount for the charity.”

To find out more about Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, you can visit; www.bch.org.uk.

Dozens of local residents turned out for the inaugural Love Your Community event in Low Hill this week – and found out about some of the things they could do to improve the quality of their life and the lives of others.

The event, organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Community Support Service, took place at Low Hill Community Centre on Tuesday (12 February) and brought together a wide range of local organisations and voluntary and community groups which showcased their services.

Visitors could find out about the help and support available from organisations including the Bushbury Buddies, Memory Matters, Hope Community Project, Wolverhampton Homes, Skills for Life, Step Ahead, Social Prescribing, Revolution, Spurgeons Young Carers and the Volunteer Library Service, as well as the City of Wolverhampton Council's Carer Support Team, the Community Support Service, Headstart Wolverhampton, WV Active and Low Hill Strengthening Families Hub.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “There are some great things happening in our communities, and this inaugural Love Your Community event celebrated them.

We know that even little things can make a big difference to a person’s quality of life, and it was great to be able to showcase the support available to local people in Low Hill from a wide range of voluntary and community groups, as well as highlighting some of the things people can do to help themselves and others."

Many of those in attendance asked for similar events to be held in other parts of the city, and plans are already underway for a second Love Your Community event, this time in the Heath Town area, in the future.

The Community Support Service provides help and support to people to remain independent and improve their wellbeing.

Birmingham-based recruitment agency, Encore Personnel has raised an impressive £18,000 for three children’s charities.

Every year, staff from Encore, which is based on Lower Temple Street in Birmingham, nominate charities to support which are often influenced by causes close to their hearts. Last year, the team chose three vital children’s charities - The Sick Children’s Trust, Cardiac Risk in the Young and CLIC Sargent (Cancer Charity for Children and Young People).

An exciting year of fundraising has seen Encore climb, cycle and bake their way to raise the much-needed funds. During the summer, employees raised £9,000 by taking on the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis which stands at a 1,345m above sea level, while others rallied together to hold regular dress down days, cake sales and sporting sweepstakes across each of the offices.

The monies raised will now be shared amongst the three charities, helping to support children and young people in different ways – The Sick Children’s Trust provides free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation supporting families with seriously ill children hospital, keeping them just minutes from their sick child’s hospital bedside. Cardiac Risk in the Young work to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) and CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families.

Chris Hockey, Director at Encore Personnel, said: “From fancy dress to reaching new heights, our staff have been dedicated and determined over the past 12 months to raise a substantial sum of money for these three vital charities.

We saw more staff than ever before get involved and we also had a selected charity champion in each one of our nine offices in charge of organising exciting regional events. It is brilliant to see that all their hard work paid off.”

Fundraising Manager at CLIC Sargent, Claire Herrick, said: “We are so appreciative of the support from the whole team at Encore Personnel. Their fundraising will make a massive difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families. We know that cancer costs - hospital parking, food, and additional travel soon adds up. £6,000 could pay for CLIC Sargent grants for over 35 families to help stop cancer costs spiralling.”

Charlotte Webster, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Sick Children’s Trust added: “The amount raised will make a big difference to many families with sick children in hospitals around the UK. It costs The Sick Children’s Trust £30 to provide a family with warm, comfortable family accommodation for one night in a ‘Homes from Home’, making it possible for families to stay close to their sick child in hospital. The amount raised by Encore Personnel will provide over 200 nights of accommodation and with the average stay at one of our houses being 12 nights, Encore’s fundraising efforts will have an impact on around 17 families with seriously ill children in hospital.”

Encore’s previous charities of the year have included: Help for Heroes, Multiple Sclerosis Society, The British Heart Foundation, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Breast Cancer UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Chris added: “At Encore, we understand the importance of corporate social responsibility and giving back to the community and charities that make a significant difference to people’s lives.

As part of this, we have always encouraged staff to put forward charities that have impacted them or a family or friend. It creates a fantastic team spirit as our staff come together with a common goal to raise as much money as possible. I can’t wait to see Encore raise even more money next year.”

Some of the finest British actors, writers and directors, each with a personal connection to the Windrush story, tell the story of the African-Caribbean community in modern-day Britain through a series of monologues to broadcast on BBC FOUR from tomorrow.Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle’ is a Young Vic co-production with Douglas Road Productions, in collaboration with BBC ARTS.

Set in the front room of an African-Caribbean home, the series explores the highs and lows of one family from the 1940s to the present day through their hopes and desires, challenges and shattered dreams.

Curated by Young Vic Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah , the series of eight 15-minute monologues is led by four female directors and has been developed by eight leading British writers.

Can love overcome fear? Can perseverance overcome ignorance and racism? What does it cost to belong? ‘Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle’ challenges our collective understanding of what it means to be part of the African-Caribbean community in modern-day Britain.

Eunice arrives into 1940s England full of hope and ambition, and we follow her dynasty across leaps of a decade to the present day. Each self-contained monologue links to the original arrival of the enthusiastic, young nurse. We hear of Eunice’s baby, conceived out of wedlock with a runaway white doctor, and of Cyrus – her knight in shiny overalls – who offers his heart and loyalty by agreeing to marry her and put his name on the child’s birth certificate, despite the fact that Eunice doesn’t love him.

Sir Lenny Henry said; “Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle is a wonderful entry point for anyone who wishes to take the psychic temperature of a diaspora generation. I’m proud to be associated with this project and I hope you enjoy it. We tell these stories because they are a gateway to understanding for our children.”

The impressive cast of nine includes Vinette Robinson (Black Mirror, Doctor Who, Sherlock) as Yvonne; Sir Lenny (The Long Song, Broadchurch) as the older Cyrus; and Montserrat Lombard (Upstart Crow, Ashes To Ashes, Love Soup) in the role of Samantha.

A number of rising stars feature in the younger roles: Danielle Vitalis (Attack the Block, Youngers, Afro Punk Girl) as Eunice; Clifford Samuel (McMafia, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and A Guide For The Homesick) as young Cyrus; Gamba Cole (Damilola: Our Loved Boy, Guerilla, Lucky Man) as Malcolm and Elliot Barnes-Worrell(Poirot, Jericho, Ready Player One) as David. Whilst, Jonathan Jules (Invasion Earth, The Battle Within, Dave Allen at Peace) plays the role of Kev, and, Olivia-Mai Barrett (Disney’s Alex & Co, Penny on MARS) is Michaela.

 “This has been an incredibly personal project for me: as a storyteller I’ve felt a huge sense of responsibility in exploring this history,” Kwame said. “Having the chance to honour my late parents and the pioneering Windrush immigrants – as a generation begins to slip away – has felt incredibly moving. I hope that the series will draw viewers to question their own story and how we collectively move forward.”

The all-female team of directors are led by Bafta Award-winning writer-director Tinge Krishnan (Been So Long, The Exorcist TV series), and includes 2013 London Film Festival Best British Newcomer Destiny Ekaragha (Silent Witness, Gone Too Far); Christiana Ebohon-Green (Holby City, Eastenders, Doctors); and Dionne Edwards(We Love Moses, That Girl).

Lamia Dabboussy, BBC Arts, says: “Following the success of Queers and Snatches, it’s fantastic to once again bring television and theatre together in this way, supporting established as well as emerging writers, directors and producers to deliver this highly moving series of stories. It’s been wonderful to work in partnership with the Young Vic theatre and Douglas Road Productions in making this a reality.”

Inspired by ‘Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle,’ you can join Sir Lenny Henry, Kwame Kwei-Armah and host Afua Hirsch for an evening of lively discussion about the Windrush generation, Afro-Caribbean culture and heritage, and ideas around identity in Britain today.

The series is on at 10pm each evening, through to Wednesday February 20 - or catch up later on BBC iPlayer.

Councils across the West Midlands have teamed up with Skills for Care to help boost recruitment in adult social care throughout the region.

The ‘Every Day Is Different When You Care’ campaign is being led by the Department of Health and Social Care and supported by the West Midlands Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (WM ADASS) which represents local authorities in the region.

All 14 councils in the West Midlands, including are supporting the campaign, establishing for the first time, a regional approach to raise the profile of adult social care across the region.

Councillor Sandra Samuels, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "There is more to adult social care than meets the eye, offering an extremely varied and rewarding profession with opportunities to suit every type of carer, and so we're very keen to encourage as many people as possible to consider a career in care.

This new campaign will help people understand more about adult social care and the various job roles available in domiciliary care and residential care, tackle any myths they have about the sector, and explore whether a job in social care would be right for them."

As well as providing a valued and critical service to some of the country's most vulnerable citizens, adult social care provides an occupation and an income for hundreds of thousands of people.

In the West Midlands alone, around 160,000 people already work from 4,100 locations and it is estimated that demand for their services is such that by 2030, somewhere between 45,000 and 70,000 new jobs will need to be filled.

Andy Begley, Chair of West Midlands ADASS, said: “This is a very productive and exciting time in adult social care. The rapidly growing sector continues to evolve and transform in creative and innovative ways, bringing exciting new job vacancies and lots of opportunities to develop and progress. There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of this vibrant and dynamic sector.

The sector is also one of the biggest employers in the country, by some estimates employing more people than the NHS, and contributes literally billions of pounds to the West Midlands’ economy.

Demand for its services will grow and grow for the foreseeable future. We therefore want to encourage people across the West Midlands to see what great career prospects, and opportunities for progression there is in social care across the region.”

Groups working with under 18s across Birmingham could be in with a chance of scooping a share of £1million thanks to a major funding scheme launched today by a leading housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes is launching its national Building Futures programme in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association.

The scheme, being run locally by Persimmon Homes Central, aims to support community groups across three categories: sports, education & arts, and health.

Neil Williams, managing director for Persimmon Homes Central, said: “We are looking for groups, charities and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend the big cash prizes to come forward.  We will consider anything from new clubhouses and kit, to education and arts centres, research and support.”

Monthly grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses to improve facilities and the delivery of vital grassroots community projects.

Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year gave away £620,000 to support children’s sport.

This year’s scheme is aimed solely at community projects for people aged under 18 and targeted at grassroots sports groups, charities dealing with physical and mental health issues or awareness, as well as community arts and education projects.

In addition to the £1,000 monthly awards, three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national award scheme voted on by the public. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in October.

In each sector – sport, education & arts, and health – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Building Futures was launched at The Heart of England Community Boxing Club in Hinckley, just months after it received a £200,000 cheque from the Persimmon Foundation. The cash helped to save the club from collapse.

Young people at the club were treated to a sparring session with London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo as part of the Team GB link-up.

Anthony said: “Persimmon Homes and Team GB through Building Futures can change thousands of kids’ lives and that gets a massive thank you from me.”

Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB as it prepares for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.

Neil Williams added: “Building Futures comes on the back of our hugely successful Healthy Communities, which recently gave away £600,000 to support youth sport.

“Our 2019 campaign is bigger and better than ever so that we can bring positive change to the lives of even more children. Not only have we upped our prize money to more than £1 million, we have moved the goalposts so that as well as sporting groups and clubs, we are able to support projects in health as well as education/arts.

“We are looking for groups, charities and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend the big cash prizes to come forward.  We will consider anything from new clubhouses and kit, to education and arts centres, research and support.”

The animal welfare charity has recorded a rise in incidents affecting animals involving plastic litter in England and Wales from 473 in 2015 to 579 in 2018, bucking a downward trend for all types of litter (from 4968 in 2015 to 4579 in 2018).

The West Midlands saw 60 plastic litter incidents affecting animals in 2015, which rose to 77 in 2018.

The charity’s latest data also reveals that there are certain animals - especially those that live in water habitats - which are being affected disproportionately by plastic.

For example, there has been a fourfold rise in seals affected by incidents involving plastic litter with 28 recorded across England and Wales in 2018 compared to just 5 in 2015. Plastic litter is also a particular problem for certain water birds, with incidents involving geese rising from 37 to 70 and swans rising from 40 to 48 across England and Wales during that same four-year period.

RSPCA Head of Wildlife, Adam Grogan said:   “This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals.

“Every year, the RSPCA deals with increasing numbers of mammals, birds and reptiles that have become entangled or affected in some way by discarded plastic.  From seals with deep infected wounds caused by plastic frisbees cutting into their necks, to swans and geese trapped in fishing line or netting, plastic is clearly having an increasing impact on animal welfare.

“Our latest data sadly reflects the wider litter crisis taking place right now across the globe and action is urgently needed.  It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.”

In the West Midlands, incidents where animals have been affected by general litter have decreased  while plastic-related litter incidents increased.

The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the 1950s and 1960s. Take a break from busy urban life and hop on board a steam train to ride in a heritage carriage behind one of our beautifully restored heritage steam or diesel locomotives. Pass through delightful countryside with riverside views and The Cauldon Canal.

You can learn more about the history of Churnet Valley Railway and the North Staffordshire Railway Company in the small museum based at Cheddleton Station, which houses a wealth of information and memorabilia.

Fancy a bite to eat during your day out? Then enjoy the traditional atmosphere in the Signals Tea Room at Froghall Station, The Tea Room offers freshly brewed coffee, cooked breakfast, lunch including hot and cold sandwiches, cream teas and a delicious selection of cakes. On a cold day bask in the warmth of an open fire and listen to some music on the wireless. Signals Tea Room is wheelchair accessible and child-friendly.

Pick up a railway-themed souvenir, keepsake or a gift for family or friends at the delightful and well stocked Signal Souvenir shop at Froghall Station.

Children from schools in West Bromwich took part in workshops about the dangers of young people being drawn into gang culture and crime.

The years-six and seven pupils spent the day learning about the dangers of being drawn into in gang culture and of carrying a knife.

The day-long event organized by West Bromwich Central Learning Community, included pupils from ten Sandwell schools (primary and secondary) in West Bromwich, featured a talk from author Dan Freedman who is renowned for writing the Jamie Johnson football novels which have also been made into a popular CBBC drama.

He’s just released a new book; ‘Unstoppable,’ which deals with these issues. Each child was given their own signed copy of the book.

PC Hughie Treasure MBE, a young person’s officer from West Midlands Police, talked to the children about his experiences and conducted workshops.

Councillor Elaine Costigan cabinet member for public health and protection: “It was a delight to meet Dan and see how he inspired the children at this event.

The book tackles some difficult issues and will give the children important lessons for life that will hopefully help keep them safe and protect them from harm.”

Andrew Orgill, from West Bromwich Central Learning Community and Headteacher at Hargate Primary School said: "This was a unique opportunity for the children we serve in Central West Bromwich. The day was all about raising awareness of an issue that is affecting our young people right now and keeping them safe.

All of the children have received a copy of Unstoppable and will have a chance to enjoy it. It was a pleasure to have Dan Freedman at the event and a real privilege for our children."

Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) have signed the ‘Time to Change’ – Employer Pledge, showing its commitment to supporting its colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing.

Time to Change, which further supports one of BCHG’s five strategic aims; to have a ‘Resilient and Healthy Workforce,’ is a growing social movement which aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health.

To celebrate the occasion, BCHG invited Director of Wellbeing for West Midlands Combined Authority, Sean Russell to co-sign the pledge, as part of promoting good mental health. The day before on ‘Time to Talk’ day, self-help coach, Sabahat Latif provided a 90-minute workshop and a presentation on confidence, mental health and wellbeing. This was followed by a Vintage Tea Party for colleagues from around the organisation to gather for ‘Time to Talk.’

Superintendent, Sean Russell said: “I am so pleased to be supporting Black Country Housing Group who are already leading the way in engaging their workforce by raising the profile of mental health and wellbeing at work. This approach supports the Thrive at Work programme, where we are trying to help employers improve their staff wellbeing. We want the West Midlands to be the region of choice for employees and we are seeking to give the right tools to the employers that demonstrates that they care for their staff.”

Amanda Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Group said: “Committing to Thrive to Change is a significant step to encourage a better way of looking at mental health for not only BCHG employees but also other organisations who could do more.

BCHG is committed to ensuring that it is an employer that cares about its colleagues. We will do all we can to assist our colleagues with managing their mental health and wellbeing.”

One initiative, is the Black Country Buddies’, which is made up of trained BCHG employees in mental health first aid who offer free, confidential advice and arrange free mental health and wellbeing events available to all colleagues. At the end of 2018, BCHG also signed up to West Midlands Combined Authority Thrive at Work Programme, committing to promoting employee health and wellbeing.

“We are constantly looking at new ways we can support colleagues, including making our workplace a healthy environment to be, ensuring flexible working policies and sustaining an inclusive culture where no-one feels disadvantaged.” Amanda added.

According to West Midlands Combined Authority, Mental ill-health affects a huge number of people in the West Midlands, with just under 25% of adults affected by a mental health condition at an annual cost of £12.6 billion to the economy.

Philadelphia will host America’s largest and longest-running horticultural event when The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show returns. As well as admiring the incredible floral displays, visitors to this year’s show can also show their support for the UK’s talented competitor Laura Leong at the prestigious Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) World Cup 2019.

Held across ten acres of show floor at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society since 1829, the theme for this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show will be ‘Flower Power’ and pay tribute to the wide range of emotional impacts flowers have on people’s lives. Through imaginative floral exhibits, guests will see concepts such as community, healing, peace, transformation, and hope brought to life in surprising and vibrant ways.

Along with stunning landscapes, imaginative gardens and breath-taking floral displays, visitors to the Flower Show will also have the exciting opportunity to witness the Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) World Cup 2019, one of the world’s most prestigious floral design competitions that haven’t been held in the United States since 1985. The FTD World Cup will see award-winning floral designers from 23 countries, including Laura Leong from the UK’s West Midlands; showcase their floral masterpieces to show attendees. The creations will then be judged by six expert judges and displayed throughout the week of the Flower Show.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will also host special evening events and daily attractions at the show to pay tribute to the ‘Flower Power’-era and the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival. These include an elegant black-tie fundraiser event the night before the Flower Show and a 60s-inspired Flowers After Hours dance party on the opening night of the show. Each day, guests are invited to enhance their Flower Show visit by joining early morning tours, walking through an immersive butterfly garden, and creating their own floral crown in the Make & Take area of the show.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will take place from March 2 - 10, with the FTD World Cup taking place at the show from March 1 - 3.

The Birmingham Oratory has announced that Pope Francis has decreed Cardinal John Henry Newman as being close to being canonised after a second miracle in his name was confirmed.

Two authenticated miracles are required before sainthood and Newman, who was already attributed with curing a man's spinal disease, is now said to have healed a woman's unstoppable bleeding.

The first miracle the Catholic convert is said by the Vatican to have performed was curing a deacon from Boston, Massachusetts, of a crippling spinal disease.

Pope Francis since decreed a second miracle, with Newman said to have healed a pregnant woman "suffering from unstoppable internal bleeding" and he was beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict before tens of thousands of people in his home city of Birmingham after the first miracle was recognised.

Born in 1801, he become the first English saint to have lived since the Reformation.

During his life, Newman was a respected religious scholar, who spent much of his time helping the poor and sick.

Newman University, there, is named after the religious figure who was a member of the Birmingham Oratory.

The UK's leading Catholic, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said Newman was "deeply admired", particularly by the people of Birmingham who "lined the streets" when he died.

The former Archbishop of Birmingham added that the announcement of Newman's pending canonisation was "wonderful news.

Birmingham Oratory, the community founded by Newman in 1849, said the confirmation of his "heroic sanctity will be welcomed by Catholics and Anglicans alike."

The last English canonisations were in 1970 of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, a group of Catholics who were executed between 1535 and 1679 under laws enacted during the English Reformation.

Pope Francis, it is said, made the announcement with "great joy."

1. Spend the night in a fancy hotel room - Make your Valentine’s Day special by checking into a local hotel, changing into a plush bathrobe, and dialing up some room service. Enjoy the night with your partner (or solo!), and feel free to order breakfast in bed the next morning.
2. Take a dance lesson together - Skip the traditional dinner and get on your feet for a dance lesson with your partner. It’s a perfect way to get close and create a sweet memory.
3. Host a wine and cheese night - We love this idea for couples or a group of friends. Have everyone bring their favorite bottle of wine, plus a cheese that pairs well, and let the good times roll.
4. Head to a museum - Visit that new exhibit or gallery you’ve been eyeing and be ready to experience some unexpected emotions.
5. Take a painting class - If you’d rather be making your own masterpiece, take part in a painting class with your better half.
6. Take a relaxing bath - Turn on the warm water, add in your favorite essential oil or bath bomb, and forget about your troubles. Oh, and don't skip the candles and music.
7. Sing your heart out at karaoke - Share the stage and sing your special song together. After all, science has proven that singing together with a partner or your best friends helps create strong bonds.
8. Plan a movie marathon - Get cozy by re-watching ‘Jason’s Lyric’ or laugh along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah while enjoying‘Girls Trip.’
9. Share a romantic night under the stars - You can go camping, or just set up for a few hours at night, in a location where the stars are visible. You can always head to a planetarium for a similar vibe if it's too cold outside.
10. Book an at-home massage - Transform your home into a spa with apps like Soothe and Zeel. The best part is that you can drift off to sleep right after because there's no long commute home.
11. Stretch it out at yoga - Attend a class after work and center yourself through a variety of poses. Calm your mind and remember the importance of self-care, one breath at a time.
12.  Reserve a cozy cabin in the woods - Take advantage of sweater weather and escape into the wilderness with a few other couples or a close group of friends.

With confirmation at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that Labour controlled Birmingham City Council are set to offer a 'bin bounty' of thousands of pounds each to striking Unite and Unison Bin workers, the Conservative Group are calling for compensation for residents affected by 2 years of disruption to their service as a result of Labour’s dysfunctional relationship with its own ‘friends’ in the labour movement.

Councillor Robert Alden (Con, Erdington) Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group said: “The offer to pay off striking bin men a bounty carries with it some very serious legal and financial risks - risks that will be borne by the residents of this City who have had to endure a miserable two years of mounting rubbish on their streets.

Rather than seeking to reward workers taking part in an industrial dispute the Council itself has said is unlawful over a complaint the council still insists is entirely without merit, they should instead be looking to compensate the residents of Birmingham for suffering 666 days and counting of bin disputes.”

Councillor Debbie Clancy said: “The Labour Cabinet were advised soon after Unite gave notice of their dispute back in 2018 that they had good grounds to seek an injunction to halt the unlawful strike and indeed on January 15 eventually decided to do just that. Yet they failed to implement that decision and are instead making a 2nd substantial offer to workers who are in a Union who have previously said they could withdraw support from some Labour Councillors.

This is not only unfair to residents and tax payers but also to the thousands of council staff who get on with their important jobs day in and day out without making spurious claims.”

Cllr Alden added: “Residents deserve a better deal from the Council. We will now launch a petition on behalf of Birmingham’s long suffering residents calling on the council to compensate them for the abysmal bin service they are paying for.”