Birmingham is the obvious location for Channel 4’s new home outside of London, Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy said yesterday.

Councillor Clancy has extended an invitation to Culture Secretary Karen Bradley to visit Birmingham “to see for herself the rich pool of talent this city has to offer”.

Ms Bradley yesterday announced a period of consultation into moving Channel 4 out of the Capital.

Her statement came after the BBC last year confirmed it was moving part of BBC Three to the Mailbox, further enhancing Birmingham’s reputation as a media city.

Councillor Clancy said: “Channel 4 has a Government remit to demonstrate ‘innovation, experiment and creativity’, so what better location than Birmingham for a television station at the cutting edge of arts and culture?

"Not only is this a phenomenally creative city, we are also a young city - Europe's youngest. We have more under 25s than any other UK core city, with a rich pool of talent available to meet the demands of training the next generation of media professionals.

“Birmingham, with its culturally diverse population and with 108 different languages spoken, is the type of place where Channel 4’s audience lives, making this city a perfect spot for relocation.

"Birmingham has an established digital sector. Three of the top ten locations for ecommerce start-ups in the UK are in the West Midlands and Greater Birmingham contains 380 media and broadcast companies.

“There are 1,000 students currently studying film, TV, media and animation in the city, while more than a quarter of the UK’s games workforce is based in the region.

"Add to that the fact that by 2026, thanks to HS2, London will be just 45 minutes away, and it becomes obvious that Birmingham is a natural choice for Channel 4

“I urge the Culture Secretary to visit Birmingham as soon as possible to see for herself why this city is the perfect location for Channel 4.”

Council chiefs have backed a new three-year deal with Rights and Equality Sandwell to help promote good community relations and tackle hate crime and discrimination.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, the council’s deputy leader, said it was vital to invest in services to support people who are vulnerable, victims of crime or at risk of discrimination, exploitation, abuse and violence.

She said: “We have a long history of strong community relations and partnerships here in Sandwell but we need to build on these and strengthen them further.

“We are responding to various challenges and threats – including hate crime and so-called ‘hidden crimes’ such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and modern slavery.

“We’re also working with our communities to promote cohesion, protect young people and prevent the threat of terrorism and people being radicalised.

“Rights and Equality Sandwell has been established in Sandwell for more than 10 years. It makes an important contribution in supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Together with the police, NHS and local organisations, we can strengthen our response and further promote good community relations and equality.”

As part of the new agreement, Rights and Equality Sandwell will need to attract funding from other sources to complement the council’s support. It will also need to help other local groups and organisations develop local projects and attract investment.

Key aspects of the plan include dealing with hate crime; protecting children and young people from exploitation, abuse and radicalisation; supporting vulnerable migrant communities; and providing training for organisations about safeguarding, violence, exploitation and ‘hidden crimes’, including FGM and modern slavery.

Permjeet Panesar, chief executive officer for Rights and Equality Sandwell, said: "We are delighted to embark on a new three-year partnership with Sandwell Council to carry on playing a leading role in tackling discrimination and inequality and working together to support all communities across the borough.

"Through this grant opportunity we are encouraged that the council has affirmed its confidence in working with RES at a time when we are seeing an increase in highly divisive rhetoric at national and international levels in relation to community relations, immigration and extremism.

"Sandwell has a long tradition of belonging, where people of different faiths and cultures share a strong sense of unity, empathy and solidarity with those who suffer injustice.

"Rights and Equality Sandwell, established in 2003, was formerly known as Race Equality Sandwell until 2011 when the organisation expanded its remit to promoting the rights for all of the protected characteristic groups (age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation) as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

"RES has developed a reputation as a champion committed to equality and working towards creating fairer and more inclusive opportunities for all.

"Looking ahead, working in partnership with the Sandwell Council and other partners, there is both significant opportunity and a challenge for all of us to strengthen anti-discrimination rights and protection for all our communities; increase advice, support and advocacy for those who experience discrimination and harassment; and target practical proposals for action to tackle hate crime and extremism."

Celebrating the commonwealth’s contribution in the West Midlands, some of the region’s leading figures gathered to extol its virtues whilst marking a special book-signing session of the latest release from the award-winning author and business manager, Dr. Christopher A. Johnson.

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A number of noted guests, at CEAL (Community Education Academy of Leadership), in West Bromwich, in the West Midlands, were on hand to emphasize the impact made by people from the Indian sub-continent, and surrounding areas, and their importance to the economy, not just here, in the UK, but worldwide.

Highlighting the impact made by prominent figures of South East Asian descent, Dr. Johnson’s book. ‘The Anatomy of Britain’s South Asian Entrepreneurs,’ profiles the impact of not only Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi business success, but it offers fascinating insights into the wealth creation of Afghanis, Nepalese and Sri Lankans combined, exploring the challenges and opportunities for South Asian firms as well as other Minority Ethnic businesses in the UK.

The symposium, chaired by Councillor Preet Kaur Gill, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, welcomed the presence of special guest speaker, Neena Gill CBE, MEP for the West Midlands, plus Alfred Williams, Chair of Wolverhampton City Credit Union, who spoke of the importance of creating self-reliance when it comes to finance and savings, Amrick Singh Ubhi Director of the Nishkam Centre in Birmingham, Birmingham BID chair, Dipak Shilat, former Operations Manager at The formerly known Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Harminder Kaur Bhogal Project Manager of CEAL and Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur Wolverhampton City Council presented the S.H.I.E. (Sandwell Heritage Icons Empowerment) Project and Jean-Pierre Melo of the Smile4Africa community organization.

“BREXIT is a concern as the commonwealth has made massive contributions to the UK over the centuries,” said Gill, “and Dr. Johnson’s book is vital in highlighting the cultural exchanges we’ve experienced over time.

It is vital to create dialog within the commonwealth to highlight theses contributions and develop greater links.”

Speaking on the ethos of the book, Dr. Johnson said; “Our collective roles – in war and peace time - have to be recognized. BREXIT has unleashed great intolerance amongst us, so we must cherish our different perspectives. ‘The Anatomy Of Britain’s South Asian Entrepreneurs’ is aimed at doing just that.

Our collective Caribbean-African-Asian entrepreneurship over the century must be celebrated, not ignored. The book, therefore, is for those interested in social cohesion, history, heritage, policy makers, universities, colleges, researchers, professionals, enterprise development, international business management and other business education.”

CEAL launched ‘The Anatomy of British South Asian Enterprise’ in December 2016.

Inspirational and achievable is a mantra for BBC Gardeners’ World Live, making the Show a much-loved fixture in the keen gardener’s calendar for the past 25 years. The APL  Avenue enters its second year at the 2017 event – a Show Garden competition in conjunction with The Association of Professional Landscapers, it gives the opportunity for five APL Landscape Contractors and chosen Designers to build gardens at the Show and be seen by over 90,000 visitors over four days.

With a front or small back garden theme, the gardens are inspirational and, most of all, relatable. "APL Avenue Show Gardens at BBC Gardeners' World Live have a real achievable feel and will provide great take-home ideas and lots of inspiration. I can’t wait to see them in the flesh" says Adam Frost (APL Avenue Selection Panel Member, Gardeners' World presenter & award-winning garden designer)

The winning contractors and designers going forward to build their Show Gardens at BBC Gardeners’ World Live are:

The Artemis Landscapes ‘Living in Sync’ Garden Contractor: Artemis Landscapes, Kent Designed by: Viv Seccombe Sponsors: Neal’s Yard A front garden designed for a professional, urban couple taking inspiration from their keen interest in biodiversity, combined with their community spirit to transform the space from tarmac into an inspiring paradise for wildlife, with year-round plant interest and alluring details. To combine stimulation and practicality, features of the garden include wildlife-friendly planting, sculptural bug towers, functional bin and bicycle storage made from sustainable wood and recycled paving. The main feature tree (Crab Apple) is wildlife friendly and the wide plant borders are surrounded by embedded recycled bottles which give flashes of jewelled colour in the sunlight.

Big Fish Landscapes Garden Contractor: Big Fish Landscapes, Herefordshire Designed by: Cherry Carmen, Cherry Blossom Landscapes A back garden designed for a middle-aged couple looking to upgrade their garden to match their renovated house. They are enthusiastic nature and art lovers and would like a space that looks like art through their glass sliding doors. The innovative decking area converts into lounge chairs, a perfect viewing platform. A moss graffiti wall is a natural and wildlife friendly way to introduce art into the garden and to spruce up a plain wall. While architectural log piles attract mammals, bees and insects and a large tree and pergola create a bird friendly canopy and privacy.

Lanwarne Landscapes Garden Contractor: Lanwarne Landscapes, Hertfordshire Designed by: Martin Lines, Lanwarne Landscapes Sponsors: London Stone, The Garden Trellis Co., Ternex, The Lapa Company, DB Renovations, Urban Planters, The Japan Garden Company, DEAMER Ltd. A back garden designed for a couple in their early thirties to complement their modern refurbished house and offer a private space for them to relax in after long hours in the city. The garden includes an outdoor kitchen and fire pit created from granite and stainless steel to give a clean contemporary edge which is balanced by bee and butterfly friendly planting along with pebble fountains to allow insects to drink safely. Low level planting in pink, blue and white colours are complemented by the fencing and pergola and create the illusion of added space.

Living Gardens ‘It’s Not Just About The Beard…’ Garden Contractor: Living Gardens, Lancashire Designed by: Peter Cowell & Monty Richardson, Living Gardens A hipster back garden created for a couple who live on the fringes of a city society. With no plans to settle down with children they’re looking to change their current concrete yard into an oasis of urban greenery, inspired by the industrial themed local bars and clubs. The main feature is a floating lounging platform with a bespoke steel wood burner and beanbags, creating space to entertain, party and relax. An outdoor bar made from reclaimed materials, along with place to grow fruit and veg, creates a quirky functional area. The industrial theme is surrounded by rich green foliage with splashes of colour and trees for privacy.

Pro-Gardens ‘CLIC Sargent’ Garden Contractor: Pro-Gardens Ltd, Oxfordshire Designed by: Jamie Langlands, Pro-Gardens Ltd Supporting Charity: CLIC Sargent who provide specialist support for young cancer patients and their families. A fantastical back garden created for a young family - to inspire imagination, adventures and memories with their children. The predominant feature within the garden is the magical folly located in the rear left, aimed at capturing the childhood memories of adults whilst creating new ones for children. A small enclosed patio and seating area is well hidden behind a curved Carpinus hedge - the perfect place for a quiet moment of reflection or a relaxing drink. An old path lined with fragrant lavender meanders towards the folly, passing colourful herbaceous planting and characterful trees.

A dozen community groups in Sandwell have benefited from more than £50,000 worth of improved facilities between them thanks to the generosity of the four companies refurbishing thousands of council homes in Sandwell.

The Hands-on Help scheme has seen Sandwell Council’s four construction partners – Keepmoat, Lovell, Vinci Facilities, and Wates Living Space and their suppliers - working on three projects each over the last 12 months.

The firms donated 1,350 hours of free labour along with a host of materials and their building expertise to benefit the thousands of people who attend the hundreds of activities, clubs and social events hosted by the community groups every week.

Groups were invited to bid for help through the scheme and work carried out included repairing a leaky roof, redecorating tired community halls, refurbishing out-dated kitchens and replacing old toilets.

One of the successful bidders was The Church of the Good Shepherd with St John, in West Bromwich which benefited from a brand new kitchen in their church hall.

The transformation included taking out the old kitchen, upgrading electrics, painting the walls, ceiling and woodwork as well as pressure washing the floor. As well as supplying and fitting the new kitchen, Lovell, who carried out the work also donated a new electric cooker.

Hazel Bloxham, church warden, said: “Our church hall provides a venue for many local clubs and activity groups.

“The kitchen’s previously poor condition was making it difficult to prepare food safely and stopping the wider community from attending activities here.

“We are extremely grateful for everything that has been done and the new kitchen is so much more practical and attractive for people to use.”

Another beneficiary was the 291 Community Association at Wesley Methodist Church, also in West Bromwich which has benefited from new toilet facilities

Derek Percival of the association, said: “Our original building dates back to the 1930s and the toilets were last refurbished in 1972 – and you could tell.

“We are absolutely delighted with the installation of a disabled toilet and nappy-changing facility. We can now better serve our users and attract more bookings for the building."