Birmingham City Council

The former deputy leader of Birmingham City Council has died after a short illness.

Carl HopleyCopyright: Carl Hopley

Andy Howell was a former Labour councillor for Moseley and was deputy leader of the council between 1999 and 2003.

His wife Kate Foley said he was "Birmingham to his core" but had a range of other passions including "the great outdoors" as well as arts and charity work.

The current leader of the council, Ian Ward, said he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of Mr Howell's death, remembering him as "a good Labour man who was committed to the people of Birmingham".

Tributes also flooded in from fellow councillors and the city's MPs.

A group of parents of children with special educational needs have said it "feels like Groundhog Day" as concerns are raised about a Birmingham council's new education chief.

Sue Harrison was appointed last month after leaving a similar role in Central Bedfordshire council, where parents have criticised the SEND provision.

Birmingham City CouncilCopyright: Birmingham City Council

Birmingham has faced many complaints regarding its own services, including a recent "second warning" from Ofsted about improvements, leading some parents to question the new appointment.

“I have been around the SEND system in Birmingham for a long time and it does feel like Groundhog Day," said Jo Bussey, whose son has cerebral palsy.

“It’s clearly a really complicated machine to administer. I really want to believe that they will be able to deliver.”

The local authority said it carried out "due dilligence" before appointing Ms Harrison.

"We are confident that Sue has the skillset and background that is needed to take services forward in this city," a spokesperson said.

Central Bedfordshire Council also said that Ms Harrison had developed "a comprehensive improvement plan" for educational services during her time there.

Birmingham City Council says it is "on the right track" as its gender pay gap is reduced.

Latest figures from the Labour-run local authority reveal the median pay gap decreased from 4.5% in 2019 to 3.9% in 2020.

In 2012 the council was ordered to pay hundreds of millions of pounds to settle equal pay claims brought by mainly women who missed out on bonuses.

Deputy council leader Brigid Jones said: "The continued reduction in gender pay gap at the council is great news, demonstrating that we are on the right track and that our equality initiatives are having the desired impact."

Birmingham City CouncilCopyright: Birmingham City Council

Quote Message: "There is of course more to do. Women are still over-represented in our lowest paid grades and we know that they are more likely to be juggling paid work alongside childcare and other caring responsibilities. We also need to make sure that we are creating opportunities for all women, especially those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds from Brigid Jones Deputy council leader

"There is of course more to do. Women are still over-represented in our lowest paid grades and we know that they are more likely to be juggling paid work alongside childcare and other caring responsibilities. We also need to make sure that we are creating opportunities for all women, especially those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds

A home for vulnerable young women in Birmingham has been given the green light despite a split council committee.

Almost 300 people signed a petition submitted by Councillor Waseem Zaffar which claimed the home in Handsworth would lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour.

At a Birmingham City Council planning committee last month, members were persuaded to refuse permission, despite warnings from officers that there was little evidence to support the concerns.

Following a review earlier today, members were split, meaning the casting vote fell to chair, councillor Karen McCarthy, who voted in favour.

The leader of Birmingham City Council has asked for all key workers to be given priority access to fuel.

Labour's Ian Ward said he felt that should also include care workers, social workers, home to school transport teams and day centre staff.

Ian WardCopyright: Ian Ward

BBCCopyright: BBC

He also said he feared the current measures being brought in to alleviate the fuel-rush would take time to come in to effect.

A ninth consecutive Chelsea Flower Show gold medal has been awared to Birmingham City Council for its eco-inspired garden.

Traditional seasonal bedding and sustainable energy sources such as solar panels, water power and wind power, earned the council the award.

It also showcased other sustainable initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and recycling with information about how these could be scaled up or down to fit different lifestyles.

Quote Message: Nine Gold awards in a row is a brilliant achievement and reconfirms Birmingham’s status as one of the leading cities for all things horticulture, helping promote us on a national and an international level - I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year. from Ian Ward Birmingham City Council leader

Nine Gold awards in a row is a brilliant achievement and reconfirms Birmingham’s status as one of the leading cities for all things horticulture, helping promote us on a national and an international level - I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.