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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Cartoon competition.

Teenage artists to get comic break with talent competition

TALENTED teenage artists can get their big break into the world of superheroes and adventure through a new competition launched by Birmingham's top comic artists. Read

Probe into fears Birmingham Council is blocking mayor campaign

MINISTERS have launched an inquiry into fears that Birmingham Council is trying to undermine the campaign for a referendum on whether the city needs an elected mayor. Read

Islam

Festival to build bridges with Muslims in Birmingham

AN ARTS festival, community clean ups, prayer meetings and even a special stand-up comedy night are the highlights of a week-long celebration of the Muslim faith in Birmingham. Read

Asda-Walmart at Minworth, Sutton Coldfield.

Birmingham's Asda Wal-Mart supermarket to get makeover

BIRMINGHAM'S largest superstore, the Asda Wal-Mart at Minworth, is set to go ahead with a multi-million-pound redevelopment. Read

Birmingham Council House

Advice sessions for women workers at Birminmgham Council in pay row

WOMEN workers at Birmingham City Council making equal pay claims against their bosses can get free expert advice from conciliation service Acas. Read

Birmingham Council House

Birmingham Council pay deal slammed by lobby group

BIRMINGHAM City Council's new pay and grading deal was today slammed as an "expensive political correctness" scheme by a local government lobby group. Read

Council staff in strike threat over pay cuts

OUTRAGED Birmingham City Council staff are planning a series of Christmas protests followed by a winter of discontent over new pay deals. Read

Council pay helpline 'in meltdown'

UNION and city council telephones were today said to be "in meltdown" after thousands of staff had their controversial pay cuts confirmed. Read

Hundreds sign up to elected mayor petition

HUNDREDS more Birmingham voters demanded the right to decide whether the city had an elected mayor in a second petition day of action. Read

Birmingham Council House

Crunch day for Birmingham Council workers pay packets

THOUSANDS of Birmingham City Council workers were today finding out how much their salaries will change under a new pay and grading system. Read

Fake clothing found in the factory in Partons Road, Kings Heath.

Ram raiders reveal massive Birmingham fake clothes factory

A HUGE fake designer clothes factory was found in Birmingham today - after being exposed by ram raiders. Read

The petition for an elected Mayor for Birmingham.

Six months in and the fight continues for Mayor petition

THOUSANDS of readers have now backed the Birmingham Mail's petition calling for a referendum on an elected mayor in the city. Read

Birmingham Council House

Birmingham council workers demonstrate over pay cuts

BIRMINGHAM'S human resources chief was forced to run for cover when 500 angry workers demonstrated over pay cuts. Read

Birmingham Council House

Council staff lobby bosses over pay cuts

FURIOUS council workers were this afternoon lobbying city chiefs over massive cuts to their pay packets. Read

Birmingham Council House

Your chance to sign up at the big derby

DERBY day football fans will be urged to sign up for their right to decide how Birmingham is run on Sunday. Read

Birmingham Council House

Council workers to vote on strike action

THOUSANDS of city council workers will be balloted on strike action next week when their new pay deals are announced. Read

The HP Sauce factory

HP Sauce tribute call

A CITY planning chief has called for a monument to the landmark HP Sauce factory to be included on the new business park. Read

Birmingham Council House

Thousands sign up on day of action

CAMPAIGNERS for an elected mayor referendum added more than 2,000 signatures to their petition at last month's day of action. Read

Nicola Payne

Man quizzed on Nicola Payne disappearance

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of the abduction and murder of missing Midland teenager Nicola Payne. Read

Midland Arts Centre

Windfall for Midland Arts Centre

A BIRMINGHAM cinema, theatre and art gallery has today been given an £800,000 boost for its massive redevelopment campaign. Read

Author Profile

A local news reporter in the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and south Staffordshire area since 1995, Neil Elkes is the local government correspondent covering the activities of Birmingham CIty Council - Europe's largest local authority. An avid reader and collector of comics Neil is writing a column on this for the Birmingham Mail website.

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