Updated 8:14am 1 November 2009:

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

A FORMER Lord Mayor of Birmingham was today accused of telling a woman she was not a suitable inner-city Labour Party candidate because she is “white and Jewish”.

Coun Mahmood Hussain, who served as Birmingham’s first Asian Lord Mayor seven years ago, is alleged to have made the comment to Elaina Cohen who wanted to stand in the East Handsworth and Lozells by-election.Read

‘Naked streets’ cut accidents

TRAFFIC lights, bollards, kerbs, railings, speed limits and warning signs could be removed from key city streets under a revolutionary new policy currently being considered by transport bosses.Read

‘Naked streets’ cut accidents

TRAFFIC lights, bollards, kerbs, railings, speed limits and warning signs could be removed from key city streets under a revolutionary new policy currently being considered by transport bosses.Read

Jet washing technology to clean up Birmingham streets

ADVANCED jet washing technology used to blast rubber from Britain’s airport runways could soon be cleaning up the streets of Birmingham.Read

Views sought on Coleshill supermarket bid

COLESHILL residents are being asked for their views on plans for a new supermarket in the town.Read

Councillors resignation triggers a by-election in Birmingham

Voters in East Handsworth and Lozells will go to the polls in June following the resignation of Labour city councillor, Kim Brom.Read

Small units planned at former Woolworths store

By Neil ElkesRead

Birmingham car clamping boss to carry on despite court loss

THE car clamper who has to pay an 18-year-old £523 for wrongly towing away her car in Birmingham late at night today said he lost the court case over ‘one word’ on a warning sign.Read

Birmingham car clamping boss to carry on despite court loss

THE car clamper who has to pay an 18-year-old £523 for wrongly towing away her car in Birmingham late at night today said he lost the court case over ‘one word’ on a warning sign.Read

Birmingham taxi drivers angry over black cab test plan

FURIOUS taxi drivers have been told any black cab more than 14 years old will need to pass stringent quality checks.Read

Motorist litterbugs face £50 fines

MOTORISTS throwing cans, fast food wrappers and cigarette ends from their car windows face £50 fixed penalty notices if council officers get their way.Read

No go zones in Birmingham for cold callers a success say residents

BANS on door to door salesmen, workmen and charity collectors have proved a major success in three city neighbourhoods cutting key crimes by more than half.Read

Motorist litterbugs face £50 fines

MOTORISTS throwing cans, fast food wrappers and cigarette ends from their car windows face £50 fixed penalty notices if council officers get their way.Read

Birmingham clampers ordered to pay stranded teenage girl

AN 18-year-old girl has taken on the car clampers and won after they left her stranded 80 miles from home with no money in Birmingham City Centre late at night.Read

Zero tolerence policy to overweight lorries

CITY safety watchdogs have backed a zero tolerance approach to overloaded vans and lorries – against the recommendations of Government.Read

Call to ban round-the-clock off licences in Birmingham

A CITY licensing chief has called for a halt to shops selling booze until the effects of 24-hour drinking are investigated.Read

Plea for more park toilets in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM city council needs to invest more in repairing and replacing derelict public loos in Birmingham’s parks to encourage more visitors and healthier lifestyles, it has been claimed.Read

Councils ordered to stop spying on residents

Town hall snoopers will be barred from using spy cameras and covert surveillance on people suspected of putting bins out on the wrong day, or letting dogs foul in the street.Read

Sutton Coldfield war flights hero dies at 87

A BIRMINGHAM war hero, who made nearly 1,800 wartime flights, has died aged 87.Read

Birmingham held up as retail example

BIRMINGHAM’S retail chiefs were called upon to help shape national policy to protect High Streets.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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