Updated 3:15am 17 February 2012:

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Home counties Tory apologies after saying she doesn't want her town to look like Birmingham

A HOME Counties Tory has apologised after saying she does not want her town to end up ‘looking like Birmingham’.Read

Watchdog committee attacks decision to switch Kings Heath flower show

THE decision to switch Birmingham’s annual garden show from Kings Heath Park to the city centre has been attacked by a council watchdog committee.Read

Northfield residents protest at off licences

RESIDENTS in Northfield have staged a protest against the onslaught of off licences in their neighbourhood.Read

Aston Villa and Birmingham City in Alexander Stadium invite

BIRMINGHAM’S leisure boss wants to bring football teams from Aston Villa and Birmingham City to play at the city’s Alexander Stadium.Read

Birmingham City Council agrees to give Freedom of the City to the Guards regiments

THE Army’s guards regiments are set to be granted the Freedom of Birmingham.Read

Birmingham City Council web broadcasts get 600 viewers

OFFICERS who logged on to watch the first ever live online broadcast of the full Birmingham City Council meeting were barred, it has emerged.Read

Birmingham City Council will review ban on small vans at tips

CITY refuse collection bosses are to reconsider their ban on people using small vans and trailers at tips after complaints were highlighted in the Birmingham Mail.Read

Birmingham meeting green targets

THE continuing drive to make Birmingham greener was hailed a success after new figures revealed the city was beating its carbon dioxide emission targets.Read

Anger at Erdington off licence plan

A BIRMINGHAM community is gearing up to stop a former bed shop reopening as a late-night off-licence.Read

Conservationists cross at Bishops chapel conversion plan in Harborne

THE Bishop of Birmingham is locked in an unholy row over plans to modernise his historic disused chapel.Read

Store accused of manipulating Stirchley survey

A BIRMINGHAM councillor has slammed supermarket giant Asda for trying to ‘influence’ an independent survey over plans for a new store.Read

Birmingham City Council to keep supporting residents in Southern Cross Homes

BIRMINGHAM City Council has announced that it will continue to support more than 400 elderly residents in care homes belonging to Southern Cross following the collapse of the company.Read

New insulation should protect Birmingham's Gun Barrel Proof House from closure

A NEW soundproof roof could be added to Birmingham’s historic open air firing range in a bid to secure its long-term future.Read

Praise for Jewellery Quarter housing and workshops plan

A DEVELOPER has won praise for its plans to build eight homes and six workshops at the heart of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.Read

Plan for Sutton Coldfield nursery approved

PLANS for a new children’s nursery in Sutton Coldfield have been approved in the face of protests that it is on a busy commuter route and that the area cannot afford to lose another family home.Read

Birmingham politician Sion Simon: I regret ever working for News Of The World!

Former News of the World columnist and Birmingham Labour politician Sion Simon has said that the investigations into News International must continue, while admitting he regrets ever having worked for the Sunday.Read

Birmingham schools to get more powers to stop take aways

HEADTEACHERS are to be given the power to object to chip shops, takeaways and pizza parlours within 300 metres of schools under proposals designed to aid the battle against obesity.Read

Mere Green shopping centre to get sixth take away

A BIRMINGHAM shopping centre is set for its sixth takeaway despite huge objections from residents and retailers.Read

Joy as Bournville flats plans are dropped

A DEVELOPER has withdrawn its plans to convert a former Cadbury-owned office block into apartments in the face of widespread opposition.Read

Birmingham's battle to save darts

A CAMPAIGN to restore dart boards to Birmingham pubs has won the backing of a sports website and a city-based entrepreneur.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.