Updated 1:57am 26 May 2012

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Fire safety fears raised over Nechells sofa warehouse

TRADING standards officials have found a warehouse full of potentially life-threatening sofas and suites during a raid on a city warehouse.Read

Government's new planning policy threatens jobs and green belt says Birmingham City Council

BIRMINGHAM jobs and its green belt are at risk if the Government’s new planning policy is pushed through without a severe overhaul, city planning chiefs have warned.Read

Edgbaston MP calls on Birmingham City Council to come clean over award ceremony costs

A BIRMINGHAM MP has called on the city council to come clean over how much it spends sending staff to slap-up awards ceremonies.Read

Sutton Coldfield homes plan hits buffers over railway line

A CHURCH plan to build homes on its car park seems set to hit the buffers over proposals to reinstate a historic railway line.Read

Mistress of Yardley MP still pining for missing kitten

THE mistress of love rat Birmingham MP John Hemming has told how she and their five-year-old daughter are still pining for their missing cat Beauty a year after it was taken from their home.Read

Sainsbury's amend Erdington store plans following talks with residents

HIGH street giant Sainsbury’s has agreed to alter its plans for a new city superstore following detailed talks with local residents.Read

Plan to circle Birmingham with trees to protect green belt

BIRMINGHAM could be surrounded with trees in a bid to stop the city spreading into the green belt under a new scheme being hatched by senior councillors.Read

Birmingham City Council plans to offer cheaper gas and electricity for families

BIRMINGHAM City Council is hoping to slash gas and electric bills for householders and businesses by setting up its own energy supply business.Read

Birmingham's free swim and gym sessions saving taxpayer millions

BIRMINGHAM’S get fit for free scheme will save the taxpayer £21 for every £1 invested, according to a study by experts.Read

Family apply to turn back clock at Handsworth Wood Mansion

THE family who bought a historic mansion house from Birmingham City Council for £775,000 have applied for permission to restore it to residential use.Read

Birmingham Crackdown on illegal ciggies hailed a success

SIX out of 29 newsagents, petrol stations and convenience stores visited by Birmingham Trading Standards investigators were found to be selling illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco.Read

Seven Birmingham strip clubs given green light

A COUPLE set to open Birmingham’s latest lap-dance club pledged to be good neighbours after their plans were approved.Read

Liberal Democrat Conference minister says pension changes will be fair

THE Government’s pensions minister told the conference that changes to the retirement age must be fair.Read

Birmingham strip club owner hits back at ballet's objections

THE woman bidding to open a city centre lap-dancing club has hit back at claims it could harm children and dancers at the Birmingham Royal Ballet opposite.Read

Birmingham Market eviction date a technicality says council chief

BIRMINGHAM City Council’s chief executive has described the issuing of a closure notice on Birmingham Wholesale Markets as a “technicality”.Read

Birmingham City Council says strike will not hit services

COUNCIL bosses claimed the majority of services would be operating today despite a walk-out by the city’s largest trade union.Read

Birmingham City Council plan to give seagulls fake eggs doomed to fail, warns expert

MEASURES to cut the rising seagull menace in Birmingham city centre by replacing their eggs with fakes are unlikely to succeed, councillors have been told.Read

Admission charges at Birmingham community museums leads to 14 per cent drop in visitors

VISITOR numbers at Birmingham’s community museums are on track to have fallen by 14 per cent this year following the controversial introduction of admission charges.Read

Liberal Democrat conference: Solar panels plan for West Midlands unveiled

BIRMINGHAM City Council bosses have unveiled a £760 million plan to fit solar panels on 114,000 rooftops over the next 15 years.Read

Liberal Democrat conference: Yardley MP calls for right to complain

BIRMINGHAM Lib Dem MP John Hemming called for “whingers’ rights” to be enshrined in law to protect whistle blowers from costly legal action and imprisonment.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.