Updated 7:14pm 21 November 2009:

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

City council bows to pressure over meeting agendas

MEMBERS of the public can once again pick up paper copies of Birmingham City Council agendas at public meetings.Read

Midlands MPs welcome expenses reform

PROPOSED reforms of MPs’ expenses, which include ending claims for mortgage interest and employment of family members, should be adopted in full, according to many Midland MPs.Read

Birmingham MPs welcome findings of Kelly report on expenses

BIRMINGHAM MPs today broadly welcomed the report by the standards watchdog.Read

Anger over disruption to Remembrance Sunday service in Centenary Square

A EX-SERVICEMAN and former Lord Mayor of Birmingham has accused the city council of letting down war veterans by starting building work in Centenary Square just two weeks ahead of Remembrance Sunday.Read

Birmingham could launch autumn arts festival in 2013 as part of bid to become UK City of Culture

A Birmingham autumn arts festival, on a size and scale to rival Edinburgh and Paris, could be launched in 2013 as part of the drive to become the UK City of Culture.Read

Council dismiss fears that Birmingham's German Christmas market might fail to get liquor licence

BIRMINGHAM City Council has dismissed claims that the annual German Christmas market might fail to get a liquor licence.Read

Birmingham council passes motion demanding ‘massive’ cuts in off-peak bus ticket prices

BIRMINGHAM’S poorest families are being forced off the buses by sky-high fares, say council chiefs, who today demanded ticket prices be slashed.Read

Approval for Birmingham BMX park

BIRMINGHAM’S preparations to host the 2012 BMX World Championships are off to a flying start with approval for a new purpose-built track and ramp.Read

Bail hostel ban on Sheldon hotel scheme

CITY planners have told the architects of a controversial hotel scheme they cannot operate it as a bail hostel, refugee centre, care home or student dorm.Read

Conservatives retain Sutton Coldfield seat after a poor turnout

VOTERS stayed at home in a Sutton Coldfield by-election as the Conservatives retained one of their safest seats in Birmingham.Read

Birmingham clinch deal for USA athletics team to be base for 2012 countdown

“THE Olympics are coming to Birmingham”.Read

Deal to bring American athletics to Birmingham ahead of 2012 Olympic Games confirmed

A LONG-awaited deal to bring American athletics to Birmingham ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games will be signed with appropriate razzmatazz this week.Read

Homes for Edgbaston pub site occupied by protest squatters

A BID to build homes on the site of a former Birmingham pub occupied by squatters demanding more affordable housing is set to be approved later this week.Read

Bosses are wild about a £1m boost to Sutton Park

BIRMINGHAM’S largest park has scooped a £1 million windfall to boost wildlife and heritage and make it more attractive for visitors and help it to keep its free roaming cattle.Read

Council wants Birmingham City FC to host football at 2012 Olympics

BIRMINGHAM City Council today urged the new Blues owners to consider hosting Olympic football in 2012.Read

Call to preserve St Paul’s Square three storey limit

A THREE-storey limit on homes and offices surrounding Birmingham’s historic St Paul’s Square must be preserved, according to city conservationists.Read

City council's much-maligned website now rated 'most improved' of local authorities

THE new £2.8 million Birmingham City Council website has leapt from last place in a national league table to the top 20 a month after its launch.Read

White working class in Birmingham to get government support

Government communities minister John Denham was today naming 27 towns and cities across the UK where people feel they are treated unfairly, ignored by society and excluded from politics.Read

Villa Park and St Andrew's hospitality just the ticket for Birmingham City Council

Villa Park and St Andrew's hospitality just the ticket for Birmingham councilRead

Staffordshire Hoard could have made hoards of cash for museum

A CITY culture watchdog has launched an inquiry into the Museum and Art Gallery’s handling of the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition to see if money-making opportunities were missed.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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