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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

City opens its historic treasures

MORE than 30 of Birmingham's historic gems, including churches, factories, stately homes and museums, are opening their doors to the public for free next month. Read

Closed library set to re-open

A SUTTON Coldfield community library controversially closed in council cash cuts a decade ago is to be reopened next year. Read

Police destroy hit-and-run death files

KERRY Ramsey was not born when her father Kevin was killed in a hit-and-run accident on a city street. Read

MP: Stop the car clamp 'extortion'

A BIRMINGHAM MP today demanded an urgent overhaul of the law surrounding the "legalised extortion" of car clamping. Read

Broad Street skyscraper plans unveiled

BROAD Street is going up in the world with plans for a second major skyscraper in the city set to be approved. Read

Homes repairs probe

TWO Birmingham housing department officials have been suspended amid claims they hired contractors without authorisation. Read

Pub bid delayed by OAPs

ELDERLY residents of a sheltered housing block have successfully held-up plans to open a pub next to their homes. Read

No butts! Just make sure you keep our streets clean

WITH an indoor smoking ban coming in next summer, Broad Street clubs and bars have launched a pre-emptive bid to keep the street clean with outdoor ashtrays. Read

Call for return of historic street signs

A CITY roads watchdog is battling to restore Birmingham's historic cast iron street signs after finding huge stockpiles gathering dust in council warehouses. Read

Dream ending for mum's lifetime ambition

PERSERVERENCE has paid off for mum Jane Wingfield who has had her first novel published after more than a decade of trying. Read

Happy fans thank Doug for letting go

VILLA fans today greeted the news of the dawning of a whole new era at their club with "ecstasy" and excitement. Read

New Street revamp plans on track

THE £500 million redevelopment of New Street Station took another step forward today as rail chiefs handed in their first formal planning application. Read

Locals bitter at pub proposals

OUTRAGED residents are protesting against plans to convert a derelict landmark bank building into a trendy pub. Read

Police rescue city sex slaves

TWO Albanian women brought to Birmingham and forced to work as prostitutes have been rescued by police in a raid on a city brothel. Read

BNP facing defeat in election battle

BIRMINGHAM'S first British National Party councillor faces the double whammy of a £5,000 legal bill and losing her Kingstanding seat. Read

Vice inquiry call rejected

A CALL for a citywide inquiry into massage parlours and prostitution has been turned down, for the time being. Read

Vow to save the best of Brum

A POTENTIAL saviour has stepped forward to safeguard Birmingham's historic but crumbling buildings. Read

Sewage blaze is a real stinker

A CLOUD of smelly fog engulfed city homes today following a blaze at a major sewerage treatment works. Read

Final farewell to murdered trucker

HUNDREDS of mourners packed a city church to say a final farewell to a much-loved Birmingham trucker. Read

City searches for £90,000 spin doctor

BIRMINGHAM'S own "Alastair Campbell" is to be appointed with £90,000 of taxpayers' money - to help council leaders feel more appreciated. 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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