Updated 2:40pm 8 November 2009:

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Thousands at British International Comics Show in Birmingham

KAPOW! Thousands of comic fans from all over the country shared their love of high-flying superheroes, rebellious schoolboys and daring adventurers.Read

Inquiry into Birmingham City Council's children's social care department is due to report today

AN inquiry into Birmingham City Council’s children’s social care department is set to deliver its verdict later today. The inquiry was launched after Ofsted had branded the council’s ability to keep children safe as ‘inadequate’.Read

Rejection fears blamed for Victoria Square big TV screen planning bid delay

A PLANNING application for Birmingham’s £1 million silent big screen has been ten months in the system because it would not be approved, it has been claimed.Read

British Museum keen for Staffordshire treasure to stay in Midlands

THE British Museum today formally backed the bid to keep the Staffordshire Hoard in the Midlands.Read

Birmingham councillors call for inquiry into tree contracts decisions

COUNCIL opposition bosses have raised serious questions over awarding contracts for tree pruning and grass cutting in city parks.Read

Birmingham councillors call for inquiry into tree contracts decisions

COUNCIL opposition bosses have raised serious questions over awarding contracts for tree pruning and grass cutting in city parks.Read

Trendy loft living a threat to Jewellery Quarter’s World Heritage Status bid

THE Jewellery Quarter’s chances of earning World Heritage Status could be seriously under threat unless developers of new trendy loft apartments and offices are brought into line, it was claimed today.Read

Trendy loft living a threat to Jewellery Quarter’s World Heritage Status bid

THE Jewellery Quarter’s chances of earning World Heritage Status could be seriously under threat unless developers of new trendy loft apartments and offices are brought into line, it was claimed today.Read

Residents’ fury at council vehicles they say are churning up grass verges

COUNCIL lorries, vans and dustcarts are churning up a grass roundabout making a mockery of a city clampdown on grass verge abuse it has been claimed.Read

Councillor challenges West Midlands Police over frontline duty claims

A BIRMINGAM councillor has challenged West Midlands Police over claims a high number of officers are unavailable for frontline duty.Read

Traders fight back on the High Street by working together

IT is commonly thought that local shopping centres and independent retailers are having the life sucked out them by giant out-of-town retail parks, shopping malls and major centres.Read

Sutton Coldfield 'gardens grab' scheme approved

SUTTON Coldfield residents have failed in a bid to halt a development which they claim will alter the character of their leafy suburb.Read

Leisure boss pledges 'massive' investment in Birmingham swimming pools

COUNCIL leisure boss Martin Mullaney has pledged a ‘massive investment’ in the city’s swimming pools – including the rebuilding of Sparkhill Baths.Read

Birmingham sports chief in bid to boost cricket in city

A BIRMINGHAM-WIDE review of grassroots cricket is being launched in an attempt to build on the huge enthusiasm for the game following England’s Ashes success this summer.Read

Leisure boss pledges 'massive' investment in Birmingham swimming pools

COUNCIL leisure boss Martin Mullaney has pledged a ‘massive investment’ in the city’s swimming pools – including the rebuilding of Sparkhill Baths.Read

Mike Whitby fails in bid to stop Harborne cafe-bar plan

A NEW cafe-bar chain has been given the go-ahead from city planners for its first Birmingham outlet despite the high-profile objections of city council leader Mike Whitby.Read

Private money needed to save council golf courses, says councillor

THE massive £600,000 per year losses on Birmingham’s seven municipal golf courses are only likely to be slashed by lifting them to private club standards, the city’s sport and leisure chief said.Read

Private money needed to save council golf courses, says councillor

THE massive £600,000 per year losses on Birmingham’s seven municipal golf courses are only likely to be slashed by lifting them to private club standards, the city’s sport and leisure chief said.Read

Birmingham's politicians clash over EDL protests

CITY leaders have rejected claims that they can ban the controversial English Defence League group whose protests sparked violence and disorder in Birmingham city centre last weekend.Read

Protesters vent anger over Birmingham City Council's cutback plans

ANGER at proposed cutbacks in care for the elderly, redundancies and a pay freeze prompted a demonstration ahead of a meeting of Birmingham City Council.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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