Updated 8:49pm 11 February 2012:

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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

David Cameron targets 4,500 troubled families in Birmingham

A TOTAL of 4,500 Birmingham families will be targeted in the Prime Minster’s pledge to “turn around the lives” of Britain’s most troubled families.Read

Acocks Green station improvements welcomed

PLANS to upgrade a Birmingham railway station with lifts and footbridge improvements have been welcomed by a city councillor.Read

Family who bought Handsworth Wood mansion oppose playground plan

THE Birmingham family who bought their very own mansion are now calling on the council to scrap plans for a children’s playground outside.Read

City centre tower delay frustrates council planners

THE developer behind a city centre tower block has been told to get a move on by ‘‘frustrated’’ planners.Read

Betting slip: Man reverses through window of Sheldon Ladbrokes

PUNTERS at a Birmingham bookies had a lucky escape when a car reversed through the front window narrowly missing them as they watched the day’s racing.Read

Walmley rail line revival stops new housing plan

PROPOSALS to reinstate a disused railway line have been boosted after councillors rejected a plan to build houses on a station site.Read

Thousands object to Erdington, Kingstanding and Sutton Coldfield boundary changes

A BATTLE over the political map of Sutton Coldfield and Erdington has become one of the most fiercely contested in the shake-up of MPs’ constituencies.Read

Public sector strikes: Thousands on march through Birmingham

THOUSANDS of public sector workers brought central Birmingham to a standstill as they called for the Government to back down on pension reform.Read

Fears that Brum lotto would encourage poor to gamble

BIRMINGHAM City Council is to plough ahead with its plans for a People’s Lottery to raise money for sport, arts and culture projects despite fears it could impact on the poorer members of society.Read

Birmingham public sector strikes: 1pm Update

Around 10,000 protestors have been marching through Birmingham City centre as part of the nationwide public sector strikes. Read

Strike march on as unions defy Birmingham City Council

LEADING public sector trade unions will go ahead with their planned march through Birmingham city centre – even though the council has not given permission for road closures.Read

Birmingham strikes: Tory council chief brands unions as irresponsible over march

A TOP Birmingham Tory has slammed union leaders as “irresponsible” for holding their unofficial march today.Read

Public sector strikes: Unions set to defy council and march through Birmingham

Leading unions are set to defy Birmingham City Council by holding a march through the city as part of the public sector strikes. Read

Fears of chaos as official Birmingham union march called off

INDUSTRIAL action over public sector pensions could descend into chaos in Birmingham tomorrow as an organised demonstration had to be cancelled due to a row over cost.Read

Majority of schools to close on public sector strike day

THE majority of Midland schools are set to close next Wednesday as public sector workers stage a mass 24 hour strike over pension reform.Read

First skirmish of Birmingham's elected mayor campaign

AN ELECTED mayor could lead the city towards a golden era of growth, confidence and success.Read

Minister promises Olympic tourism boost for Birmingham and West Midlands

BIRMINGHAM’S leisure industry has been promised “a revolution in domestic tourism” as the city bids to cash on the Olympic Games.Read

Birmingham City Council says BBC should back the city

BIRMINGHAM City Council is calling on the BBC not to turn its back on the city following a string of proposed production cuts.Read

Pictures: Handsworth Wood family's bid to restore Georgian mansion

“WE THOROUGHLY believe we have got a bargain. It was designed to be a family home and it will be again,” the new owners of Hawthorn House declare.Read

West Midlands Euro-MP calls for more support to armed forces

THE families of West Midlands soldiers on duty in Afghanistan need more support, a Euro MP said.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.