HomeAuthorsNeil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Peace hopes as strike off

UNION bosses and senior council officials were today preparing for detailed negotiations to resolve the authority's bitter pay row. Read

Bin liners build up on Clay Lane, South Yardley

Council strike is off

TOMORROW'S planned walk out by thousands of city council staff has been called off following an 11th hour agreement. Read

Peace hopes rise at union

A UNION leader said today there was a "glimmer of hope" that Birmingham City Council's bitter pay dispute may be solved ahead of tomorrow's planned strike. Read

Family fury at funeral delay

THE grieving family of a teenage car crash victim have spoken of their frustration at a six day wait for his body to be released for burial. Read

Bin liners build up on Clay Lane, South Yardley

New 'threat' to bin strikers

COUNCIL binmen have been threatened with privatisation if they walk out on strike again, union chiefs claimed today. Read

Khizhar Awayat

Sad loss to life on Golden Mile

HE was a familiar smiling face to thousands of revellers out for a night on Birmingham's Golden Mile. But sadly Khizhar Awayat will no longer be waving to legions of passers-by following his death from liver failure. Read

Last chance to have your say

CAMPAIGNERS will take to the city centre streets this Saturday in a last push to secure a referendum for the people of Birmingham on how the city is run. With the deadline to hand in the petition on elected mayors approaching, Neil Elkes takes a look back at the campaign. Read

Coun Len Gregory

Drive to beat school run chaos

STAGGERED school opening times and more local buses could be brought in to halt school run traffic congestion. Read

Bathrooms cash splash

COUNCIL house tenants across Birmingham face a five per cent rent rise, but will benefit from a £129 million spending spree on major improvements. Read

Bin liners build up on Clay Lane, South Yardley

Unions dispute strike figures

TRADES union bosses in Birmingham rubbished figures released today showing that only a quarter of city staff downed tools for the one day strike. Read

Ray Hassall

Open up schools

CITY schools have been told to open up their sports halls and pitches to communities. Read

Strike outside Perry Barr council depot

Ultimatum in council pay row

THOUSANDS of Birmingham City Council staff have been handed a final ultimatum – accept your new contract or lose your job. Read

Poll campaigners take to the streets

CAMPAIGNERS battling for a referendum on elected mayors are taking to the city centre streets next weekend as the petition nears it anniversary deadline. Read

Fine for failing to stub it out

A SMOKER who refused to stub out his cigarette has been hit with a £415 bill for flouting the new smoking ban. Read

Inquiry in route fight

ANGRY traders are set to press their case for the removal of a controversial red route when a council inquiry opens next month. Read

Strike outside Perry Barr council depot

Council strike - new date Feb 26

FAMILIES across Birmingham will be hit by a second major walk-out on February 26 after union bosses failed to make a breakthrough in pay negotiations. Read

Council receives three stars

THE revival of Birmingham City Council, recently classified as failing in housing and social services, continued with a three star award today. Read

Joy over star turnaround

THE revival of Birmingham City Council, recently classified as failing in housing and social services, continued with a three star award today. Read

Coun David Roy

Roy has other plans

THE man responsible for steering building and development in Birmingham for the last four years is to stand down in May. Read

Council workers' rally in Victoria Square

Unions' new threat of two-day strikes

UNION bosses are set for crunch talks with council leaders amid threats of crippling two-day strikes. 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.

Get involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.