Councillor at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.
In November 2021, we agreed our Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP). This sets out theactions we can take to help Solihull reach our ambition to be a net zero borough by 2041. This is the first Annual Report of progress made against at Action Plan. Overall, weare making good progress, with two thirds of actions … More Solihull Net Zero Action Plan Annual Report 2021/2022 – Executive Summary.
The Armed Forces Coomunity Garden, a sensory garden for veterans was amongst the winners of the first West Midlands Natural Environment Awards. Set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the awards showcase and celebrate the community organisations, educational institutions, public sector bodies and businesses who are caring for local green spaces. They also … More Armed Forces Community Garden, Hillfield Park – Wins top Environmental Award.
In response to increasing amounts of graffiti in the borough, key organisations and landowners met in Solihull last week for the first Solihull Graffiti Summit. The aim of the summit was to look at creative ways to tackle the problem and agree a collaborative approach. Cllr Ken Hawkins, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and … More Graffiti – Summit has to change
Solihull Council has adopted a refreshed version of its borough-wide transport strategy and accompanying delivery plan, known as ‘Solihull Connected 2023’. This updated strategy repositions the council’s approach to transport over the next decade, setting out its vision for a multi-modal transport system that accesses all parts of the borough, supports the economy, is safe … More Solihull Connected – Solihull Council adopts refreshed transport strategy
As the Council continues to tackle climate change head on, Solihull’s first Net Zero Annual Report has been published. The report outlines the progress that Solihull has made on its journey towards becoming a carbon net zero borough since the Net Zero Action was adopted in 2021. The Net Zero Annual Report, which can be downloaded here, … More Zeroing in – Solihull’s Annual Report tracks net zero progress
Drivers are being urged by road safety experts to think about the dangers of driving too fast for road conditions in a new THINK! campaign that launches today (6 March 2023). The new THINK! campaign, “Is pushing it worth it?” is targeted at young male drivers, as statistics show male drivers aged 17 to 24 … More Rural roads targeted in new safety campaign to prevent deaths and injuries among young drivers
From Monday 27 March, Solihull Council will be changing some of its recycling, rubbish and green waste collection rounds to make them more efficient and reduce carbon emissions. The changes do not affect what is being collected or how often. They mean that some residents will have a new collection day, a new collection cycle … More Recycling, rubbish and green waste – changes to collections coming soon:
The building works have started and the opening date is still on track for June 2023 with new theatres coming next year. Full details can be found in a report to Solihull Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week: https://eservices.solihull.gov.uk/mgInternet/documents/s107672/Communications%20and%20engagement%20update%20report_Solihull%20elective%20hub%20six%20theatres%20site%20configuration%20an.pdf
A report before this weeks Solihull Cabinet meting concerned tax premiums we set for longer term empty properties. The thrust behind this is is motivate owners to either make their homes suitable for habitation so they can be rented ointment or sold, therefore helping meet the demand for hoisting in the borough. In … More Council Tax Premiums for Empty Properties
Some great news we have had to sit on for a while and were able to publish this week; Continuing to build on its reputation at the leading edge of Connected Automated Vehicle (CAV) technology, Solihull is set to benefit from joint government and industry funding to deliver an exciting new project. Solihull Council has … More Solihull and Conigital secures funding to make automated shuttle routes a reality in the West Midlands
Ken Hawkins 