Councillor at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.
I have been a governor at schools in Solihull for over 25 years (Monkspath and the Federated Special Schools of Forest Oak and Merstone). I know the apprenticeship levy has affected maintained schools. I fully support some sort of levy to encourage more businesses, local government and schools to employ apprentices but do feel schools, that … More APPRENTICE LEVY and SCHOOLS
I will be taking part in the Solihull Sleep out on behalf of St Basils this evening and wish to make a few points about the issue in Solihull. (Article in Solihull Observer) It is really positive and motivational to see the level of support from our residents and communities to support this important cause, … More Solihull Sleep Out – St Basils
Beat Surgeries have returned and here are the dates, time and venues of surgeries in or near to Blythe ward: March Tuesday 14th – Dickens Heath Parish Office 1000 x 1100 Wednesday 15th – Notcutts Garden Centre 1100 x 1300 Friday 24th – Bentley Heath Country Market 0930 x 1130 (a chance to buy some … More CUPPA with a COPPER
A question posed at Full Council to me this week related to this issue and the timing allows me to expand on the issue in a more general way to help inform residents of the borough Within the draft local plan review the Council is committed to providing ‘Homes for All’. In commissioning its evidence … More Housing Provision for Disabled in Solihull
My original post regarding the budget was dated 22 February 2017 and can be read here: https://cllrkenhawkins.co.uk/2017/02/22/solihull-budget-201718/ This post contains all budget papers at the meeting held yesterday evening. The upshot of the meeting was that an additional £4m was allocated to tackle the pressures on Adult Social Services and the budget was agreed by … More SOLIHULL BUDGET 2017/18
Even being a prolific user of Twitter, Facebook and having my own website to engage with residents and the wider community I do frequently reflect as to how effective these communications are and whether I don’t do enough to engage with those who do not use social media. Leaflets can be hit and miss and I … More How can I improve my engagement with you?
Solihull residents are being warned not to use ‘cowboy builders’ or rogue traders to repair or clean up after any damage caused by storm Doris. Trading Standards officers at Solihull Council are issuing the advice before high winds are expected to work their way through the borough today, possibly bringing down fences, trees and damaging … More STORM DAMAGE and COWBOY BUILDERS
To help promote Solihull’s Fair Trade Trail I innocently agreed to dress up as Banana Man little knowing the suggestion was real. The cost of a real Banana Man outfit was expensive so a Banana costume was purchased (this is great as it can be used by our Love Solihull team in the school engagements). … More Banana Man comes to Solihull
At the meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 1 March we will be setting the budget for the next financial year, 2017/18. In addition, we will be agreeing the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) up to 2020. In a Nutshell: The council tax for Solihull will rise by 4.99%. Most Local Authorities are setting … More SOLIHULL BUDGET 2017/18
Originally posted on Ken Hawkins:
Much has been mentioned about the land on Tanworth Lane, known as Mount Dairy Farm, Cheswick Green, Shirley, Solihull. The site is subject to the council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) ‘Solihull Draft Local Plan – Shaping a Sustainable Future’ which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in September 2012. The…
