Councillor at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.
There are a few reasons for me posting about this, especially as the town centre is not in Blythe ward. I have though stated before that the importance of the town centre to Solihull’s economy means it reflects on all the wards in the borough. It is also important to highlight the numbers of projected … More SOLIHULL TOWN CENTRE – CALL FOR SITES
Arden Cross is a £3.2bn opportunity to drive substantial growth across the West Midlands and national economy. Sitting within Solihull Borough it has the opportunity to be a world leading community. Sitting within an established cluster of world-class assets, including the NEC, Resorts World, and Jaguar Land Rover’s flagship Solihull manufacturing plant, HS2, Arden Cross … More The jewel that is – ARDEN CROSS
Residents may be aware of the councils recent ‘Call for Sites’ in order to fulfil its responsibilities in respect of housing targets (some 1300 new homes a year for the next ten years). I have posted here a breakdown of the main sites the Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green and Cheswick Green communities, together with maps. … More CALL FOR SITES – WITH MORE RELEVANCE TO DICKENS HEATH COMMUNITIES
Residents may be aware of the councils recent ‘Call for Sites’ in order tofulfil its responsibilities in respect of housing targets (some 1300 new homes a year for the next ten years). I have posted here a breakdown of the main sites within our Monkspath and Hillfield communities, together with maps. I have also given a short synopsis … More CALL FOR SITES – WITH MORE RELEVANCE TO MONKSPATH AND HILLFIELD COMMUNITIES
Press release from SMBC today: Solihull residents can now recycle plastic bags and wrapping along with their usual recycling at the kerbside. Everything that’s ‘soft plastic’ – from plastic bags, foil lined coffee bags and biscuit and sweet wrappers, to plastic film, bubble wrap, food wrapping and fruit and vegetable net bags – can now … More Plastic bags and wrapping recycling launches in Solihull
I have reported on this issue a few times since the review began, in August 2023. The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) have today published its final recommendations, which will now go before parliament for them to approve. Elections incorporating the new ward boundaries will take place in May 2026. You can find out more … More SOLIHULL COUNCIL – WARD BOUNDARY REVIEW
Thanks go to a resident from Shirley/Majors Green for highlighting this issue. The map shows the location of the bridlepath, that leads from Dickens Heath Road, through green space and towards Bills Lane. There is a smashing circular walk, but unfortunately, as you can see from the video, there is a stretch that is completely … More Bridle Path flooded – Dickens Heath
SMBC press release 17 Feb 2025: Veolia, in partnership with Solihull Council, is launching a third round of funding through the Solihull Community Environment Fund on 17 February with £20,000 available to support local eco-projects, clubs and communities. In the photograph: Sue Cummine, Solihull Contract Manager – Veolia (left) and myself (right) with Nikki Mapes … More Veolia and Solihull Council launch Community Environment Fund with £20,000 up for grabs.
A few headlines from the report: General attitudes towards elections remain largely unchanged from previous waves of this study. In Great Britain, most voting age adults (63%) still prefer voting in person at a polling station, while 3 in 10 (29%) prefer postal voting, and a small proportion (1%) favour voting by proxy. Among those … More Evaluation of Electoral Integrity Programme: public opinion research wave 3 – executive summary
A piece of welcome news within the latest planning update letter is reference to fast food outlets, where by local planning authorities can refuse applications for fast food outlets within walking distance to schools., or other locations where young people congregated. Full details here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ac8a4337726e9056af606c/1_Chief_Planners_Newsletter_11_February_2025.pdf
Ken Hawkins 