Veolia and Solihull Council launch Community Environment Fund with £20,000 up for grabs.

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.

Evaluation of Electoral Integrity Programme: public opinion research wave 3 – executive summary

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

UPDATED PLANNING POLICY – FAST FOOD OUTLETS

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

NHS – Healthcare Section 106 funding

I have been seeking more funding for local NHS funding from planning developments and the good news is – its happening. I posted about this in July last year: https://cllrkenhawkins.co.uk/2024/07/08/solihull-infrastructure-delivery-plan/ From just three major planning applications in Blythe ward we find the sums sought from the NHS – Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (NHS … More NHS – Healthcare Section 106 funding

Putting dangerous items in bins puts real people in danger.

Certain items are dangerous if they are placed in household bins. Vapes, electrical items, batteries, and gas (Nox) canisters can all cause fires and explosions, putting real people in danger and impacting vital recycling and waste infrastructure. Batteries: Batteries are a major cause of fires in recycling and waste facilities, impacting infrastructure and putting real people in danger. Fires … More Putting dangerous items in bins puts real people in danger.

New £13m police centre to tackle violence against women and girls

Some good news I read about on the Home Office website and I repeat the gist of it here: A new intelligence-led national policing centre will put the experiences of victims of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual offences, domestic abuse and stalking at the heart of police investigations – backed by more than £13 … More New £13m police centre to tackle violence against women and girls

Catering college proposed for Chelmsley Wood Town Centre

Planning application PL/2024/02970/PPFL relates to an application for a ‘Change of use to catering college’ by University College Birmingham (UCB). This looks like a brilliant opportunity for the area to replace units that have been vacant for a long time. Decrease levels of unemployment in the area by introducing training and skillsto support local business … More Catering college proposed for Chelmsley Wood Town Centre