A little known gem in the borough is the Wellbeing Service provided through Solihull Community Housing (SCH). What some people may have thought, including myself, is that the service is for clients of SCH; This is not so. The full range of services provided can be viewed on their web pages via this link: https://www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk/Home/Tenants/SCHWellbeing/ … More WELLBEING CENTRE – Solihull
This post is to just refresh messages about recycling and confirm what can go and what can not go into the recycling bins, especially the fortnightly Brown Bin. My last post about recycling was on 1 June this year. That post went into detail about costs and the reasons why some bins were left uncollected. … More RECYCLING – An update
This report relates to the issues surrounding the trespassing of travellers in and near to Blythe ward from 21 September (approx.) to Saturday 1 October 2016. The former date is approximate because I was on holiday. I believe the time line is accurate (give or take). Time line: Whilst relaxing by the pool in Lanzarote … More TRAVELLERS – a personal review
I have today received a document from Arden Cross which provides a timely update on the proposals for the High Speed 2 interchange area once the HS2 Bill receives its Royal Assent (at the end of this year) and subject to Solihull’s own Local Plan Review, also expected later this year/early 2018. You will see … More ARDEN CROSS – HS2
At cabinet yesterday evening we agreed to seek greater trade and other links with our traditional twin towns (Cholet and MTK) as well as forge new links with two cities in the USA and China. The report before us can be read here: International Promotion and Cabinet agreed to: A revised approach to developing international links … More SOLIHULL and International Promotion
An interesting report to Solihull Cabinet this evening related to Solihull Town Centre and the Master Plan we are looking at; a public consultation will be launched next week (which I will post when the survey is launched). The Solihull Town Centre Masterplan aims to provide a blueprint for future investment and development which maximises … More SOLIHULL Town Centre Plan
Residents of properties on Monkspath that surround the Shirley Aquatics are today being delivered a leaflet outlining a proposal from Barchester Group to build a care home facility on this site. The entire leaflet can be accessed via this link: Consultation Flyer Shirley Aquatics It does appear the aquatics centre has not been going to well and … More CARE HOME ON SHIRLEY AQUATIC SITE?
I attended a briefing on 27 July for councillors on the review of the local development plan. This follows on from the ‘Call for sites’ which took place earlier this year. The sites have been submitted by land owners and/or developers who wish their land to be included in the next phase of Solihull’s Local … More REVIEW OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
I was asked to write up my thoughts about development training for councillors following a ‘conversation’ on twitter with Dr. Catherine Needham from Birmingham University following comments I made when I read the report she co-authored entitled ‘The 21st Century Councillor’ 21st-century-councillor . This is a great read for all councillors, old or new. I do … More BARRIERS TO COUNCILLOR DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
Recently Cllr Alex Insley and myself were invited by both Cheswick Green Residents Association and Parish Council to informal talks about Blythe Valley Park (BVP) planning application. As a result we can confirm thoughts and this is in reality a position statement. I have today submitted this statement for consideration by Solihull Planning Department and IM … More BLYTHE VALLEY PARK – My thoughts
Ken Hawkins 