Ken Hawkins

Help with Council Tax for residents with a terminal illness

29 August 2025

Residents of Solihull have a range of options for financial support for those at the end-of-life. A range of support is available from the Council which is detailed below. Any resident who may require support with the above can contact our Financial Inclusion Team on 0121 704 6202 or via email at financialinclusion@solihull.gov.uk. Our Community Advice Hubs … More Help with Council Tax for residents with a terminal illness

COUNCIL TAX – comparisons

30 July 2025

If you glance on social media, wherever you are in the UK, you may find complaints that ‘their’ own council has an exorbitant rate of council tax. I read similar statements here in Solihull, but the truth is, we have one of the lowest in the UK. I have compared Solihull’s council tax with others … More COUNCIL TAX – comparisons

POLICE PRECEPTS – comparisons

29 July 2025

I have been asked to explain a bit more about precepts, something added to our council tax bills. Funding for the police comes both directly from a central government grant and from the police precept. The policing precept is the amount we contribute to local policing through our council tax bill. The precept varies across … More POLICE PRECEPTS – comparisons

Call for Sites – Widney Manor Road

25 July 2025

I have previously mentioned the issues that relate to the Call for Sites and Widney Manor Golf Club. This post relates to a few other submissions nearby, off Widney Manor Road. I am conscious that some may be concerned about what has been put forward by developers/landowners. However, there is no certainty of any of … More Call for Sites – Widney Manor Road

NHS S106 SUBMISSIONS – Blythe ward sites

23 July 2025

I have mentioned previously my plea for the NHS to seek more substantial sums to address the extra demand in primary and secondary care that will arise through more development. One big complaint from existing residents is that, if its difficult to get a doctor’s appointment now, then what will it be like when we … More NHS S106 SUBMISSIONS – Blythe ward sites

Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report2024-2025

9 July 2025

This was presented at Solihull Council yesterday evening by Dr Sue Ross, Independent Chair Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board. The board does some fantastic work and the report is very readable; there is a an ‘easy read version posted as well. It is clear that with an every increasing older population (see Ageing Well report – … More Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report2024-2025

A BIT OF CLARIFICATION

9 July 2025

A few debates at council last night over a motion to ask two scrutiny boards to revisit the selection of who is to chair the respective scrutiny boards for the remainder of the municipal year. The two scrutiny boards are: Education and Children’s Service, and the Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services scrutiny board. The issue … More A BIT OF CLARIFICATION

OBJECTING TO PLANNING/DEVELOPMENTS

25 June 2025

I thought this may be useful for residents to know more about. Anyone can object to a planning application, it does help if the objector has connections with the site concerned. We have seen petitions signed by people objecting to applications in the ward who live abroad! To start with, there has to be a … More OBJECTING TO PLANNING/DEVELOPMENTS

WIDNEY MANOR GOLF CLUB – Call for Sites

17 June 2025

I have mentioned this in a previous post but feel it necessary to come back to you with a few concerns I have and ask if you agree with me. Call for Sites reference CFS/24/299 refers to ‘Solihull Golf Club’ but we know it as Widney Manor Golf club. The site has been put forward for consideration for … More WIDNEY MANOR GOLF CLUB – Call for Sites

Double whammy for West Mids bus users

17 June 2025

Following a second round of inflation-busting fare rises since he took office the West Midlands Mayor’s pledge for Bus Transformation is not going too well, This month saw a rise of 30% in the price of the cheapest commute to and from work. This contrasts with the previous mayor, Andy Street, who managed to keep … More Double whammy for West Mids bus users

Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (includes Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.